Chapter 5: Decision  

You know that feeling that sometimes you have when you receive bad news. The one where you’re pissed at the whole world and don’t want to talk to anybody. Yeah, that’s how I feel. And somehow people don’t seem to understand my unhappy face; the one that practically screams fuck off, or I’ll kill you.  

I mean, people who ignored me all freaking summer, just suddenly out of thin air wanted to have a chat with me. I was trying mostly to be polite, listen to them, but reality is I have bigger shit going on that some little princess going on at how her life just ended ‘cause her boyfriend cheated on her, plus dumped her sorry ass.  

Because, getting dumped and cheat on is the whole freaking end of the world, I mean getting pregnant is nothing. I thought to myself sarcastically.  

I meant to give her a good friendly advice, the type I’d give to Emma, but it seemed it didn’t sound that nice. I mean the only thing I told her was: “Hey, see the positive side; at least he won’t cheat on you anymore.” I didn’t say anything bad… I think. After that the princess left.  

Emma gave me a look that kind of said “Oh my god! I can’t believe you said that.” But she didn’t say anything. Which was good because I wasn’t in the mood for anybody’s crap, not even my own.  

I decided to eat my last meal at home and Em said it was for the best too. I knew that when I told my parents, if I did, they would probably murder me. So, I decided on eating one of my favorites a Big Mac.  

Just as I sank my teeth on my delicious hamburger my phone started vibrating on my pocket. I answered it, and almost chocked when I found out it was Mario. I mean who the fuck gave him my phone?  

“Hi,” Mario said. He sounded like he was in a hurry. I grabbed another bite before answering.  

“Hi,” I said with half a cow in my mouth. Very lady like of myself.  

“Gabe, I need to talk to you,” He said very seriously, which really worried me. I mean, did he know? No he couldn’t, because Em would never betray me.  

“About what?” I asked, my voice shaking a little as the thought of him knowing I’m pregnant makes me want to disappear.  

“Umm… I don’t want to say it on the phone. Cant we meet?” Now he just sounded anxious, which was really freaking me out.  

“I guess,” I said. Looking at my left foot I saw Mario’s bracelet, and quickly added “I’ll meet you at your house.”  

“Ok. Can you make it in an hour?”  

“Yeah, see you in an hour,” then I hung up.  

Emma entered my room with two diet cokes. I guess my face was as I felt: dead, ‘cause Emma dropped the cans as soon as she saw me, and was instantly on my side. “Are you ok?” she said touching my face.  

“Mario called,” I said, as I shot her an accusing look.  

“Sorry, it was way bef-” I cut in before she could finish.  

“Don’t worry Em. You didn’t know about this,” I pointed at my belly.  

“Are you really going to tell your parents?” Em had been like surprised when I told her that maybe I would tell my parents about the pregnancy. Of course she first had suggested that maybe I could get rid of it. And obviously I said no. I had enough of nightmares for the rest of eternity; I’m not risking having to remember that I killed an innocent creature. Plus what if the doctor screwed up and left me like damaged or something. I mean, I do want kids… just not now.  

“I’ll tell them when they come back,” I said not completely sure I would. I mean I was totally afraid of telling mom, dad I could handle, but mom is different. I’m not her favorite kid if you know what I mean.  

“They arrive today. Don’t you remember?”  

“Shit! I’m supposed to pick them up!” I told Em, practically shouting. I can’t pick them up now. I need some time to prepare myself mentally, gather the right words. I can’t just show up at the airport and say “Hi! How have you been? Good trip? Guess what? This is going to sound funny. While you guys where doing like a second honeymoon, I did an unofficial one and got pregnant.” That would be very tactful.  

“Are you going to cancel on Mario?” I didn’t think about that, but now that I do… It’s brilliant!  

“No, I’m not,” I said, clearly satisfied with the idea of not going to pick up my parents after all. Somebody would just have to do it for me, and that somebody would be Emma.  

“I don’t get it. Who’s going to pick up your parents?” I smiled at her and she pouted. “But I don’t want to Gabe,” she said protesting like a little kid who’s been told to go take a bath.  

“Tommy’s going,” I prompted. If something could motivate Emma it would be: abs, some shoulders and of course butts. It’s always about the cute butts. At least that’s how Emma puts it.  

“You’re evil,” she said.  

“I work with what I can,” I said not half bothered that I just offered my brother like the main plate. “So… Are you going?”  

“I’m kind of with Luigi,” she said not even half convinced.  

As if I’d been calling him out loud Tommy entered my room, without knocking. He was shirtless, and sporting all his great attributes in front of Emma. I could swear I heard Emma’s jaw drop. I smiled at her response. I know for a fact that she hasn’t paid much attention to Tommy, but maybe today while change.  

“Are ready?” he asked completely oblivious that Em was checking him out. Emma quickly recollected herself.  

“Actually, Gabe has somewhere to be, so she asked me to go with you… That is if you want to,” she was absolutely on flirt mode.  

“Sure,” he said with a warm smile.  

