He Told Me To Walk This Way

Lay It Down

Two days later I was released from the hospital. They performed several tests and analyses on me to make sure that both I and the baby were healthy. The doctors also verified that I in fact was not suicidal, no matter how much it may have appeared that way by how I was found. No, of course I didn’t want to die. I wanted to have mine and Steven’s baby and raise him or her with Steven; which meant that I would have to forgive Steven, and I was ready to do that. I’d made a big enough fool of myself already.

That night I decided to go to Steven’s apartment and surprise him. I was still curious as to why he hadn’t been at the hospital to see me. Maybe no one told him because they thought he’d be too upset? But what if he had been informed and he had chosen not to come?

I got out of my car and looked up at the tall building. I suddenly wondered if he was home.

I started toward the door and began the climb up the stairwell. Although I was only about a week pregnant, I felt my body becoming more strained than usual.

By the time I reached the top of the stairs I was completely out of breath, panting while I held onto the railing to keep my balance.

“Dear, are you alright?” An elderly woman asked me.

She wore a thick black overcoat and a matching hat adorned with small faux flowers. She had on thick framed glasses and a coat of hot pink lipstick. On her feet was a pair of black pumps, which elevated her to a taller height. Even so, she was several inches shorter than me.

I looked up at her and smiled.

“Oh…yeah, I’m fine. Thank you”

She nodded and continued on past me, but then she stopped.

“Oh my! You’re Ginger aren’t you?”

I was puzzled but now my breathing patterns were back to normal so I said, “Yes I am, why?”

“Well my girlfriend Phyl lives right next to your boyfriend. We always paid attention your relationship; oh you two are the cutest little things. You see, we overheard your fight and…” she was smiling now.

I couldn’t help but think it was funny that someone watched mine and Steven’s relationship as if it were a soap opera.

“Well, we both, Phyl and I, think you two ought to make up. We’d appreciate it so much my dear.” The woman looked so amused.

I laughed lightly and smiled.

“That’s what I’m trying to do now…I’d like to make things right between him and I. You wanna know something miss…”

“Andersen”

“Miss Andersen, would you like to know a secret?”

Miss Andersen looked like the type of lady who would pounce at the first opportunity of gossip. I hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed by the news I was about to give her.

“I’m pregnant!”

Miss Andersen’s eyebrows furrowed and her eyes closed a bit. She looked strained.

“But-you aren’t married, dear”

“I know…”

Miss Andersen and my mom were both right. I should have waited to get this serious with Steven because I couldn’t be sure if he was committed. And he’d shown me that he could be weak when put under pressure. But I didn’t care, I was gonna throw the dice and go after Steven.

After I got rid of Miss Andersen I continued down the hall toward Steven’s door.

When I was about twenty feet away, Steven’s door opened and out stepped Tom. He looked stressed and a little bit mad. He was wearing a pink blazer with ribbed sleeves and a floral print on the breast. With that he wore a pair of brown bell bottoms and his usual white platform boots. Oh and of course his hair was in its usual frizzy blonde mop.