Chapter 4: Donna Grandview

The next morning, I woke up with a bruise forming on my cheekbone. I pulled on some clothes and put makeup on to cover the bruise. I walked out the door and looked around the neighborhood. The bank was small and quaint. There was two tellers with no customers. I bit my lip as I walked up to the closest teller. She was a middle aged woman who didn't look too mean. I only had two documents in my hand. I didn't know what you needed to start a savings account. I was shy when I walked up to her. I could see her looking me up and down. I showed her the only documents that I had and she helped me set up a bank account. It only took fifteen minutes to set up a savings account. I had put most of my money in the bank plus the thirty dollars I had gotten from tips last night, which left me just enough to get a quick meal at the dinner across from the park. I was on my way to the dinner when I was stopped by three guys. Their faces were familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had saw them before. As I walked past then I could feel their eyes on me. The only thing I could hear was the men's footsteps, but instead of their steps getting quieter they became louder. I looked over my shoulder too see the men walking behind me now. I started to pick up the pace turning corner after corner trying to make a distance between me and the men. I could feel the hair on my neck raise. "Hey girly" I heard one of the men behind me call. I didn't look back but his voice sounded close, I could smell their colognes now. One of the men wrapped his thick hand around my wrist pulling me close to him. He turned me to face him. It was the drunken men from the bar. "Candace told me that you're trying to start shit with her". I let out a breath. What the hell has she gotten me into now? "No it was just an accident" I muttered to them. "Really? Because we saw what you did to her last night" The other one said. I shook my head. The middle guy pushed me up against the wall holding his body against me. My heart was beating out of my chest. The faint scent of alcohol was in his breath. "Candace also said that you owed her some money" said another. The one holding me up against the wall nodded to the others. "I believe she said that girly here owed her a necklace" He said eyeing the gold butterfly necklace on my chest. He brought up his hand and held the butterfly between his fingers. He started to pull on it, I pushed him back but he was much stronger than me. He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck feeling for the necklace clasp. I tried to bring my hand up to hold the necklace in place but another guy pinned me down. He was much rougher than the middle one. His hands tightened around my wrists. I cringed when he tightened a bit more. The necklace fell and I tried to yell out. A hand quickly covered my mouth and held me in place. One man pushed his body to mine. His hands wrapping around my waist and pulled me closer to him. His hand tangled in my hair and he yanked my neck down. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be out here alone, you might get hurt or meet someone you don't want to". Tears started to fall and he wiped them away. "Don't worry girly were here now, we can make u feel better" one of them said. I didn't want them to hurt my baby. I tried to push back, but they were stronger, I tried to call out but a rough calloused hand had covered my mouth, I was doomed. Tears hit the hard pavement as the men pulled me down. I could feel someone grab me by my hair and pull me up. I tried to pull back by my wrists were being pulled away from my body. I kicked and twisted my body trying to scream, pleading for help. Someone has to be seeing this by now, where did all the people go. One man grabbed my chin lifting my face to his. "This is a warning little girl" His rough hand connected to my cheek. My cheek started to burn as a familiar metallic taste came. The burning spread throughout my body and that is how they left me. Their footsteps disappeared as the sound of static filled my ears. Faint footsteps came closer to me, I tried to look up, but blackness had swallowed me.

As the static disappeared a woman's soft humming replaced it. My eyelids were heavy and refused to open. A cool cloth was placed over my forehead. The water slowly dripped down my temple cooling my burning skin. "Its okay, your safe now" A soft voice told me. "My names Donna Grandview. I work at the hospital as a nurse. Don't worry, I'll take care of you". I nodded relaxing my body. My eyes opened slowly to reveal a freckled woman with soft brown eyes and curly brown hair. Her smile was ensuring that I am safe. "I'm Sam" I whispered to her sitting up. My stomach tightened and my face cringed. My hand moved to my stomach to feel a tight ball, my stomach was hard and red. "I'm pregnant" I told Donna looking at my stomach. She bit her bottom lip. "Do you remember if they kicked you in the stomach?" I shook my head. "No I can't remember much" I mumbled back. She let out a breath and looked at me from head to toe. "Maybe we should take you to the hospital". She stood up and started walking away. "No, I don't like hospitals" I said. "You're in a nurses house Sam. I think it's best if you go, we can be in and out quickly". She called from another room. I tried to object once more but my stomach heaved. A warm sick feeling came over me that made my throat burn with acid. I leaned over the edge of the couch preparing to puke. Donna quickly met me with a small garbage can. My stomach lurched once more and the acid in my throat was released. I laid back down holding my stomach tightly. Closing my eyes I asked the dizziness to go away. "We're going to the hospital. Get ready now" she said. A harsh tone in her voice showed the urgency in the situation. "No I'm fine" I protested once more. "Sam, there's blood in your vomit". My eyes moved to see her pulling on her jacket with purse in hand. I sat up and with every movement I was greeted with dizziness. I struggled to stand, but my knees buckled and I fell back to the couch. Acid was released into the garbage can once more. Hands pulled me to my feet. "Come on Hun, let's get you to the doctor. You can take your garbage can with you" she told me. I nodded and turned around reaching for the garbage. As my body twisted and bent a searing pain shot through my waist. Donna led me slowly towards the front door.

