Blame it on the Stars (The Blame Game)

by Hill, Jamie

  She laughed. “Like I would have to. You’re such a great kid, you know?”

  Chris hugged her. “I love you, Mom. I’m so glad to be living here with you.”

  Catlin looked at him. It was the first time he had told her ‘I love you’. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him tightly and whispered, “I love you, too, baby, very much.”

  Catlin was cautiously optimistic the next day, when David was quiet and civil in her class. She intended to treat him like anybody else. She hoped he would show her the same respect.

  Dana missed yearbook again, but came to English. When Catlin asked why she had missed, Dana replied, “My mom phoned me in as excused.”

  Catlin didn’t press the subject, but wondered where it was heading.

  The week ended peacefully, and Catlin and Chris spent a quiet weekend at home. It snowed, and they built a snowman. Catlin decided it might be easier to concentrate if they went to mass Saturday night, so they did. She felt content, happy, and she felt well, because her morning sickness was finally gone. Nick called from England, Chris was happy to talk to him. Catlin was counting her blessings when she climbed into bed Sunday night.

  Monday morning, there seemed to be a buzz going through the school. Catlin was earlier these days, since she had to get Chris around, too. Before first hour, she stopped in the lounge for her soda.

  “Hey.” She smiled at Jetta, and headed for the pop machine.

  Jetta looked at her. “Lifestyles of the rich and famous.”

  “What?”

  Jetta tossed a magazine on the table.

  Catlin looked down at it and saw her own face staring back at her. She set down her soda and picked up the issue of People. It was their wedding picture, with her, Nick and Chris smiling for the camera. She read the caption.

  JINGLE BELL ROCK— The Wave drummer Nick Prescott kept busy over his Christmas vacation. He married Catlin McCall, younger sister of lead singer Craig McCall, in a private ceremony held in Kansas City. The pair were high school sweethearts in their hometown of Kincaid, Kansas. They have one son, Christian, and word has it another child is on the way. The Wave leaves this week for a ninety day tour abroad, which will encompass over seventy cities.

  Catlin’s heart sank. “Oh my God!” She stared at the photo. Craig was the only one with a camera. How did People Magazine get this picture?

  Jetta said softly, “Were you going to tell me, or just start to show?”

  Catlin sank into a chair next to her friend. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

  “Why?” Jetta smiled sadly. “Because I can’t get pregnant, and you can’t not get pregnant?”

  Catlin looked down sheepishly. “I feel so stupid. It’s not like we didn’t use protection. I don’t know what happened.”

  “At least things are becoming clearer for me now. I know Steve joked about not wanting more kids, but don’t tell me he didn’t want the baby?”

  Catlin shook her head. “It’s Nick’s baby. My husband and I are having a baby.”

  Jetta nodded. “Just keep telling yourself that, sweetheart, and maybe you’ll start to believe it. But I won’t. And Steve won’t. Don’t tell me Steve doesn’t know about the baby?”

  Catlin looked at the magazine. “I guess he does now.”

  “Catlin!” Jetta hollered at her in a hushed voice. “How could you not tell him? What were you thinking?” Jetta stopped. “Oh, God. That’s why you were so sick.”

  Catlin nodded. “I tried to tell him. The day I went to see him and his wife was there. I just couldn’t.”

  Jetta stood up. “Well, I can. This is ridiculous!”

  “No!” Catlin stood up and faced her. “Jetta, you have to promise me to stay out of this. I’m handling things the best way I know how. I’ll be lucky if I don’t lose my job. I just have to get through this semester, and then I’ll take some time off.”

  “Steve would want to know!” Jetta insisted.

  Catlin got in her face. “Jetta Craft, I love you like a sister, but I swear to God. If you tell Steve anything about my baby, I may never speak to you again.”

  Jetta stared at Catlin for a moment, then walked out with saying a word.

  Frank stuck his head in the lounge. “Oh Mrs. Prescott? May I have a word with you, please?”

