Unwoven Ties

by Bethany Lopez

  Ally looked up at me, finally, but I couldn’t read her expression.

  I could read her mom’s, however, just fine, and it said it would be a cold day in hell before Ally and I raised this baby together.

  “Are you offering to marry Allison, Jacob?” she asked pointedly.

  “Um,” I managed, beginning to sweat.

  “I didn’t think so, especially since you’ve recently broken my girl’s heart. So, your opinion doesn’t really matter.”

  “Of course his opinion matters,” my father argued. “It’s his baby, too. He should get a say…”

  “It may be his baby, but it’s not his body, so we’ll have to agree to disagree,” she retorted.

  “While you’re deciding, I’d still like to go with you to the doctor’s appointments, if that’s okay,” I said, speaking to Ally and not her parents.

  Her face softened a bit and she nodded.

  I let out a relieved breath and said, “Thank you.”

  “We realize this is your daughter’s, your family’s, decision, but we’d really like to be a part of the conversation, if you’ll allow it. Being Jake’s parents, and this baby’s grandparents, we’d like to know your thoughts before any final decisions are made,” my mom said.

  She, my dad, and I had sat down and had a long conversation about all the possible scenarios, and they’d asked my thoughts on each and how I wanted to proceed.

  After seeing the way Ally’s parents had reacted to the pregnancy, I realized how lucky I was to have parents like mine. They listened and let me be a part of the conversation, rather than trying to dictate what I would do.

  “And why’s that?” Ally’s mother asked haughtily.

  “Because, if Ally decides not to have an abortion, or to keep the baby herself, then, as the father and paternal grandparents, we would like to raise him or her.”

  Twenty-Nine

  Sean

  “I’m going to work!” Jake yelled out seconds before the door closed behind him.

  I was in the kitchen, helping Kelly by putting the leftovers away while she did the dishes. She’d invited me to stay for dinner again, and just like the other two times she’d asked, I’d gratefully agreed.

  I loved being here with Jake and Kelly, in the home we’d bought together, and even though I hated going back to my apartment at night, I was thankful for every second I got to spend with my family.

  “He’s been working a lot,” I noted as I shut the fridge.

  “He wants extra money to save, so that he can help Ally out no matter what she chooses to do with the baby.”

  “Do you think her parents will let her carry the baby to term, even if she wants to?” I asked, thinking of how obstinate they’d been when we’d sat down together.

  Kelly shrugged one shoulder and admitted, “I don’t know. I mean, they talked a good game about it being Ally’s body and her decision, but I could tell they’re going to push for an abortion.”

  “Poor kid,” I muttered, thinking of how sad and unlike herself Ally had been that night.

  I didn’t know her well, but I’ve seen her around with Jake and she was always happy and cheerful. Young and excited about life and being with my son. But now, she looked like a gray version of herself.

  It made me glad that I had the son in this scenario, and not the daughter, which may make me sound like a jerk, but was true, nonetheless.

  “He’s a good kid,” I said, thinking of how Jake had stepped up for Ally. I’d never imagined this happening, but I don’t know if I would have expected my son to react the way he had.

  I was proud of him.

  “He’s the best,” Kelly said, drying her hands on a towel and leaning back against the counter. “You did a good job with him.”

  I let out a small laugh and shook my head.

  “No, this is just Jake, and probably more your influence from when he was younger.” I rubbed my hand on the back of my neck. “Jake and I did a good job of avoiding each other over the last few years, and I wish like hell we hadn’t.”

  “You were both grieving, Sean, cut yourself some slack. He’s turned out great.”

  I blinked, her words affecting more than I wanted to show.

  When you spent your nights thinking of yourself as a failure in the parent department, it was nice to have encouragement from the one person in the world whose opinion mattered the most.

  “Want to have a glass of wine on the back deck? It’s a nice night,” Kelly said, already moving to pull out a bottle.

  I didn’t care if my eagerness to spend time with her was transparent. I’d spend as much time with her as she’d allow, however she’d have me.

  “I’d love to.”

  We walked out onto the deck I’d help put in with my own two hands and settled onto the patio furniture that Kelly’d spent hours picking out.

  The grass was green and recently mowed, there was a nice chill in the air, and as the night crept in you could see flashes from the fireflies in the yard. It was the perfect evening.

  “So, how’s work going?” Kelly asked as she sat, tucking one leg beneath her.

  “Boring,” I replied with a chuckle. “I didn’t realize how tough it would be to go back to being an accountant. I miss the store.”

  “What do you miss about it?”

  “Ordering new books every week, helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for, and the employees. I miss all of it,” I admitted.

  “Mrs. Hamich came in today looking for a book about an alien invasion on a cruise ship,” Kelly said with a laugh, and I joined her.

  “Mrs. Hamich is the best,” I said fondly. “We used to take bets on who could find what she was looking for the fastest each week. I only won once.”

  “What book was it?”

  “Fifty Shades of Grey,” I replied.

  Kelly started laughing so hard she fell over in the chair and I had to ask, “Do you even know what that is?”

