“That’s pretty cold,” Doug says, not seeing the irony of his statement. But then he decides, “I imagine Nathan and Holly are having as hard of a time accepting this as we are.”
“They’re being pretty awful,” Jordan says. “I was hoping we could all get together and try to figure some things out.”
Carley does not look very welcoming of that idea. “I think you and Margie need to talk first.” It’s clear she’s hoping Margie will agree to an abortion, so they don’t have to get involved further.
“We do need to talk,” Jordan tells her. “But we also need to hear what, if any, support our parents are going to offer us.”
“I’m not paying child support for your kid,” Doug declares heatedly.
“I’ve raised my children,” Carley says like she’s hammering another nail in Jordan’s coffin.
“So, Margie and I are completely on our own?”
I don’t know why I thought Jordan’s parents would handle things better than Margie’s. That certainly does not appear to be the case, and I feel terrible for him.
“You made your bed,” Carley tells her son.
“So, no college.” Jordan doesn’t sound sad as much as unbelieving that this is his circumstance.
“Not if you have a kid to raise,” his dad tells him.
I briefly wonder if Tony DeMarco went through a similar situation when Ellie got pregnant. At least the two of them were on the same page and were there to support each other.
Doug stands up abruptly. “If that’s all we’re here for …”
Carley joins him. “Jordan, are you coming home with us?”
He shakes his head slowly. “Not yet. I have a lot to think about.”
Without so much as a farewell, Jordan’s parents walk out of the room. Once the door shuts, I tell him, “I was hoping that would go better.”
“You and me, both,” he says. “I don’t know what to do now. I don’t even have a job. I suppose I’ll have to quit basketball and get one.”
“Why don’t you and Margie talk first,” I suggest. “You said that you hadn’t discussed adoption yet. If you put the baby up for adoption, then you can stay on the team and go to college like you planned.”
“I don’t know if she even wants to talk to me,” Jordan says. “It’s been a couple of weeks.”
“Call her. See if she can meet you somewhere so the two of you can make some decisions.”
Jordan rests his head in his hands. “She’s pretty mad at the way I’ve dealt with things. And honestly, I don’t blame her.”
“It sounds like she’s as alone as you are. I’m guessing she wants to talk to you.”
“I don’t suppose you could be there, too?” He sounds so hopeful.
“I wouldn’t be comfortable unless there was another woman present,” I tell him. Then I have an idea. “Call Margie and see if she can meet you at Rosemary’s tomorrow at two. I’m meeting Coach Rogers there.”
“Do you think she’ll mind?” he asks.
Shaking my head, I tell him, “Coach Rogers is a very caring woman. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help.” And while I expect this will be true, I also know I’d better give her a heads up.
Jordan pulls out his phone and stares at it like it’s a two-headed cobra. He eventually makes a call, and when it’s answered, he says, “Margie, it’s Jordan. We need to talk.”
I walk out of the room to give him some privacy. I feel for both Jordan and Margie. I’m sure a situation like this is hard enough even when you have your family’s backing, but doing it on your own must be unbearably scary.
Taking my own phone out of my pocket, I place a call of my own. Unfortunately, it goes into voicemail. “Allie,” I say. “I’ve sort of roped you into something and I hope you don’t mind …”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
