| General Fiction posted February 3, 2024 | Chapters: |
...5 6 -7- 8... 
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A Confrontation between Jason and Gabby
A chapter in the book Life's Twisted Road
Life's Twisted Road - Chap 7
by Begin Again
END OF CHAPTER 6
Tears threatened to bubble over the rims of Gabby's eyes. She brushed them away as hurt and anger replaced them. "My baby! I didn't do this alone. If you recall, you were there too."
"I guess — I just thought you'd take precautions. Pop a pill every morning like taking vitamins. Isn't that what you girls do?"
"Birth control? Why would I subject my body to birth control pills when we'd decided to abstain until after we graduated? We decided together. And it's a bit late to think about what we should have done, now isn't it?" She touched her stomach. "There's a baby inside. Our baby. Yours and mine."
Shaking his head, he leaned over and opened the glove compartment. A letter envelope fell out and landed on Gabby's foot. "Can you reach that for me?"
Gabby stared at the envelope as if it was Satan himself.
Irritated, he asked again, "Gabby, would you please pick up the envelope?"
Time stood still. She couldn't move. Her hand refused to cooperate as she stared at the envelope, fearing what might be inside.
A letter of regret or maybe even an accusation? A denial of being the father? Or something else?
CHAPTER 7
"Damn it, Gabby! Why are you being so difficult?" Jason leaned over the console and grabbed the envelope. He tossed it on Gabby's lap. "I'm trying to help."
"Help? You're not helping me by saying it's my baby, my problem." Gabby reached for Jason's hand, but he jerked it away. Shocked by his sudden movement, she gasped. "Jason, what happened to us? We've been so happy. Sure, it's a problem, one we didn't expect, but we can get through it together."
"No, we can't!" Jason rubbed his hands across his face. "It's time to get real. I can't play house with you. This isn't a game, Gabby. It's my life."
"It's our life! Jason, we talked about the future, our future."
"Gabby, you aren't listening. My future isn't in this town. It's playing ball in college and then, hopefully, going pro. I can't — no, I won't be a part of — having a baby."
The teenager swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "There's five hundred dollars in that envelope. I'm told that will cover an abortion if that's what you want. If not, use it to start your new life as a mother-to-be. Just don't let your daddy and his bimbos spend it on beer." He cleared his throat. "In any case, count me out." He turned, staring out the side window. He hadn't meant to sound so mean, but she needed to face facts.
Tears streamed down Gabby's face. She choked, barely able to speak. "Jason, you —you're being cruel. You — can't mean it."
"I do! Why can't you understand?" Gathering every ounce of courage, he leaned toward Gabby and snarled, "How do I know I'm even the father?"
His words carried a powerful punch as they slammed into Gabby's body. She fumbled for the door handle, struggling to get far away from this monster seated next to her.
"Take the money. You're going to need it." The door opened and Gabby stumbled out of the car. The engine turned over, and he shifted the gear. "Sorry, but I've got practice."
Gabby slumped to the ground, retching violently as the red Camaro disappeared. The envelope lay crumpled on the grass.
*************
Jason stormed through the double doors and headed for the locker room. Dion followed closely behind his teammate.
"Jason, slow down. Couldn't you hear me yelling?"
Jason came to an abrupt stop. "Sorry, man. My head's messed up."
Dion couldn't hide his concern. "What happened? I saw you and Gabby outside Chuck's. Did you two have a lover's quarrel?" Dion laughed and gave Jason a friendly shove. "Come on, man. She'll forget about it by the time practice is over."
"I don't think so. We're done." Jason tossed his gym bag on the floor and slumped into a chair. "She messed up, Dion. She's pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Dion's eyes widened. "Man, what about college? A baby — wow, I didn't see that coming."
"Me neither." Jason buried his face in his hands, muttering, "Man, I care about Gabby, but a baby — it's not happening."
Dion shook his head, confused. "Jas, this is happening whether you like it or not. You've got to face it. Plans change."
"Like hell they do! I don't even know if it's mine. I'm not taking the rap for any of it. She should have protected herself." Jason's voice was full of anger and hate.
"Listen to yourself, man. This is Gabby you're talking about. She's not that kind of girl." Dion pulled a chair closer to Jason. "It's not all her fault."