  “Yeah,” she managed when she was able. “I saw the movie, but I gotta say, Sean, I’m surprised you do.”

  “Hey, I used to own a bookstore,” I said, in my defense. “It was my job to know these things.”

  Kelly sobered and frowned. “You still do, Sean. It’s your store as much as mine.”

  I shook my head. “I built it for you. It’s yours.”

  “You should come back,” she said softly. “You love it and miss it … you should come work with me.”

  My heart leapt at the thought, but my brain told me to be smart.

  “I’d love that, Kelly, you know I would, and I hope someday we’ll be able to get to that point, but I want to do this right.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think we need to work on us and decide the fate of our marriage before we even consider working together. I know what I want, and how I want our future to look, but if you’re not on the same page with me, it’ll never work.”

  “What do you want?” she asked, her tone full of caution.

  “Well, for starters, although I know we need to take things slow, I’d like to begin to build on our foundation, rocky as it is” I took a deep breath and continued when she simply watched me, eyes wide with nerves. “I’d like to take you out on a date, so we can get to know each other as we are now and see if there’s any hope for a future together. Will you go out with me?”

  Kelly bit her lower lip and took a sip of wine, making me panic as I waited for her response.

  Finally, she gave me a small smile and said, “Yes, Sean, I’d love to go out with you.”

  Thirty

  Kelly

  I took care with my hair and makeup and put on a new skirt and blouse I’d bought for my date with Sean.

  It was funny to me that I felt nervous. Sean and I were still married after all, but, so much had changed between us. The last date I’d been on had been with Sean, but that was a long time ago, and since we were kind of rediscovering each other, everything felt new.

  I wasn’t
sure what the expectations were, if there even were any, or what he thought of this older version of me.

  I was still coming to terms with it myself.

  I had new wrinkles, a few scars from the crash, and cellulite that hadn’t been there before the coma.

  It made me anxious to think of exposing myself to Sean, but I knew he was sincere about wanting to give us another shot, and even though I wasn’t over what had happened between him and Madeline, I felt I owed it to us both to try.

  “You look great, Mom,” Jake said when I entered the kitchen.

  I’d made him a sub sandwich, which he was wolfing down before work. He’d been working so hard and saving, so he could help out with the baby in any way Ally needed.

  I was so proud of him.

  “Thanks, sweetie,” I replied, squeezing his arm gently as I passed him to get my purse.

  “So, you’re going on a date with Dad, huh?”

  I turned to him and smiled.

  “Yes, he’s taking me to dinner and a movie. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like this, I’m actually a little nervous.”

  Jake chuckled. “It’s just Dad. You don’t need to be nervous. He loves you, and he’s probably so excited you said yes he’s freaking himself out.”

  I nodded and asked, “Will you be working late tonight?”

  “I don’t think so, but I picked up a couple extra shifts this weekend. They’re gonna let me have tomorrow afternoon off so I can go with Ally to the doctor.”

  “Will it be just the two of you?”

  “Yeah, her parents agreed to let me take her. Maybe it’ll give us a chance to talk some more and I can find out where her head’s at … see if she’s closer to making a decision.”

  “Okay, just don’t make her feel pressured. I have a feeling she’s getting enough of that at home,” I suggested.

  “I won’t. Love you, Mom. Have fun on your date,” Jake said, kissing me on the cheek before leaving me alone.

  I sighed and smiled at his retreating back.

  I still struggled with how much he’d grown while I’d been “asleep,” but I was really enjoying getting to know the young man he was now.

  Helping to raise his child would give me the chance to do it all over and enjoy the ages that I’d missed. But that decision was up to Ally, and I hoped I was strong enough to support her no matter what and be there for Jake.

  A knock on the door had my stomach dipping.

  I fluffed out my hair as I moved to let Sean in. We weren’t at the place yet where he walked into the house without knocking or ringing the bell.

  “Hey,” I said, opening the door with an excited grin.

  “Wow, you look beautiful,” Sean said, looking me over and returning my smile.

  “And, you look very handsome,” I replied, taking in his button-down shirt and slacks.

  He’s always been handsome to me, and with his salt-and-pepper hair and deep-blue eyes, he only seemed to get better looking as he aged.

  “Shall we?” he asked, holding out his arm gallantly.

  I locked the door, tucked my arm in his, and asked, “So, where are we going?”

  “I thought we’d go to Marco’s.”

  Marco’s had always been one of my favorite restaurants. I loved Italian food and was often one of our go-to spots for dates.

  “Sounds perfect.”

  When we arrived at the restaurant, we were immediately escorted to a table for two. Marco’s was the kind of place with table cloths, lit candles, and low light. I loved it.

  “A glass of Shiraz, please.”

  “I’ll have the same.”

  Once we were alone with our menus, Sean glanced up at me and asked, “Any news from Ally?”

  “No, not yet. But Jake’s going with her to the doctor tomorrow, so maybe we’ll hear more after,” I replied, before asking, “How was work today?”

  “Oh, the same.”

