In Your Footstep
Part 8
It wasn’t until the reception that I got to enjoy
myself and drink all the emotions way. I was well on my way when Abbey
came up to me. A slow song was playing and I was watching the people
dance. “Are you really sure, she’s safe with him?”
Abbey asked watching her best friend and her new husband dance happily
around the room. “Based on my experiences I’d have to say
that she is safer with him than she ever was with you.” I said
smiling at her.
She thought for a minute, then smiled back, “But I’m still
a lot more fun to be with than he is right?” She asked sticking
out her bottom lip and little, like she was going to pout. “There’s
never a dull moment with you, that’s for sure. You want a drink?”
I said offering her my glass. She pushed it way. “No thanks.”
She said sweetly. “I don’t have germs you know.” I
said. “Are you sure about that?” She asked giving me a questionable
look. “I’m pretty sure, do you want me to buy you one instead?”
I asked, I couldn’t tell you if I was trying to be sweet or if
I just wanted to get her drunk.
“No, I’m good.” She said. “But the girl I used
to know, could drink more than any guy here.” I stated recalling
those wild nights we used to have. “I could and you know it, but
I can’t not now.” Abbey said. I was about to question why,
but I needed a drink first. That’s when it hit me like a ton of
bricks. I think the alcohol slowed down my thought process. I spit out
my drink and look at her in shock. Then looked her over from head to
toe.
“You’re pregnant aren’t you.” I snapped poking
her playful in the belly. She giggled and brushed my hands away. “Gee
Girl I thought you were putting on a little weight but I didn’t
want to say anything, I know girls can be really sensitive about that
stuff.” I explained. I gave her a hug, I was careful not to squeeze
to hard. “I can’t wait to thank the proud father.”
I said looking around for him. “No you can’t.” Abbey
snapped. “Why not?” I asked getting worried.
“Scott doesn’t know yet. I wasn’t sure how I should
tell him.” Abbey explained. “He has to know it’s possible,
right?” I asked getting confused. “No, not really. I was
on the pill, but come to find out some other medication I am taking
cancels out the Birth Control. My doctor told me that like a week ago
but by then it was too late.” She said.
“Justin, I am scared, what if Scott doesn’t want to keep
the baby?” She added breaking into tears. I pulled her close to
me and rested her head on my shoulder. “Now there, don’t
worry I am sure Scott will want to keep the baby. Why wouldn’t
he?” I said trying to comfort her. “We’re so young
do you think we’re ready to be parents?” She asked wiping
the tears off her cheeks. “I don’t think any one is ever
really ready. At least your married that’s more than I can say
for some people.” I replied.
“I want you there when I tell him, just in case. He might get
mad, scared, or worried. Your our friend, I think I need you there.”
Abbey said still trying to clear her eyes. “Sure, girl anything
you want. Do you want to do it now?” I asked. “No, he’s
drunk and your drunk I want to do it when everyone is sober.”
She explained. I couldn’t argue with that, I was starting to fell
a little tipsy. “You can’t put it off.” I said. “I
know, how about tomorrow, we’ll go out for dinner.” She
explained picking a pen up off the bar. I nodded and she proceeded to
write a note on my forearm.
Like the drunk idiot I was I stood there and let her write on me. “This
should remind you , but just in case I will call you and tell you where
to meet us. Thanks again Justin, your such a sweet heart.” She
said she gave me a kiss on the cheek and then darted off into the crowd.
I put my hand on my cheek, which was red from her gentle touch, and
looked at my arm in wonderment.
The next morning I woke to find Abbey’s note still there, along
with some other drawings, which I am guessing Chris had decided to add.
It only took me a minute to recall why I was having dinner with them.
I couldn’t believe it, myself. I wasn’t sure how Scott would
react, but I knew in my heart that they would both make wonderful parents.
It was noon before I came too, so by the time I got ready Abbey called.
She voice was shaky over the phone, I had never seen her so nervous.
She was a very confident woman, maybe the fact that another life was
involved made her a little worried. She was never a selfish person,
she always put others before herself. It was a sweet quality which many
people took advantage of, especially in this profession.