  “Shit!” Catlin threw the magazine down on the table and followed Frank into his office. “I’m sorry, Frank. I don’t know how this happened.”

  “What, the pregnancy or the picture?”

  She had to smile at that. “I know how the pregnancy happened,” she told him. “Dumb stupid luck. I could be their poster child.”

  “Catlin, the school board will have fits over this. When are you due?”

  “September,” the lie rolled off her tongue. “I was hoping to keep this under wraps a little longer. I know I won’t be able to come back next year, but I’d really like to finish this semester.”

  “This is a touchy issue in a Catholic school. You’re one of my best teachers, and I’ll go to bat for you. But I’m not sure what even I can do when this hits the fan.”

  “The thing is, no one can prove I was pregnant before I got married. The wedding was in December, and the baby is due nine months later. I really don’t see how someone can cause trouble about that.”

  He jotted down a few notes. “That’s your story and you’re sticking to it?”

  She gave him a look. “That’s my official statement.”

  He studied her for a moment, then nodded. “I think you’ll be okay. We’ll handle what comes together.”

  “Thanks, Frank. I appreciate it.”

  She turned to leave.

  “What does Steve say about the baby?”

  Catlin looked back at him. “It’s not Steve’s concern. My husband and I are very happy.”

  “Understood.” Frank looked skeptical, but let it drop.

  Catlin walked through the lounge to gather her things. Her mind raced as she went to her classroom. No one in yearbook mentioned the magazine or the baby. No one in David’s American Lit. class mentioned it either. She made it through her other classes and was starting to relax when Dana’s English class started. Dana wasn’t there. Catlin went to the board and started writing the day’s lesson.

  From the doorway she heard, “Well, if it isn’t the little mother-to-be.”

  Catlin turned to see Dana standing by the door.

  “How’s it going, mommy?” The girl sneered.

  “Dana, sit down. You’re already on the detention list. Don’t make it worse.”

  “You know what you can do with your detention list?” Dana spouted back at her.

  “If you’re going to take this attitude, you may as well just leave.” Catlin stepped closer to Dana and smelled something. It had been a few years, but Catlin recognized the odor of marijuana. She looked into the girl’s eyes, and saw they were beet red. “Oh Dana.” She sighed. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” She took Dana’s arm and started to lead her to the door.

  Dana growled and shoved Catlin hard.

  Catlin fell back into the blackboard. Two guys from the class jumped up and grabbed Dana, and another two helped Catlin steady herself.

  “Are you okay?” one of them asked her.

  Catlin nodded. “Thanks.” She turned to the two holding Dana. “Can you help me get her to the office, please?”

  “Don’t touch me!” Dana squirmed. “Let go of me!”

  Catlin stepped up to her. “Dana, stop it!”

  “Don’t tell me what to do!” Dana screamed at Catlin. “You’re always telling me what to do and I’m sick of it! Well, you can just go get fucked! Oh, I guess you already have!” She collapsed in a fit of giggles.

  No one in the class was laughing. Catlin looked at them. “Can you sit quietly for a few minutes, please? I need to take care of this.”

  The class members nodded numbly, obviously too surprised to act up.

  “Let’s go.” Catlin m
otioned to the boys holding Dana’s arms. Dana was still giggling, and allowed herself to be led into the teacher’s lounge.

  They deposited her on the couch. Dana crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

  “Wow,” one of them said “She’s really high on something.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right.” Catlin agreed. “Would you get Mr. Turner before you go back to class please?”

  They nodded, and left.

  “Thanks!” Catlin called after them.

  Frank rushed into the lounge. “What’s going on here? Catlin, are you all right?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded, and rubbed her arms. “But I think Dana’s been smoking the loco-weed.” She stepped forward and patted the girl’s cheek.

  Dana opened her eyes. When she saw Catlin she lunged for her.

  Frank shoved her back on the couch. “Good Lord, girl. You reek. I must say I’m very surprised at you, Dana Naughton.”

  Dana closed her eyes again.