"I've washed my hands of the whole situation. She can do what she wants, but I won't be a part of it."
"But you are a part of it. She's pregnant, and she needs you to man up and be there for her. I'm not saying you gotta marry her, but you have responsibilities. You're scared. I know I sure as hell would be. Go talk to Coach. He'll help you and Gabby."
"Are you nuts! I'm not talking to Coach or anyone else. And neither are you." Jason kicked his gym bag. "We've got plans, Dion. You and me on the football field with all those college girls screaming and the scouts taking note."
Dion shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I know, but —"
"But nothing. We've been best friends since first grade. We've always had each other's back. No girl is going to change that."
Two other teammates entered the gym. As they approached, the redhead grinned. "Coach says we're doing our workout in here. The field is too muddy. And here I was lookin' forward to gettin' you gentlemen dirty."
"You're nuts, Red." Laughing, the other teammate added, "We're headed for the locker room. You guys coming?"
Jason picked up his bag, gave Dion a hard look, and started to follow his teammates. Realizing Dion was still sitting in the chair, he stopped and walked back. "Listen, I gave her money to do whatever she wanted. It's the best I can do. You coming?"
"You go ahead. I need to clear my head first."
"Suit yourself."
*****************
Dion stood outside the gymnasium, mulling over the last few minutes he'd spent with his best friend. They'd been inseparable on and off the playing field. Their mothers laughed when the two teenagers finished each other's sentences. Going to college and playing together was their perfect dream. But now — he couldn't wrap his head around Jason's attitude about Gabby and the baby growing inside her.
Jason, we're talking about a life. Your baby! Man, how can you walk away, turning your back on everything?
Dion punched his fist against the brick wall, instantly regretting that decision. A sharp pain shot through his shoulder and arm. Rubbing the arm, he leaned against the wall.
"I don't understand it, Jason. I thought I knew everything about you, but now, I don't think I know you at all."
"Everything okay, Dion?" Confused, Coach looked around. "Thought you were talking to someone."
Lost in his thoughts, Dion hadn't heard the Coach approaching. The sound of his voice startled the quarterback. "Just arguing with myself, I guess."
"Anything I can do to help?" Coach wouldn't push, but he wanted all his players to know he had an open door, anytime, anywhere.
Dion tipped his head back and closed his eyes, wondering if he should tell Coach. A pain shot through his arm. He rubbed it and then made his decision. "My throwing arm is giving me fits today. Thought maybe I should get some PT done so I'll be ready for our big game next week."
Coach was no fool, but he understood Dion well enough to know the teenager wouldn't skip practice unless he had a good reason. "Yeah, sounds like some sound thinking. Go ahead."
"Thanks, Coach." Dion walked toward his car, head hanging.
Coach watched him and then called out, "Dion, — I'm here if you need me." The troubled quarterback returned the coach's wave and continued walking.
END OF CHAPTER 6
Tears threatened to bubble over the rims of Gabby's eyes. She brushed them away as hurt and anger replaced them. "My baby! I didn't do this alone. If you recall, you were there too."
"I guess — I just thought you'd take precautions. Pop a pill every morning like taking vitamins. Isn't that what you girls do?"
"Birth control? Why would I subject my body to birth control pills when we'd decided to abstain until after we graduated? We decided together. And it's a bit late to think about what we should have done, now isn't it?" She touched her stomach. "There's a baby inside. Our baby. Yours and mine."
Shaking his head, he leaned over and opened the glove compartment. A letter envelope fell out and landed on Gabby's foot. "Can you reach that for me?"
Gabby stared at the envelope as if it was Satan himself.
Irritated, he asked again, "Gabby, would you please pick up the envelope?"
Time stood still. She couldn't move. Her hand refused to cooperate as she stared at the envelope, fearing what might be inside.
A letter of regret or maybe even an accusation? A denial of being the father? Or something else?
CHAPTER 7
"Damn it, Gabby! Why are you being so difficult?" Jason leaned over the console and grabbed the envelope. He tossed it on Gabby's lap. "I'm trying to help."
"Help? You're not helping me by saying it's my baby, my problem." Gabby reached for Jason's hand, but he jerked it away. Shocked by his sudden movement, she gasped. "Jason, what happened to us? We've been so happy. Sure, it's a problem, one we didn't expect, but we can get through it together."
