The Good Life

Izzy

I was sitting outside on the swing couch we had on our front porch. I came outside from some air and Uncle Oli came out to smoke. He was probably stressed because he just found out an hour ago that I was pregnant. At least he reacted less scary than my dad did. Daddy hadn't said a word to me or hardly even looked at me since he found out, but I don't blame him.

Uncle Oli and I watched Vic come out of the house with Vicki right behind him, she looked like she was crying. "I swear I was going to tell you and Mike. I just wanted to wait until you two were a little older." Vicki told him.

"Mom we're adults now! You've had plenty of time to tell us!" Vic yelled at her. They hadn't noticed that Vic's truck was covered in eggs yet.

Vicki said something lowly so we couldn't hear her and Vic hugged her. He kissed her on the cheek and then he said something to her. She nodded her head and went inside leaving him out to have a few minutes by himself. He finally looked up at his truck and his mouth "what the fuck." The he looked up at us, but he didn't say anything. I'm guessing because of how scary Uncle Oli looked; he has a really intimidating stare. I saw Vic shake his head and go get their water hose. I don't feel bad for what I did, if I have to endure being pregnant because of him then he can endure washing his truck because of me.

Luckily Vic went inside for cleaning supplies when Daddy came outside a few minutes later. He handle Uncle Oli his keys.

"Okay we’re about to leave, you should go back in." Uncle Oli told me.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To hang out with Austin for a little bit. We'll be back later." He answered.

"Okay. I'll go in in a few minutes. I just want to sit out and think a little while longer." I said honestly.
He looked at me knowingly and said, "If he tries to speak to you ignore him and you don't try to talk to him either."

"I won't." I assured him. "Bye." I said and only Uncle Oli said bye back. I sighed and watch them get into his truck and drive off.

When Vic came back out he looked up and saw me sitting out by myself. I saw him look down like he was thinking but he shook his head again and went back to washing his car.

Mike came out and waved to me and I waved back. He said something to Vic and then began walking across the street to me. I slightly panicked because Papa said I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone with the last name Fuentes again and I didn't want to get into any more trouble.

"Hey." Mike said.

"Hi."

"Did you do that to his truck?" He pointed to Vic's truck and chuckled.

"Yeah." I laughed.

"He kind of deserved it." He smiled. "Mind if I sit?"

I hesitated before saying no. He sat down next to me and began to slowly swing us forwards and backwards with his long legs.

We sat silently for a moment before I asked, "Why was your mom crying to Vic a few minutes ago?" I asked. I guess I just wanted to hear it had something to do with Vic getting me pregnant.

"She uh told us that the reason we moved to San Francisco was because my dad was having an affair with some chick from work...which was really awkward. Thank God my dad isn't home from work yet because that would have been worse. But she was crying because she could see how hurt we were, especially Vic. He took it harder than me."

"Oh I'm so sorry." I said, shocked. That's not what I was expecting to hear."

"No it's cool. Well not cool, but we'll be okay. It’s just when you had someone on such a high pedestal and you find out they’re not as perfect as you thought it kind of knocks you down. But since they worked through it there's nothing to worry about, they still love each other. Enough about that though, let's talk about you." He said.

"I don't feel like talking to Vic so don't ask." I snapped.

"I wasn't going to ask you to." He raised his hands in defense. "I literally meant let's talk about you. How are you feeling?"

"Horrible. I'm sleepy even after eight hours of sleep and I either throw up or feel like I'm going to throw up every morning." I said.

"Shit. I'm sorry." He apologized.

"It's not your fault." I sighed and looked at Vic as he went back inside their house.

"I know Vic seems like the biggest asshole in the world right now, but he's not. He actually feels really bad."

"Does he feel bad for dating someone else while I have to deal with the consequences of our actions?" I asked coldly. As much as I wanted to deny that I was jealous I couldn't.

"That's complicated. They're not really dating, they're just . . . enjoying each other's company while she's in town." He said. In other words they're just sleeping together.

"Not according to her."

"Danielle is very possessive over Vic. Wait when did you talk to her?" He asked. Vicki came back outside in the middle of him talking and locked eyes with me so I didn't answer him. She furrowed her eyebrows and walked towards me. I should have listened to Uncle Oli and went inside.