  “Just stay there and behave,” Frank said. “I’m going to call your father.”

  “No!” Dana screeched. “Call my mother! She’s at home!”

  Frank looked at Catlin. “My class is unattended,” she said quietly.

  He nodded. “I’ll send someone in.” He left the lounge, and when he came back, Steve was with him.

  “Dana, what’s going on here?” Steve sat down next to his daughter.

  “Oh, Daddy!” she sobbed, and fell into his arms. “Catlin won’t leave me alone! She picks on me, she harasses me—I just can’t take it anymore!”

  Steve looked up at Catlin questioningly.

  Catlin fumed inside. She mustered the steeliest voice she could. “If you’re ever going to believe me, now’s the time. This child has been loud and verbally abusive to me for a week. I knew what she was going through, and I tried to give her some time and space. But today, well, I’ve just about had it.”

  Steve looked at Dana. “Is this true?”

  Dana sobbed louder into his chest.

  Catlin continued. “I don’t care if you believe me or not. I’ve got twenty witnesses to back me up. I didn’t go flying into that blackboard all by myself.”

  Steve looked at Catlin in disbelief. “She hit you?”

  “You’re damn right she hit me. Right before she told me, in front of God and everybody, to go get fucked. Look at her, Steve! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the child is stoned!”

  Steve’s face fell. He looked at his daughter. “Dana, stop it. Quit crying. I want some answers.”

  “Steve.” Frank stepped in. “I don’t have to tell you how serious this is. I’m very upset by Dana’s conduct today.”

  “We all are.” Catlin said to Steve.

  Steve looked at Dana again. “I can’t believe you. The grass is bad enough. It’s not only stupid, it’s illegal. But to strike a teacher...”

  “It was just Catlin!” Dana said disgustedly. She looked at her father seriously. “Dad, she’s pregnant!”

  “So that’s a reason to hit her?” he yelled. “Jesus Christ, Dana!” Steve stood and paced around the room.

  “Don’t you know what that means?” Dana asked her father.

  Catlin inhaled. Had Dana figured things out?

  Steve sighed and put his hands on his hips. “Dana, what are you talking about?”

  “She’s pregnant...and she just got married. She was sleeping with him before they got married!”

  Steve looked at her “And...?”

  “Daddy!” Dana shook her head.

  Steve looked at the ceiling, then back at Dana. “Okay, she sinned; she’ll probably go to hell. But it’s not your problem. And it’s certainly no reason to hit her.”

  Dana pouted and shut her eyes again. Steve looked at Frank. “What happens now?”

  Frank replied, “She should be given the boot. Either of the offenses she committed today is grounds for expulsion.” He looked at Catlin. “We do seem to have extenuating circumstances here. What do you think?”

  Catlin shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe suspension.”

  Frank nodded. “Definitely suspension. A week. We’ll let you know what else when we’ve had time to think about this.”

  “Go ahead, kick me out!” Dana waved her arms. “I don’t want to be here anyway!”

  “Dana, be quiet.” Steve ordered. He looked at Catlin. “Are you okay?”

  She rubbed her arms. “I guess. This is very upsetting.”

  “Yeah.” Steve looked from her back to Dana.

  Catlin said, “Did you know she hasn’t been in first hour for six days?”

  Steve looked at Catlin. “Six days?”

  She nodded. “She said her mother excused her absence. Well, I don’t. She’s off the yearbook staff, as far as I’m concerned.”

  Dana sprung up off the couch. “You can’t do that!”

  Frank said, “Yes, she can. She’s your teacher.”

  Dana lunged at Catlin and started waving her fists. “I hate you! I hate you!”

  Steve grabbed her, and held her arms. Dana continued to scream at Catlin. “I don’t want you to be my teacher! I wanted you to be my mother!” She stopped and looked Catlin squarely in the face. “How come you’re so anxious to become everyone else’s mother, but not mine? I wanted you—” she broke down sobbing. “I loved you!” Steve pulled his daughter into his arms and tried to quiet her.

