Life was definitely better but also different and terrifying. School was the biggest issue. Susan walked around without making eye contact. She was a pregnant teen in a country school. Her friends weren’t there to buffer out any bullies that might come her way.
Surprisingly, there weren’t any bullies picking on her. Instead, she quickly made friends. The popular group was never Susan’s style. Rockers and misfits always felt more like family. These are the ones who took her under their wing.
It wasn’t long after starting school that Susan took a trip out of town with the stepfamily. That was when she went into labor. Holding her daughter for the very first time was like magic. Pain and suffering from before washed away down a fast-flowing stream. Looking into that baby girl’s eyes as she wrapped her tiny hand around one finger felt as close to heaven as Susan would get.
Her down time from school after the birth of her little miracle was nice. Friends from school brought her homework and her stepmother taught her everything she knew about being a mom. Her father even took turns holding and taking care of the baby.
It was strange not having any violence. She would take strange. Her stepmother always hugged her, and they told her she was loved every day. Physical contact was difficult. Susan still flinched when they touched her. Sure, there were rules and they were pretty strict but that was fine.
Time flew by. School was good. Her new friends always came over or picked her up to go exploring the tiny town. Susan still got in trouble, but her dad was understanding and stepmom let him lead with discipline. They never laid a hand in anger against her.
Her friends from before and even her sister came out to see her often. She didn’t get to see Missy as much as she wanted to. Missy didn’t get along with their stepmom. Needless to say, their stepmom didn’t tolerate Missy’s husband either.
Susan’s boyfriend faded into the background as well. He had come over trying to establish dominance in the house as he liked to do. That ended with her stepmom in his face as she slammed him up against a wall. Good riddance.
It was when her friends from before started stealing her away from school that she started slipping back into her old habits. Susan took up drinking again. She stayed out late, went to parties, and even got busted by the local cops for hanging out at a park with alcohol.
Even with all of this, her dad and stepmom tried to steer her right. However, she also had the pull of her grandmother and aunt again. They had stayed back for a while, but now they were back to pressuring her into going back to them. They bribed her and taunted her with things they would give. All of those always came with strings attached. It was when they threw in her sister’s name that she caved.
