Buggy Bumpers

By J. Haney

What do you do when you find out you're three months pregnant and the father is a mystery?

One last hurrah!
That's what the summer after college was supposed to be. But for Preachers daughter, twenty-five-year-old Aleeah Potter, the party's over. She can't stay with her pious parents in Orionville, Kentucky, where the cornfields overtake the county. They'll never understand this baby has one of four possible daddies.

There were a lot of parties after graduation, and all summer long, for that matter, they'll never understand that faces blur in the dark after a few drinks.

She's going to have to grow up faster than she grows out, but how?

 

*J Haney writes Real-Life Romance, some subjects may hit a nerve or two, be prepared, cause just like in life- cheating happens.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deviant Darlings Publications
• Release date: Jan 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224117215

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This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to any person, place, or theory are in no way intended or to be inferred as fact or reference.

The work is the particular property of the Author. Produced by human intellect and was in no way created or manipulated by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) program. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part or resourced by any entity, now or in the future, in any format without written permission by the author unless part of a Review, Interview, or Public push of the work and specific other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Contains adult situations. 17+ only

Manuscripts and Designs By Human Designers With Licensed Images by

Haney Hayes Promotions

Deviant Darlings Publications

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All rights reserved

1

Aleeah

What do you do when you’re fourteen weeks pregnant? Get the fuck out of your parent’s house before they figure out your baby bump isn’t a beer gut. Why don’t I tell them? Oh, because I have no idea who the father is. It happened during graduation weekend while I was a little wild and crazy. Of course, sleeping around wouldn’t be so much of a problem if, say, I grew up in the city, but no, I was born and raised in a podunk place called Orionville, Kentucky. We’re in the nook of Tennessee and Missouri and what you would call corn-fed babies. It’s also where everyone other than me grew to be over five foot five. I topped out at five foot three, and with my chest, that’s saying something. I’ve been carrying around a D cup since my freshman year of high school.

Anyway, back to why I’m leaving the family home, see, I slept with like three guys that weekend. I’ve never seen a difference in color, shape, or size. I just like men, and well, they like me. I’ve always been different than the people in our little town. Maybe even a little stupid because I came back after I graduated from Georgetown College. 

My parents are that church-going couple. You know the type every Wednesday and Sunday, which would be fine, except daddy is also the Pastor. Which explains a lot, and the fact that I sleep around with multiple guys would drive them crazy. They’ll crucify me! Not really, but it was a thought. They would be upset with me, and to keep from hearing how I’ve ruined my child’s life, I’d rather just move out then tell them. 

Speaking of moving out. I just got a cute little place across town and closer to my job at Orionville Medical. It’s our branch of the hospital. It’s a pediatrician and obstetrician, but they also work as family physicians.

I’m loading clothes into my orange Nissan Kick when Freddie comes out with a box. Freddie is my first and only monogamous relationship. He knows I’m pregnant, and we both know he’s not the father, but he doesn’t care. He lives about two hours away in Martinsville and has been coming out here on the weekends. 

Just a few more left, and then we’ll be done, I say, laying what’s in my hand in the back seat.

He huffs. I still don’t understand why you came back here. There’s more corn than customers. You need to come back to the hospital with me. The nurses there loved you. They’d have treated you great. He wraps his arms around me. Besides, then you’d be closer. Freddie is an ER doctor at Martinsville Medical.

Babe, we’ve talked about this. I love it here. I want my child to grow up in a smaller town. Where they can ride their bike without having to worry about being taken or getting hit.

It’s just I miss having you around more. Kissing my cheek, he heads back toward the house. "Where do you wanna grab dinner? I mean, is there anything good around here?"

We can grab something from the diner on the way to the house if you want. A burger with onion rings sounds really good.

I guess—I was hoping for a decent barbecue or maybe a bit of Chinese. But I suppose I’ll take what I can get. 

We’ve got that too. Which do you want? 

No, we’ll do your diner. I doubt I’m going to get what I want around here, so you might as well. He disappears into the house for another large box.

I kiss mom and dad bye as Freddie takes the last box to the car, and I’ve got more clothes in my hand.

You better come see us, Mom says with tears in her eyes. 

I will, mom. I’m just going across town. I smile.

Remember, church starts at ten sharp.

Yes, I know. 

They watch me from the door as I put the clothes in and shut the trunk. With a wave to them, I walk over to Freddie, who’s already in his corvette. 

Do you want to stop before going back to the house or come back out? 

May as well just stop. Why make another trip? He revs his engine.

Okay. Just follow me. I bend in through the window and kiss him.

From my parents to town only takes a total of fifteen minutes. I park in front of Marty’s Diner with Freddie beside me. We’re out of the cars, and he’s got a hand on the small of my back before we get to the door.

Have a seat wherever ya want, and we’ll be right with ya. Kennedy hollers. 

Counter good with you since we’re just ordering, or do you want to eat here? I look up at Freddie.

He looks around. It’s your run-of-the-mill diner. Tables, booths, and counter space. The silverware is wrapped in napkins, and the plates? They don’t all match, but for all it’s charm, this is home. I think the counter will be good. We can take it to go faster that way.

We take a seat at the counter as Kennedy stops in front of us. Hey ya, Leah. How have you been? 

I’m well, thank you. Kennedy meet my boyfriend, Freddie. Freddie, this is Kennedy. We went to school together. 

Nice to meet ya, Freddie.

Sure is, thanks. So what’s decent today? He asks, looking back outside. I swear, since he bought that car, he pays it more mind than me.

