How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

50- Lesson Learned

Clara

"I'm still gonna kill him" Anthony claims as we pull up to the Cubs Convention. I softly grab his hand and start to rub the back of it.

"Baby, it's been almost a week. It's over, I swear I'm fine" I insist.

"But I'm not. No one is allowed to talk about you like that. Not even think about you that way. You have worked too hard to make a name for yourself for it to be tarnished because Kyle had too much to drink" he insists.

"People are going to think these things Anthony. We haven't been open about what we have been through, I'm still healing and you're so into protecting me that you can't see the people around you are so confused. They don't know what happened to me or to Eddie or to us, and you can't blame them for that. You can't blame yourself for it either. This is just the way things have to be, like it or not" I explain.

"I hate it" he insists.

"There's no room in your heart for hate. It's taking up space that could be used for loving" I say.

"I love you Clara... more than I ever should. And that's why I don't like what he said. How he said it or when he said it. In front of our friends, like what you went through was a joke. Nothing you have gone through in your life is a laughing matter" he defends.

"And Kyle knows that. You would know that if you answered any of his texts or calls" I remind him.

"I promise, you don't want me to answer that phone call" he insists.

"Whether or not you want to listen to what he has to say, you need to hear it" I argue.

"It's not me he needs to be apologizing to. I was ending that event after he was done reguarless of what he said. But there is no explanation for the way he behaved. It's unacceptable" Anthony says nearly yelling.

"Okay, first off you need to take a deep breath" I insist and he closes his eyes. He exhales deeply before letting his eyes flutter open again. "And the second thing is you need to do is stop worrying about me" I beg.

"But-" he whines.

"No buts. It's my problem and I have to live with the consequences whether you want to accept that or not. I know what happened to me wasn't my fault and I know I didn't deserve that. I know. But it happened and no matter what I do in my lifetime it will never cover up the fact that I went through what I did. So I'm going to put a smile on my face and accept that people think I'm weak or just a pretty face with no brain behind it. I'm okay with that. What I'm not okay with is the fact that Kyle is trying to fix this and you won't let him" I explain.

"There's nothing he could say or do to fix this" he claims.

"Can you at least try... for me" I ask.

"Sure" he sighs and I smile.

"You're the best" I remind him and his heavy expression he wore on his face softens. He leans over for a kiss and he happily places his lips on mine.

"We should probably get in there" he admits.

"Yeah. You're kind of important" I tease.

We get inside and Anthony goes to find his jersey for introductions. Before I can even get into the hallway I feel someone coming up behind me. I freeze in my spot because one too many times have I been chased down to not know when I'm being followed. I turn around and see Kyle close behind me.

We don't say something for a while because we weren't sure what to say. I wasn't mad at him. I wasn't happy, but I wasn't mad. He was drunk and he was not totally wrong. I don't think I'm too good for Anthony or anything like that, but I did come from a broken house and I did get pregnant fairly easily. He was just trying to be funny and he didn't realize he went way too far before the damage was done.

"Listen, Clara, I don't even know what to say. There's nothing I could say to make this better" he starts

"It's okay Kyle" I insist.

"It's not, nothing I said was okay. Even if I was really really drunk and the point of it all was to insult Anthony, I went too far. I should have never brought you into it or use some of the hardest times of your life as a punch line. I know you're still hurting and I should have stopped for just a second to think about what I was about to let pour from my lips. I can't take back what I said, I really wish I could, but I can't, so I want to formally apologize for my behavior the other night. It was uncalled for and unacceptable. I really hope you know that I think the world of you and think you're so strong for what you've been through" he insists.

"Do you really know what I've been through" I wonder.

"No. I know what's in the news or what Anthony says. But trust me he only says the greatest things about you and what I got from the news probably isn't the most reliable source of information" he admits.

"It's not. But I am. If you were curious as to who I am, why I'm this way, you can just ask. I don't like to talk about it but it's not your fault you only know what is told to you. If you just talk I promise things will work themselves out" I defend.

"Really? Because talking is what got me into this mess" he admits and I giggle a little.

"I'm sure. I'm a understanding person. I don't hate you or even dislike you. I believe you're an amazing guy with a lot of potential. I won't let a few drunken seconds undermine everything you've done up until then. I know who you are and I know you're not that guy who was on that stage" I insist.

"Thank you" he sighs. "Does this mean I'm forgiven" he questions and I smile.

"I forgive you. But you need to talk to Anthony" I admit.

"I'm kinda scared, I'm not going to lie. I think the fastest I've ever sobered up was when he was yelling at me. The fear of god was put in me" he claims and I laugh.

"He's a protective boyfriend. But a damn good one" I nod my head.

"I know. All he wants is what is best for you and right now, in his eyes, I'm not what's best for you therefore he wants nothing to do with me. But I truly am sorry for how I acted and I need you to know that I'm not like that" he insists.

"I do know Kyle. You're a good guy. But you're still young and you're learning, I can't hold that against you. As long as you learned your lesson I don't see any problems moving forward" I admit.

"Oh trust me... I learned my lesson."