Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:20:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Kirk Landers <ilj4ever44@yahoo.com> Subject: Luke- part 8 Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you. Hello again everyone! Well, as you can tell by the last chapter, this story is going to take a big turn in the story and add a little more drama. Hope you al enjoy! Here is part 8 entitled, `The Morning After' `THE MORNING AFTER' ****SHANE**** The next morning I woke up and still couldn't wrap my head around the news that Brenda told me yesterday. She's pregnant. It horrified me even more when she told me she hasn't yet decided what she's going to do about it. So now I have to stress over whether she's going to keep the baby or have an abortion. I'm gay! I'm not supposed to have worries like this. I did my best to play it cool, but this was something so big that I couldn't even pretend to hide it. When I arrived at work Luke greeted me with a cup of coffee and we walked together to our desks. "So you cancelled on me last night. Is everything okay?" Luke asked as we sat down at our desks. "Yeah I'm fine." I know I was unconvincing, but it was the best I could do. "Something has been bothering you lately. I can tell. Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" Luke asked. I appreciated the concern, but didn't want to talk about it. I was more than relieved to see our editor Farrah approach Luke's desk. "Luke, you got some great feedback over last week's column," Farrah said. "I wanted to discuss with you the idea of having a blog." "A blog?" Luke asked. "Blogging is huge right now and with more people getting their news online it is a great way for you to connect with our readers on a regular basis. What do you think?" Farrah asked. "I guess it sounds like something we can look into," Luke replied. "Good. I'll talk to you more about it later," Farrah said. She then turned to me. "I got a call from the Scripps Ranch Theatre and they're sending over tickets for their upcoming show." "What is it?" I asked. "'The Accidental Pregnancy,'" Farrah replied. "Excuse me?" I asked not sure if I heard her correctly. "It's an original play," Farrah replied. I felt all the color drain from my face. Farrah and Luke both looked at me questionably. "Everything okay?" Farrah asked. "Fine," I blurted. "Excuse me." I then got up and quickly headed to the bathroom to throw up from nausea. ****FORD**** I didn't know what to do when I saw that Chandler is back. Chandler Wolfsmith is someone that I've tried hard to forget. It wasn't just him I was afraid of, it was the way I can get if I'm around him. Chandler Wolfsmith grew up like me in the lifestyle of the upper-class. We met in prep school and became fast friends. However, this type of friendship wasn't the type of friendship I have with my friends now. This was a much more dangerous friendship. With being his friend I had my first drink at the age of fourteen, my first joint at fifteen, and lost my virginity at sixteen (while I was high to make it worse). Let's just say that if there is one person who could lead me down the path of destruction, it's Chandler. I don't even know how he got my cell phone number. This couldn't come at a worse time with Benji being in New York. Benji is the only person in my life right now (besides Patrick) who knows about Chandler and he's not even in town. I got a much needed distraction when Patrick called me. "You couldn't have called at a better time," I said. "Why's that?" Patrick asked. "Are you busy now? Do you think we can meet for lunch?" I asked. "Of course. Meet you at the Broken Yolk?" Patrick asked. "See you in a bit," I replied hanging up. When I met Patrick at the Broken Yolk twenty minutes later I explained to him what was going on. "So now I have to deal with Chandler," I concluded. "I thought you two were friends," Patrick said looking confused. "No. We had a big falling out," I replied. "What happened?" Patrick asked. "Um...nothing I really want to get into," I answered. No one, not even Benji knows the details about the fallout that Chandler and I had. All I told anyone was that it was bad enough to make Chandler skip town for the past four years and none of us have heard from him until now. "I just wish I knew how he got my phone number." "Um...it was me," Patrick said. "What do you mean?" I asked confused. "I ran into him a few days ago and he apologized to me for the fallout we had in college and so we got a drink to catch up," Patrick began explaining. "When I mentioned that I was going out with you he said that he lost your phone number and asked me for it. I thought you two were still friends. He didn't act like there was anything wrong between you two." "You gave him my number?" I asked upset. "You didn't mention where I work or live, did you?" "I don't remember," Patrick said. "I might have mentioned where you work. We talked for a while and he was being really nice. I didn't think there was a problem." "It was one thing if he just had my phone number. I can change that. But he knows where I work?" I asked. I got up from the table, "I have to go." "Wait Ford. I'm sorry. I didn't think it was a problem," Patrick said. "I know, but it doesn't really matter. You've brought Chandler back into my life and now I have to figure out a way to get rid of him