Lauren Part Three

Here is a continuation of a story I started. If you would like to read the first two parts just click on Lauren, under topics.

prompt: crowded





“What on earth were we thinking?” she giggled. We look like a walking identity crises.” I glanced down at the photos and smiled, spandex pants, lacquered purple and pink hair, wide spiked belts cinched tight at the waist, dark make-up, it was hard to tell if we were punk, heavy metal or goth. We seemed to have embraced it all. “Just blame it on the drugs and alcohol,” I laughed. Lauren closed the photo album and takes a sip of wine as if to fortify herself. “Do you ever wish you could go back?” she asks. “I miss the freedom sometimes, but I have Lily and Josh now. I wouldn’t trade them for the world,” I answered. “When is Josh coming back?” she quizzed. “He should be back Friday. Lily will be so glad to see him; she hates these business trips. She is definitely a daddy’s girl,” I said smiling.

Lauren fidgeted with a loose thread on her blouse. “Listen I have something I need to tell you,” she said nervously. Disturbing images flooded my mind crowding my thoughts. “What is it? I asked anxiously. What’s wrong?” “Brian and I are trying to have a baby,” she blurted out. I let out a long sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful! You’ll make a terrific mom. Lily already adores you,” I exclaimed.
“Do you really think so?” she asked incredulously. Of course, I’ll have to go off my medication for awhile, but the doctor says I should be fine as long as I get back on it after the baby is born. And Brian is so excited, he really wants a child,” she chattered happily. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. “What do you mean go off your medication? I whispered. “ Well, I can’t take the drugs while I’m pregnant, silly. It would harm the baby,” she said with a grin. I try to choose my words carefully. “Lauren have you thought this out? Maybe you could adopt a child? I’m a bit worried about you going off the medication, “ I reasoned.

The wineglass shatters as she slammed it into the coffee table. “I knew it! I knew you wouldn’t understand!” she shrieked. I tried to calm her down, but she gathers up her things and heads to the front door. “For your information I haven’t taken my meds for the past month and I’ve been fine. It’s been ten years since I was in the hospital. Ten years! But you remind me of it all the time! You with your perfect husband and perfect daughter! Why can’t I have that too?” she cried. “Lauren wait! I just thought… “ “I know what you think, we can’t let the crazy lady breed,” she sneered. The car door slammed shut and she drove away. And it felt like my heart shattered into a million pieces.



To be continued...