hands away from her face, wading through another onslaught of painful sensations, and held them in hers as tears fell from her eyes as well. “I’ll tell you what you are going to do, Amanda. You’ll stay here. And whatever you decide, I’ll be here to help you through it. You’re not alone.” Images of Amanda cutting herself had Grace pulling her back into her arms. “Not anymore.”
A while later, Grace stepped out to give Amanda some privacy and to grab her some clothes. The bed was already remade. She smiled, and promised herself she would thank Quentin tomorrow. Grace quickly changed into some pajamas and checked on Amanda. She took the clothes Grace offered through the crack of the door. “Thank you.”
Laney came in as Amanda was coming out of the bathroom, and hugged and cried with her too. She was the one who had made the bed. Laney brought some melatonin to help Amanda sleep, but Grace didn’t know how effective it would be, considering. Grace got her tucked in and laid down next to her, holding her as she continued to cry.
By the next afternoon, Amanda knew for sure she wanted to end the pregnancy. After she told Grace that Michael, AKA the jackass, had thrown money at her and told her to take care of it, Grace took the money and threw it in the fireplace. “But I don’t have any money,” Amanda cried.
Grace walked back to Amanda, wrapping her arms around her. “You don’t need his. I’ll give it to you.”
“I don’t even have a job to pay you back,” Amanda protested.
“Then pay me back when you can,” Grace countered softly.
The closest clinic was in Salt Lake City, only a fifteen-minute highway ride away. They didn’t have an appointment available until Thursday. Amanda knew she couldn’t go to school until after it was done; she would be too much of an emotional mess, and Grace agreed. She promised to get Amanda’s homework for her, and to take Thursday and Friday off with her.
The girls sat around the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday. Amanda didn’t eat much. Quentin was in and out, only coming into the family room with goodies and movies he thought they might want. He still didn’t talk to Grace, but spoke softly to Amanda. Grace appreciated his kindness all the same.
Come Monday, school was rough. Amanda’s emotions were hard for Grace to shake. She was glad Amanda stayed home. If it was tough for her, it would have been nearly impossible for Amanda.
All week, Emily and Leah tried cheering Grace up. They left her alone during lunches, hovering close in case they were needed, even though they were in the dark about what was going on. Zeke walked her to most of her classes, and even brought her a coffee Tuesday morning, and then again on Wednesday.
Darius surprised Grace at home twice. She ate up the surprise hugs and kisses like manna. With gentle hands, he cupped her face, and told her he’d be back over in a flash if she needed him. He promised he’d have his phone on him always.
On Thursday morning, Grace solemnly got ready for the appointment. She didn’t need to touch Amanda to know she was scared. She gave her a hug and assured her, “It’s going to be okay.”
Amanda gave her a forced smile, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. “I know.”
The fifteen-minute drive to the clinic was deafeningly quiet. Grace wanted to cut through the silence, but what could she say?
The clinic looked like a normal medical facility. No protestors marched with picket signs and miniature coffins like you see in the movies. Grace was glad for that, because she couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t krav maga someone in the throat if they harassed her friend after all she’d been through.
Amanda didn’t have to wait very long in the waiting area. A nurse explained she was going to speak with a counselor first, then have some lab work done. She then told Grace that Amanda would be ready to go home in a couple of hours, depending on how long it took her to wake from the general anesthesia.
Exactly two hours later, the receptionist told Grace she could pull around and pick Amanda up. Slumped against the arm of the wheelchair, Amanda stared at the ground. Grace grabbed the pain medication and after-care instructions from the nurse, and drove Amanda home.
Amanda didn’t come out of Grace’s room for a few days. Grace had been