I stood up and grabbed the wall to steady myself. I grabbed the kid’s coats and a bag full of clothes and the $250 I had saved ever since Matthew was born. I planned to have Spencer’s mom, Frieda, bring me back over to the house tomorrow to pick up the baby things.
I took my mother’s keys and her minivan and we packed everyone in. I had just gotten my license 3 months ago, but hadn’t driven much. We drove the 5 minutes to Spencer’s house and unpacked. Frieda wanted to ask me what happened, but I saw Spencer shake his head and tell her he would tell her later.
Erica and Jeremy seemed surprised to see us. Matthew told them we were staying for a few days and Erica began to jump up and down. I forced a smile and hugged them both. I put my bag into Spencer’s room and sat on his bed. Soon Samantha came and sat with me, and Spencer appeared in the door. He smiled and left us alone.
“Did Mom die?” she asked. I was surprised at her bluntness, but I nodded. Another tear made a path down my cheek and landed on my jeans. I sighed and laid on Spencer’s bed. Samantha began to cry and curled up next to me. I hugged her and cried with her; both of us huddled in a little ball, lifeless, motherless, and hopeless.