"No, we can't!" Jason rubbed his hands across his face. "It's time to get real. I can't play house with you. This isn't a game, Gabby. It's my life."
"It's our life! Jason, we talked about the future, our future."
"Gabby, you aren't listening. My future isn't in this town. It's playing ball in college and then, hopefully, going pro. I can't — no, I won't be a part of — having a baby."
The teenager swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "There's five hundred dollars in that envelope. I'm told that will cover an abortion if that's what you want. If not, use it to start your new life as a mother-to-be. Just don't let your daddy and his bimbos spend it on beer." He cleared his throat. "In any case, count me out." He turned, staring out the side window. He hadn't meant to sound so mean, but she needed to face facts.
Tears streamed down Gabby's face. She choked, barely able to speak. "Jason, you —you're being cruel. You — can't mean it."
"I do! Why can't you understand?" Gathering every ounce of courage, he leaned toward Gabby and snarled, "How do I know I'm even the father?"
His words carried a powerful punch as they slammed into Gabby's body. She fumbled for the door handle, struggling to get far away from this monster seated next to her.
"Take the money. You're going to need it." The door opened and Gabby stumbled out of the car. The engine turned over, and he shifted the gear. "Sorry, but I've got practice."
Gabby slumped to the ground, retching violently as the red Camaro disappeared. The envelope lay crumpled on the grass.
*************
Jason stormed through the double doors and headed for the locker room. Dion followed closely behind his teammate.
"Jason, slow down. Couldn't you hear me yelling?"
Jason came to an abrupt stop. "Sorry, man. My head's messed up."
Dion couldn't hide his concern. "What happened? I saw you and Gabby outside Chuck's. Did you two have a lover's quarrel?" Dion laughed and gave Jason a friendly shove. "Come on, man. She'll forget about it by the time practice is over."
"I don't think so. We're done." Jason tossed his gym bag on the floor and slumped into a chair. "She messed up, Dion. She's pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Dion's eyes widened. "Man, what about college? A baby — wow, I didn't see that coming."
"Me neither." Jason buried his face in his hands, muttering, "Man, I care about Gabby, but a baby — it's not happening."
Dion shook his head, confused. "Jas, this is happening whether you like it or not. You've got to face it. Plans change."
"Like hell they do! I don't even know if it's mine. I'm not taking the rap for any of it. She should have protected herself." Jason's voice was full of anger and hate.
"Listen to yourself, man. This is Gabby you're talking about. She's not that kind of girl." Dion pulled a chair closer to Jason. "It's not all her fault."
"I've washed my hands of the whole situation. She can do what she wants, but I won't be a part of it."
"But you are a part of it. She's pregnant, and she needs you to man up and be there for her. I'm not saying you gotta marry her, but you have responsibilities. You're scared. I know I sure as hell would be. Go talk to Coach. He'll help you and Gabby."
"Are you nuts! I'm not talking to Coach or anyone else. And neither are you." Jason kicked his gym bag. "We've got plans, Dion. You and me on the football field with all those college girls screaming and the scouts taking note."
Dion shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I know, but —"
"But nothing. We've been best friends since first grade. We've always had each other's back. No girl is going to change that."
Two other teammates entered the gym. As they approached, the redhead grinned. "Coach says we're doing our workout in here. The field is too muddy. And here I was lookin' forward to gettin' you gentlemen dirty."
"You're nuts, Red." Laughing, the other teammate added, "We're headed for the locker room. You guys coming?"
Jason picked up his bag, gave Dion a hard look, and started to follow his teammates. Realizing Dion was still sitting in the chair, he stopped and walked back. "Listen, I gave her money to do whatever she wanted. It's the best I can do. You coming?"
"You go ahead. I need to clear my head first."
"Suit yourself."
*****************
Dion stood outside the gymnasium, mulling over the last few minutes he'd spent with his best friend. They'd been inseparable on and off the playing field. Their mothers laughed when the two teenagers finished each other's sentences. Going to college and playing together was their perfect dream. But now — he couldn't wrap his head around Jason's attitude about Gabby and the baby growing inside her.
