Covering the Carolinas (4 page)

“
You will not! This boy will not be dressed up
like a doll! He’s going to like to play in the dirt and play
sports.”
That thought makes me smile yet
hurts because I know he’s going to be just like his
daddy.

“
Girls, stop your bickering and decorate this
tree now. I’ve got to get the lights on the porch.”

With that, we turn on Christmas music and begin to
decorate. We take our time decorating and then drink hot chocolate
on the front porch and talk to Daddy while he finishes up.

We each take a rocking chair and talk about our
favorite Christmas memories. When Carleigh starts to talk about how
different next Christmas will be with a little one running around,
I can’t help but smile thinking about Santa Claus and what it will
be like for my son’s first Christmas. Daddy listens quietly.

“
Marleigh, I really think you need to tell
that boy. He deserves to know. If it was me, I’d want to know,” he
says as he plugs in the last set of lights.

“
No. I’ve made my decision. He needs to live
his life.”

“
And, so do you, baby girl,” Dad says when I
stand and start to go inside. As the screen door shuts, I hear Dad
say something to my sisters about me being so stubborn. Funny thing
is, I’m just like him.

GUNNISON

It’s been four months since Marleigh shattered our
future plans with a phone call. Each day I wake up thinking of her
and at night, I fall asleep picturing her in my arms. Mikey and
Diesel have tried their best to help me forget her by taking me out
and trying to set me up with their girlfriends’ friends but no
matter what they do, I still can’t get her out of my mind. I’ve got
to get over her, and now is the time. There’s a party Thanksgiving
Eve at the Taproom and I plan on pushing her memories away one girl
at a time.

Mikey and Diesel pick me up at eight and we grab a
bite to eat at the closest fast food window before we make our way
to the Taproom. As we enter the bar, I notice they’ve made a
make-shift dance floor, and several girls are sizing us up on the
other side of it. Mikey and Diesel look my way, and we all know
tonight is the perfect night for me to move on.

As “5 O’clock” by T-Pain begins to pump
through the speakers, a tall blonde makes her way toward me.
Blonde, just like Marleigh.
She
takes me by the hand, introduces herself as Laura, and pulls me to
the dance floor. As the song continues to play, she grinds harder
and harder on me and I put the memory of Marleigh and me in the
back of my mind. Here’s a chance for a fresh start and I’m going to
take it.

By the end of the night, I have Laura’s number and a
date next Saturday.

Chapter 5

January 21, 2012

MARLEIGH

Oh my gosh! I’m miserable and feel like I’m the size
of Texas! Thank goodness little man is supposed to make his way
here no later than Monday. I plan on relaxing today, before I meet
the only boy who matters in my life.

Taking my kindle, I lie on the couch and read
the newest young adult release by Tiffany King. Tinleigh and
Carleigh have gone out for a run, Mama’s gone to the grocery store
and Daddy’s working outside. Just as I’m getting into the story, I
feel my stomach cramp.
What in the
world?
I don’t pay much attention to it; I’d rather
focus on what is going on in the story. Then, it happens
again.
Could this be it? Am I in labor?
How do you really know?
I take a few deep breaths and
decide to find Daddy. I can see him on the tractor half way across
the field. Then it happens again and I can’t move. It’s almost like
someone is squeezing my insides. Panic begins to set in, but then I
remind myself, I can do this!

Walking outside, I’m trying to get Daddy’s attention
but he’s too far away. I grab my phone and text my sisters. I’m not
sure if they will answer it, but it’s worth a shot. I then call
Mama, who is notorious for leaving her phone at home, and of
course, I hear it ringing in the kitchen. I decide I need to call
the hospital and then I’ll go get Daddy. It’s not like this is
going to be a quick process.

After calling the hospital, I start to walk
toward Daddy when another contraction hits me.
Take a deep breath.
He still hasn’t seen me, but
I can see my sisters running toward the house.
Thank goodness!
I yell toward Daddy and after
the fourth time, he looks at me. He must read the fear on my face
because he turns off the tractor and runs to me.

“
I’m fine, Daddy. I’m just about to have a
baby, I think,” I say as he gets to me.

