The Last Hurrah

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"I love the weekends," was a common phrase uttered among the household, as I did not work on the weekends.  We were going away with friends to the Ohio State Game. They got a suite for the game and for the last time, i looked really gorgeous. I began to surmise I was pregnant. Maybe a boy this time. I'm wondered, though, as Gary and I were not too careful. I spit shined the house so my mom would not nitpick, I threw all of the alcohol we drank away. Our house was a fucking palace. In the front a fountain and in the back lush fields with trees that turned shades of yellow, red, orange, and the oak trees russet leaves thar clung through winter made this place all the more paradise on earth. We had lived here since 1999 and I would fight my damndest to keep this house. However, something in my mind said, "Take this all in, lady friend. This is all going to end."

It was Saturday morning and the girls were so excited about grandpa and grandma coming to stay. The house smelled gorgeous. It smelled fresh. It smelled like fall, so my mom couldn't say anything. We kissed the girls goodbye and drove to Easton and Lesley's house, which was sort of dirty and smelled.  It was cold, too.  For a cop, he did not take care of things.   The house was stuck in the seventies with the sunken living room and metallic wallpaper.  Their pit bull Merry smelled so bad and the cats peed on the floor.   How did little Haley live?  

     "I love their hair color," she said. 
"Well it was a gift for me, for my new life."
"Oh and Pete said, no talking of this."
"Yeah."  Pete was always trying to control things.  "I am going to hate working the weekends but I have been told the money is a plus.  I close this Tuesday with Katrin."
"She is finally retiring."

    I knew Lesley from The Slab.  We were the hot little bitches during the day.   However, she got a job with the county and hasn't looked back.  It would be fun to work there.  Everyone I have met loves it.   My sister I. LW worked there,  hit now she works for the art museum and her husband is a writer.  I hadn't faced that my husband is a loser.  I felt like a loser.  I mean I didn't get to keep one day and Becky and Suzie got to work their same shifts.  Pete and Easton chatted in the living room.  "Hey, when we get back and life settles, I should bring the girls and play some pool on a Saturday.  The little lady has to work Saturdays."  

     We headed to the game and it was a blast.  Guys looked at me and I felt desired for the last time.   This pregnancy was going to take a toll on me in all ways....   We drank.  We partied like we didn't have kids.  I loved it,  but the little one inside of me would not.   Back at the hotel we had sex like we were twenty somethings.  "Yelling, screaming, moaning.... We were porn stars for the night.   A year from now, life would not be like this....   I looked out into the city the next day, a cold, steely rain fell.  It made my heart feel a little cold.   Lesley was missing Haley and we left at ten.  By two were home.  

     The girls came out and greeted us.  They were so pretty.  They hugged me and helped carry in our luggage.  Mother looked at me.   I knew I was in for it. 

    "Well, is that out of your system?"
"Sure.  Yeah."
"You are going to have to buckle down.  This lifestyle will kill you.  We looked at your bills."
"Oh."
"This is not going to last.   And, a new baby on the way?"
"What?"
"Your stomach."

     Pete even mentioned it.  Was it that bad?  

     "When was your last period?"
"Mid July.  July 7."
"Shit, Christine!"
"I thought since I was running, it would not make a difference."
"Well, it did.  You better face the music, your life as you know it is over.  How are you going to tell Pete?"
"I don't know.  He wants his boy."
"What if this boy has brown hair and brown eyes?"
"What?"
"Come off it!  We all know you were sneaking off with Gary.  You and Gary have had a thing for years.  Did you know he eyeballed you when you were in middle school?"
"No."
"You'd better get to the doctors.  Now, go be a mom to your girls.  We have livers, too."

    She and my dad left.   I went into the game room.   I sat down next to Pete.   He kissed me on the forehead and sod, "You were a little minx last night.   I think you are pregnant again," he said.  I sat up. 

    "What?"
"I think you're pregnant,  but this is a new life for us.   We need to embrace it.  I do, however think you need to go to the Summit Club.  You wouldn't have to close and be with new people.  I think you should."
"I will thinkk about it."
"Get a test."

    I did not want to.  I wanted to cling to being a babe, having a good job, and a good life.... It was ALL going to change.

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