again," I said before turning and rushing out of the restaurant. ****LUKE**** I went to the bathroom to check on Shane. When I walked in he was at the sink splashing water on his face. It was clear that there was something very wrong. "Hey," I said rubbing his back. "You sure you don't want to talk?" "It's a long story," Shane said shaking his head. "We have time," I said. I hoped up on the sink counter to show that I really wanted him to talk to me about his problems. "Come on. We're friends." "I know, but this is really bad," Shane said. "If it's that bad, then you shouldn't deal with it on your own," I said. "So come on. Talk to me." "You'll think less of me," Shane sighed. "I won't." I promised him. "So about a month ago I got together with a friend of mine and her and I got pretty drunk," Shane began. He was careful in how he told me what was going on. "Well, her and I slept together." "Whoa." I did not expect to hear that. I have to admit, a part of me was surprised he could even get it `up' for a girl. "Has this happened before?" "Yeah. It's happened a couple times before, but it was stupid and it only happens because we're so smashed," Shane explained. "This time though, something really bad happened." "What?" I asked. He rubbed his face with his hands. I could tell whatever he was facing was something far more serious than I expected. "She's pregnant," Shane dropped the bomb. My eyes grew wide. "Oh my God," I said. "That's insane." "Yeah," Shane scoffed. "It's definitely not something I was planning to deal with." "What are you going to do?" I asked. "I don't know," Shane replied. "It really depends on what Brenda is going to do." "So she's thinking of keeping it, huh?" I asked. "Yeah," Shane replied. "She doesn't know what she's going to do yet." "And what are you going to do?" I asked. "What do you mean?" Shane asked. "There's nothing I can really do." "I'm talking about if she keeps it," I said. "What will you do then?" "I'll think about that when we come to that hurdle," Shane replied. "Right now I need to get back to work." Without saying another word Shane turned and walked out of the bathroom. I stayed where I was in shock. I knew this was going to be a problem that Shane was going to need a lot of emotional support for. ****BENJI**** Fabulous! That's the only word I can use to describe New York. I was having the best time. The energy of the city, the way people dressed, the way people looked! It's just an amazing place. I've been in New York City only one night and I already hooked up with the sexiest east coast guy. I met him last night at Devotion and believe me, he was completely devoted until he left my hotel room this morning. I started my day out great. Sex in the morning, followed by a good breakfast and then I had a few hours to kill until my meeting with a woman named Leslie White who was representing Getty and White Corporations, the company that is interested in franchising my store. The company has quite a good reputation of taking small businesses and turning them into global franchises. When I spoke with her on the phone she sounded very interested and seemed to really like the product I carried in my store. To pass the time I did a little shopping and then went back to my hotel room to organize my portfolio of the type of image and products and the target group of my store. Since I still had some time after getting things ready for my meeting I called up Ford to see how things were going. "I was just about to call you!" Ford sounded very upset. Ford is usually one who keeps his emotions to himself, so to hear him distressed was very new to me. Even though we are best friends, there are still some things he kept to himself. "What's wrong honey?" I asked concerned. "Chandler's back," Ford replied gravely. "Oh no. You're kidding." After all the stories I've heard about Chandler and the trouble Ford would get into by being around him I couldn't believe that this person was making his way back into Ford's life. "This isn't something I would joke about. What am I going to do?" Ford couldn't calm down and it was understandable. For how hard he has worked to become the person he is now I'm surprised he isn't going insane right now. "What am I going to do?" he asked. "Ignore his calls," I said. "Just do everything you can to avoid him. I'll be home in a few days and we can figure something out." "Benji...I'm scared." "Let me ask you something," I said curiously. "Are you more scared of him or yourself around him?" "A little bit of both," Ford replied. "Listen honey. Just stay close to Shane and Luke and I'll be home soon," I said. "Okay?" "All right," Ford replied. "Thanks." "No problem. Listen, I have to get going. My meeting is today," I said. "Oh that's right! Sorry to bring you down with my drama," Ford apologized. "It's okay," I replied. "Well have a great meeting. All of us have our fingers crossed for you," Ford said. "Love you." "Love you too. And be careful," I said. "I will," Ford replied. After I hung up the phone I grabbed the things I needed for my meeting and headed out. ****SHANE**** After work Luke convinced me to go get a drink with him at The Waterfront. I was planning on going home and wallowing in self-pity, but I realized this was a problem that I wouldn't get through with out the support of friends. "Before we talk anymore