Chapter 6 Bombshell!

Becka came into the kitchen, baby Sandra in her arms. Harry and Rita were already eating breakfast. They were discussing in hushed tones and Becka wondered what they might be talking about. Maybe Rita's pregnant, she thought, going across the kitchen to the dining area. As they saw her coming, they stopped talking. "Good morning, Becka." Harry said. Becka was quite surprised. Her brother never greeted her, and even if she did, he never answered her.

"Good morn', Harry." Becka answered as she balanced her baby on her lap, "Morn', Rita." "Morn', Becka." Rita said, filling Becka's bowl with custard and placing an apple pie on her plate. Everyone was quiet for the rest of the meal; only the sounds of the chirping, singing birds outside. Becka shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She knew something was wrong. She didn't feel like asking questions, so she stayed out and endured the silence.

After eating, Becka stood from the chair and wanted to leave for her room. "Becka, sit down. We need to discuss.", she heard her brother say. She glanced at him, puzzled. What do they want to tell me?, she asked herself. All the same, she sat down. Harry cleared his throat and stared at Becka for a while. Becka smelt a rat, so she frowned at him. "Becka, what are you thinking of doing, now that you can move around to do one thing or the other." Harry began. Becka shrugged. "I don't have an idea, Harry." she simply replied. "What do you mean?" Harry snapped. Becka looked him in the eye. Harry cooled immediately, as he discovered that he had put things forward too early. "Don't you have any plans of returning to high school? Or getting a job?" he asked. "I've told you I don't have an idea of what to do. Sandra is still too young for me to leave her at home, if she's about a year old, I can try to make things work again." she answered tensely. There was silence. "Rita and I have made a decision." Harry broke the silence, "You're not welcome in this house anymore." he added. Becka shrank. "I don't... understand." she said. "That means you have to find somewhere else to live." Rita spoke up for her husband. "Yes, Becka. Rita's pregnant, and we'll have to put up the baby's nursery. Your room would have to be converted to the nursery." Harry said slowly. "So?" Becka felt faint this time around. "You have to leave." he answered. "To where?" Becka asked, puzzled. "Anywhere you find to live." Rita replied, and Becka saw a quick anger flicker across her face. "Can't I get a job instead?" Becka inquired. "You can't, Becka." Harry said. Becka now knew that there was more to this. Becka wanted to talk but Harry interrupted. "We've been catering for your needs for three years now, and you have added another responsibility to it. Do you expect us to care for you forever? We've tried, Becka. Four months since you've brought your baby home." Harry said.

Becka blushed in embarrassment. "So you guys want me to be living on the streets?" she demanded, trying to keep herself from not getting angry. "If only you want to. Don't expect any dime from us, and I'll give you a week." Harry concluded, stood from the chair and left. Rita darted a look at Becka, as she packed the plates. Becka stood from her chair and fled to her room. She put Sandra in the crib and collapsed on her bed, crying. Why would they do this to me? she wondered. She was confused- she didn't know where she would go, had no money to rent a house, and she couldn't imagine herself living in a garbage site. She thought of calling Mom. But she would have to explain how Sandra was born, how worse things had become and all that. Her head ached as she thought of what to do. If she got a job at the supermarket, whom would she keep Sandra with? After thinking and thinking, she dozed off, tears clinging to her eyelashes.

In the afternoon when she woke up, she felt hungry. She left the room to go to the kitchen, in hope of something to eat. As she passed by Harry and Rita's bedroom, she heard voices. She stopped, put her ear to the door and eavesdropped. "You can't plead with me to let Becka stay, Harry!" It was Rita speaking. "Why do you want her out?" Harry asked. "She's too lazy and she rarely does the cleaning. She also has the guts to tell me to help me watch over Sandra while she goes to meet her boyfriends." Rita answered. Becka opened her mouth wide. Rita had always behaved like she was pleased to help her look after Sandra. "Rita! I believe there's more to this issue." Harry said impatiently. There was a pause. "Is it because Becka already had a baby while you don't have one?" Harry asked. Becka froze. So, they had been lying to her! Rita was silent, and meant Harry was right. Becka nearly dropped to her knees.

How would Rita think that way?, she asked herself. She heard footsteps coming towards the door, so she quietly slipped back into her room and hid in the bathroom. She stayed there for a while until she heard the front door slam shut. She came out of the bathroom and sat on her bed. She understood why Rita had changed towards her since she had come home with baby Sandra. But why would they cook up the lie that Rita was pregnant?, she thought.

Clearly, they couldn't wait to get rid of her and Alexandra.