all a l o n e {open}

[prudence]

Prudence, like she had planned, had left school on her seventeenth birthday in the most unceremonious way possible. She had said goodbye to the few friends she had, took a scenic walk of the grounds, and then commuted by Knight Bus to her house. She had been most nervous as she hadn't known what kind of reception she would get from her father. Thankfully, his reaction was what Prudence would consider to be lukewarm. He expressed his disappointment in her for leaving school, and stressed about how much she was ruining her life by not staying through her NEWT year- though he had said his daughter and granddaughter would be welcome in his home as long as was necessary.

It felt a relief to Prudence, knowing she at least had somewhere to stay, though she saw herself getting a job as soon as she felt comfortable leaving the baby at a daycare. She rubbed her belly as she paced to the kitchen to get herself a snack, Prudence had still yet to pick out a name, or even figure out what on earth she was going to do to provide for herself and a baby. She didn't even have any baby things, she was vastly unprepared, though felt uncomfortable asking her father for money.

"Oh little one, we are a mess," sighed Prudence as she prepared herself a plate of cheese, crackers, and sliced strawberries. After pouring herself a tall glass of water she seated herself at the kitchen table, where she and her father always ate- the dining room was never used. Prudence had barely sat down when the doorbell rang, with a sigh she heaved herself to her feet before slightly waddling down the hall. Prudence opened the door just a crack to find herself looking up at...