about this I want you to promise that you won't judge me," I said before we even began to get into the subject of the current situation that I'm in. "Okay," I promise. "Thank you," I replied. "When is Brenda going to tell you her decision?" Luke asked after we got our drinks from the bar. "I don't know," I replied. "And the waiting is killing me." "Do you want her to keep it?" Luke asked. "I have no idea what I want," I shrugged. "A kid is never something I ever thought about." "Really?" Luke asked. "Never." "No," I replied. "Do you?" "I used to think of it a lot when I was with Nick," Luke answered. "Not as much anymore, but eventually I would like to have a kid." "I guess being a gay man it was never something I thought of as a possibility for me," I said. "Now I feel like I'm forced to quickly decide what I want. It's a decision that can completely change my life." "It seems like something you should talk out with Brenda," Luke brought up. "I want to," I replied. "But Brenda wants time to herself to think over the situation. She doesn't want to be persuaded one way or the other." "This kid is just as much yours as it is hers though," Luke pointed out. "Yeah, but I'm not the one carrying the thing in my uterus," I answered. "So this happened a month ago?" Luke asked confused. "Weren't you still with Rich?" "It happened the night before I broke up with him." "Oh Shane," Luke sighed. I could tell he was slightly disappointed to hear that I technically cheated on Rich. "Why did this happen?" "Brenda and I have this friendship where we get together and drink our problems away for a night when one of us if feeling down," I said. "I wasn't happy with Rich and I called her up and we got drunk and this shit happened." "Probably not the best routine for you two to be doing if this is the result," Luke mentioned. "What happened to not judging?" I asked. "I'm not," Luke replied. "There was a hint of judgment in your voice," I said. "I'm sorry," Luke said. "All I can do now is sit back and wait," I replied. "And it's killing me." "Well whatever happens, I'm here for you," Luke said taking my hand in his. I smiled, grateful to have Luke in my life. It was because of this and about a million other reasons why I liked him so much. ****BENJI**** Walking back to my hotel from my meeting that evening I was on cloud nine. The meeting went great. I keep repeating in my head when Leslie told me that she loved my store and that it was just the type of boutique missing from a city that is known for top fashion. "We definitely would like to pursue a partnership with you," Leslie told me. I remember how she tucked her long, shiny, blonde hair behind her right ear as she gave me a sincere smile. All I could do after I heard those words was smile. It's hard for me to be speechless, but that's what I was at that very moment. I just smiled and looked around at my surroundings. I was having a business dinner in the fabulous Capital Grille with a woman who was beautiful enough to be a model and wearing a stunning Prada suit. I couldn't help but break out into a big grin thinking about every second of that lunch meeting. It went better than I could have ever expected and to celebrate I was going to get dressed down into a sexy outfit and go to Splash on 50 W. 17th Street to find a new flavor to celebrate my day with. There was only one part of my meeting with Leslie that made me think twice about my decision to go forward with partnering with her company. If I were to do this, it would involve me relocating to New York. While I always thought I would eventually move to New York or even Paris for a little bit, it wasn't something I was planning on doing so soon. The thought of leaving my world in San Diego scared me a bit, but I decided to not think about it now. Right now, I wanted to celebrate and have some fun. I'm in one of the most exciting cities and plan to make every moment of it count. ****FORD**** That night I didn't answer my phone. Patrick tried calling me a couple times, but I really wasn't in the mood to talk to him. He left me a voicemail apologizing profusely. Truth be told, I wasn't really mad at him. He couldn't have known that I didn't want Chandler in my life. Last time he saw me in college, Chandler and I were good friends. But I just didn't want to talk to anyone. I got a missed call from Luke as well, but he didn't leave a voicemail. Hopefully him and Shane were having a better night than me. I dozed off in my bed watching one of my favorite movies (An Affair to Remember). When I woke up around one in the morning, Cary Grant just found out that Deborah Kerr was crippled and they both embraced to close the film. I rubbed my eyes a bit and looked at my bedside table and saw that I had five missed calls and three voicemails. I looked at the missed call list and they were all from Chandler. I was afraid to, but I checked my voicemail to see what he had to say. "Ford, it's me. Long time no see. I think we should get together soon. We have a lot to catch up on. Call me," I heard Chandler's distinct deep and slightly menacing voice say. His voice haunted me. It was a voice that could sound like the nicest man in the world or the most evil. It just depended on his mood and if he was in one of his `playful' moods. I quickly deleted the message and listened to the next one. "It's