Seasons Change

By Susan Kay

Eighteen-year-old Tiffany is intent on getting things settled once and for all with her boyfriend, Jordan, who seems preoccupied lately. When she learns she is pregnant, Tiffany heads to Jordans house to give him the newsonly to find him in the arms of another woman. Heartbroken, Tiffany decides to tag along with her father to visit her grandmother in Memphis, hoping that the trip will provide her with clarity. She has no idea that the trip will change her life.

Desperate to fi nd some direction, Tiffany visits a local job fair. But after a chance encounter with handsome US Navy recruiter David Morgan, Tiffany is lured through the open door to his heart. Torn between her loyalty to her babys father and her newfound love for David, Tiffany must now decide whether to accept Davids invitation to attend college near his naval base in West Virginia, or stay back and try to make it work with a man who seems to have no interest in her or their baby.

In this contemporary romance, as the seasons comes and go, a young woman must reconcile her past before she can move into her future with the one man she trusts with her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781475984750

Susan Kay

Susan Kay is currently working as an Administrative Receptionist with a local company and has always enjoyed writing. She has three daughters and two grandchildren. She currently lives in Springfield, Illinois, where she is hard at work on her next book. Seasons Change is her debut novel.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was the hot end of May, and Tiffany was going to things settled once and for all with Jordan. She was tired of his back and forth with the way he felt about her. One minute it was I love you, and the next it was slow down we are moving too fast. Tiffany had to know what was really going on with them. They had been going out since they were fifteen and Jordan was also the only guy that she had ever been with, not that other guys were not looking and offering but, what was not to look at five nine mahogany brown long naturally wavy hair with light brown highlights in which most of the time she wore brushed back behind a headband, golden camel brown skin and eyes so dark you would think they were black onyx jewels, which always seemed to shine when she walked in a room, she looked good coming in and coming out of a room, because the view from behind was just as breath taking. Jordan on the other hand had been with a few girls; let’s just say he knew what to do when it came to women.

They were eighteen and in a few weeks graduating from high school. Jordan knew what he wanted to do with his life, he wanted to play in the NBA and he had the athletic ability to get him there. He was the starting center and team captain both his junior and senior years; he stood six three, two hundred twenty pounds of lean well toned and sculpted muscle, milk chocolate skin, with eyes that were dark brown that you could fall asleep in every night just knowing that they meant love and would be looking at you forever. The only thing was that he either had his eyes on his game or on Brooklyn Northgate, Ms. Head Cheerleader, who had the right moves and could get any guy she set her sights on, and right now it seemed as if her sights were on Jordan. Brooklyn was pretty, five five with beautiful long black hair that she wore straight and down usually covering one eye just to add to her mystery and suspense as she looked over the room spotting her next victim, and the way she was built any man would take a second, third and forth look at her. She always seemed to have it in for Tiffany, because Tiffany had only been a cheerleader for one year and she had been asked by the cheerleading coach to come up with routines for the last two games, and she overlooked Brooklyn being the cheerleading captain, which led to bad feeling between the two of them. Well at least bad feelings for Tiffany from Brooklyn, who always let her feeling known around everyone, especially the other cheerleaders.

Jordan just really seemed preoccupied lately, why not all the notes from other girls, the arguments that never seem to get a resolution, the phone numbers in his pocket or left in his locker, all the times that he was not where he said he was going to be, and always just being a million miles away when they were together, it was just starting to get old. To top it off was last night the argument the two of them had was stupid. It was Thursday night before finals and Tiffany had gone over to Jordan’s house to study for the Accounting finals and watch a movie. In the middle of the movie his phone rang on the phone stand next to Tiffany, Jordan leaned over to answers it, and then just got up and went into the other room and closed the door to finish his conversation. He returned to the room about fifteen minutes later, So we have secrets now? You can’t talk in front of me? What’s her name… Brooklyn? You don’t think I seen the two of you in the hallway at school today? I didn’t know that you knew CPR, as close as the two of you where, I was only guessing that she was chocking on something and you were helping her get it out of her throat! Better yet just take me home and call Brooklyn back and tell her to come over, she won! Tiffany shouted as she just stormed out of the house.