  Catlin wanted to reach out to Dana, but couldn’t. She turned away and hugged her arms to herself.

  Dana had exhausted herself. She was completely quiet.

  Frank said to her, “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll get you a glass of water? Your dad can pick you up in my office in a few minutes.”

  Steve looked at Frank. “Thank you.”

  Frank led Dana out. Steve shut the door to the lounge, and turned to face Catlin. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  She looked at him. “I’m sorry about this, Steve. The kids sure are taking it hard.”

  “And why wouldn’t they? One minute we’re planning a life, and the next minute it’s all thrown up in the air, and landing as a different kind of life.”

  “Shit happens,” was all she could think of to say.

  Steve took a step toward her. “I was going to come and see you today anyway, before my daughter went into global thermonuclear meltdown.”

  She smiled. “Can I imagine why?”

  “Oh, I think you can. So I guess we’ve figured out why you were so sick last month.”

  She turned away. “That was just stress.”

  He put his hand on her arm. “How pregnant are you, Catlin?”

  She answered without looking at him. “Just barely. I only found out recently myself.”

  “Pregnant enough for People Magazine to get the scoop.”

  “Speculation,” she said “They don’t know everything.”

  “Neither do I. I want to know how pregnant you are.”

  She turned to face him. “Why, do you and your wife want to adopt my baby?”

  “Not what I was thinking.”

  “Well, you think too much. My husband and I are having a child. And we’re very happy about it.”

  Steve looked at her left hand, and picked it up. “That is one big rock, Mrs. Prescott.”

  She shrugged, and tried to pull her hand away.

  He held on tight.

  “Can I have my hand back, please?”

  Gazing into her eyes, he let go. “I’d like a straight answer from you, and then if you want, I’ll leave you alone.”

  “No you won’t.” She looked at him. “You’ll never leave me alone. A part of you will always be with me.”

  His eyes flashed just before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  Catlin pounded his chest with her fists a couple times, without much force behind the movement. She quickly gave in and dropped the pretense of putting up a fight. Her arms encircled his neck and she kissed him hungrily.

  After a solid
minute, he reluctantly pulled away. “I want you to tell me who the father of your baby is,” he whispered.

  “Nick.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  “Because you think I’m a liar.” She kissed him passionately one last time. “God, I’ve missed that.” She looked into his eyes, then dragged herself away. In the distance they could hear the school bell ringing.

  Steve cleared his throat, and paced around the room. “So, is this how you want to leave it?”

  “It’s a done deal, Steve. Nick and I are married. You and Barb are back together.”

  He smiled. “You really hate her, don’t you?”

  “Hate. Yes. Hate is not too strong a word.” Catlin nodded.

  The lounge door flew open and Jetta rushed in. She looked at Steve, then Catlin. “I heard you had trouble. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Jetta. Thanks, hon.”

  Jetta looked from Catlin to Steve and back one more time before turning and walking into the hallway.

  Steve cleared his throat. “I’d better get Dana home. Sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah. Thanks for coming.” She turned away so she wouldn’t have to watch him leave.

  Jetta came back in after Steve walked out. “What was that all about?” she asked Catlin.

  Catlin inhaled and turned to face her friend. “That was good-bye. Just good-bye.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chris was bubbling when he came to Catlin’s classroom after school. He waved a copy of People Magazine at Catlin. “Did you see this?”

  “Yes.” She ruffled his hair. She hadn’t told him about the baby yet. She wondered how he would take it.

  “Josh says we’re celebrities.” He looked at the picture. “Isn’t it cool?”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

  “Josh says we’re gonna have a baby. Are we?”

  “Well, yes, we are, honey.” She hadn’t wanted him to find out this way.

  “Cool,” he repeated. “Josh’s mom had a baby. He says it’s pretty neat, but they cry a lot.”

  Catlin chuckled. “I guess they do.”

  Chris thought about it. “Mom, where are we gonna put the baby? In the front room with me?”