me again. You're not asleep already are you? The night's still young, you should come out and play. Call me." Chandler said. I deleted that message as well and went on to the next one. "You're not answering my calls. You're not avoiding me are you? I might just have to stop by your work and visit if that's the case. Call me back," Chandler said, his voice taking on a more menacing tone. I deleted the message and took a deep breath. I felt like I might not be able to avoid Chandler forever. ****LUKE**** The next morning when I woke up a smiled a little to myself, I completed my column for the week and decided to take a day off from writing. When I looked at the clock I saw that Morgan still hasn't started work yet at the school so I gave him a call to catch up a little bit with him on his weekend. "Hey you. Someone forgot to give me a call last night," Morgan said when he picked up the phone. "I know. I'm sorry. A friend of mine was having some trouble," I replied. "Sorry to hear that," Morgan answered. "Anything I can do to help?" "No, it's not really a problem that other people can help him with, it's something he has to deal with by himself," I said. "Hope he's okay." It was nice to see how genuine and caring Morgan is. It's nice having a friend like him. It gave a sense of comfort to have someone who just was there to listen and have fun with. I like Shane, Benji and Ford, but it's nice to have someone outside of the group who I can turn to every now and then. "He will be," I replied. "So what do you have going on after work?" "Grading papers. My students have a test today so I'll be busy with that. Anyway I can persuade you to help me grade then over dinner?" Morgan asked. "Well I'm not one to turn down a free meal," I joked. "What time?" "Come over around seven?" Morgan asked. "I'll see you then," I replied. "Have a good day." "You too," Morgan replied before we both hung up. After I got off the phone with him I got up and put on my gym clothes. I wanted to go get a good run in before I met Ford and Shane for lunch. During my run it was nice to take in the beautiful day in San Diego. The weather cooled down from the heat wave we were having and fall would soon come. Later on after my run I showered and got dressed and headed out to meet up with Shane and Ford for lunch. When I got to the Broken Yolk, Shane and Ford were already there waiting for me. "Sorry I'm late guys," I said sitting down at the table with them. "You came just in time," Shane said. "It looks like I'm not the only one going through a crisis." "What do you mean?" I asked looking at Ford. "Someone from my past is trying to come back into my life and I wish he wouldn't," Ford replied. "An ex-boyfriend?" I asked. "No, an ex-friend," Ford replied. "He's bad news." "What's so bad about him?" I asked. "You remember the kids in the movie `Cruel Intentions?' That's the way we used to act when we were together," Ford replied. "He brought out the worst in me." Shane and I both let out a laugh because we couldn't imagine Ford was ever as bad as he was saying. "You have to be exaggerating," Shane said. "There's no way you were ever that bad." "I was," Ford replied. "And that's not even the worst of it." "What's the worst?" I asked. "I can't say," Ford replied sheepishly. "Oh come on! You can't tell us there's worse and not tell us," Shane commented. We were both eager to find out what Ford was hiding. "I really can't," Ford replied. "I haven't told anyone, ever." "Why not?" I asked. We couldn't imagine that Ford ever did something as bad as he's making it out to be. He couldn't. It's Ford Ohara, he's the most innocent and naive guy we've ever met. "Because I've spent the past four years trying to forget him and everything and I don't want to bring it up again," Ford said. "Okay," I said giving him a small smile. I saw how painful this whole situation obviously was for him. I reached over across the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "So what are you going to do about this guy?" "I don't know," Ford replied. "I've been avoiding Chandler's calls, but I obviously can't do that forever." "How did he get back into your life anyway?" Shane asked. "He ran into Patrick and he gave him my number," Ford replied. "Patrick?" I asked. Shane and I both exchanged a questionable look. "Ford, how well do you really know Patrick?" Shane asked. "Well enough," Ford replied. "Why?" "Don't you think it's a little strange that right around the time you start seeing Patrick, Chandler suddenly reappears in your life?" Shane asked. "You think he set this all up?" Ford asked. "All we're saying is that it's a little coincidental." I didn't want to believe Patrick was a bad guy, because I know how much Ford likes him, but this all seems a little bit fishy. "No," Ford shook his head. "He can't possibly be setting me up. He likes me. I know he likes me. What could his reasons be for wanting to bring someone like Chandler back in my life?" "Do we have to spell it out?" Shane asked bluntly. "You're rich, he's not. Some of the money you have could really help him get through culinary school." "No," Ford replied. "He's not like that. He likes me and I like him." "We know you do," Shane said. "But just be sure." Ford looked down at the table, he didn't say anything, but Shane and I could both see that he was starting to