Jason, we're talking about a life. Your baby! Man, how can you walk away, turning your back on everything?
Dion punched his fist against the brick wall, instantly regretting that decision. A sharp pain shot through his shoulder and arm. Rubbing the arm, he leaned against the wall.
"I don't understand it, Jason. I thought I knew everything about you, but now, I don't think I know you at all."
"Everything okay, Dion?" Confused, Coach looked around. "Thought you were talking to someone."
Lost in his thoughts, Dion hadn't heard the Coach approaching. The sound of his voice startled the quarterback. "Just arguing with myself, I guess."
"Anything I can do to help?" Coach wouldn't push, but he wanted all his players to know he had an open door, anytime, anywhere.
Dion tipped his head back and closed his eyes, wondering if he should tell Coach. A pain shot through his arm. He rubbed it and then made his decision. "My throwing arm is giving me fits today. Thought maybe I should get some PT done so I'll be ready for our big game next week."
Coach was no fool, but he understood Dion well enough to know the teenager wouldn't skip practice unless he had a good reason. "Yeah, sounds like some sound thinking. Go ahead."
"Thanks, Coach." Dion walked toward his car, head hanging.
Coach watched him and then called out, "Dion, — I'm here if you need me." The troubled quarterback returned the coach's wave and continued walking.
Tears threatened to bubble over the rims of Gabby's eyes. She brushed them away as hurt and anger replaced them. "My baby! I didn't do this alone. If you recall, you were there too."
"I guess — I just thought you'd take precautions. Pop a pill every morning like taking vitamins. Isn't that what you girls do?"
"Birth control? Why would I subject my body to birth control pills when we'd decided to abstain until after we graduated? We decided together. And it's a bit late to think about what we should have done, now isn't it?" She touched her stomach. "There's a baby inside. Our baby. Yours and mine."
Shaking his head, he leaned over and opened the glove compartment. A letter envelope fell out and landed on Gabby's foot. "Can you reach that for me?"
Gabby stared at the envelope as if it was Satan himself.
Irritated, he asked again, "Gabby, would you please pick up the envelope?"
Time stood still. She couldn't move. Her hand refused to cooperate as she stared at the envelope, fearing what might be inside.
A letter of regret or maybe even an accusation? A denial of being the father? Or something else?
CHAPTER 7
"Damn it, Gabby! Why are you being so difficult?" Jason leaned over the console and grabbed the envelope. He tossed it on Gabby's lap. "I'm trying to help."
"Help? You're not helping me by saying it's my baby, my problem." Gabby reached for Jason's hand, but he jerked it away. Shocked by his sudden movement, she gasped. "Jason, what happened to us? We've been so happy. Sure, it's a problem, one we didn't expect, but we can get through it together."
"No, we can't!" Jason rubbed his hands across his face. "It's time to get real. I can't play house with you. This isn't a game, Gabby. It's my life."
"It's our life! Jason, we talked about the future, our future."
"Gabby, you aren't listening. My future isn't in this town. It's playing ball in college and then, hopefully, going pro. I can't — no, I won't be a part of — having a baby."
The teenager swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "There's five hundred dollars in that envelope. I'm told that will cover an abortion if that's what you want. If not, use it to start your new life as a mother-to-be. Just don't let your daddy and his bimbos spend it on beer." He cleared his throat. "In any case, count me out." He turned, staring out the side window. He hadn't meant to sound so mean, but she needed to face facts.
Tears streamed down Gabby's face. She choked, barely able to speak. "Jason, you —you're being cruel. You — can't mean it."
"I do! Why can't you understand?" Gathering every ounce of courage, he leaned toward Gabby and snarled, "How do I know I'm even the father?"
His words carried a powerful punch as they slammed into Gabby's body. She fumbled for the door handle, struggling to get far away from this monster seated next to her.
"Take the money. You're going to need it." The door opened and Gabby stumbled out of the car. The engine turned over, and he shifted the gear. "Sorry, but I've got practice."
Gabby slumped to the ground, retching violently as the red Camaro disappeared. The envelope lay crumpled on the grass.
*************
Jason stormed through the double doors and headed for the locker room. Dion followed closely behind his teammate.
"Jason, slow down. Couldn't you hear me yelling?"