It was starting to get dark outside. The sun had set and the moon was making its way across the sky. "How long was I out?" I asked her as I sat down in the passenger seat of her car with bucket in hand. She got in and started to engine. "A few hours. You seemed to be exhausted so I didn't want to wake you". We drove quietly through the town and after a few minutes we reached a small hospital. Donna parked the car by the emergency center and led me through the doors. I sat in a hard waiting room chair as Donna talked to a nurse at the registration desk. After a few minutes I was led into a small pink rom with a desk, chair and bed. The nurse led me to the bed with Donna close behind her. "The doctor will be in soon to see you, but for now I'm going to start a drip to get fluids into you." I didn't object this time as she slipped the tubes into my hand. "This should help with the nausea and dehydration" the nurse said patting my arm. She smiled back at Donna who was sitting in the chair in the corner of the room. "How long will I be in here?" I asked Donna. She shrugged her shoulders as the nurse left the room.

"Blood in your vomit isn't a good sign, so it depends on how bad it is and what's happening". Her reply gave me no comfort. I lay back down and closed my eyes focusing on the ticking of the clock on the wall above me. Another wave brushed over me. It was only after a few minutes the doctor walked in. He was an older frail man with milky white hair and wrinkled skin. His hands were like ice as the lightly pushed into my stomach. He looked down my throat and checked my blood pressure and after a few more minutes of poking and prodding he left the room. "What's wrong?" I asked her. She leaned forward looking out the door into the hallway. "No idea, but I'll go check" she said walking out the door. I sat in the room looking at the walls and the IV attached to my hand. It was helping with the nausea but the dizziness remained. My mind started drifting with each minute that passed. What if I lost the baby and that's why it's taking so long. I moved my hand to my stomach, but there was no movement. Why was I always the one to be the victim of violence? I sat in the bed waiting for someone to return. When footsteps passed outside my room I would sit up bit acting like I wasn't dizzy so they would release me. After a bit the doctor walked in alone. His face had a sad expression painted on as he looked down at my chart. "Samantha it looks like you have slight internal bleeding. It should clear itself up in few days but until then you might feel slight discomfort" he said flipping through the pages. "And my baby?" I asked. "The fetus should be fine, but I suggest you get an ultrasound determining how far along you are and if the fetus is developing well, but for now I suggest you stay home and try to not exert yourself". I nodded to him. At least everything will be okay and the baby is fine. The nurse walked in with Donna as the doctor left. The women giggled and talked about the patients earlier in the day as the IV was taken out.