question Patrick and his motives for dating him. ****BENJI**** I only had one more day left in New York before I went back to San Diego and I was starting to dread it. As much as I like my life in San Diego I was really falling in love with New York. It has everything I could want in a city, fun clubs, great shopping, beautiful people, and most importantly, it could soon have my store! I began to wonder if I could relocate to New York City. Obviously I would miss my friends, but this is a golden opportunity. It's one that I don't think I can easily just turn down. But could I leave San Diego and everything I've known? As I walked through Manhattan and looked at the large buildings and felt the energy of the city things just seemed to feel right. It felt like I belonged there. ****FORD**** A couple days passed and I still haven't talked to Patrick. I didn't know what to think. I never even considered the idea that Patrick and Chandler were somehow involved in some scheme against me. But the things that Shane and Luke brought up had me second-guessing everything. What if they were right? It would make sense, it seems I only fall for guys who are complete jerks. But I felt something different with him, something right. I knew that the only way I could know for sure is if I stopped avoiding and talk to him. I had to know for sure. I wasn't going to let myself fall too hard for a guy who was only out to hurt me. I had to psyche myself up for twenty minutes before I got on the phone and called him. "Hi! I'm so glad you called," Patrick said picking up his phone. "I was wondering if you hated me. I'm so sorry Ford." "Look, I have to ask you some things and I need you to be really honest with me," I began. "Of course. Anything," Patrick replied. "I'm just glad you called. Actually, can I come see you? I'm not working today and really want to apologize in person." "Um, sure," I answered. "I'm at work." "I'll be right there," Patrick said. Twenty minutes later Patrick arrived and he was holding a box of chocolates. We walked outside of the building I work at and went to a nearby coffee shop. "They aren't Godiva or See's, they're from a grocery store, but it's the thought that counts, right?" Patrick said handing me the chocolates. I gave a slight smile. It was a sweet gesture. I just need to find out if it was a genuine one. "Look, Patrick, I-" I began, but Patrick cut me off. "No, let me start," Patrick began. "I screwed up and I'm so sorry. I honestly didn't know that you and him had a fall out. I swear." "Where did you even run into him?" I asked. I didn't want to be blunt about it, but Chandler is the type of guy who will only be seen at top restaurants, clubs or stores, all places that Patrick would never be at. "He came to the beach while I was working. He was there by himself," Patrick explained. "I saw him and tried to avoid eye contact, but he approached me first and he seemed completely different from the Chandler I knew in college. He apologized for the shit that went down between him and I and he offered to take me out for a drink after I got off work." "That's really how you ran into him?" I asked. "Yes," Patrick replied. "Why?" I didn't say anything, but by my silence he got the idea of what I was thinking. "Wait a second, you don't think I purposely did this do you?" "I don't really know what to think," I replied. "That's why I need to know what happened and what he's doing in town." "Ford, I swear I would never do anything to purposely hurt you. I know it's really early to be saying stuff like this, but I really care about you and like you and would never do anything to ruin that," Patrick said. I could see in his eyes that he was being completely sincere. "I really want to believe you," I said. "I've just been really hurt by guys in the past and I don't want to get hurt again." "I promise I will do everything to make sure I never hurt you," Patrick said taking my hand. "Please believe me." When I looked in his eyes I saw nothing but sincerity. I know there's no way to know for sure if he's telling the truth, all I have to go on is my instincts and what my gut is telling me and everything inside of me is saying that I should trust him. It may not be logic, it was just what my heart was telling me. I smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. "I believe you." "Really?" Patrick asked giving a hopeful smile. "Yes." "Thank you so much." Patrick gave me a big hug. "I really feel we can have something here and I don't want to mess it up." "Don't worry," I said. "I'll find a way to deal with Chandler." It was the first time in the past few days that I felt hopeful about my situation. Maybe I could get rid of Chandler. All I had to do was avoid him. Of course I'm sure that's easier said than done. "I'm sure he's gotten the message that you don't want him in your life," Patrick said. "Yeah, you're probably right," I said hopeful. "I have to get back to work, but dinner tonight?" "Sounds perfect," Patrick smiled. "I'll walk you back to your office." ****LUKE**** After I got off work I made plans to have Morgan come over for dinner and he had some personal essays to grade that he wanted me to help him with. I know this sounds incredibly lame, but I have the best time grading papers and tests with him. He teaches seven years olds so it's cute to see how idealistic