Jordan ran after her, Tiffany just hold on, you were watching the movie and I didn’t want to disturb you. There is nothing going on between me and Brooklyn, she’s just a friend. We went out before true, but that was the past and that is where I’d like for her to stay. Trust me Baby that road has been traveled on by too many people, and if everybody’s had it, why do I want it? Come on girl get back in the house, you need to give me some lovin’. You know the kind that both of us know you came here for. Beside that baby, you know I love you. So quit trippin’ and get back in this house so we can do what you came here for. You know that my mom is gone all week, so it can be you and me all week day and night. Jordan said as he took Tiffany by the arm and tried to pull her close to him.

Jordan let me go. I came over here to study for finals and watch a movie, not to try and make out. I just wanted to watch a movie. You know just be with you. No sex! Is that all there is between us now? Tiffany said pulling away. Let me go. I’m just going to walk home. Jordan will you please just let me go? I have too much on my mind to have to go through all of this with you right now. See you tomorrow. She pulled away from Jordan and began walking down the street.

Five blocks down the street, Tiffany said to herself, I have to know for myself, so that I will know what my next move needs to be. Tiffany walked into the drugstore, which was just about to close.

As she entered the store the manager said, Miss, we will be closing in about ten minutes so you need to hurry up and make your purchase. She rushed down the isles looking up and down for feminine products. Here it is right down isle four, pregnancy test. Just touching the box, her stomach was turning. Just the thought that she could be pregnant just blew her mind. What was Jordan going to say? Would he want me to keep it or to have an abortion? Would he be ready to be a father? She picked up the box and went to the checkout.

That will be nine dollars and fifty nine cents please. The cashier said in one of those I am ready to get out of here sounding voices.

Seven more blocks she would be home. I am not going to answer the phone if it rings because I know that it will be Jordan and I have nothing else to say to him right now, all I need is a little time to think. What’s he going to think if I am pregnant? Does he really love me? Will he help take care of the baby, or just try to think I’m trying to trap him? What about school, college the whole nine yards? My dad is going to kill me and then he will try and castrate Jordan. God what am I going to do, please help me! Finally home, she went upstairs to her room, got dressed for bed and, took the pregnancy test out of her purse. God, please don’t let this test turn out to be positive. Tiffany said as she placed the package on the night stand by her bed, then got into bed and turned off the light.

Next thing she knew it was morning, dad yelled up the stairs Come on sleepy head your going to be late for your finals at school. You need to get up and get dressed.

I’m up! I’m up! Tiffany yelled back at him, burying her head back in her pillow.

Do you want some eggs and bacon? I’m cooking and you know that does not happen very often, so take advantage. Dad said.

Tiffany reached over and grabbed the pregnancy test. She could feel her heart start racing. She opened the box and took the test out of the package. Here I go, Tiffany said and off to the bathroom she went, so nervous that she could hardly even pee. God give me strength, please give me strength. Tiffany said out loud.

Just then her dad knocked on the door, Are you okay in there?

Yes Dad, how is my breakfast coming? Tiffany said in an attempt to get him away from the door and back down the stairs cooking a breakfast that her nerves probably would not even allow her to eat. Dad went back down the stairs to finish cooking.

Damn it! It’s positive. She shouted as the tears started to run down my face. What is Jordan going to say? He is going to think I am trying to trap him, and that is not what I want to do, I love him. I need to get myself together. I’ve got finals in an hour, then graduation next weekend. Oh my God, my dad is going to kill me. Tiffany thought to herself. Come on Tiff you can do this. She said standing and wiping the tears from her face as she looked in the bathroom mirror at herself. She got dressed and headed down stairs. Dad had it all laid out, bacon, eggs, toast and orange juice on the side. Wow Dad what’s going on, this looks great! Okay Dad who is she, and when do I get to meet her? Tiffany said picking up a piece of bacon.

Well, Miss, her name is Michelle and you will meet her this evening at dinner. Now come on let’s get out of here so you wont be late for those finals, my soon to graduating baby. Ken said opening up the front door.

