Christmas Angels

Chapter 31 & 32

 Chapter 31:

Angela was devastated by David's reaction to her pregnancy. She had been prepared for almost anything but not the view he had actually taken. His reaction to her news shocked her and cut her deeply. He might have suggested that she put the baby up for adoption, which would have been bad enough. He might have suggested that another member of the family raise the child as their own. He might even have offered nothing more than financial support for his child, but she never expected him to insist she should have an abortion. How could fear of his parents supersede his responsibility for an innocent new life?

She lay on her bed, sobbing. David was her first romantic affair and she had fallen completely and hopelessly in love with him. It felt like her heart had been physically cut out, leaving an empty space within her chest that ached at the loss. Her phone rang several times but she ignored it, knowing in her heart that it was David. A few minutes later, her cell phone buzzed. She picked it up, and looked at it to see who was calling her. David's cell number showed in the display window. Instead of answering, she turned the phone off and tossed it back on the bedside table. Leave me alone, David, she prayed. She didn't have the strength for another confrontation with him right now. She was emotionally exhausted and she needed time to think.

The phone on her desk began ringing again, this time without stopping until the answering machine picked up the call. David's voice came over the speaker in a metallic plea. "I know you are there Angela. Please pick up. I need to speak to you. I know you are upset, but you can't deal with this alone. Let me help you Angie!" There was a long pause, then David said simply, "I love you," before the call ended and the machine 'beeped' and reset itself.

Angela rolled over, turning her back to the machine and pulled the pillow over her head as her tears flowed hot across her cheeks. She wished she could roll back the clock and change the course of events, but of course the die was cast and she would have to live with the consequences. Eventually she cried herself into a fitful sleep, emotionally drained.

When she awoke with a start, it was much later in the day. She had not turned a light on when she came back to the dorm earlier in the afternoon and now it was completely dark in her room. A loud knocking sounded at the door and she realized that must have been what had startled her awake.

"Who is it?"

It's your fairy godmother, the magnificent and very beautiful Carley! Now open up, or I'll blow your house down."

"Just a minute," she called out, rubbing her eyes before switching on the bedside lamp. "I will be right there!" She looked at the clock and was surprised to see that it was seven p.m. She must have slept for over three and a half hours. Taking a quick look in the mirror she tried to smooth her rumpled clothing and straighten her mussed hair with her fingers as she moved to the door.

She opened the door just enough to see Carley waiting impatiently in the hall.

"Talk about trying to raise the dead! I thought you must have passed away in there, Angie. I came over twice in the last hour and never got a response, so I really thumped the door this time. I hope you don't mind but I haven't seen you all day and I started getting worried about you. Can I come in or are you getting ready to go out with David?"

"Come on in, I'm not going out tonight," Angela said as she pulled the door all the way open for her friend.

Carley breezed by her, chattering on, "No date tonight? I thought you and David always go out on a Saturday night. Are you sick or something?" Once in the room, she turned to look at Angela as she closed the door again. "Whoa, what's up, Angie? You look terrible!" she added, seeing her friend clearly for the first time.