The Treehouse - Chapter 7

"Chris? Hi, it's Brie." Brianne called Chris two months later, crying. Just this week, everything began to fall apart, or so it seemed. During the previous months, Brianne was still going out with Jesse, and Chris was still her best friend, but both guys had been extremely busy with Dream Street. Frankie, Jesse, Matt, Chris, and Greg were taking a week or so to catch up on their lives away from each other, so it was an appropriate time to make calls.

"What's wrong?" Chris asked, worried.

"I can't tell you on the phone, do you have a few minutes?" she sniffled.

"For you, always. I'll be there a sec." Keeping his promise, Chris rushed to Brianne's house to find out what was wrong. Oddly, she was home alone when her parents weren't working. Brie dragged Chris by the hand out to the treehouse.

"What's up?" Chris asked when they had sat on the beanbag chairs.

"It's awful," Brianne started. "Did you notice how no one is home?" Chris nodded. "Well, they're at the hospital." At this point Brie began crying again. "My mom… has… cancer." Brianne broke down and Chris gathered her up in his arms.

"But that's not it," Brie continued. "I'm… I… Jesse… Jesse got me… pregnant." Chris looked like he had just been smacked upside the head.

"Does he know?"

"Not yet," Brianne replied. "I have to tell him sometime, I know, but I don't know what he'll do! I'm not getting an abortion, I don't believe in that. And if he doesn't help me out, and my own family can't support me, I don't know what I'm going to do!"

"Hey, listen," Chris said, taking Brianne's hands in his and looking her square in the eye. "I'm always here, that’s one thing you do know. I don't care if it's not even my kid, I'm going to do my best to help you. I know my mom would love to help, too." Brianne looked up at Chris with a hopeful smile.

"Really?"

"Really."

"But I don't want to put that much pressure on your mom. I'm might be a bit spastic and I don't want her to stress…"

"It's better than your mom stressing when she's sick, isn't it? My mom won't mind, you're like a daughter to her anyway. She always tells me that." Brie's smile was radiating from her face as she hugged Chris.

"Now I gotta tell Jesse…"

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jesse answered the ringing doorbell on that same day, opening the door to see Brianne.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked.

"Sure." Jesse looked confused as he let Brie in. They sat together on the couch, but Brianne was avoiding Jesse's eyes.

"What's up?" Jesse asked, concernedly, placing his hand on Brie's knee. She watched his thumb move back and forth, trying to find words.

"You… um… I'm," Brianne finally looked up at Jesse. "I'm pregnant," she whispered, looking back down.

"With me?" he asked innocently.

"Hello? Do I look like a prostitute to you?! You're the only one I've had sex with lately, so yes, it's your kid!" Brianne's voice was rising with anger. Jesse, on other hand, was scared.

"You can't have a kid! Not with me! Can't you have an abortion or something? I don’t want a kid!" he whined.

"Reality strikes!" Brie knocked on Jesse's head. "The fact is, I am having a kid and you don't have to like it, but it would make things a hell of a lot easier if you at least helped me out!" Jesse didn't respond for a minute, sitting back on the couch with crossed arms, thinking. Brianne stared at him with pleading eyes, almost seeing the wheels turning in his head.

"I don't know what to say," he concluded. "I'm shocked, I'm scared, I'm mad, and I have no clue as to what the next step is. For God's sake, I'm only fifteen! I'm not ready for this kind of commitment! This can't be happening…"

"But it is happening! It's too late to fix our mistake now, so we have to learn how to take care of it!" Brianne exclaimed. "Please, Jess," she begged more calmly. "I can't do this alone."

"I'm sorry," Jesse threw up his hands. "I can't help you.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"He said no and I went home," Brianne was telling Chris and Mrs. Trousdale. "I'm beside myself with pain, physically and mentally. I'm angry and afraid, and my stomach is killing me," she moaned. The three of them were sitting at the Trousdale's kitchen table, sipping at cold drinks.

"Honey, I'm always here for you," Mrs. Trousdale comforted, hugging Brianne. Chris's mom was like a second mother to Brie, since they had known each other for as long as she could remember. Brianne appreciated it more than Mrs. Trousdale knew.

"Thanks so very much. But how am I going to tell my mom? I don't want her to die from shock with the news."

"She's going to find out sooner or later, but she'd probably rather hear it from you. I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow," Chris suggested.

"I guess you're right," Brie sighed. "Tomorrow it is. But what am I going to do while she's in the hospital? My dad and brother obviously have no clue how to deal with it, and God knows how long Mom'll be bed-ridden…"

"Sweetie, I'm sure your mom would support you if she could, but right now, that's my job. You can stay here if you'd like me to be around to help you if something happens," Mrs. Trousdale offered.

"You don't have to do that! Are you sure I won't stress you out?" Brianne asked.

"Positive."

"Thanks you guys!" Brianne cried, hugging Mrs. Trousdale, then Chris. The next day. Chris took Brie to see her mom in the hospital. Mrs. Morro took Brianne's news rather well, considering most parents spaz out when their teen girls become pregnant. She was as understanding as ever, and agreed to let Chris's mom take over until she was well enough to do it herself.

Brianne continued with her schoolwork, although it wasn't the same. Brie was way too worried about what would happen in the future to concentrate on her academics. She also continued to see Jesse, but things were awkward now. One night, Brianne walked into Jesse's room where she caught him, sitting in the middle of his floor, with a mirror and speed.