“
Okay. Have you called the hospital? Where is
everyone else?” he says, noticing Mama is still gone, but then he
sees my sisters approaching.

“
Ohmygosh, Mar. Are you sure? What do we need
to do? Where’s your bag? What about Mama?” Tinleigh
rambles.

“
Calm down, Tin! She’s the one in labor!”
Carleigh says. “Now, let’s get your bag and get to the hospital.
Daddy, do you want to take her or do you want to wait on
Mama?”

You can see how uncomfortable this is for him. “I’ll
take her. There’s all that paperwork that has to be done. Tinleigh,
grab her bag and Carleigh, call the grocery store to have them page
your Mama. Tell her to meet us there.”

As my sisters hurry inside, Daddy and I walk
to the truck and climb in.
Oh gosh, I
gotta pee! Then I realize I already have.
“Daddy, I
think my water just broke cause if not, I totally just peed in your
truck.” He chuckles, but then stops abruptly, realizing that this
is real and time is ticking. Part of me takes a moment to think
about what is happening and if I’m doing the right thing by keeping
this from GC. I know I’m doing what’s best for his future. I just
hope that if he finds out, he understands I did this because I love
him.

Arriving at the hospital, I’m rushed in like there’s
something majorly wrong with me. Daddy takes care of checking me in
and I’m moved to labor and delivery. About the time I’m hooked up
to all the monitors, Mama comes rushing in. She looks like she’s
been on a race to get here.

“
Hunny, how are you?” she asks as she takes my
hand.

“
Scared, but I’m okay.” She kisses my
forehead.

“
Everyone is scared, but it will be okay. I
hate to ask this but I have to. Are you sure you don’t want to call
him?”

“
I’m positive. Now please don’t ask me
again.”

She doesn’t say anything but she squeezes my
hand.

With the passing of the time, the contractions
become harder and harder. I’ve decided I don’t want an epidural. I
got myself into this mess and I plan on feeling every bit of pain
for it. Considering I’ve made it this far already, I think I can
handle it. As time passes, the pain increases and I want to cry,
but I refuse. The nurse comes in to check on me and tells me it’s
time to start pushing. Everyone but Daddy stays in the room. “Mama,
you’re gonna have to hold this leg, I just don’t think I can do
it,” Tinleigh says as she makes her way to the head of my bed and
pulls my hair back into a messy bun. Mama takes Tinleigh’s place as
Carleigh takes the other. “Do I need to go check on Daddy?”
Tinleigh asks.

“
He’s okay, but if you aren’t comfortable, you
can go with him,” Mama says to her.

“
No, I’m gonna stay for Mar, but y’all, I
might pass out,” she laughs.

Grunting through my teeth, I say, “Tin, this isn’t
funny. It freakin’ hurts.” The nurse then breaks up our
conversation by saying it’s time. Everyone focuses on me and the
little boy who is about to make his way into this world.

After twenty minutes of pushing, sweating, and
a few tears, I hear the most precious sound in my life. When I see
him in the doctor’s hands, I can’t help but cry at this perfect
human being. They place him in my arms and I am unable to hold back
the emotions of holding my son for the first time. My heart hurts
when the nurse takes him to get cleaned up. As the nurse hands him
back to me, I smile at him.
He’s
absolutely perfect, just like his daddy. I know exactly what I’m
going to name him.

“
Hey there, Gunner. I’m your mommy. I love you
so much,” I say as I look the precious little boy in the eyes and
he gives me a small smile.

“
Marleigh, did you say Gunner?” I nod my head
yes. “Are you sure?”

“
Yes, Mama. He’s perfect and he’s the spitting
image of his father.” There’s no denying that GC is his daddy. He
has his perfect lips and eyes. He even has his dark brown hair,
olive skin, and I guess in a little way, I’ll always have GC with
me.

Chapter 6

GUNNISON

Since Thanksgiving weekend, I’ve started to live my
normal life again. by focusing one hundred percent on basketball,
the horse farm, and graduation. I’ve had offers from Tennessee,
Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Coastal
Carolina, and a few others. It’s hard to believe, in less than
three months, I’ll be living my dream on a full scholarship to
Coastal Carolina University to study accounting so I can help run
the farm. As a kid, I dreamt about the NBA, but let’s face it, it’s
just a dream.