The burgers are always good. Even been on tv for them. I like the chicken myself, but as it’s Saturday and dinner time, most are ordering the spaghetti.

Get what you want. He nudges me. I’ll have what she decides on.

I want a bacon cheeseburger with everything except onion with onion rings, and I think I’d like to add some honey-dipped chicken to that. I look at Freddie. Do you want a salad or milkshake?

Both. You know my dressing. He’s distracted. There’s a couple of guys outside admiring the corvette.

Let’s add the salads to that—one with thousand island on the side and the other with French. Kennedy walks off to put the food in. I gave her the shake order. Mine? Chocolate and banana swirled together. His? Vanilla, just like our sex, but he’s steady, Freddie.

2

Aaron

Orionville, Kentucky. Home, sweet home. I’ve been gone for nearly four months. Working out in Bickford Falls, West Virginia, on a new children’s medical center. I outbid the locals for the masonry and landscaping projects. It’s a beautiful place and will help a lot of kids in need of services and hospice care. It’s gonna be nice to be back in my own bed. I’m gonna sleep for days, me and my pups. Tanaka and Leeloo are my German shorthair pointers, and I take them everywhere I go. They just sit in their seats and enjoy the truck as it drives.

My hometown isn’t anything special. It’s not a tourist trap like Gatlinburg or even Lexington. It just takes the best of Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky rolling it up into one.  Great food, and for the most part, good people.  We have one of everything you need. A hardware store, grocer, butcher, and florist. A couple of places to eat, Marty’s Diner is one of the better spots. Like I said, nothing special, except there’s this girl... Cause you know, there’s always a girl.

Aleeah Potter. We met in the womb. Not literally, just our mom’s met when they were seeing the now-retired OB/GYN Doctor Donald Caporoso. Mom was just about to pop, and Ma or Missus Potter was just learning about having a baby. The pair became fast friends, and as such, so too did Aleeah and me. All through grade school, we were inseparable. There were a few awkward years. You know the prepubescent tween years where she turned into a girl, and I had a rager every ten seconds? Then it came back around in High School, and we have sorta been dating on and off ever since. Well, not dating. Not exactly. I guess you could say hooking up. I hate that term, but it’s how she sees us. What can a guy do? I take her how I can get her.

Now that I’m back and she’s coming home from Georgetown, I think it’s time we talked. Let’s face it, a guy like me doesn’t talk about feelings, but it’s time she knew and we did something about it. At least that’s what Skip, my housemate tells me.

Skip watches over the place and maintains the property while I’m gone. In return, he’s allowed access to the common rooms and kitchen as well as his own private room with entrance and everything. It’s a good deal for him. I do hope my house is still standing. 

I pull up to the brick-faced cottage house and see things appear to be quiet. The lawn is clipped and clean. The house is built into the slope of a hill; it’s raised up on masonry block and brick. My Grandpa built it back in nineteen fifty-two, just a few years before my dad was born. He lived and died in this house. My dad and mom lived here until two years ago. Since signing it over to me, they have been traveling the continent. From New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all the way to Brazil. They’ve got an RV that doesn’t know when to quit. 

Letting the pups out to play, I head into the house, finding Skip and a couple of girls. There’s a banner to welcome me home

Aaron! Welcome home, buddy! He smiles, hugging on the girls, who just giggle in their scantily clad state.

Skip, what is this? I am hardly amused.

The welcome committee. I shake my head and turn around.  But we’ve got cake! Skip calls after me.

With a whistle, the dogs are right behind me. Guess we’re eating out. They yip and whine as I get back into my work truck.

It takes about twenty minutes to get back into town. My house is clear across like thirty cornfields. Some more than a mile in length easily. There are a couple of old dirt roads to make it faster, but not by much, and if you get turned around, it’ll be a week before they find you. I get to the diner and hear nothing but Hey Aaron! and Welcome home!  I get to the counter and sit; the pups are waiting in the truck bed, eager for their dinner.

I spot Kennedy. Kennedy is a girl from High School, We dated shortly, but she knew I wasn’t into her like she was me. We’re still friends, though, which is good. 

Aaron, how ya been? She asks, stopping in front of me. 

Good, busy, but good. Starving right now. What’s the special? I look around and see the familiar faces of the town. Hear the old whispers, though I’m no longer the reason for them, I’m sure.

This week? Spaghetti. Do you want your usual? Dark Chocolate and strawberry swirl?

Sounds great. Though I don’t think it goes with spaghetti. How about a burger, everything but onion and rings, plus two Salisbury steaks for the kids? I point to the pups with a heavy sigh. So, what have I been missing?

Have you seen Leah? Kennedy asks while hanging my order on the rack for the cook.

Not yet. Was gonna go over and say hi after a shower, but Skip’s got girls in my house.

How long’s it been? She asks while making my shake. 

"June? Just as I blew town. Why? Is she okay?" I’m getting concerned. Last time I saw Aleeah, I left her sleeping soundly in her bed.

Oh yeah, she’s really good. Settled down and starting a family. Kennedy says, setting my glass in front of me.

"I’m sorry? What?" I couldn’t have heard her right.

Oh yeah, she was just in here with her beau. Him and his brand new corvette. They grabbed a bite to eat before heading to her new place. She’s been moving stuff all day. She’s buying a place out on Beauty Ridge.

That’s not far from me. She’s? Kennedy watches me as I wrap my head around it. She’s gotta be yanking my chain. She gives me my order, and I pay. All I can