Ghosts: Scene 4
(Mary's phone vibrated and she shot up from her bed. She scrambled in the
darkness, fumbling for her mobile. She picked it up and laid back on her bed.
She clutched the phone to her chest. She stared at the ceiling and took some
deep breaths. She turned her phone over and unlocked it and read the message.)
Mary: I took the test. I'm pregnant, I don't know what to do. I'm sorry, I
didn't expect this to happen.
Jamal: Kmt! I'm not looking after no baby! What do you think this is? You
always wanted to trap me! I knew it! I should never have trusted you! You have
ruined everything. Don't contact me again, keep it moving!
(Mary read the message a million times over hoping Jamal's message would
change. But the harsh words were permanent, as if inscribed in stone. Each word
cut into her heart and soul. She read over the words 'you have ruined
everything'. She had never felt so defeated in her life. The sickening feeling
of regret ran over her. She buried her head in her pillow crying. She could
hear the house stirring but she was in no rush because it was exam season. She
had to be in college for her exam at 1pm. Her dad opens her door.)
Dad: Good Morning! You will pass your exam in Jesus name my wonderful
daughter. Please make me proud. I love you!
(Her mother creeps behind him and steps into the room smiling.)
Mum: Kojo don't scare the girl, she hasn't even applied her lipstick and
you are talking about exams.
Give her time, we know how proud she makes you.
Sometimes I think you love her more than me.
Dad: Don't be silly I love you both the same! I just wanted to encourage
her because it is her day of reckoning! She recognises the family legacy! A legend in the making!
Mary: Thank you Dad, please I need to get ready, my exam is at 1pm but I want
to go through a few notes before the exam.
Dad: Ok, well we are going. Make us proud, then you are off to Oxford!
(Mary smiled grimly and got up to get ready.
She got out of the shower and looked in the mirror. She couldn't believe
she had got into this situation. She was so book smart but she ignored the
voice that told her to stay away from Jamal. He was known all over the area for
getting girls and dabbling in some illegal activities. But Mary was lured in
like a moth to a flame. She couldn't help it. An image of him smiling with his
beard and gold tooth flickered in her mind. Butterflies danced in her stomach,
she couldn't help how she felt about him. She wanted to wait till marriage to
lose her virginity but he had sweet talked her into giving up her innocence. No longer the virgin Mary of her year group. Everybody else had had sex but none of them were pregnanat. It seemed so fun and cool with no consequences.
She quickly got changed and left the
house. She met Ann and Joyce at the gates of college. They nodded their heads
as Mary approached them. They embraced her tightly. As they were about to swipe
in the building a car cruised past. It was Jamal in his punto. There were two girls in his
car, one at the front, one at the back. He glanced at Mary and looked away.
He rolled down the window to throw his joint out the window. He sped forward when the
traffic lights went green. Mary's mouth dropped and she shook her head in
disapointment. Ann and Joyce looked at each other and urged Mary to go to the
library. The library was tense. It was in deep silence. Everybody was
scrambling and scanning their notes. Biology and chemistry exams were the last
ones of the term. Mary and Joyce had already been accepted into Oxford but they
both needed to pass the exam to get in officially. The tension was thick.)
Joyce: It's ok Mary you don't have to do it today. Tell Ms. Simpson I'm
sure she will let you defer it. You can do it another time. Your mind won't be
on it today.
Mary: It's ok I will just have to try my best, I can't let all this hard work
go to waste. I've came this far I have to see it out till the very end.
Joyce: Ok, I know you can smash this exam I was just worried it might be a
bit too much-
Mary: I'll be fine.
(After a few hours the exam candidates got alled out in alphabetical order.
Mary got up when her name was called and sat at her seat. She looked at the
paper in front of her. It was a multiple choice exam so it should not have been too much for her. She had gone through several past papers so she knew she would
be ok.)
Ms. Simpson: Ok the time starts now.
(The room fell deathly silent. Everybody forgot their friendships and
banter. The seriousness in the atmosphere was strong. Mary opened her paper and
her mouth went dry. She began to sweat profusly and felt dizzy. Her pencil
slipped off the side of the table. She bent down to pick it up, suddenly her
head began to swim. She felt like throwing up but she forced it back. Her head
was still spinning, suddenly she blacked out.)
Ms. Simpson: Mary!
Joyce: Oh my gosh! Somebody call 999! Help!!
(Hours later Mary woke up in a hospital bed. She had a drip connected to
her arm. She could hear a machine beeping. It was a bizarre feeling as she had
never ever been to a hospital since she was a kid. The lights felt so bright,
the lamp on the drawer by the bed beamed right in her face, she rolled over to
turn it off. She glanced over and saw Joyce and a nurse having an intense
conversation. They noticed that Mary had awoken from her slumber. They walked
over to the bed slowly.)
Nurse: Good evening Mary, how are you feeling dear?
Mary: What time is it?
Nurse : It is 5:10pm dear. You will be fine, we can probably discharge you
soon. You just had a little panic attack that is all. Just a few quick
questions, have you had a panic attack before?
Mary: No.
Nurse: Have you got a history of any heart problems in your family?
Mary: No. I want to go home please.
Nurse: Well ok, I will speak to my seniour doctor and find out if we can
let you out yet. Just need you to sign some documemts before we let you go.
Are you sure there is anything you want to talk about? Your friend was quite
worried when you were brought in.
Mary: Yes, I'm fine.
(The nurse walked over to the desk. Mary looked at Joyce and turned over.
Joyce shuffled to the desk and spoke to the nurse. The nurse nodded her head
and came back to the bed. Mary turned over and looked up and saw the nurse smiling
at her. Joyce looked around the room nervously.)
Mary: Can I help you?
Nurse: Your friend tells me congratualtions are in order.
(Mary gasps and scowls at Joyce.)
Mary: Well, um, nobody was supposed to-
Nurse: Being pregnanat is an amazing thing! A baby is blessing!
Joyce: I told you!
Mary: Pleasse I just need to go to sort things out.
Nurse: Your parents are coming to pick you up soon.
(Mary's stomach sank.
Dad: Are you ok sweet heart?
Mum: Thank God your awake!
Mary: I'm fine just a little panic attack, nerves got the best of me. But
I'm ok now. Let's go home.
(She couldn't keep eye contact with her parents and she began to feel dizzy
again. Joyce smiled at her and she smiled back. She just wanted to get home.)
Mum: Are you sure your ok? You have been doing exams since you came out of
my womb, this has never happened before, you sure you are ok?
(Mary nodded her head. As she reaches for her bag as the nurse calls her
Dad over. But Mary is too busy looking through her phone. Hoping Jamal has sent her
another message. Her mum embraces her as she sits up from the bed. Joyce notices her Dad at the desk, she tries
to get her attention by tapping her.)
Joyce: Mary the nurse-
Mary: Yeah it is fine-
Joyce: No, she is telling your-
Dad: PREGNANT!
(Mary and her mother turn around.)
Dad: Pregnant? what? This is a lie!
Nurse: Calm down sir-
(Her Dad storms towards the bed where Mary and her mother are sitting.)
Dad: Pregnant? Is this true?
(Mary nods her head and sobs immediately. Her Dad doubles backwardsa and
storms out of the room.)
End Scene
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