Lost and Found

Choice

New had woken up early, determined to leave. Tay's quiet "umm" last night after hearing his plan was all he needed to make his decision. He didn't want to ruin Tay's life any further; he'd already caused enough harm. Anyone who heard about their situation would likely blame the older one for their reckless choices, so he knew Tay was at a disadvantage. The best thing he could do now was to disappear, as if he'd never been there. He'd tell his family he didn't know who the father was, calling it a drunken mistake. Though he was usually careful with his sexual relationships—always ensuring protection was used and taking morning-after pills—he hadn't done so with Tay. Whether it was the alcohol or the moment, he'd completely forgotten. And now, all he'd managed to do was create trouble for everyone involved.

He left Tay's house early in the morning, heading to his Aunt Vera's with the little money he had left, which he had been saving desperately to avoid being completely stranded. Aunt Vera had always been his rock. She was the first person he'd called after finding out he was pregnant. She'd calmed him down and given him guidance on what he needed to do next. When his parents had said the harsh words that pushed him to run away, he had called her too, but she'd been out of town. She'd urged him to go back home until she returned, but going back was never an option for him. That was what drove him back to the club, hoping for another chance encounter with the man who was now the father of his child. He hadn't been able to find him over the past month, even though he had been searching.

When he'd learned he was pregnant, he'd known instantly who the father was; he hadn't been with anyone else for four months before that night. Nor had he taken any precautions after having sex with him. Afterward, he hadn't been with anyone, wanting to hold onto the memory of that night. But now, sex was the last thing on his mind. He'd just hoped that, by some miracle, he might see the man again, not to reveal his pregnancy, but maybe to gain a temporary place to stay. He wished that at least Tay would still have interest in him even if it meant enduring two nights of sex with him, he'd do it to avoid going home while waiting for aunt Vera's return.

He spent the entire day pacing outside the club, hoping, praying. By 11 p.m., he had nearly given up, and in a fit of exhaustion and frustration, he collapsed to the ground in tears. And as if heaven had finally taken pity on him, there he was—the very man he'd been searching for standing right in front of him. Seeing him brought even more tears to New's eyes. That was how he ended up spending the weekend with Tay, but now that was all in the past. Tay was now history, and he was moving on to whatever this new phase in his life was going to be.

Aunt Vera welcomed him with open arms, providing him with food, fresh clothes, and money for the week of his finals. She took him to his prenatal appointments and bought all the recommended medications to ensure his health. New was beyond grateful. Life might not have been fair, but it wasn't entirely cruel, either. It felt like a glimmer of hope for both him and his child, whom he had promised to love with all his heart.