The Friends We Keep

“Andrew and I have been talking about what’s to come. Makayla and Boyd swear they’re in love. They want to stay together and raise the baby as a family.”


Nicole rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Will she even be sixteen when the baby’s born?”

“No.”

“Then how are they going to be together? Will one of them move in with the other? Are they going to quit school and get jobs?” She pressed her lips together. “Sorry. I interrupted.”

“You’re saying everything I’ve been thinking. Plus Andrew and I doubt that Boyd is really in this for the long haul. It’s not just that he’s a sixteen-year-old boy who isn’t going to want to have a baby cramping his lifestyle. His mother is very angry and upset. We’re pretty sure she’s going to be pushing for them to break up.”

Their server returned with a pot of tea and a tiered tray filled with mini scones and little pastries.

Gabby waited until she’d left to pour for both of them.

“We’ve been talking regularly,” Gabby continued. “That’s what has me so confused. Because I thought we were on the same page and we’re not.”

“How are you and Andrew on different pages?”

Gabby put down the teapot. “I thought Makayla would give up her baby for adoption and Andrew thought she would be keeping the baby.”

“What? How? She’s in high school. I’m assuming he expects his daughter to graduate. How would that happen?”

Gabby sipped her tea.

Nicole stared at her. “No,” she breathed, unable to believe it. “He does not expect you to stay home with the baby.”

“He does. He told me that he really appreciates all I have to give up to make that happen.”

But Andrew was so nice, Nicole thought, shocked by the suggestion. So supportive and loving. Anyone spending any time with them could see they were a great couple. He’d always been so forward-thinking. So in tune with the women in his life. “How could he ask you to give up your life like that? It’s not your baby.”

“Thank you.” Gabby reached for a scone. “That’s what I said. Why does Makayla get to go on with her life as if nothing happened and I’m expected to give up everything to raise her child? It’s not fair.”

“You must be furious.”

“I am, and confused. We’ve been talking nearly every day about this. How could I not have understood him?”

“Plus your job.” Nicole sighed. “You’ve been looking forward to it for months. Hasn’t he noticed?”

“He has. But somewhere along the way he thought I was on board with this idea.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I have no idea,” Gabby admitted. “He’s out of town for a few days. We’ll talk when he gets back.” She reached for a pastry. “I know exactly how it will be,” she said bitterly. “He says that Makayla will have to take care of the baby when she’s home, but she won’t. He never refuses her anything. There will be after-school stuff. Football games and dances. I’ll be the full-time mother to a newborn that isn’t even mine.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I love him, but I do not want to take this on. I want to go to work. I want to be more than a mom. Does that sound awful?”

Nicole reached across the table and touched her arm. “Of course not. You love your girls and you love Makayla. This isn’t about caring, it’s about what’s right. You didn’t sign up for this at all. Have you discussed adoption at all?”

“I thought we had but apparently not. Makayla is still convinced it’s all going to be butterflies and roses. Until that changes and I get her on my side, I don’t know what I’m going to do with Andrew.”

“At least you have time.”

Gabby nodded. “According to the doctor, she’s due around the first of February. So yes, there’s time.”

But not much. Gabby didn’t say that out loud, but Nicole knew she was thinking it. They all had to be.

“Is she nervous about school starting?”

“I think so. She hasn’t said anything, but she must be. She’s barely showing, but that’s going to change. It will be hard for her to keep going to class while she gets bigger and bigger.”

Nicole remembered her own pregnancy. She’d been thrilled, but after a while, her hugeness had gotten to her. How much worse to be an unmarried fifteen-year-old girl?

“I’ve tried to take her clothes shopping a couple of times,” Gabby added. “She keeps putting me off. I think she’s scared, which makes me feel badly for her.” She shook her head. “I’m so out of my league here. I don’t know what to do.”

“Have you talked to your mom?” Nicole knew that Gabby was close with both her parents.

“No. I’m dreading that conversation.”

“Why? She’s raised what, five kids? She may have some advice.”

Gabby took another scone. “Nothing like this ever happened with us. She’s going to judge me big-time. I can feel it. I’m not sure I can handle whatever it is she wants to say. I know that’s making it about me and not Makayla, but jeez.”