Jason came to an abrupt stop. "Sorry, man. My head's messed up."
Dion couldn't hide his concern. "What happened? I saw you and Gabby outside Chuck's. Did you two have a lover's quarrel?" Dion laughed and gave Jason a friendly shove. "Come on, man. She'll forget about it by the time practice is over."
"I don't think so. We're done." Jason tossed his gym bag on the floor and slumped into a chair. "She messed up, Dion. She's pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Dion's eyes widened. "Man, what about college? A baby — wow, I didn't see that coming."
"Me neither." Jason buried his face in his hands, muttering, "Man, I care about Gabby, but a baby — it's not happening."
Dion shook his head, confused. "Jas, this is happening whether you like it or not. You've got to face it. Plans change."
"Like hell they do! I don't even know if it's mine. I'm not taking the rap for any of it. She should have protected herself." Jason's voice was full of anger and hate.
"Listen to yourself, man. This is Gabby you're talking about. She's not that kind of girl." Dion pulled a chair closer to Jason. "It's not all her fault."
"I've washed my hands of the whole situation. She can do what she wants, but I won't be a part of it."
"But you are a part of it. She's pregnant, and she needs you to man up and be there for her. I'm not saying you gotta marry her, but you have responsibilities. You're scared. I know I sure as hell would be. Go talk to Coach. He'll help you and Gabby."
"Are you nuts! I'm not talking to Coach or anyone else. And neither are you." Jason kicked his gym bag. "We've got plans, Dion. You and me on the football field with all those college girls screaming and the scouts taking note."
Dion shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I know, but —"
"But nothing. We've been best friends since first grade. We've always had each other's back. No girl is going to change that."
Two other teammates entered the gym. As they approached, the redhead grinned. "Coach says we're doing our workout in here. The field is too muddy. And here I was lookin' forward to gettin' you gentlemen dirty."
"You're nuts, Red." Laughing, the other teammate added, "We're headed for the locker room. You guys coming?"
Jason picked up his bag, gave Dion a hard look, and started to follow his teammates. Realizing Dion was still sitting in the chair, he stopped and walked back. "Listen, I gave her money to do whatever she wanted. It's the best I can do. You coming?"
"You go ahead. I need to clear my head first."
"Suit yourself."
*****************
Dion stood outside the gymnasium, mulling over the last few minutes he'd spent with his best friend. They'd been inseparable on and off the playing field. Their mothers laughed when the two teenagers finished each other's sentences. Going to college and playing together was their perfect dream. But now — he couldn't wrap his head around Jason's attitude about Gabby and the baby growing inside her.
Jason, we're talking about a life. Your baby! Man, how can you walk away, turning your back on everything?
Dion punched his fist against the brick wall, instantly regretting that decision. A sharp pain shot through his shoulder and arm. Rubbing the arm, he leaned against the wall.
"I don't understand it, Jason. I thought I knew everything about you, but now, I don't think I know you at all."
"Everything okay, Dion?" Confused, Coach looked around. "Thought you were talking to someone."
Lost in his thoughts, Dion hadn't heard the Coach approaching. The sound of his voice startled the quarterback. "Just arguing with myself, I guess."
"Anything I can do to help?" Coach wouldn't push, but he wanted all his players to know he had an open door, anytime, anywhere.
Dion tipped his head back and closed his eyes, wondering if he should tell Coach. A pain shot through his arm. He rubbed it and then made his decision. "My throwing arm is giving me fits today. Thought maybe I should get some PT done so I'll be ready for our big game next week."
Coach was no fool, but he understood Dion well enough to know the teenager wouldn't skip practice unless he had a good reason. "Yeah, sounds like some sound thinking. Go ahead."
"Thanks, Coach." Dion walked toward his car, head hanging.
Coach watched him and then called out, "Dion, — I'm here if you need me." The troubled quarterback returned the coach's wave and continued walking.
 Recognized |
JASON - Football player and Gabby's boyfriend
GABBY - Natasha and Becky's friend
DION - Star quarterback and Jason's best friend
COACH - the teams' football coach and counselor
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. GABBY - Natasha and Becky's friend
DION - Star quarterback and Jason's best friend
COACH - the teams' football coach and counselor
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