The drive back to Donna's house was silent. I could see that she had questions bouncing around in her head. "Thank you for taking me to the doctor" I said softly looking out the window. "Yeah, it's no problem at all. I guess you can say I'm quite a people person. I hate to see someone in pain" she said smiling. I nodded. I could already tell that we were going to be friends. She made me feel safe being around her. It was silent till we got to the house. "I think it's best if you stay here with me for a little bit, just so I can watch over you". I thought about having to walk back to the Inn. What if I was jumped again? Or threw up so much I fainted on some street with no one around. "I guess I could stay for a night or two" I replied back to her. She smiled. "Sam. Can I ask you something?" She said sitting beside me on the couch. I nodded to her playing with my fingers. "Who are you?" she asked. I laughed a bit. "I'm Sam remember" I replied back. She shook her head. "No I mean who are you? Why are you here? And why did those men attack you?" I bit my lip. I looked away from her peering eyes. "Please, you have to open up to people, if you aren't open you can't expect to make friends. I looked back at her. "I moved here because of my abusive ex-boyfriend. He beat me so badly. So my friend Cassy helped me get out. She bought me a train ticket and gave me some cash and told me to run. I don't think I could ever repay her for that". I took a breath. I could feel tears trying to form in my eyes but I pushed them away. "And what about your family? Do they have any idea where you are right now?" she asked leaning in closer. I looked at her eyes and saw the empathy in them. "No dad or sibling that I know of" I said quickly. "And your mom?" She asked. "I miss her" I said. "She would take all of my money to support her cocaine addiction, but I still love her. Leaving her was hard. She wasn't home and I didn't know what she would do when she finds out that I'm gone. She wasn't much of a mother, but she was still my mother". I couldn't keep my tears back anymore. They formed in the corners and dropped down my cheeks.

"Does he know about the baby?" She asked holding my hand in hers. I shook my head. "He knows nothing and he will never know anything. Just because someone's a father doesn't mean they have to be a dad" I told her. She nodded slightly. "Where have you been staying so far?" I looked up at her. "I've been staying down at the Inn by the park. Honey and Dan are nice people their letting me stay there for free as long as I pay for groceries and help out around the Inn". I wonder if their wondering where I am? If they have noticed I'm gone. Honey probably has, but Dan probably couldn't care less. "Well you know you're welcome to stay here. Be with someone your own age. Wait how old are you?" she asked looking me up and down. "I'm seventeen" I told her. She seemed disappointed. "You're very young, but you sure don't act like it and soon you're going to be a mommy. Does Honey and Dan know you're pregnant?" I shook my head again. "Hmm. Maybe it is best if you stay here. I grew up with quite a few siblings back in the city so I'm okay with children and I can almost guarantee that Dan won't put up with a screaming baby". I nodded to her. "Yea, I had already thought of that". This probably would be the best place for the baby. I mean Donna is closer to the age that people have babies and being a nurse she would be perfect to help me raise this child. I looked at her with tears still clinging in my eyes. "You know what, I think it would be a better idea if I stay here with you, but I want to continue working at the bar so I can pay for the stuff for the baby and of course help you out with bills and groceries". She smiled and nodded. Donna had the pearliest straight white teeth that perfectly matched her huge grin. "Great we can take the car in the morning and bring your stuff over, but for now I think its best we get some sleep and tomorrow I'll set up the spare bedroom for you". I nodded and lay down on the couch. Donna hung up her coat, smiled once more at me and then left the room. I looked around the dark room. This is what I want for my baby. Not some small room in a hotel or a dirty rundown apartment, I want a house with a back yard so he can play with his friends and have backyard barbeques with the neighbors. I had none of that growing up, but my baby was going to get the life that he deserves.

When I woke up in the morning I pulled of the covers and looked around. The house was quiet and still as if I was the only one who was here. The clock on the wall read eleven in the morning. I didn't work till later that night so it left me time to explore a bit. I first went to the room that Donna had slept in. The room was empty. She probably worked long hours and had to be up early. I walked into the pretty pink kitchen. The smell of flowers and cinnamon filled my nose. As I moved through the house I noticed how it was so colorful and smelled wonderful. Donna had a great eye for style with modern furniture and beautiful paintings of scenery. I sat back down on the couch and noticed a small piece of paper on the table by the doorway. In scratchy, messy writing it read: Sam went to work be back at 6. Help yourself to anything you may need. Donna. I went back into the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the counter. Sitting at the table I read the local newspaper. It was simple stuff, birthday notices, garage sales and small articles on local business sales. This town had literally nothing to it. I looked at the clock once more and saw that it was half past one and that I worked at four. I straightened up the couch and left for the Inn. As I walked in I was greeted by a smiling Honey. "There you are dear! Where have you been all night?" She asked hurrying over to me. "Um, I just stayed with a friend for the night" I replied trying to walk over to my room. "Oh was it a boy?" Honey asked following me down the hall. I let out a small laugh. "No just a friend I had met" I bit my lip. How would she take me just up and leaving? Would she be disappointed for me just to ditch out now after she had helped me out so much.

