Leavin' It All Behind

By Ginna Wilkerson

The Bainbridge sisters grew up rough, and things haven’t gotten much better. Now nineteen, Serena is married with two babies, and her older sister Savannah is stuck in a dead end trailer park with a boring husband.

Savannah and her girlfriend Duckie decide to leave it all behind and head east for something better. Serena and her kids come along, and they leave Abilene in the rear view mirror.

But their husbands aren’t quite ready to let go, and Duckie is caught up in the drama. Will the women make it out of Texas? What lies down the road for the Bainbridge girls?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Nov 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781634867276

Ginna Wilkerson

Ginna Wilkerson has been writing almost since she could read, and often teaches writing as an adjunct professor. She has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and discovered a love of travel later in life. She has long been fascinated by the supernatural as it appears in ordinary life. Ginna has two adult children and one grandson, and lives with her partner and their cats.

Book preview

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Chapter 1: Serena’s Fate

Serena Bainbridge stands on the steps of her older sister’s studio apartment, trying to breathe. Earlier that day, she had taken a home pregnancy test, her hand shaking as she held the test stick. As soon as she saw the result, she knew she had to talk to Savannah.

Waiting for the door to open, Serena can feel her thoughts whirling like a tornado on the Texas prairie. I can’t be pregnant. Tears sting her eyes, but she blinks them back, trying to be mature.

Savannah’s face appears in the doorway.

Sissy! Come on in.

Serena smiles at the pet name only her big sister still uses. She steps inside the tiny apartment, looking around for her brother-in-law’s presence. Savannah notices her hesitation.

"He’s at work, Sissy. Just me here. What’s up?

Serena stands in the center of the front room, shifting from one foot to the other. She has both hands in her jeans pockets. Savannah notices that one hand seems to be gripping something inside the pocket.

Come on, sit down, Serena. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.

Serena sits. Once her sister is on the couch next to her, she produces the object from her pocket and holds it out to Savannah. Running through Serena’s brain is the picture of herself in the school bathroom, staring at the offending blue spot on the stick.

Savannah looks, then closes her eyes. When she opens them, Serena has her head down, crying quietly.

What am I gonna do, Van? My life is over. More tears. Savannah puts one strong arm around her sister’s slim shoulders. She prepares to comfort her Sissy, but one part of her mind says that Serena has a point. Life as a whiz kid high school student is probably over.

Well, let’s see what first. You want a Coke or somethin’?

Serena nods wordlessly, and Savannah goes into the tiny alcove that serves as a kitchen, returning with two cans of coke. Serena takes a long swig and then again asks, What am I gonna do?

Savannah tries to take charge as calmly as possible. In order to sort her thoughts, she stands up and paces back and forth. Suddenly, she stops and looks at her little sister.

Whose is it? I know you know. You’re not one to sleep around, and I know I’m right about that. Come on, tell.

Serena looks up at her sister through a slow-flowing veil of tears. Cody. It’s Cody’s. I’m sorry, Van. I know the whole family hates him…

That’s not the point, Sissy. I don’t care what Ma thinks, or anybody else. I just want you to be okay. And I can’t see any future for you with Cody Simpkins.

Serena moves toward one end of the couch. Savannah sits back down and waits.

I…think I might…marry him. Cody. At least the baby will have a family.

Savannah takes her time in answering this statement.

Serena. You don’t have to do this. You have choices.

Serena stares at her sister in shock. You mean, an abortion? Kill my baby?

Oh, Sissy. Don’t think of it like that. It’s not even a baby now. Just…a problem.

Serena folds herself into a ball at the end of the