I stood up and grabbed my things. I think more than enough people could hear what was going on, and I knew I had made a mistake by talking about it so cavalier over breakfast. I did my best to hide my face as I walked out of the restaurant.
At least, he’d helped me make the decision. I didn’t know if I wanted to keep it to begin with, but the idea of being a mother sounded like a great adventure. I was feeling more confident now than I ever did when I was drinking.
I plucked the pamphlet from my purse that I’d never taken a chance to look at in the past. The mothers looked so happy in the photographs, and I wanted that. Jake would have been a great father, not that I expected him to become one.
I called in to work and took the day off. I had a lot of thinking to do and work was the worst place for it.
My phone began to vibrate; Jake was calling. I cooled my head for a moment and answered the phone.
“What,” I said angrily.
“Can we, at least, talk about this?”
“I thought we talked about it. I know what your opinion is on the matter, and I’m going to choose what I want.”
“Angie, I always told myself that I would have a family someday, but not like this. I want a proper family, where you get married, and settle down, get a dog and a house; all that stuff.”
“And you think I don’t?” I replied. “I didn’t want to have kids, but I can’t imagine giving up a child that we made. You do what you want, but I’m done talking about this right now.”
I clicked off the phone and noticed a missed call from Martin, so I quickly dialed him back.
“Angie, where the hell are you,” he said.
“I was out on a date,” I replied.
“You called out today, but I need to talk to you right now, and in person.”
The line went dead; I guess he was serious again.
I hopped a cab uptown while pondering what was in store for me at the agency.
The office was mostly empty today, just a few personal assistants running about and grabbing one thing or another. I strode into Martin’s office, hoping not to be noticed.
“Angie, this is a real mess I’m in now,” he said, “and you know why?”
I shook my head no.
“I got a hot tip from a waiter at a breakfast bar about twenty minutes ago that says you’re having a kid. And, not just anyone’s, you’re having the quarterbacks kid.”
I felt a little timid about responding, so I waited for him to continue.
He plopped himself in his old leather roll chair and reached to the bottom floor of his desk and drew out a bottle of bourbon and a glass.
“I’d offer you some, but I had a feeling you’d say ‘no’.”
He gave himself a healthy pour and belted it back in one gulp.
“I knew this thing would start getting messy. Hell, I got some half-assed threat from Bob upstairs that says he wants you gone. What did I do? I laughed at him. He’s got about as much control of my staff as you do.”
“Martin,” I started.
“Don’t start tryin’ to talk sense to me now. You gotta bury this thing, Angie. I can’t tell you what to do right now, but the way I see it is that you got a choice. Either you have the baby, or you have your job. I won’t let this place become a media circus over your torrid love affair. Get out, and don’t come back until you’ve decided.”
I stood up sheepishly, starting my way toward the exit. How could I choose between one and the other, at this point I wanted both.
Unfortunately, it looked like the media had gotten their hands on my work address, as I exited the building I saw a small crowd of reporters.
One of them in the group looked at me and started scampering my direction. I was too shocked and confused to talk to reporters right now. I scurried to the rear of the tower, to a small service exit, and ran out and around the corner to avoid them.
I had a feeling that it would be just as packed at my apartment, but I felt the need to check anyway.
The short ride back had me feeling incredibly nervous. I had never been the center of attention like this. Normally I was the one on the sidelines pulling my clients out of view, or doing a small announcement for the agency. But, I had never been the center of something so big.
Rounding the corner, I saw a crowd gathered, larger than the one at work. I couldn’t dream of dealing with them right now, either.
I could use a drink.
9.
I had the driver drop me off in an empty alley near Devlin’s bar down the street. Upon entering the bar, I found it nice and empty, save for the usual barfly that sat on the back stool. I meandered to the closest table and sat, waiting for service, and partially hiding my face with my jacket.
The air was full of cigarette smoke, and I let out a cough to clear my lungs. I looked at my phone; it was dead silent. A loud crack from the back room and out popped Devlin; tossing the server door open and carrying a case full beer, only stopping for a moment to hand one to the barfly. With a quick look around the bar, I could tell he noticed me at the table. So, he sat his goods on the nearest countertop and walked over my way.