Killing A Life And Pushed Out Of Another
Coach Rodriguez called me twice a week for the next month. We'd talk about how he likes coaching up in Ann Arbor and the prospects of playing in front of 110,000 screaming fans every home game. Eventually I would be receiving more enevelopes in the mail from Coach Rod, with the usual "Hey, we're interested in you playing football for us" letter and a stack of 20 dollar bills inside. I wasn't sure how to feel about getting the money at first, but after spending it on some new kicks and stuff for my car, I didn't care.
When July came around, I started off counting off the days till I left for Hilton Head. I was relieved to get away from all the pressure from the community and the constant phone calls from coaches. Plus I haven't spoken to Rebecca since the last time I was there, so seeing her again and catching up on each other's lives will be great.
After the long 12 hour drive down, I decided to chill out on the couch and call Rebecca. After a few rings, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Rebecca?"
"Who's this?"
"Haha it's Ethan..."
"Oh, now you decide to speak to me again."
"What do you mean?"
"It's whatever. Listen I'm kinda busy right now..."
"No, it's not whatever. Can I come over and we can talk?"
"Umm...yeah, sure."
"Alright I'll be there in a bit."
Wonder what's wrong with her? I figured she'd be happy to talk to me again. I got into my car and drove off to her house. When I pulled in, I noticed that her car was the only one there.
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Yeah?"
"Geez, you're going to respond like that when you answer the door? Can I come in?"
"Yeah sure."
I walked into her house and instantly smelled the scent of alcohol. There were empty Jack Daniels bottles everywhere and I could tell from the way she was slightly stumbling that she just drank them not too long ago. She awkwardly fell into a sitting position onto the recliner as I slowly sat down on the couch.
"What's wrong Rebecca?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong! Everything has went wrong ever since you left."
"Why?"
"Well I was pregnant..."
I swear it felt like my jaw dropped to the floor. Here was this girl I just met last year, and I ended up getting her pregnant and didn't know about it. It wasn't just the fact that I knocked her up, it's the fact that I wasn't there to help her out through the suffering that she went through. That's what upsets me.
"Well, where's the baby?"
"Where's the baby? I didn't have the time for a fucking child! I got an abortion and had to work two jobs just to pay off the damn thing! And it's not even completely paid off yet! Now I've lost both of my jobs because I got into very vicious arguments with customers from all the stress that has been put on me, and the last thing I need in my life is you. I've gotten a new boyfriend who actually will support me and be there for me for whatever."
Completely shocked, I sat there stumbling for what I should say next. After a few seconds of thinking, I got an idea.
"Hold on for a second."
"Whatever."
I ran out to my car and reached into my glove compartment. Coming back into the house, she looked even more disgusted than before.
"Let me guess. You brought a condom so we can finally safely fuck, that way you don't get me pregnant again, right? You're a joke."
"No. Listen, I'm really sorry for what you've been through and I wish I was here for you the entire time..."
"Yeah right."
"Please, let me finish. Anyways, I'll stay out of your life for good but I have to give you something first. How much was the abortion?"
"500 dollars, why?"
I handed her the enevelope.
"Here, don't tell anyone I gave you this. You want me out of your life, fine - I'm gone. Hopefully everything works out for you."
"Good riddance..."
I walked out and drove off. She went up to her room and opened the evenelope and watched stacks of 20 dollar bills fall right onto her bed.
"Oh my God..."