Twenty-four

"I got another write-up today," I tell Corey as we are enjoying some pizza rolls and waiting for Jen to get home.

He looks at me and shakes his head. "Why?"

"Sheila wanted me to do art projects with the toddlers, but then criticized what I do, we literally have no supplies and I'm sick of being the one supplying it."

"I know that sucks, but maybe sometimes you need to learn how to hold your tongue," he tells me.

"Not speak up for me, no thanks."

"If you want to keep your job," he says.

"There's plenty of others." I roll my eyes.

"You never had a real job before. It's not like your mom would fire you. You have no idea what it's like," he says.

"And what's that?" I feel myself becoming snotty.

"You're not going to like everything in the workplace, and of course, you want to open your mouth and defend yourself or say what needs to be changed, but in reality, you can't do that. You go with the flow, ignore the bad comment, smile and do your job," he explains.

"Oh," I say, getting up from the table.

Sometimes I do think Corey thinks I am a stuck-up spoiled princess. Like I know basic mannerisms, but also know how to stick up for myself, and I feel you should do that even in the workplace.

I walk into the bedroom. Changing out of my work clothes. I put on a pair of pajama bottoms and a white T-shirt without my bra. I already feel my boobs starting to hurt, and I'm not sure if it's pregnancy or what.

I hear the loud engine of the bus. I am happy Jen is home from school. I love hearing about her day. She cracks me up. She is so full of drama.

Jen loudly enters the house. I walk out of the bedroom. She rushes to give me a hug.

"Would you like an after-school snack?'

She nods.

'What about apples and peanut butter?"

"Most definitely," she giggles.

I move towards the kitchen to prepare her snack. I hear the door open. Usually just Josh or Carly occasionally just walks in. But Corey talked to Josh about just walking in when he happened to walk in one time when I was just wearing boxers and a t-shirt that was fun.

Hearing Carly's voice makes me want to just throw up. I've seen her many times since the pizza incident. I don't think I could ever get to the point where I think she is okay, she's just annoying, she's just not me.

"Yo bro, come to the skatepark, I got to show you something sick," I hear her say.

"Carly, I have to watch Jen," Corey laughs.

"Isn't that what Sadie's for?" she smirks.

I walk out of the kitchen, just finishing Jen's snack. I can really just deck her in her face. "That's a cute little idea, except I'm not a babysitter, I'm sort of his girlfriend," I smirk.

"I'm sort of his girlfriend," she smocks me.

"You're just jealous, you're not," I looked her up and down.

I see the hurt on Carly's face and am actually so proud of myself.

"I could have been," she says.

"But sadly you're not," I wrinkle up my nose.

"Sadie enough," Corey yells, pointing his finger at me.

"Skip you, you always stuck up for her."

I grab my keys from the kitchen counter. I was already feeling salty from our conversation earlier, and this was just like the salt on the potato chip.

Jen's eyes are enormous eating her apples. I move towards the front door. I have nothing more to say. Maybe Corey and I are too different. Clearly, if he likes Carly.

Corey stands up from the couch. "Sadie, where are you going?"

"Just out."

"You're not getting behind the wheel upset," he tells me gently, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"I'll be fine."

I feel his lips on my neck. "Not with my baby." He rubs my belly.

I slap his hand away. I glare at him. I don't think I had to say anything to him to understand how angry I was.

I continue to walk towards the front door. I really don't care what he thinks.

Once in my car, I feel my eyes water. I really gave up parts of my life for this man. And he can't give up one friend. I just don't like her and I live there. I shouldn't have to be around someone I'm uncomfortable with. I live there.

I pull out of the driveway. I think I'll just go for a nice refreshing smoothie. I love the coconut pineapple ones.

I pull into the little smoothie cafe. I notice Adam's car. I smile. I haven't talked to him in so long. I decided to dine in. Opening the door, I climb out. I see Adam in the window, and he looks mystified.

Looking down, I remember the clothes I'm wearing and the car. I silently laugh to myself. Adam is thinking Sadie let herself go. I open the door and walk towards Adam.

"Hey you," he says.

"I know I look like a mess," I laugh.

"I wasn't thinking that," he responds.

"Sure." I laugh.

"But I was admiring your beat-up car," he laughs.

I chuckle too.

The waiter comes to the table where I am now sitting.

"What will you have?" She asks.

"Pineapple coconut smoothie please."

'You got it." she remarks before turning to leave.

I hear my phone ring. It was Corey obviously. My mouth drops open, seeing Josh and Mandy walk into the smoothie cafe. Is there anywhere else in town people could go?

Josh looks funny at me. This fight with Corey just got a whole lot bigger.

"So how's everything going?" Adam asks me.

"Good, I just started working at a daycare."

"Do you like it?" He asks.

I nod. "Very much."

"Your mom misses you," he tells me.

"She does?"

He nods. "She asked me all the time if I spoke to you."

I look down. And of course, he hasn't.

"It feels like you disappeared." He tells me. He reaches across the table and grabs my hand.

"I know."

"I hope he loves you, because you have given up a lot for him," he tells me.

"I wouldn't have if my mom had just accepted him."

The waitress brings me my smoothie. I take a big gulp.

"Hey Adam," Mandy says, smiling at him. They walk by to sit at a nearby table.

"Sup, Mandy," Adam says.

"I think you should work things out with your mom," Adam says.

I nod. "One day." I don't even think I'm that mad at her anymore.

I hear my phone beep. Really Sadie Adam? It reads from Corey.

I look at Josh. I sent him a message. Tattletale I text.

He shrugs his shoulders.

"Where's your homeboy now?" Adam asks.

"Homeboy?" I laugh.

"Corey?" He asks.

"At home, I went out for a moment."

"Oh," he responds.

I finish my smoothie. I can't help the Sweetness that was giving me a stomach ache.

"Do you think you guys will ever get married?" He asks.

I look down. Should I tell him? He might as well know. What does it matter?

"I am actually pregnant."

I see the disgust on his face. "I wish I could say I didn't see that coming."

"Excuse me?"

"Not you, him, he's so irresponsible," he remarks.

"We both had unprotected sex, Adam."

"It's his responsibility, Sadie."

"He's going to be a great dad."

"Okay," he says rolling his eyes.

"So all I get is okay, no congratulations or anything." I feel a little hurt.

"I'm not going to congratulate you for ruining your life," he tells me.

"I see." I get up from the table after placing the money for the smoothie on the bill.

"Sadie," Adam calls after me.