Covering the Carolinas Read Free Page B

I’ll be out in a minute,” I say as calmly as
possible.
    “ It’s us. Let us in,” my sisters
whisper.
    I open the door and we stand in the bathroom
waiting. Who knew ninety seconds could feel like days when you are
scared shitless? When the digital screen begins to glow, tears
begin to fall. I’m pregnant. Oh fuck! I’m
really pregnant. My sisters don’t say anything,
instead Carleigh pulls the test from my hand and they both hug me
as if their lives depend on it. Now I have to decide what to do. Do
I keep it or give it away? How am I going to tell my parents? What
do I say to GC?
    When I can’t take the hugging any longer, I pull
away from them, wipe the tears away as if they didn’t happen, get
rid of the evidence and begin to tell my sisters my plan.
    “ Y’all, I’m not ready for anyone to know. I’ve
got to get myself together, decide what I’m going to tell GC and
our parents.”
    “ How can we help?” Carleigh asks.
    “ Honestly, I have no idea other than help me
remain normal until I tell them.”
    “ Mar, we’re your sisters and we will always
stand beside you. Please don’t take to long to tell them. Secrets
eat at everyone.”
    “ I won’t Car. Maybe just a couple of weeks,
but when I tell them will you both be there with me?”
    “ You bet we will,” Tinleigh chimes in. They
hug me yet again and I get ready as if I didn’t just take that
test. As of right now, this is our secret. Two weeks, I’m giving
myself two weeks to get this sorted out.
    GUNNISON
    It has been three days since I last talked to
Marleigh. I know that is partly my fault. I’ve been helping dad at
the stable from the time the sun rises, to practice and back to the
stable at dusk; life has been hectic. Regardless of what I’m doing
she is constantly on my mind and to think that my girl isn’t
feeling well and I’m not giving her the attention she needs is
killing me.
    Each time I’ve talked to her, I feel as if she’s
pulling away. I’m really not sure why but what I do know is that
the distance between me in Pennsylvania and her in South Carolina,
is killing us. It’s not like I can just drive down there and speak
to her in person.
    Grabbing my gym bag, I head to practice and as soon
as the truck engine comes to life my mind wanders to Marleigh and
me this summer. I smile and my heart skips a beat as I think about
the way she looked at me when I first saw her. As my hand grips the
steering wheel, I wish it was holding her hand instead. Damn, I
love her so much. I hope she’s okay and we are okay.

Chapter 3
    Two Weeks Later
    MARLEIGH
    Taking a deep breath, I make my way downstairs to
talk to my parents, who are watching TV in the living room. My
sisters follow right behind me. I’ve never been scared of my
parents, but what I’m about to tell them is going to crush them.
I’ve always been the one to get into mischief and not think before
I acted. My mama always gives me a lecture, takes my phone or
grounds me, but this time a lecture and grounding aren’t going to
fix this lack of thinking. This is going to be devastating for
them, but it’s going to disappoint them more than anything. I brace
myself for a lecture and seeing them madder than I have in my
entire life.
    “ Mama and Daddy, can I talk to you a minute?”
I ask as my hands begin to tremble.
    “ Sure. What’s wrong, Mar?” Dad
questions.
    As we all take a seat, my sisters sit on each
side of me, and then the tears begin to form. “Um, I don’t even
know where to start except I’m so sorry. I’ve really messed up this
time.” Taking a deep breath, my mama starts to stand to make her
way toward me. I shake my head no and just say the words to make
them a reality. “I’m pregnant.” I’ve never had a way with words and
I just couldn’t hold it in any longer. Mama stops in place, and the
look on my Daddy’s face is one of hurt.
    “ When did this happen?” he asks.
    “ I took a test two weeks ago, but I think it
happened over