Broken, Navaura Campbell [top young adult novels txt] 📗

idea what about, it must have been serious because I'd gotten tired of waiting for her in the van after twenty minutes. I had prepared myself to exit and as I did she opened the door and shut it close, starting the vehicle.

"Mom, what took so long?" I inquired, buckling my seat belt as she pulled out of the drive way.

"I needed to talk to your Aunt Viki."

"About what?"

Mom glanced over at me. " A few things and among them, your departure from school today."

I rolled my eyes."Come on ma..I didn't do anything wrong. They just sent me home."

She smirked, "Sure Vanessa. They just decided to send you home."

"Well, the principal got mad because I wouldn't talk to the counselor about what's going on with Tamarah. I don't feel like it's really any of their business."

"Their trying to take control of the situation Vanessa."

"It doesn't really matter about controlling the situation because the whole school knows she and Tommy slept together." I felt my cheeks burn at this acknowledgement. They all knew but no one understood the shame and embarrassment something of this magnitude causes.

"How do you feel about that, Vanessa?"

I shrugged. " I feel like I can't really do anything about it since she's pregnant. I have to live with the embarrassment."

My mom sighed, "Would you like to enroll in a school on the other side of town?"

I rolled my eyes, "With all of those preppy kids? I'm fine right here, thank you."

"You would fit in there Vanessa. You're intelligent, bright and not to mention beautiful. They will flock to you."

I sighed and rolled my eyes, not really sure what the fuss was about. I felt like my skin was too light, my eyes drew too much attention and guys looked at my breasts and hips before anything else. It was irksome to know that all they thought of when they saw me was sex. Out side of Tommy there was no other guy I was interested in.

"Are you interested in going to another school, Vanessa?"

I exhaled, "All the way across town mom? Come on, between Dad's work schedule and your pregnancy I wouldn't want to do that. It's enough with Craig having to go to school over there."

"While everything you stated is true, it doesn't mean I wouldn't mind driving you over there, besides I received a letter from a school over there."

I turned my head to my mother. "You did?"

We made a left turn on Terrace Road. "Yes, Vanessa."

"Which one?"

 "I can't remember but I know I received one, so I'm deciding on whether or not to go back to work come the fall."

I raised my eye brows, my face suddenly morphing into a replica of my dad's when he was surpried. "You are going to work in the fall?"

My mom laughed, "Why not?"

"Hmm, I don't know, what about the baby growing inside your womb? Too much stress can't be a good thing."

My mom yawned as she turned on her left turn signal at a red light. "I find it more stressful sitting at home cleaning all day. I have a degree in History and can't even use it."

"That's because you chose to become a mother."

Mom made the turn now that the light was red, "Being a mother has nothing to do with it. Your father and I agreed that once you and Craig started school that I would go back to work."

"You're pregnant again."

"And that shouldn't stop me from accomplishing my goals."

"Mom Dad's practice is doing well now."

"I know, all the more for me to get out of the house."

"What about dinner? You and dad will probably start fighting now."

She shook her head, "Why's that? Because I will finally have something to do other than take  care of you guys?"

I rolled my eyes. "Mom you act like that's a bad thing."

"No it's not, but i should be able to do something I enjoy doing."

"And teaching is it?" I sighed frustrated. 

"Vanessa, I understand that you won't have your mother to pick up after you all the time, cook dinner every single night and be at your beck and call like usual, but seriously, it's time you start filling in your own place. It's time for you guys to grow up and learn to care for yourselves. Don't always depend on me for everything."

"And you getting a job will help us do that?" I felt angry and anxious now without understanding why. 

"Yes." Mom turned onto the road we lived on and pulled into the drive way at the end of the block. I threw my hands up, "Whatever." She turned the key to the off position and I opened my door. "I have home work."

"Vanessa, it's for the best."

I cleared my throat and said, "I'm sure it is mom. I hope you have a good night." As i grabbed my bag from the floor of the car, I grabbed the door with the other hand. Slipping the bag over my shoulder, I closed the door and made my way to the front door. I really didn't feel like talking with her about this. 

 

 

 

Imprint

Text: Navaura Campbell, Brandy M.
Editing: Brandy
Publication Date: 02-14-2013

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To those who have loved, lost and triumphed over despair. I hope that you find this book rewarding and entertaining while at the same time giving you vestiges of hope and belief.