Notelet XIII: No Strings Attached

"Blisterin' Barnacles, I can't wait for summer camp", said Yolanda to her cousin Robby. "I have been counting the days down to this very moment", she again started the conversation. Honk, honk beeped the taxi. Robby rushed to the door followed by Yolanda and her mother not too far off. The journey to Sunflower Youth Camp was about three hours away. Yolanda didn't mind the distance. The countryside where the camp was situated made a lovely contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. She could do with some peace and quiet. She was excited that this time round she could introduce her cousin to her circle of friends. Amie, Dwayne, Nathan, Sanchez and Laudette would love Robby she was sure if it. Who wouldn't. He was fun to be around and always made anyone in his presence feel light.
"Amie, Amie", she shouted from the taxi while it was still slowing down to a halt. "Hey stranger. It's been a while. How have you been?", Amie asked nearing the taxi. "Great. We are going to really have some fun in this third camping trip I feel it, replied Yolanda. "Kiss, kiss mum. See you in 6 weeks, Amie yelled. She couldn't get out of the car quick enough. "Oh Amie, this is my cousin Robby. Robby this is Amie my long term camp buddy. This will be our third year in camp", Yolanda made the short introductions. At that moment she saw a guy who seemed to be with Amie. "Amie, who's this? She faced the breathtakingly handsome boy". "This, this is my childhood friend Troy. Troy meet Yolanda", Amie said looking intently at Yolanda who'd now become very self conscious. The next few minutes were all a blur for Yolanda as Troy tried to make small talks with her. It was his baritone voice, his hazel eyes, his sun-tanned well-built body and to top it off his golden brown curly hair. All the while Troy was talking, she was engrossed with one thought, "is he single?".
"Amie, answer me. Is Troy single? Don't act deaf on me. You heard me?". "Yolanda Saldriagga-Chen what is wrong with you? I thought you were taking a break from guys. Okay, as far as I know he's unattached". "What do you mean un-attached. Does he or does he not?", repeated Yolanda impatiently. "He doesn't, as far as I know", replied Amie eying Yolanda, Before she could get another word in, Yolanda was off like a rocket. "Hi Troy, remember me?", she almost whispered. Troy turned 360 degrees to face her amidst a swoon of girls. "Hey Yolanda, of course I remember you. Actually a group of us are going for an evening walk. Care to join?" "Care to join? Care to join? Of course she cared to join. He need not ask", thought Yolanda but with a cool composure said, "why not. I can move my evening plans around". She didn't have any plans this first day but it wasn't for Troy to know.
"We've been walking for 3 hours. It's getting late guys. I think we should start heading back. I am going back. Matron will be concerned", Yolanda said trying not to sound fearful. "Yolanda, take a chill pill. You are in a group with headlamps to light our path. No need to head back now. Don't spoil the fun", Troy looked at her with doggy eyes and so was everyone else. She carved in to the pressure and didn't say anything more. 30 minutes later she felt a hand in her hand. It was Troy's. "My, he was a man's man", she said in her heart with droopy eyes. ''Twas as if like clockwork the boys in the group equalled the girls. Before her brain could take it all in, Troy was kissing her neck tenderly. From the corner of her eyes the other "couples" were doing the same.
The next day even after showering she still felt unclean. She felt like she'd lost a part of herself. Troy seemed unnerved from last night talking to a bunch of girls at breakfast. She on the other hand felt sick. She wasn't ready for it- at all. It had all happened so fast.
Three weeks into camp and she was still vomiting and feeling sick. She felt different. "Oh God, it can't be. Please let it be a false alarm", as she used the pregnancy kit she had bought in the drugstore in town. "No, no, no!, she screamed out hysterically as her body trembled. There was the line as solid as the Statue of Liberty. "Oh Amie, what am I going to do? Am scared. Am ashamed. I am confused, she wept bitterly in Amie's embrace. "We will get through this, Yolanda, Amie said trying to be there for her friend. "You've got to tell Troy and your mother". "What?", her sobbing came to an abrupt end. "I can't on both counts".
Yolanda gathered the courage after a sleepless night pacing the wooden floor that was the cabin she shared with Amie. "Mother", came her soft barely audible voice. "I am pregnant". First there was a long silence. "Tears streaming down her face she said, "mother are you there? "Yes I am", said her mother. "Please say something, anything". "I will see you in the morning", said her mother and then the phone went silent. All alone she sobbed so much her quaking body could not take it anymore and then she was knocked out asleep. She woke up to gentle taps on her shoulder. "Yolanda, baby wake up. It's me". "Fully awake now she saw balloons and flowers all over her room and the outstretched arms of her mother. She ran into her mother's arms crying yet again.
"Mother, are you not angry?", she asked in between tears. "Disappointed yes, angry no. You will always be my child and my love for you has no strings attached". "I am going to be a grand mama for crying out loud", her mother chuckled.

You are quintessentially special,
Love Abba