It had been almost two months since Angie and Taylor’s “experience”. Taylor’s schedule had become more hectic and he had to fly out of state several times. Angie had a job at a little mom and pop restaurant a few miles from the motel.
“Honey, are you okay?” Mrs. Parker, the woman who owned the restaurant, asked Angie. Angie stood up and wiped her mouth with a paper towel. She nodded and took a drink of water.
“I’m fine, thank you,” Angie said, forcing a smile. But deep inside she was worried. For over a week she had been throwing up every morning. She had missed her period last month, but had forgotten about that, until now. She didn’t want to consider what it could be. She had been a prostitute for five years, and it had never happened. One time with a teenage boy and she got knocked up. No, Angie told herself, you are not pregnant.
“Maybe you ought to go to the doctor,” Mrs. Parker suggested.
“I will,” Angie promised. She washed her hands and went back into the kitchen. She picked up a couple of orders and delivered them to the tables. She plastered on her best fake smile all day long. By the end of the day, she was ready to drop. She lay back on the tattered bed she had begun to call home. She counted bumps on the ceiling for a while. Finally she told herself it was better to get it over with. She thumbed through the phone book for pregnancy clinics. Finding one, she dialed the number.
“Hello, Tulsa Pregnancy Clinic, how may we help you?”
“Hi, um, can I get an appointment for a test please?” Angie asked softly.
“Of course, may I get your name please?”
“Angie Carson.”
“Okay, Ms. Carson, we have a spot open tomorrow afternoon around four-thirty, would that be all right?”
“Yeah, sure, thanks.”
“Okay, we will see you tomorrow, Ms. Carson.” Angie hated being called “Ms. Carson”, it made her feel so old.
“Okay. Goodbye.” Angie hung up the phone, with a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Yeah, I’m doing great,” Angie lied to Taylor, over the phone. He was calling her from somewhere in California.
“I’m so glad to hear that. I’m doing pretty good, but I miss you,” He said.
“I miss you too.” There were voices in the background.
“Um, Angie, I have to go now. I’ll call again later,” Taylor said quietly.
“Okay, bye, Taylor.”
“Bye.” He hung up. Almost immediately, the phone rang again. Angie picked it up, wondering whom it could be.
“Hello, may I please speak with Ms. Angie Carson?” The voice said. Angie’s heart stopped. It was the pregnancy clinic. She said a short prayer mentally.
“This is she.”
“This is the pregnancy clinic. We’re calling with your results.”
“Okay.”
“The test turned out positive.” Angie’s head began to swim. She didn’t want to hear this. She couldn’t believe she had a little person in side of her.
“Are you sure?” Angie asked quietly.
“Our tests are ninety-nine percent accurate, ma’am.”
“Okay, thank you.” Angie didn’t feel very thankful at all.
“Would you like a counseling number?”
“No, thank you.”
“Good luck Ms. Carson.”
“Bye.” There was a click. Angie slowly put the phone down. She was shaking. How could she tell Taylor, a sixteen-year-old boy, that he was going to be a daddy? What would she say for the father’s name when she had the baby? They would throw her in jail if they knew she had slept with a minor. Not to mention Taylor’s reputation as a wholesome teen idol would be ruined. His family would sue her. Angie felt an overwhelming sense of panic. What had she gotten herself into?
“No one is home,” Angie muttered, rolling over in bed. It was Saturday morning, who was bothering her? They knocked again. Angie cursed under her breath and stomped to the door. She was very surprised to see Taylor standing there. He walked in and kissed her hello.
“Taylor, what are you doing here?” Angie asked.
“We got home a couple days early,” He grinned.
“I’m glad to see you,” She said, trying to push the nagging thoughts out of her mind.
“I’m glad to see you too,” He said, wrapping his arms around her. Angie felt her belly press against Taylor. She drew back, afraid that somehow he could already tell. Taylor looked hurt.
“What’s wrong?” He asked. Angie started to say nothing, but instead burst into tears.
“I have to tell you something, Taylor,” She sobbed. He led her to the bed, and they sat down.
“What is it?” He said, concern showing in his blue eyes.
“I,” Angie didn’t know how to say it, “I went to the doctor the other day.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, and no.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, I’m healthy, but…”
“But what?”
“Taylor, I don’t know how to say this!” Angie exclaimed, putting her head in her hands. Taylor rubbed her back.
“You can tell me,” He said. Angie took a deep breath. She closed her eyes.
“I’m pregnant.” She felt Taylor’s hand freeze. He didn’t say anything. She was afraid to open her eyes. She didn’t want to see his expression.
“Oh, God,” Taylor breathed. Angie slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. He was staring forward with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Well, there is a one percent chance I’m not,” Angie added meekly. Taylor didn’t look at her. Tears ran down Angie’s face. He would never have anything to do with her again.
“How am I going to explain this to my parents without getting you thrown in jail?” Taylor said, still looking at the wall.
“Taylor, you can’t tell them!” Angie exclaimed.
“I have to. You cannot stay here.”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“Taylor, please!”
“Angie, this is a horrible place, and you aren’t taking good care of yourself. I don’t want you or the baby hurt.”
“You’re not going to leave me?”
“No!”
“Oh, Taylor,” Angie sobbed, leaning on his shoulder. He patted her back softly.
“I don’t know what we are going to do, but, somehow it will be all right,” Taylor said.