Emma beamed at the answer. She looked at me and mouthed “I love you”. I smiled in return, and then Tommy grabbed her by the hand and yanked her out of the bed, muttering something about being late.  

“Tommy, aren’t you forgetting something?” I said. Emma gave me a death look.  

“What?” I pointed at his chest. “Got it,” and headed for his room.  

“You know that’s just plain rude,” she informed me, as she sat next to me.  

“Don’t worry. I won’t be in the car,” I said, trying to make up for my apparent mistake.  

As soon as Emma and Tommy left, I grabbed my car keys and went to Mario’s house. On my way I saw little kids, playing and walking with their dogs. Ironically I even saw pregnant moms rubbing their bellies and worst of all with their couples. I mean seriously everywhere I turned I saw either pregnant woman, or babies. Was this a sign?  

When I got to his house, I parked the car and turned off the engine. I rested my head on the steering wheel. “I don’t know what I’m doing here,” I whispered to myself.  

I got off the car and he was waiting for me, on the front steps of the house. Mario practically dragged me in to the house and made me sit on the living room couch. He took a deep breath and so did I. Ok. I told myself. It’s now or never.  

“I love you.”  

“I’m pregnant,” I said in the exact same time he told that he loved me. Which now that I think about it is wow.  

“You’re what?” he shouted. I think maybe he kind of chocked. I don’t get very well his facial expressions. I’m hoping anger, but I’m getting blank. Maybe if he would shout a little, I would feel better. ‘Cause nothing is frustrating.  

“Yeah, surprise,” I said, thinking that it’s still a surprise for me. And I still can’t believe it. I’m pregnant. God, I’m so unlucky.  

“No shit,” he said, rubbing his face and pulling his hair. Mario was looking at the floor now; he couldn’t even look at me. I bet he hates me now. “Are you sure that you’re pregnant?”  

“I took five pee tests. I’m sure,” I said. I wasn’t going to mention the fact that I thought that five weren’t enough for me, or else he might get ideas.  

“I’m sorry,” he said looking at me for the first time since I told him… Well, you know. “What are you going to do?” The eternal question, the one everybody wants to know, the million dollar question.  

“Well, at first I was thinking of getting rid of it. Then running away,” Mario’s head jerked up. I think he liked that one. “Finally, not be a coward and tell my parents,” he was listening to everything that I said. Mario occasionally asked a question and I’d answer it, not bothered at all.  

“Who’s the dad?”  

“Not your business,” I said to him a little ruder than intended. Mario’s a good friend of Connor and if I tell him… Who knows what will happen.  

“Ok. I get it. It’s private,” he said backing off. “Was it the day of my party?” Again with the questions, he doesn’t give up. Well, I’ll go with honesty, again.  

“Yep.”  

As I was about to leave the house, I grabbed my ankle bracelet took it off and gave it to Mario. It didn’t last two seconds in his hands, when he was yet again placing it around my left foot. I tried to protest, but he simply said “It looks too good on you. Plus it’s yours.” Then believe it or not, he kissed me. On the lips!  

“I’m pregnant,” I reminded him when he finished kissing me.  

“I know,” he said.  

“I think I’ll need a friend now, not a boyfriend.”  

“I’ll be whatever you want me to be,” he smiled and said “I promise.”  

“Don’t tell anybody about me being… You know,” I said. I was trying not to think that I was really pregnant. The thought still made go in shock, sometimes. Also I still felt Mario’s kiss on my lips which made me want to think that I really weren’t pregnant.  

“I won’t.”  

Well, if telling Mario that I was pregnant didn’t go that bad, maybe mom and dad would be better, could be even easier. Who the hell am I kidding; it’s not going to be easier. Jumping off a cliff is easier than telling my parents.  

I was at my house now all I had to do was go inside. Step inside and tell my parents. No big deal. All I have to say is two words, or maybe more.  

Inside of the house was mom, talking to Tommy; who by the way wasn’t listening. And dad was drinking a little bit of whisky. Good ‘cause he’ll need it. Nobody but dad seemed to notice that I was now with them in the living room, sitting on the couch. Well, it was now or never.  

“Mom, dad and Tommy I have something to tell you,” I said. I was completely nervous. I mean I had to take deep breaths to calm myself. Everybody was paying attention.  

“What is it honey?” dad said.  

“I’m pregnant,” I said it. I really did. God, I’m proud of myself.  

Ok. Maybe saying it is way easy. The reactions how ever are not. For example: my brother chocked, my dad dropped his whisky and mom fainted. I wonder how Connor would react. Not that I’m ever going to tell him, but still.  

“You’re grounded,” my mom said shouting and taking dads glass of whisky, and drinking it all in one swig.  

“I can’t believe it,” Tommy said.  

“Me neither,” my dad said. “My baby is going to have a baby.”  

“I don’t know why you’re grounding me. School starts tomorrow,” I said stretching. I felt kind of stiff. “Summers over and I already had fun.”  

“I can see,” mom said sarcastically. “What are you going to do?” The same question, just different people.  

“I think I’ll have it and see what happens. I can keep it, or give him or her in adoption. A lot can happen in eight months.”