Chapter 9

Chapter 9 (Andrew’s POV)
What is happening to me? Why does everything go wrong in my life just when it is going right? Jessica sprang me with the biggest news a guy could ever get in his life and Erica doesn’t even want to talk to me anymore. 12 hours really does change someone’s life. I’ve gone from the happiest person to the most depressed person in a span of a day. I needed to talk to the gents and pick up my mom from the airport. Jessica was staying with me and I haven’t been able to get away from her. She picked up the phone when Erica called a few minutes ago and now Erica won’t talk to me. When Jessica finally fell asleep, I called the guys. I knew they were all together because we were supposed to be having a rehearsal in 15 minutes.
“Hello,” It was Jason. He must have Alex’s phone.
“Where’s Alex?” I asked.
“He’s getting some water? Why aren’t you here yet man?” Jason asked suspiciously. “You are supposed to be here already.”
“Something came up and I need to talk to you. Is everyone there now?”
“Yeah, we’re here. What’s up man?” Mike responded. Jason must have put me on speaker phone already.
“So what happened last night, dude?” Alex asked. “Lindsay when out and said goodbye to you and then you and Erica disappeared.”
“We were talking the whole time. It was amazing. She is the perfect girl, but I’ve screwed it up.”
“Already?! How did you do that, it’s only been a little over 12 hours. Did Jessica come back in your life or something?” Mike asked jokingly.
“Uhhh…” It was the only way I could respond. He meant it as a joke, but it was true. She was back in my life. I didn’t like it but I guess I had to deal with it.
“WHAT?” They all screamed simultaneously.
“How the hell” “What happened” “WHAT?” Alex, Jason, and Mike were all speaking at the same time.
“SHUT UP!” I screamed into the phone. That seemed to make them be quiet. “She’s pregnant.”
“How can she be pregnant, we never cross that line man. That’s part of our Gentleman’s code.” Jason responded matter-of-factly.
“Do I really have to go through all of this now?”
“You bet you do, explain yourself.”
“Ugh, okay. I know you guys didn’t like Jessica,” a huge no crap came from the other end, Michael most likely. “but I had fallen in love with her. Right before she left me, we had one night together. I didn’t think anything of it because I used protection, but I guess it didn’t work.”
“How do you know you’re the father? Everyone but you thought she was a whore.” Alex said.
“I don’t know right now, but I believe her that she hasn’t been with anyone else except me.” I was getting angry. “If you aren’t going to be here to support me through this then fine, I’ll be on my way and you can find a new bassist. Go call Garbowsky or something he said he wanted to be in a band.” I didn’t mean to say that but that’s how I felt. If they couldn’t support me even though they didn’t like Jessica, I didn’t want them in my life anymore. I thought we were all best friends.
“Dude, we’re sorry if it came off that we aren’t going to be there for you. We’re your best friends. We wouldn’t be anywhere but by your side during all of this.” Jason responded slowly. I could tell that he was trying to make sure his words came out right. I needed to tell them about my mom coming back into town as well.
“Thanks. I have other interesting news as well. My mom is coming home tonight. I actually need to leave and go pick her up from La Guardia. She called me the other day and told me that she wanted to come home and sober up. So with Jessica, my mom, and the crap going down with Erica, I need you guys here if I fall apart.”
“We’ll be here Andrew.” They said that simultaneously and the load that was on my shoulder felt like it was lifted off.
“Alright, well I am going to go. I NEED to get a hold of Erica and explain things to her.”
“Good luck man, don’t worry about rehearsal today. We’ll fill you in with what you miss.”
“Thanks guys, I love you all.” I didn’t want to be so sentimental, but they really are my family and I don’t know what I’d do without those guys.
“Love you too man, see ya tomorrow.” I hang up the phone and try and call Erica. I just want her to pick up the phone. I need to explain to her everything that happened. The phone rings and she finally picks up.
“Hello,” she said. Her voice sounded like she had been crying for a long time. I feel horrible. I hope I can make things up to her. I need to tell her about Jessica.
“Hey, how are you?” I responded. I spoke slowly trying to not get her upset.
“Why are you calling me? I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” She said. I thought she was going to hang up the phone.
“Please don’t hang up, I really need to talk to you about some stuff.” I begged, almost pleaded from Erica.
“Okay, 5 minutes, what do you want?” I could tell she was crying because I heard the sniffling coming from her end of the phone.
“I need to tell you who Jessica is. I couldn’t tell you earlier but I need to explain myself now.”
“Okay, go ahead.” I could tell she was going to listen so I took a deep breath and went into explaining how Jessica and I had dated a few months back and the night before she abandoned me we slept with each other. I hadn’t seen her until last night when she was on my doorstep. She was pregnant and I was pretty sure it was mine. Silence was on the other end.
“Erica, are you there?”
“I don’t know what to say to you.” She huffed into the phone.
“I’m sorry. I am going to be there because I’m the father, but you are the one I want, not her. I want to be with you.”
“I don’t think that can happen anymore. “
“Why not?”
“Well…. Something just happened to me.”
“What? Are you okay? Are you moving?”
“Well, I was angry with you and had a guy I just met come over. And well, he sort of attacked me and took advantage of me. It was a Landon repeat.” She sighed loudly and I could hear her breaking down. She was crying very hard, but trying to cover it up.
“WHAT?” I was angry. Infuriated was probably the better word for what I was feeling at the moment. “What is his name? I am going to kick his ass. He deserves hell.”
“It is nothing now Andrew. Just leave it alone.”
“You aren’t going to report him. ERICA. You were just effing raped and you aren’t going to report him for it. Come on Erica, protect yourself. What if he comes back into your life somehow?” I was worried for her. I wish she would tell me his name. I wanted to kill the guy.
“I can’t. Not right now, please understand. I just need some time to myself.”
“Fine, okay. I am coming over to your house tomorrow morning. I have some things I need to take care of tonight. I never told you, but my mom is coming back into town.”
“Oh no, Andrew. I am so sorry. Are you going to be okay?”
“I’m fine, you should be worrying for yourself not me. I have to go. I will call you tomorrow about more details.”
“Alright bye.” I hang up and run to get to the subway. I needed to meet up with my mom in 30 minutes. I knew this was going to be interesting. It has been 7 years and I honestly can’t remember what exactly she looks like. She was a wreck when she abandoned me. Knots began to form in my stomach. I wasn’t ready for this. I felt like I was going to barf and throw chunks everywhere. I get to the subway and see an older lady sitting on the steps. She seemed to look like my mom. I walked up behind her.
“Mom?” I asked hesitantly
“Andrew..” She looked like she had been crying. She grabbed me and pulled into a hug. “I can’t believe it’s been 7 years.”