The Pledge (22 page)

“We need to talk,” I said.

Cory and I stayed up late that night, and I told her about my relationship with Allen, how I had seen red flags when he had said and did things that made me feel uncomfortable, but I had ignored them because I really liked him.

I told her about how I was going to rededicate myself to Worth the Wait because I had come to learn how important my virginity was, and that being a virgin wasn't something people should be ashamed of. I also decided I was going to step down from my position as co-captain of the cheerleading squad. Being a cheerleader had never been my dream, and I was tired of doing what other people thought I should. I was going to follow my dream and try out for the girls' basketball team.

When Cory finally dozed off, I lay beside her, realizing I had to set an example, not just for her, but other girls out there, and that wasn't going to happen if I kept silent.

I must have dozed off, because when I woke up, Momma and Daddy were standing over me.

“How's Aunt Dani?” I asked.

“She flatlined….” Momma said, tears filling her eyes.

I had seen enough episodes of
House
and
ER
to know that's what happened when someone died. Tears welled up in my eyes.

“The doctors were able to revive her, and they think she's going to be okay,” Daddy said.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“What happened to Allen?” I asked, looking at Daddy, expecting him to say he was dead.

“I just got word the cops picked him up at the airport. Apparently he was trying to head to New York.”

“How did they find him?” I asked.

“I had an APB out for him,” Daddy said. “I'm heading to the precinct now. I need to have a little talk with him.”

I watched as his face changed, and I figured he was thinking about what Allen had done to me. “There are some other things you'll probably need to talk to him about,” I said. I ran upstairs and grabbed Aunt Dani's cell phone, pushed the button so the video would play, then handed it to them. Momma's face went pale as she watched in silence and the muscle in Daddy's jaw twitched.

After they finished watching it, I showed them the pictures of Aunt Dani. Daddy scrolled through them and stopped at one of Aunt Dani hugged up with some guy.

“That's Luscious,” he said, tapping the screen.

“Who?” Momma and I asked.

“The guy who was killed in the house.”

“Aunt Dani knew him?” I whispered.

“Oh, Dani,” Momma said. “What have you done?”

Daddy started scrolling through Aunt Dani's text messages, which I hadn't thought to do, and shook his head.

“What?” I asked, peeking over his shoulder.

I read a couple of the messages, and I realized how tight things had been for Aunt Dani since she left L.A. Apparently when Triple T had broken up with her, he had left her broke. She had been pretending she had all this money, but that wasn't the case, and it looked like she had started stealing to hide the fact that she was dead broke.

“She stole from her own family because she didn't want us to know she was broke?” I asked, shaking my head.

“She could have stayed with us,” Momma said.

“If she needed someone to take care of her, why didn't she just marry Miles?” I said. “He really loves her.”

“He probably didn't make enough money. Allen was about to make millions once he signed with the NBA,” Daddy said.

“But he was my boyfriend,” I said, suddenly getting angry at my aunt and Allen.

Momma gave me a hug. “I'm sorry you had to go through all this,” she said.

I didn't have any words.

“I'm going to head over to the precinct,” Daddy said, breaking the silence. He had just walked out of Cory's room when he turned around. “How did you get this phone?”

I thought about protecting my sister, but I realized I had hidden enough from my parents to last a lifetime. “Cory gave it to me,” I said quietly. We glanced at my little sister, who had managed to sleep through our conversation.

Daddy sighed. “I'll try to keep her from having to testify, but I don't know if I'll be able to.”

“If it will help any, I'll go down to the precinct and make a statement,” I said, then I thought about Allen almost raping me and his physical abuse. “I want to press charges against him, too.”

Momma and Daddy looked at me in surprise, and I knew Daddy had told Momma everything. “I've let Allen get away with enough. I'm not going to let him get away with what he did to me,” I said. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the fight that was to come.

Later that morning we headed to the police station, where Cory and I both gave statements. By the time we were done, it was midafternoon.

I walked over to Momma, who was sitting half-asleep at Daddy's desk.

Momma gently rubbed my face. “I'm proud of you, baby,” she said. “I know that wasn't easy.”

“I thought he loved me,” I said, suddenly feeling sorry for myself. All I had wanted was a boyfriend, someone who would love me. “What's wrong with me that he couldn't love me?”

“Sweetie, there's nothing wrong with you. You weren't the problem. Allen was.”

I thought about what she had said, and I realized she was right. I had been the best girlfriend I knew how to be to Allen, even compromising some things I had vowed I never would, but that hadn't stopped Allen from believing he had a right to put his hands on me.

Momma patted my cheek. As she was moving her hand, a sparkle caught my eye.

“What's this?” I asked, holding up her hand to look at the engagement ring. It was gold, and the diamond looked like it was at least a carat.

Momma laughed shyly. “Your daddy proposed. We're getting married,” she said.

I looked up in surprise.

“Yeah, your mother's finally going to make an honest man out of me,” Daddy joked, catching the tail end of our conversation.

I threw my arms around them and Cory, realizing I wouldn't change a minute of the last few months. Although I wouldn't wish what had happened on my worst enemy, it had made me stronger, and I was a better person because of having known and loved Allen Benson.

I vowed I wouldn't be a fool and make the same mistakes twice.

I walked out of the police station and headed to the Waffle House with my family. We sat crammed into a tiny booth, laughing and talking as we made plans for the wedding Momma had always dreamed about. Momma was taking her first step toward learning to love herself, and so was I.

 

THE PLEDGE

The questions and discussion topics that follow are intended to enhance your group's reading of THE PLEDGE by Chandra Sparks Taylor. We hope this novel provided an enjoyable read for all your members.

1. Courtland received a lot of red flags in her relationship with Allen, but she chose to ignore them. What are some red flags that you've ignored in your relationships?
   
2. After meeting Allen, Courtland often questioned the pledge she had taken to remain a virgin until she got married. What beliefs have you compromised because of a relationship?
   
3. Bree proved to be a great friend. What are some signs a person is being a good friend to you?
   
4. Courtland was not always a good friend to Bree. Do you consider yourself a good friend? What ways do you show it?
   
5. Courtland was often bothered by her relationship with her father. Describe your relationship with your parents or guardian. Name some ways you can make the relationship better.
   
6. Courtland's parents, especially her mother, were strict. Pinpoint some ways they were too strict, as well as ways they weren't strict enough. Do you believe her parents were justified in their behavior? Why or why not?
   
7. Aunt Dani gave Courtland a lot of bad advice and eventually hurt Courtland. What is some of the bad advice Aunt Dani gave? What is some bad advice you've been given?
   
8. Andrea served as a good adult role model for Courtland. How did she do so? What is some good advice she gave?
   
9. Was Courtland a good role model for her little sister, Cory? Why or why not? Do you believe you are a good role model? Why or why not?
   
10. Courtland and her mother both came to the realization they needed to learn to love themselves. What are ways they showed this? What are ways you can show you love yourself?
    
11. Courtland often felt pressure to continue her relationship with Allen. Discuss a time you've felt pressured to do something you didn't really want to.
    
12. Courtland's entire family was taken in by Allen's charm. Share a time when a person's behavior had everyone you know fooled.