"What's on your mind dear?" She asked reading my facial expression. "Well, my friend asked if I would move in and I agreed. I'm sorry for having to go" I said. She looked down at her feet trying to hide her face. "Well whatever you think is best for you dearie, but we will miss you. Feel free to visit at any time you want our door is always open" she said smiling to me. "Well I need to get ready for work and get my stuff ready to go" I said to her opening the door. She nodded and started to walk back to the front. Her small feet lightly shuffled away. I packed all my stuff back into the shopping bags and set them on the bed. I took a short shower and quickly got dressed pulling on a lose pair of jeans and a tank. As I walked past the mirror I noticed something. My tight stomach seemed larger almost as if it had swelled up overnight. I held my hand over my stomach trying to feel any movement. Sighing I walked away from the mirror and started walking to work.

The musky air of the bar hit me making me feel sick to my stomach. At that moment Candace was looking at me, stunned that I showed up for work. I could see her clear her throat and purse her lips as I walked past her into the back kitchen. I was standing at the mirror pulling my hair into a tight pony tail when I saw her behind me. Her foot tapped as she waited for me to turn around. The slight bruises on my face were barely visible by the cheap cover up. "I thought I had gotten the message across that you're not welcome here" Candace said holding harsh tone in her voice. I was tired of this woman. Who cares if I work here it's my life and if I'm not bothering her she should just leave me alone. "What do you want with me?" I asked turning to face her. She walked up to me to the point we were almost nose to nose. "I want you gone" She whispered to me. "Well I'm not leaving" I told her. She was taken aback by my reply. I could see her rage starting to bubble. "You little bitch!" I turned towards the door attempting to walk out but her fingers wrapped around my hair pulling me back. Losing my balance I fell backwards to the floor taking her down with me. Grabbing her hand I pulled her fingers from my hair and pushed her body to the ground. It was then while I was on top of Candace holding her to the ground that Nick walked in. He pulled me up by my arms to my feet and pointed to his office. Obediently I walked to his office, out of the corner of my eye I saw him help her up. I bet right now she's telling him that I was the one who attacked her and that she was stunned and couldn't fight back. She would tell him that I'm trouble and that I should be fired and then what would I do. I doubt I could find another job soon enough and no one would hire me if they saw I was pregnant.

As Nick walked into the office I could tell he wanted to fire me. He sat at his chair as I fiddled with my hands. "Sam, I don't think you're fitting in here" he said. "You seem to be getting in quite a bit of trouble and I can't have that in my bar." He looked down at his hands not wanting to see my face. "Nick I really need this job, it wasn't me who started the fight." I tried to tell him, but he quickly interrupted me. "Sam I'm going to have to let you go." He said once more. "Nick I'm pregnant". I blurted out. My face instantly got red waiting for his response. He looked up at my face trying to read if I'm telling the truth. "Are you really?" he asked. I nodded looking at my stomach. "I need this job to pay for my babies things. Please I'm begging you Nick." I pleaded to him. He took a breath and looked at my stomach over the desk. "Fine but no trouble with Candace and you know a bar isn't the best place for a pregnant chick so once you get big enough we will put you in the kitchen." Nick said standing up and leading me out the door. He smiled and nodded to me and led Candace into his office. I was safe for a little bit more, at least till my stomach starts poking out and people notice.

A little while later Candace emerged from the back and stood behind the bar glaring at me angrily. I wonder if she knew that I was pregnant and that is why I'm not fired. My question was soon answered when I placed empty bar mugs on the counter. "Just because you're a slut and got yourself knocked up don't mean that you deserve to be here" She said angrily at me. I didn't look at her, I just turned and walked away letting her boil in her own hate. The best way to not get in trouble is to not associate with trouble. For the rest of the night I watched her glare at me and talking to her regulars about how much she hates new people. It wasn't till eleven that night that Donna walked through the doors to pick me up. She smiled as she walked towards me as if the smell of beer and men didn't affect her. "Hi cutie" she said to me. "Are you ready to go home?" she asked me sitting down at a table. "Almost done just a few things to clean and we can go" I replied to her. I looked around the bar and saw the few dirty tables and dishes that needed to be put away. Candace had left early a little while ago so now it was just me, another waitress named Sherry and the cook. After cleaning I pulled on my coat and walked out with Donna to her car.

