The Save Game

Chapter 8

"I'm going to use the bathroom real quick." Allison stood and made her way to the end of the seats.

She and the guys, along with Jackie and Bessy, were on their way to California.

Allison walked to the back of the plane and locked herself in the bathroom. She'd been unsure about this trip, but her doctor had given her the thumbs up just last week. They estimated that she was a month and half along in her pregnancy and so far, she felt great. There had been a few times that she'd felt sick but nothing so bad that she couldn't get it under control quickly.

She leaned on the counter and looked herself in the eyes. She knew she was going to have to tell Sal about the pregnancy soon. She had made a promise to herself. After this weekend, she was going to tell him. It was time for him to know and to decide if he wanted to be a part of her pregnancy.

She wet a paper towel with cold water and dabbed it across her forehead and down her cheeks before returning to her seat.

"Everything ok?" Sal asked as she settled into her seat next to him.

"Yeah." She smiled and looped her arm through his, laying her head on his shoulder. "I love flying. The sky is so beautiful."

They both watched the colors of the sunset dance across the wings of the plane until darkness surrounded them and engulfed the interior of the plane.

"I'm glad you came." He rested his head on hers.

"Me too." She closed her eyes, wanting to cherish the moment.

The next thing she knew, Sal was gently shaking her.

"Allison, wake up. We're landing." He said.

She rubbed her eyes.

"Sorry. I guess I didn't realize how tired I was." She sat up.

"It's okay. The drool will wash right out of his shirt. Right, Sal?" Joe stuck his head over the seats before patting Sal on the back.

Even though she knew she didn't drool, Allison's hand instinctively went to her mouth.

"He's joking. You weren't drooling." Sal reached under his seat for the bag he always carried with him on planes. "The snoring, though. I think you kept the whole plane awake."

She swatted at his shoulder and he laughed, putting his hands up to fend her off.

"How about I just get my own hotel room tonight since my snoring is such a problem." She threatened.

"Oh no you don't! I'll gladly listen to you snore if it means we're together." He pulled her into the aisle with him. She stood in front of him and he kept his hands on her hips, guiding her through the deplaning, even though she didn't need him to.

As soon as they made it off the plane and met up with the other guys, Allison started noticing people staring and taking pictures.

"There are people following us." She glanced over her shoulder at the small crowd that had gathered.

"It happens all the time." He told her. "Just keep moving toward the exit. There's some cars waiting on us there. Just don't stop."

Allison watched as the others seamlessly made their way through the airport, avoiding the fans that had gathered. She couldn't help but look back over her shoulder. One of the women in the crowd flipped her the bird and Allison gasped.

What had she done to deserve that? She felt Sal's hand firmly on her hip and she knew. They were angry with her because she was with him. They didn't think she was good enough for him.