I went into labor approximately a month later. I won't tell you about the birth, just that it was by far the most excruciating experience I have EVER been through. I can't imagine what in the world makes a woman do that more than once. You'd think she'd learn her lesson after the first time.

I decided not to see the baby. All I needed to know was that it had been a girl and the Smith's fell in love with her instantly.

I had requested lots of painkillers (because frankly the pain and suffering isn't completely over with even when the source of your pain is gone) so I was a little out of it the next day. I was being released the next day and my apartment was paid for until the end of the month.

I fell asleep during the news and when I woke up they were re-playing that day's Entertainment Tonight. I always hated the show, and was about to change the channel when suddenly I caught sight of a very familiar face.

"The Hansons have been in NY for the past month doing promotional appearances for their newest album,"the reporter informed me. A few seconds of Isaac discussing the album was shown and I suddenly realized who the stranger I had talked to that day was. He was a Hanson.

I wasn't totally sure what I thought about that. I mean, the guy who talked to me hadn't looked like a girl at all, even with his fluffy hair. Finally I decided it didn't really matter. After all, I was never going to see or hear from him again.

As usual, I was wrong.

****

It was finally the day I had been dreading for months now. I had to go home. I'd spent the last of my money on a bus ticket home and some snacks to eat on the way. My stuff was packed up (the maternity clothes dumped in a Salvation Army clothes drop) and I was standing in front of the apartment building saying a silent goodbye.

"You leaving?"

I turned toward the voice and found myself face to face with my stranger, who I now knew to be Isaac Hanson."Yeah,"I said softly.

He seemed to be as uncomfortable with this meeting as I was."Was it hard?"he finally asked after uncomfortably staring at his sneakers for several minutes.

"Was what hard?"

"Giving her up."I didn't even ask how he knew it was a she. I just shook my head.

"I knew it was the right thing to do."I picked up my duffel bag from in between my feet and tried to make it obvious that I wanted to leave. I was about to close this chapter of my life forever.

"Where are you going?"he asked.

I sighed."Home. Hicksville, Florida. Not as exciting as here, but I'm ready to go home to my family."

"You gonna tell them?"

"No."

"Ah."He understood. I knew he did. I don't know how but I did."Could we at least exchange names before you go?"

"I know who you are,"I replied."I saw you guys on TV. I figured you'd left already for LA."

He shook his head."Tomorrow. I was just gonna walk by. Didn't think you were still here. Can I know your name then?"

"Leigha."

We shook hands and both walked off in opposite directions, me towards the bus station and he toward whatever expensive hotel his family was in.

And I swore I'd never think about him or what happened again.

****

I made it about five minutes into the movie until I knew I wouldn't be able to take it. I jumped out of my seat and ran out, not caring what anyone thought.

It was like I was in NY again when he came outside and found me on a bench by the back door of the theater.

"I'm sorry,"he whispered, sitting down beside me and letting me cry in his arms."I shouldn't have done that. I just wanted you to listen to me. I didn't realize I'd make you this sad. Please don't cry, Leigha. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

I pulled away and looked him directly in the face."I wanna go home."He nodded and obediently drove me home, telling me to stay in the basement until they got back so my mom wouldn't know I'd gone home early. She was gone anyway so I only stayed there for a few minutes. That was long enough to know that as much as I didn't want it to be true, I was going to have to let Isaac be a part of my life. I wasn't going to be able to get him out of my mind.

And as if things weren't bad enough for me that night, I could hear my sister playing "MmmBop" over and over again in her bedroom.

That alone is enough to make someone want to kill themselves.