Second Chances and Choices

Chapter 17

Meanwhile, Snoddy had fallen asleep sitting next to Briar with his forehead in his hands. Briar stirred and woke up, exerting an immense effort just to open her eyes and look at him. He felt her move and looked up to see her sitting against the headboard.
“I feel like such an idiot," said Briar.
"Are you okay? Why were you at the hospital?"
Briar took a deep breath and started explaining. Though her expressions never changed, Snoddy could tell how she was feeling by her voice. When she talked about the letter from Dr. Evans, her voice was low and uncertain, when she talked about David, her voice grew deeper and she spoke through gritted teeth. He let her vent then said, "Did you go through with the abortion?"
Briar hesitated, staring unseeingly out the window, before shaking her head quietly. "I couldn’t do it, Snoddy. I don’t care what David says, I just couldn’t do it."
Snoddy was quiet for a few minutes, unable to find the words to speak. "You can’t be a teenage mom," he said finally.
"I know, I know. I just didn’t have the guts," she admitted with a laugh.
"Whatever you decide to do, I’m right here for you," Snoddy moved and sat on the bed next to her. “And, you know what? I think you did the right thing.”
Briar stared deep into his eyes. He was saying and doing everything she wanted from David. In her mind, a distant memory came rushing back to her.
"I’m locking up my heart and throwing away the key!" she laughed, half serious-half joking.
"And I happen to know someone with an extra key that just might unlock that heart of yours," Lit’l Bit grinned at her friend.
"Oh yeah? Who?"
"Let’s just say, he’s right under your nose," Lit’l Bit shrugged mysteriously.
Briar smiled in spite of herself. "It was you all along," she muttered.
Snoddy raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"Nothing. Why are you doing all this for me?" she wondered.
"Why? Well... I mean... you’re..." he stuttered, running a hand nervously through his hair. "My friend," he finished breathlessly. "I’d do anything for you," he added in a low voice.
Her face was inches from his and she could feel her heart beating loudly. Suddenly…

“Briar?”
“What’re you doing here?”
Briar’s voice turned cold as ice when she saw David standing at the door fidgeting nervously.
David cleared his throat. “I want to talk to you.”
Snoddy wanted to stand up to leave but Briar swung her legs out of the bunk and straightened up, fixing David with a piercing glare.
“There’s nothing to talk about. You made yourself perfectly clear…”
”What I said was completely wrong and I was an idiot,” David cut in.
Briar arched an eyebrow. “You think you can just come here and apologize and expect me to fall into your arms just like that?” She tried to keep her voice steady but it quivered involuntarily.
David walked over to her but kept an arm’s length distance between them, Briar looked dangerous. “I know you’ll never forgive me but I have to tell you that… I was wrong. I was so wrong and whatever you decide to do it’s okay with me.
Snoddy looked from Briar to David. He knew Briar was strong minded, but he also knew she could shut out her heart and think with her head. And it looked like she was going to take David back in spite of what happened. Don’t do it, Briar.
Briar’s gaze softened. “I’m not going through with the abortion,” she said quietly.
“Are you sure?”
“I can’t do it.” She sighed. “Looks like I’m gonna be a mom.”
David nodded. “Come home with me,” he said.
“Briar, you’re still a little shook up,” said Snoddy but David interrupted him.
“It’s all right,” he said. He put his arm around her shoulders and led her out just as Lit’l Bit came into the room. She watched David and Briar leave then turned to Snoddy.
“Did I miss anything?” she asked.
“They got back together,” explained Snoddy. “He’s taking her back to his place. She’s not gonna have the abortion” He started to leave but Lit’l Bit grabbed his arm.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why shouldn’t I be?” He shrugged off her grip and left.
Later that evening, Lit’l Bit headed for the Jacobs’ tenement to check on Briar, and have a serious talk with her. David answered the door when she knocked.
David shrugged. “She’s in the bedroom.”
Lit’l Bit thanked him and started to go inside then stopped abruptly. “David, you’re gonna be a father.”
“I know,” said David.
Lit’l Bit frowned slightly. “And you’re okay with that?”
David sighed. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”
She decided to be straight with him. “Don’t pull her in deeper if you’re not in it with all your heart, because she is.” Lit’l Bit left him and found Briar sitting by the window in the bedroom.
“I was wondering when you were gonna follow me,” she said with a smile.
“Feeling better?” Lit’l Bit asked, sitting down next to her.
“Kinda. David and I are trying to work things out,” said Briar.
Lit’l Bit’s eyebrows knitted together for a second. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“About what?”
“David. He said some pretty nasty stuff to you and you took him back. Are you really that in love with him?”
“I don’t know. I guess so.” Briar shrugged.
“Look, I know I’m not supposed to tell you this but you’ve gotta know… Snoddy has got it bad for you. He’s in love with you.”
This time, Briar frowned. “He told you that?”
“No, in fact he denied it but I didn’t believe him. I don’t know how you didn’t see it, I mean, he’s been there for you more than anybody…”
“Except you,” cut in Briar.
“He loves you Briar, and he’s really hurting that you chose David even though he’s totally wrong for you…” She stopped when she realized she had said too much.
“What do you mean he’s totally wrong for me?” asked Briar.
Lit’l Bit chose her words carefully. “He may not show it, but he isn’t taking this baby thing too well. He’s got other responsibilities to think about, you know. I just don’t see you two together.”
Briar was quiet for a few minutes. When she finally spoke she said, “Can we go home now? I’m kinda tired.”
Lit’l Bit nodded. “Sure, we’ll go home. You could use some sleep.”