Thanks dad for the ride to school and for breakfast, it was good. I can’t wait to meet Michelle. It’s about time you found someone, you deserve to be happy, and by the way you are acting looks like she does that Tiffany said as she closed the door to his new black caddy.

He rolled down the passenger side window before he pulled off, Have a good one, and don’t forget about dinner this evening. Love you and off he went.

As Ken pulled away Tiffany’s History teacher Ms. Julie Cotton walked up next to her and said, Girl one of these days you are going to be calling me mom, your daddy looks so good. Yes, and one day you’re going to make me a fine husband. Too bad he does not know it yet. She smiled as she patted Tiffany on the shoulder.

Ken was a keeper, he stood six foot two well built and always stylishly dressed. Since Tiffany’s mom Eleanor, had died three years ago, he was always working trying to make sure that we had everything that we needed, even if it meant him working his ass off to do it. Just to make sure that I did not miss the void in my life from not having my mom there to go to. I just hope that Michelle will be the right one for him and not just after his money. I remember Ms. Terry West came in smiling, and took dad for a lot. I just hope that I get a chance to talk to dad before dinner and that he won’t kill me, when he finds out I’m pregnant. Focus Tiffany focus, she said to herself as she made her way to the building. There was Jordan leaning against the building with his boys. I’m sure making their plans for the week and the weekend with his mom gone.

Hey Tiff? with a slight tilt of his head that said come on over here.

Hey yourself. as she just walked past hoping that he could not see the look of oh my God I have something to tell you, written all over her face.

Thank God I made it into the building before he could stop me she thought to herself. Just then the bell rang to go inside. Room 217 Mr. Anderson class, Accounting. As the students came in, he stood in the front of the class with the exam in his hands; waiting for us to come in and be seated. Tiffany got done in record time and moved onto the next exam room, 227 Mrs. Fields, English exam, and then 131 Mrs. Jackson’s Biology exam, then she was done. She walked past another room and saw that Jordan was still taking one of his exams, he looked up in her direction and gave her a wink, but had to get back to work on his exam. She was able to make it home just in time to hear the phone ringing. I can’t do this not now, not over the phone. It has to be face to face, so that I can see Jordan’s face. So she just let the answering machine pick up thinking Jordan you will understand when we talk, I just can’t do it now. Not over the phone. She decided to go upstairs to take a long hot bath, she figured dad would be home soon, and they would get a chance to talk before dinner. She jumped in the tub and she heard the phone ringing again so she turned up the music to her cassette player, and laid back in the tub to try and relax. When she was ready to get out of the tub, she turned the music off, and she heard someone yelling outside. It was Jordan and he looked mad.

You want to play games, then games is what we will play! . . . . and I’ll win this shit! He yelled as he got in his car and slammed the door with tires screeching drove away.

Oh God what have I done? He is so mad at me now. He will never forgive me for not answering the door. Tiffany said crying. I need to call him and say something, anything to him and make him understand. Tiffany waited a few minutes and called Jordan’s house. His brother, Michael answered the phone and said that he was not home, but he would tell him that I called. Tiffany thought to herself, Jordan is not coming home tonight. He is going to find some house party or he will have one himself, since his mom was gone for the weekend and all next week, but as long as they are in church on Sunday morning in Grandma Ellen’s eyes her grandsons were perfect little angels, and she would not have to report anything wrong back to their mom when she came back. Just then dad pulled up in the driveway. Let me paint this fake smile on my face and enjoy dad’s happiness.

Hey Tiffany, are you ready? Dad yelled from down stairs.

Yeah dad I’ll be right there. Tiffany replied. Tiffany walked outside and went to the front door, not noticing that dad’s date Michelle was already in the car. She opened the front door, Oh… . I’m sorry I did not notice anyone in the car. Tiffany said closing the front door and getting in the back seat of the car.

Dinner was fine, but Tiffany could since that dad knew something was wrong. I hope that he won’t think that it’s Michelle, or it was the fact that in the morning he and Michelle were going to drive to Memphis to visit with my grandma without me.

Dad took Tiffany home after dinner and told Tiffany that he would be back in a little while, then said that they would talk when he got back.

When he got back, Tiffany had already fallen asleep, so he didn’t bother waking her.