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I wasn't really shocked or surprised to see that the result was positive. Putting the test back on the counter, I walked out of the bathroom. I had a feeling that's why I had been throwing up, so that part I was prepared for.
What I wasn't prepared for was being on my own. I realized quickly that it would be my only option. Alex had proven that he couldn't be trusted. Now that I was having his baby, I couldn't risk him running off again. I didn't want this baby to go through what I went through.
That made it easy for me to decide that I wouldn't tell Alex about my pregnancy. Besides, it would only drive him away. I was smart and resourceful enough to handle things on my own. Alex and his immaturity would only complicate things.
Now, my main priority would be having and taking care of this baby. I couldn't let anything distract me from that. I wanted to write, but I was too afraid of throwing up again. Instead, I lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling. What I really needed to do was relax and get as much rest as possible. I knew I was going to need it. Tomorrow I would start researching everything I needed to know about raising a baby on my own.
Gradually I felt my eyes get heavier and heavier until I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. This was exactly what I needed at the moment — just to cut off from everything. I would wake up in the morning refreshed and ready to deal with it all by myself.Chapter Ten - AlexAfter leaving the resort, I hung out in Colorado Springs, thinking about what I had just done. I was confused, trying to deal with too many emotions and feelings, so I started to question my actions. Had I acted too rashly? Maybe I had made a mistake by leaving the retreat and Hazel like that. I didn't know what to think. Instead of reaching for a drink like I desperately wanted to, I decided to reach out to a good friend who lived in town for some much-needed advice.
I called my friend Gibson, who I had known since we were young. “Look, I'm in a situation and just need to talk to someone. Is it okay if I stop by?” I asked into the phone.
“Yeah, go ahead. I'm not doing anything tonight,” Gibson replied, and he gave me his address.
After hanging up with him, I took a cab from the airport to his house. It wasn't that long of a ride, and the weather was decent for this time of year.
Gibson knew both Gary and me. The three of us had been good friends in high school. After, we would occasionally get together and talk, back when Gary and I were still friends. If I was not mistaken, Gibson even knew the Hazel story. Yet, I would probably have to explain it again to bring him up to speed on everything.
He opened the door right away when he saw me and my luggage. “What's wrong? You need money?” he asked.
“No, it's not that. It's something else.” That was all I could manage to say.
My friend held the door open for me as I walked inside with my suitcases. I set them by the door and took a seat on the couch.
“Well, make yourself at home. I'd offer you a drink, but I don't think either of us wants to open that can of worms,” he commented as he closed the door.
Having a drink was the furthest thought from my mind. Gibson sat in a chair across from me. “You look deeply troubled by something, what's on your mind?” he asked.
I sighed heavily, having no idea where to begin. It took a few moments to collect my thoughts. I finally decided it would be best to start at the beginning; that way Gibson would have the whole story.
“Okay. It all started over five years ago, when I was hanging out with Gary almost every night,” I started to explain.
Gibson interrupted me, “I miss Gary.”
“Me too.”
We both were silent for a second.
With a sigh, I continued talking, “You know Gary’s daughter, Hazel?” My friend nodded. “We were close because she and I shared a love of writing. I helped her write and published her first book. But things took a horrible turn one evening. Hazel was celebrating the fact that her book had just been published and we got a little too close and… well, we shared a kiss in the kitchen. Gary caught us and forbid me from having contact with either one of them again.” I paused to make sure Gibson was still listening before I continued speaking.
He nodded again. “Yes, I remember hearing about that.”