As graduation approaches, I can’t help but wonder if
Marleigh has made her final decision. I take my phone out and
debate about texting her, but quickly decide against it when I look
at the picture of Laura and me on my screen saver.

We’ve been together since Christmas. She’s smart,
funny, and not to mention, hot as hell. We’re not as serious as she
wants to be. She wants me to commit while I’m almost ten hours
away, and I just can’t. I know what happened with Marleigh and me.
I was head over heels for her and it didn’t work, so I know there’s
no way I’m doing that again. I’ve decided to call it quits with
Laura once we’re back from Senior Week. This way I can enjoy my
summer with the guys, workout, play ball, and spend time with the
animals I love.

Chapter 7

August 2012

MARLEIGH

This week has been so hard on me. I’ve worked thirty
hours at the local grocery store, signed up for classes at the
community college, spent every free minute with Gunner and my
sisters, but today, my world changes. Today, the other two pieces
that make me whole are leaving. We always dreamed of doing this
together, but that’s not possible because I have to do what’s best
for my son.

“
Are you sure you don’t want to go with us and
stay at the house at least?” Tinleigh asks.

“
Nah. Y’all need to get settled in and Gunner
has his routine.” She looks at me and doesn’t believe a word I say.
She knows why I don’t want to go. There’s a chance I’d see him, and
I’m not willing to risk it.

“
Sis, I can’t promise we won’t run into him,
but I promise we will do our best. It’s a big school and since we
aren’t on campus that should be easier.”

I give her a quick hug and pick Gunner up in my
arms. At seven months, he’s a chunky monkey. He reaches his arms
toward Tinleigh. She takes him from my arms and squeezes him tight.
“You be a good boy for your mommy.” She gives him a kiss on the
forehead and then Carleigh takes him from her. I smile as I look at
him. It’s hard to believe that this little boy has taken over our
lives. He’s brought our family even closer together than it was
already.

“
Girls, you ready?” Daddy asks. They
nod.

“
Y’all be careful and call me when you get
there.”

“
I’m gonna miss you, Mar,” Carleigh says as
she and Tinleigh give me one more group hug as we all start to
cry.

“
No more tears, girls! Y’all live my
dream.”

“
We love you, sis.”

“
I love you both! Now go before Daddy yells
for you again.” Gunner and I walk to the porch and wave as they
leave Gaffney behind to start their new adventure without me. Never
in my life have I been separated from my sisters. This is going to
different for each of us.

“
Come on, Gunner, let’s go play with your
blocks.” As he coos, I know I’ve made the right
decision.

GUNNISON

Arriving onto campus I can’t help but scan the
crowds for her. I know that even if she did decide to attend CCU
there’s no way I’ll see her at a dorm. She’d be at their house in
Garden City.
Maybe I need to take a ride
by there for old times sake.
Then I shake it from my
brain because I know I need to let her go.

After getting the key to my dorm, I grab a few
things and begin to make my way up. It sucks that I had to come
alone, but there’s no way my parents could leave the farm this
week. There are several prospects coming to check out two of our
best horses. My parents can’t afford to lose that money.

Entering my door room, I’m met by my roommate, Wade,
who I’ve only spoken briefly with online. He’s on the team as well,
and we’re both eager for our first team meeting. After unpacking,
we decide to go shoot some hoops. We talk and continue to shoot
around as several upper classman come in and introduce themselves.
I recognize several of them from my recruiting trip. We decide to
scrimmage and when it’s over they tell us all about the girls and
the parties. I can already see that living the life of a college
athlete is going to have its perks.

MARLEIGH

Checking my watch, I know they have to be getting
close to CCU. It’s driving me crazy. Gunner and I have played
trucks, attempted to fish in the creek, ridden the Gator, and are
now watching Nick Jr. I look down at him sleeping in my arms. I
love to watch that precious little boy sleep. He looks just like a
little angel. As I begin to hear my phone ring, I hurry to grab it
in hopes of keeping him from waking.