I agreed to meet them at the restaurant around 6, she quizzed me to
see if I actually recalled what we had talked about the night before.
I think I passed, I was becoming a bad drunk, but then it counted I
was totally coherent.
I remember getting to the restaurant before them. I went ahead and sat
down at the table she had reserved. When I saw them enter, I watched
them closely. They truly were the perfect couple, there wasn’t
a person in that room who didn’t look up when they entered. Everyone
was in awe by them. I let my eyes roam over Abbey’s perfectly
shaped body, I knew she was going to look funny pregnant.
I got up as they approach, I gave Abbey a kiss on the cheek and Scott
a friendly hug. I hadn’t seen them in so long, I just wish we
were having dinner under different circumstances, wait no I don’t
as awful as Abbey made it seem, the thought of her having a baby made
me happy, I just wish it was my baby. But Scott was my friend so I kept
my passion of Abbey a secret. One I thought I would eventually take
to my gave.
“You look pretty good considering the night you had last night."
Abbey said sounding sweet though her words were harsh. “Thanks
you look pretty good too.” I said looking at her belly so she
would get the hint. She just folded her arms in her lap and shot me
a worried look. We ordered our food and made small talk. I was waiting
her Abbey to speak up, but she was very quite, I guess Scoot noticed.
“Abbey your very quite, tonight. Is very thing okay?” Scott
asked sounding generally concerned.
Abbey was about to say she was fine or that nothing was wrong, I could
tell, so I kicked her. “Ouch.” She yelled giving me another
dirty look. I returned the look and stared her down until she cracked.
“Fine.” She snapped turning to Scott and taking his hand.
Scott looked very confuses as he looked at each of us waiting to some
one to say something.
“Scott, we need to talk.” Abbey said. “About what?
Justin what’s she talking about?” Scott asked locking eyes
with me. “Not me man, I am just here for moral support.”
I replied trying to let Abbey do all of the talking. “I have some
news, I wasn’t sure how to tell you so I am just going to come
right out and say it. Scott, I’m pregnant.” Abbey said trying
not to look at her husband. It was almost as if she was ashamed and
I had never seen her like this. She never regretted anything she ever
did.
“You’re what? How?” Scott asked, he wasn’t yelling
but I could tell her was defiantly caught off guard. “I went to
the doctor and he said some of my medications were affecting the birth
control pill I was taking, turns out it wasn’t as effective as
we thought they were.” Abbey explained, looking up sweetly at
the man she loved. “Are you made at me?” She added bating
her eyes at him.
He took her hand and kissed it. “No, baby, I could never be mad
at you. It’s not your fault.” He said, I was surprised he
was handling it so well. If I was in his place I would be flipping out,
he must really lover her. “Would you be mad if I told you I wanted
to keep the baby.” Abbey asked a little worried. Scott got quite,
I could tell he was thinking about this.
“No, considering the options, I don’t see what choice we
have. I guess I am going to be a dad.” Scott said Abbey hugged
him and the kissed him, and I felt happy for them but yet oddly out
of place with them at the moment. Scott must having noticed. “If
you wanted to tell me, why did you bring Justin along?” He asked.
“I wasn’t sure how you would take it, I know we weren’t
planning to stat our family so soon, but maybe it’s for the better.”
Abbey explained as our food arrived.
“Are you sure you got enough to eat.” I asked eyeing Abbey’s
plate. “Yeah, you got to eat for two now, do you want something
else?” Scott added. “Relax guys, I am only a month along,
tops. The appetite comes later.” Abbey said taking a bite. “Okay,
just checking. So I guess you guys haven’t thought about names
yet.” I asked, which I later regretted because the spent the rest
of the night arguing about what they were going to name it and what
they hoped it would be. Abbey wanted a girl, and Scoot said he wanted
a boy. I could tell it was going to be a long 8 months
.
I just thank god everyday that I was going to be spending a lot of time
in the studio when JC got back, maybe they would leave me out of it,
I guess I hadn’t counted on them attacking my voicemail.
