Days had passed and soon the days trickled into weeks, all of which seemed to grow more and more eager to melt into the summer holiday. I barely saw Tony, mostly because our work schedules had switched up, leaving us to only have a few hours every other day to enjoy each other’s company. We avoided any talk of the future and much of any type of serious talk. However, the conversation that I was unfortunate to be present for, was during Tony’s revealing of his soon-to-be-parenthood.

Gabby was furious when he dropped the baby bomb on her. She was even more livid when he mentioned I wasn’t the mother. Gabby paced back and forth with an enraged expression. Manuel was there, trying his best to calm her down. Her rage had her volleying between speaking English and Spanish altogether, making Tony wince every now and then when she launched into a lengthy lecture. Nevertheless, it was Maria’s reaction—she was visiting for the weekend—that probably took the cake. She smacked Tony upside his head before stressing to him that he needs that baby to get blood tested.

“I know who Carmen is!” Maria yelled. “And I know what kind of person she is, so get blood tested because there’s a huge chance this kid aint yours.”

Tony cringed as Maria continued to rant on and on about Carmen’s questionable character. It was then that Gabby took over and chastised Tony for not taking extra precautions. Once the argument went full circle, both women apologized profusely for their son’s foolish ways and for the fact that I witnessed another family argument. I waved them off because their reaction was reasonable and understandable. The least Carmen could have done that day was be there when Tony told his parents, because if I’m not mistaken he was there when she told her parents and that was worst than he anticipated it to be—well, at least that’s what I heard from Tony. Once the fuss simmered down, Gabby couldn’t help but talk about what very little options Tony had in store for him.

“New York is out of the question, Antonio.” She commented.

Tony nodded gravely before his eyes searched for mines. I was well aware that this would happen, but it still hurt.

“I know mama.” Tony responded.

Gabby sighed before shaking her head. “I’m very disappointed in your carelessness and I wish you were more responsible.” With that, Gabby got up and walked to the kitchen where she began brewing a pot of coffee.

Maria got up this time, walked over to me, and said “My brother might be an idiot, but I know he loves you. Please, don’t let some slutty tart ruin his love for you.”

I gulped at her sincerity as she retrieved to the kitchen, following Gabby. I was left like that, thinking of nothing but Tony’s love for me and my love for him.

Nonetheless after the right people were finally aware of Tony and Carmen’s news, I felt the need to share the news with Callie, mostly because she was my best friend and I couldn’t keep a secret of this size on the down low. Once Callie knew she practically flipped out. She was pissed at Tony even though I assured her that I wouldn’t hold it against him. Callie’s disposition towards Tony was still a little questionable and remains to be touchy topic. What once used to be a carfree-ish school lunch, was now a divided line where Austin would sit between me and Tony, and Mike and Callie—Mike had no choice but to sit with his girlfriend, after all she is the one he has sex with. Tony didn’t really mind it though, and accepted Callie’s reaction. Even after a week passed Callie still held Tony at a guarded distance, but she didn’t hate him—that much I knew for sure. If anything she was just being a really great best friend and is doing her best to look out for me—even if I didn’t need to be looked after.

Ronnie, in a sense, still acted a little coldly towards Tony. She doesn’t approve of the situation at all. I tried to explain to her that this messy situation happened when Tony and I were technically broken up. Ronnie just shook her head and said “Anyone in their right mind wouldn’t hop into bed so quickly after a break up.”

I couldn’t agree with her more, but I still loved Tony, even after what has happened. He was sincere in his apologies and was ultimately reluctant at accepting his current position. I couldn’t find it in myself—even though I’m a true cynic at heart—to put anymore grief on his shoulders. He knows he fucked up and he knows that the future he aspired to have won’t happen; that was enough reason for me to not drag him through more arguments that will only have a foretold outcome.

---

It was now that I was aimlessly folding up clothes that were maliciously searched through by a group of scene girls who were on the prowl for the perfect outfit for some concert tonight. They came blazing in with brightly colored hair and dark makeup while tumbling through what were once neatly folded clothes. I didn’t mind it though because they were nice kids with a lot of energy—not to mention they spent quite a bit, making me reach my quota of sales for the week.

Charlie and Bliss were still dating and coming to a juncture in their relationship where things will take a serious turn. They were discussing living arrangements.

“My apartment is big enough for the both of us.” Charlie commented.

“Yeah, but it’s also further from campus. My place is a block away.” Bliss retorted.

Charlie laughed. “I’ve been to your apartment, it’s the size of a shoebox.”

Bliss rolled her eyes. “We’ll just have to take some advice from an unbiased third party.” Bliss answered smugly. “Verity.” She called out to me.

My head snapped up from the now neatly folded clothes. “Yeah?” I asked, knowing exactly was about to follow.

“What do you think is best?” Bliss asked then added “Living in Charlie’s apartment which is pretty far from campus and work, or living someplace where it’s conveniently close to both places.”

“To be fair” Charlie cut in then added “One place is larger and more livable for two people, while the other is quite tiny and cramped.”

Biting my lip and not wanting to sound like I’m favoring one over the other, I just shrugged. I couldn’t help but wish Tony and I would come across a debacle like this in New York, but unfortunately things won’t pan out in such a way.

“Why don’t you both try finding a different place—you know, one that’s not incredibly tiny or out of the way. It’ll be like a compromise.” I offered.

Charlie’s expression shifted to one of enlightenment. “Well, my lease will be up soon…” She gandered.

“That doesn’t sound like a terrible idea.” Bliss commented.

To cease any further discussion of the matter—mostly because I was getting nostalgic about Tony not coming to New York with me—I said “Well then, that settles things. This weekend you both should go apartment hunting.”

They both smiled and thanked me before moving onto another topic which they were debating about. I wasn’t listening though because I was being self-interested about my life, wondering how things might’ve been if there wasn’t another Perry on the way.

Notes