Surviving Keith

Chapter 11: Toby

I didn't hear from Marielle for two days. I know it sounds silly that I'm wishing that she'd call me or anything  but the break-up is just so devastating. See, i tried calling her but she never picked up.

Anyway, a call woke me up today. I have no idea what time it is--it may even be night time, for all I know. 

I picked up the call. "You've got to help me," the voice on the other line said.

"Marielle? Is his you?" Was my first response. I wanted it to be her. I wanted it to be Marielle.

"Toby, you have to help me," she said, "and it's not Marilel. It's Mara." She went on, "and why do you sound like you have a hangover? Are you drunk?"

Count on Mara to notice the smallest details. I ignored the remark.

"Mara," I said, "We haven'r heard from her since after Keith's funeral. It must be an emergency. "Mara, what's going on?"

"Toby, I'm pregnant."

"Whoa...what?"

"Please don't make me repeat it again," she started crying. Mara never cried. I was in shock.

"Hey hey hey, M...Calm down, it's okay..." Although I know it;s not. I mean, who's the father? and why was she crying like that?

"Mara...what..." I really didn't know what to ask her, "Who's the father?"

She sniffed and then, "Promise me you won't judge. Please."

"Mara, I'm getting confused...okay...you know I wo'n't judge...who is it?"

"Oh my god Toby, I'm such a bad person."

"Yeah, you always have been--"

"Shut up."

"I laughed, "So, who is it?"

"It's Thomas,"

"Thomas who?"

"Thomas Madison," she said, "Carla's father."

I coudln't believe my ears. "What?!"

"I swear, Toby, it's not like I planned this...It just...happened." She said, "You know I have friends in that bar in 97th Avenue, right?"

"Yeah,"

"So, I was there one night...some four months back, and Thomas was there...I recognized him, said "Hi," coz, you know, he's Carla's dad...and he was like, "I'm not sure if I know you", so I told him I'm Carla's friend, Mara, and he said I looked different, and I said, "Of coruse, I'm older now".. I also asked him if he's spoken to Carla lately and he said he really didn't want to talk about her, but he wanted to talk about me!