they come out in their writings. It's fun to see some of the papers that kids write and what their hopes and dreams are. It's refreshing to see the innocence of kids and how big they can dream. You forget the simple things and the big dreams you had when you get older and jaded. You think that nothing could ever go wrong in your life. I think I used to be like that up until my last boyfriend, Nick, died. I really understood afterwards that life never turns out the way you expect it to. As we were waiting for the chili I made to finish cooking in my crock pot we sat down to go over the papers he brought over. "This little boy says in his essay he wants to be a ballet dancer," I said with a smirk, I then joked. "He's going to end up gay." "Be nice," Morgan replied with a giggle. "Who's paper is it?" "Henry O'Connell," I answered. "Oh yeah, I think he will end up gay," Morgan admitted. "He keeps a Barbie in his backpack." "Aw, that's what I used to do," I admitted. "No way! You had a Barbie?" Morgan laughed. "Don't pretend that you never had something girly growing up. All gay guys usually did," I shot back. "Okay, I used to have a My Little Pony that I played with," Morgan revealed. "See! So don't make fun of me and my Barbie." I laughed with Morgan. "So what kind of outfit did you dress your Barbie up in? Did she have a pretty pink dress with a big pink bow in her hair?" Morgan asked sarcastically. "No," I replied. "She had a cowgirl outfit." "Yee-haw!" Morgan exclaimed. "You're such a jerk," I laughed picking up a pillow on the couch we were sitting on and throwing it at him. "You asked for it!" Morgan hollered before he leaped at me and tackled me off the couch onto the ground and pinned me underneath him. "Get off me!" I laughed trying to get out of his grasp. "Make me," Morgan challenged. "Oh I got moves you've never seen," I said as I squirmed underneath him. "Kinda hard to show me those moves if you can't even get out from under me," Morgan laughed. "Oh yeah?" I asked before I kicked up my legs forcing Morgan to fall on top of me. Our foreheads bumped against each other and we both continued to laugh. He then made eye contact with me and we both stopped laughing as we looked at one another. I could feel the heat of his breath against my face and his heart beat against my chest. Before I could say anything he slowly leaned in and kissed me. I was shocked at first, but then started to get into it and kiss him back, but when I started to feel his tongue enter my mouth I quickly pulled back. "I'm sorry," Morgan said quickly getting up. "That shouldn't have happened." "It's fine," I said standing up as well. "Um, let's just get back to grading those papers." "Yeah, yeah, good idea," Morgan said. We both grew quiet and sat down on the couch and went back to grading the papers in awkward silence. ****SHANE**** After thinking things over the past couple of days I went to go see Brenda. I knew what I had to do. As scared as I was about my future now, I knew that I had to be there for her and for my baby. She had to know that if she decided to keep the baby, I would be a good father and help her raise the baby. When she opened the door, before she had a chance to even say anything I began to speak because I knew that if I didn't get it out right away that I might not be able to say it at all. "Brenda, I'll be there for you," I began telling her. "Shane, wait-" Brenda tried cutting in. "No. Let me finish," I said. "I want you to know that if you want this baby that you won't be alone. I'll be there any way I can and be the father to the baby that it needs. I will do all I can to support both you and the baby." "Shane, I appreciate that," Brenda smiled softly. "It really means a lot that you would step up like that." "Of course," I replied. "So have you decided?" "I'm sorry Shane," Brenda said softly. "Sorry for what?" I asked. "The baby's gone. I went in for the procedure earlier today and it's over," Brenda replied. "I just couldn't do it. I can't be a mom now." "Oh." It was all I could say. I then turned and slowly walked away. I didn't know if I was relieved or sad. ****FORD**** When I was finishing up work I called Patrick to let him know I would be home soon. He was going to pick up some groceries and then come to my place so we can make dinner and have a nice night in. After I got off the phone with him I packed up my work and headed out of the office. The sun was starting to go down and the air was starting to cool and it felt nice to let go of my fear. Patrick is right, I'm sure that Chandler got the message that I didn't want to see him since I ignored all his calls. I am going to stop worrying about Chandler and focus on my budding relationship with Patrick. He's a great guy and there is definite potential with him. When I headed to my car in the parking lot next to the office I work at I heard someone behind me call out my name. "Ford, long time no see." I didn't want to turn around, but I knew I had no choice. I slowly turned to face him. "Chandler." "Miss me?" Chandler asked with his all too familiar mischievous smile. It was a smile that always had some underlying scheme hidden beneath. ************************************************************************** To Be Continued... With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thank you so much!