  “Sean, you should quit and come back to the bookstore. Truly. We’re doing very well and could use the help.”

  “Maybe someday soon, but I had something else I wanted to run by you first,” he said.

  “What’s that?”

  “Would you be opposed to therapy?” Sean asked, surprising me.

  “Like, couples therapy?”

  He nodded.

  “Yes, something maybe once a week, where we could sit down and talk about everything that’s happened. I know it’ll bring up some stuff we’d rather leave in the past, like Madeline, but I think in the long run it’s important for us to talk everything out now, and really make it possible for us to move forward with our marriage.”

  “Do you have someone in mind?” I asked, wondering why I hadn’t thought of this myself.

  After everything our family had been through, it would probably be very beneficial.

  “There are a couple people I could ask,” Sean said, his face hopeful.

  “Then, yes, I think we should do it,” I replied, taking his hand on the table and grasping it gently in mine.

  Therapy would give us the opportunity to hash things out and find out once and for all if what we had was worth fighting for, or if it was time to stop holding on to the past and let each other go.

  Thirty-One

  Jacob

  I waited outside Ally’s house, my stomach full of nerves.

  We’d been texting each other more, mostly just me checking in on how she’s feeling and her reply, but at least we weren’t at odds anymore.

  I looked at the house and saw her mom peering at me through the curtain of their front bay window, and knew she’s be happier if I’d just disappear. I think it would be easier for them without my influence, but I wasn’t going to leave Ally at their mercy or make her deal with this pregnancy on her own.

  I didn’t love her and knew I couldn’t marry her for the baby’s sake. Not only were we too young, but it wouldn’t benefit anyone for us to live in a loveless marriage and resent each other.

  Least of all our child.

  The front door opened, and Ally stepped out. In the past, when I was waiting at the curb, she’d run out with a big smile and rush to join me in the Jeep. Now, she looked like she was heading to get a tooth pulled or something.

  Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail; she was wearing yoga pants, a tank top, and the frown she’d been wearing ever since she found out she was having our baby.

  I felt bad for her.

  Yes, we’d both enjoyed having sex and had loved that part of our relationship, but the fact that she had the burden of carrying a baby in high school and had to deal with the anger and disappointment of her parents made me feel doubly guilty.

  If I could go back and change things, I would.

  If I could somehow carry the baby instead, and deal with the backlash from our friends and classmates, the stigma of teenage pregnancy, I would … in a heartbeat.

  But none of those things could happen.

  All I could do was be here for her and let her know she has my support. No matter what.

  “Hey,” I said when she opened the passenger door and got inside.

  “Hi,” Ally replied dully.

  I glanced one last time at her mother before pulling away from the curb.

  “Everything okay with your parents?” I asked. “Are they upset about not coming to the appointment?”

  Ally scoffed. “They’re probably hoping I never come back.”

  “Really? Is it as bad as that?” I asked, appalled.

  She sighed and gave a half shrug.

  “I may be exaggerating, but not by much. They’re really pissed about this baby and ask me every day what I’ve decided to do. But, as much as I know they’d be happier if I got rid of it … and that my life may be easier, I don’t think I can do it … ya know?”

  I reached out with my right hand and grasped hers.

  “I’ve got your back, whatever you decide,” I assured her. “Just tell me what you need and it’s yours.”

  “Can
you go back in time and make it so this never happened?” she asked bitterly.

  “I wish I could, Ally,” I replied softly.

  She released my hand and I placed it back on the wheel.

  We were quiet for the rest of the drive and we sat in an awkward silence in the waiting room of her OB’s office once we arrived.

  When we were called back, we both rose, and my hands began to sweat.

  This is it, the moment of truth.

  I averted my eyes while Ally put on the hospital gown and laid on the table. Once she was settled, I took the seat next to her and waited for the doctor to arrive.

  “What’s gonna happen?” I asked, when I couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

  “Well, at the first appointment, they just did a blood test to confirm the pregnancy and we were able to hear the heartbeat. The doctor said when I came back this time, they would do an ultrasound where we’ll find out the due date and get to see the baby.”

  “Oh, wow,” I breathed, my eyes flitting to the little monitor next to the bed.

  By the time the doctor knocked and came inside, there was a lump in my throat so big it was becoming difficult to swallow.

  “Hello again, Ally, and you must be…” she consulted the paperwork in her hand before looking up with a smile. “Jacob. I’m Dr. Felix. Let’s take a look, shall we?”

  I blinked and gave a brisk nod, probably coming across like a complete idiot.

  Dr. Felix simply smiled kindly and put down the folder.

  She pulled out a squirt bottle and picked up a device, then turned to Ally and asked, “Can you lift up your gown and expose your stomach?”

  Ally did as she asked and yelped when Dr. Felix squirted the goop on her bare skin.

  “Sorry,” the doctor said absently, placing the device on Ally’s stomach and shifting her attention to the monitor.

  Ally and I both shifted to look at the monitor as well, and without thinking I reached for her hand once more. This time she accepted it and squeezed tight, while we waited to see what happened on that screen.