Once we got to Donna's house I pulled of my coat and sat on the couch letting my feet rest from the long day. Donna made some tea and placed a mug in my hand as she sipped hers. "So what's the plan for tomorrow?" she asked me sitting at the other end of the couch. "Well" I replied. I don't work tomorrow so I don't know really maybe go for a walk or something." I told her sipping my tea. "Well actually" I mumbled. "Tomorrow is my birthday" I told her looking at her face. She looked back at me, this huge smile spread across her face. "Really!" She said excitedly. "Why didn't you tell me? We should do something tomorrow then! Go out for dinner or something" she said leaning closer to me. "I need to get you a gift" She exclaimed happily. "Well how about we go out tomorrow and you can pick anything you want okay?" I nodded to her. No one ever really paid much attention to my birthdays and as far as I can remember, I really had never gotten many gifts for any occasion. Her bright smile made me blush every time I looked at her. She sipped her tea and I could see it on her face she was thinking of many things that she could get me for my birthday. As I sipped the tea I began to feel tired. I left Donna and went to the guest bedroom snuggling with the covers I fell into a deep sleep.

In my dreams I was haunted by Jordan's face. The image of him holding my tiny baby by frightened me. I could see Jordan's grip tightening around him. There was no cry for help from the tiny baby as Jordan's grip got tighter and tighter around the child. His sly grin spread across his face as if he could see that I was scared. Once again I tried to get to my baby but an unseen forced pulled me farther away. I struggled to pull myself closer to my baby, but I was being pulled away from the nursery and down a long hallway. I grabbed at the walls trying to pull myself forward. My arms were shaking as I struggled to get closer. A thick fog covered the hall. It suddenly got harder to breathe. My laboured breaths made it harder to get closer to my poor baby. Soon I was engulfed by the fog and my body went limp.

I woke up with shallow breaths. I put my hand to my stomach and wiped the sweat from my brow. I took a few deep breaths trying to get my breathing back to normal and calm myself down. I sat in bed holding my knees with my head rested on them. Little light was shining into the room and everything seemed still. A light smell of bacon and hash browns floated into the room. Donna must have gotten up bright and early to make breakfast.

I laid back down trying to get the dream out of my head. Moments later Donna burst through my door holding a plate of food. "Wake up girly!" she said happily. "Eat your breakfast and get dressed were going shopping". I looked back at her. There was no point in arguing I know I wouldn't win anyways. Sitting up I took the plate from her hands and began eating. "Okay I'll leave you be, get ready soon though, I want to go before it gets busy" she said smiling at me. After I ate and got dressed I walked into the living room where Donna was sitting watching the news with her coat already on. "Well finally" she said standing up. "We need to go to the grocery store and get a few baking supplies and then where ever you want to go for a gift". She said opening the door. I pulled on my coat and we hopped into her car and made our way to the grocery store. As Donna and I wandered the isles looking for ingredients and miscellaneous foods I saw Honey picking up milk. I walked over her to say hi but I was quickly interrupted by her. "Hi Sam, how have you been dear? A lady called the Inn looking for you, she didn't give me a number just sad for you to call Cassy as soon as possible but I had no idea how to get a hold of you. Thank goodness I saw you here". Honey said quickly. Cassy had called for me? I thanked Honey and wished her well then met up with Donna who was now at the cash register. "Donna we need to go home, my friend is trying to get a hold of me and it's probably an emergency" I told her. She nodded sensing the urgency in my voice. Once home, I ran to the phone and dialed Cassy's cell phone number. After three rings she picked up and said hello. "Cassy it's me Sam, what's wrong?" I asked. "Sam, its Jordan" she said. "He is being charged for murder and he's missing" she said slowly. I could hear the pain in her voice. "Who was it?" I asked her. I could hear her take a deep breath. "The police say it was just some guy that Jordan met at a bar. The wrong place at the wrong time kind of thing." Cassy whispered. This is my fault and now someone's dead and Jordan is on the run. All because of me.

As I hung up the phone I turned to see Dona standing in the doorway. "Who was that?" she asked curiously. "Jordan, my ex. He killed someone" I told her. Her hand flew up to her mouth trying to hide a gasp. "I just need to lay down for a bit" I told her walking to my bedroom. She nodded watching me walk away. I sat down on my bed thinking of Jordan. He was now a murderer, what would he do next? Would he try to find me? Or even go after mom or Cassy, then what would happen. They might both get hurt because of me. Once again everyone I know and the people I care about have been put in danger because of me.