"Mom." Mike said trying to get her attention, but she walked up to me. I didn't know what to expect from her.

"Have you ever asked your parents how they adopted you?" She questioned, confusing me. I didn't understand her question, but Mike did.

"Mom stop." He told her.

"No no she deserves to know. I mean after all Jack decided you two deserved to know about your dad's affair." She said bitterly. "Your parents went up two strangers and paid them fifty-thousand dollars to take you."

"Mom!" Mike yelled.

"What are you talking about? They were on a waiting list for months for me." I said.

"They lied to you. He gave a pregnant girl money. He bought you like some fucking toy." She laughed and I frowned.

"I'm so sorry, Izzy." Mike apologized. "Mom lets go." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back home.
I didn't believe what she was saying at first, but the way Mike reacted made me think that there was some truth to it. That meant that my parents lied to me. They did meet my biological parents and on top of that they paid money for me. Me. A human being.

I got up from the porch and went inside to look for Papa.

*Jack*

I was waking from the laundry room to fold clothes in the living room when Izzy walked in. She was giving me the same angry look that Alex gave when he was pissed at me.

"What is it, Angel?" I asked.

"You and Daddy lied to me!" She said.

"What are you talking about?"

"I wasn't adopted!! You bought me from two random people!?!" She yelled catching me off guard.

"Izzy...I-I." I stammered not exactly knowing what to say. How did she find out about that?

"Spare me your lies. Vicki told me everything." Of-fucking-course Vicki told her, she was so pissed about me telling Mike and Vic about Emilio cheating. She was doing this for revenge.

"Is that what I'm worth to you two? Fifty-thousand dollars? And you lied about not knowing who my real parents are!"

"Izzy wait!" I said following as she walked off to her room. She went into her closet and came out with a suitcase.

"'For what? So you can feed me more lies. Screw you!" She began to fill her suitcase with random clothes.

I felt horrible for hurting her, but hearing talk to me this way was starting to get under my skin. I really hope that was hormones because I don't think I can take this for nine months.

"Izzy just put the suitcase away so we can actually talk about this." I sighed.

"No! There's nothing to talk about! You and Daddy lied to me!"

"At least let me-"

"I Said NO!!" She yelled. She zipped up her suitcase and attempted to walk out of her room. I grabbed her arm tightly when she tried to walk pass me.

"I said listen." I demanded. "The people we got you from were two broke college students who could barely afford to take care of themselves, let alone you. Yes I paid them fifty-thousand dollars to let me take you but let's get one thing straight, they were going to give you away regardless of if I had paid them or not. All I did was guarantee that you would come home with me instead of going on an adoption list. They wanted the money more than they wanted you and I was willing to give up everything just so I could have you. So get back in your room, unpack that damn suitcase, and think about how different your life would have been if you dad and I didn't have you." I surprised myself with the way I spoke to her. I don't know where that came from.

"Yes Papa." She sniffled and walked back into her room. She sat her suitcase down and I pulled her into a hug.

***

Izzy was asleep in my bed and I was laying down next to her watching TV. After she finished crying I bought her down to my room offering to answer any questions she had, but she said she didn't want to talk about it anymore for now.

I heard the front door close which meant Alex and Oli were back. I slowly got out of bed so I wouldn't wake Izzy and I went into the living room so I could talk about what happened.
"Hey what's a matter?" Alex asked, sensing something was up with me.

"Izzy found out that I paid money for her." I blurted and they both looked at me shocked.
"She what?? How?" He asked

"Vicki told her."

"What the fuck is wrong with her?!" Oli asked.

"She only told her because she was pissed about me telling Mike and Vic about Emilio. I guess I had that coming." I sighed.

"Fuck them." Alex said. "How did Izzy take it?" He asked sounding so worried.

"Not good at first, but once I explained to her why it happened she understood and calmed down."

"Thank God." He exhaled. "We've already got enough problems to deal with."

Notes

Sorry this took so long, I took a break for Thanksgiving! I should be back to regular updating now.