That evening, Danny finds us sitting at the little kitchen table.
"Hey, how are you?" She asks when she looks at me.
I let out a laugh. And take a sip of my tea.
Jennifer looks from me and then to Danny. I pretend not to notice the questioning look Danny sends Jennifer.
"We have a positive pregnancy test and a jerk who told us to abort it," Jennifer says.
"I'm sorry, what does that mean," Danny asks.
There's a silent moment in which I know the two women are silently communicating.
My thoughts are racing when one idea suddenly pops in. Without saying anything I get up from the table and rush to my room.
************************************
I'm packing my things when Jennifer enters my room.
"I'm leaving," I say when Jennifer asks me what I'm doing.
"Where to? Home?" She asks.
I let out a snort at that.
"Then where are you going."
"I don't know. Scottland." I say and go look for a luggage bag in my closet.
"You don't even know anyone in Scottland." She says just as the other two people currently in my apartment enters my room.
"Find then I'll go to Spain," I said after getting a luggage bag.
"You don't know anyone in Spain either." James chips in.
"Maybe not, but I've always wanted to go there. And I'm going to raise my baby there."
There's silence in the room again before Jennifer talks again.
"Don't be stupid, Natalie. You need to be around friends now." Jennifer says angrily.
"No, what I need is to be away from here," I say.
Jennifer looks at James and Danny for support. "Guys help me out here." She says frustrated.
"Maybe it's for the best if she goes away for a while." James contradicts her.
"What! Are you crazy!"
"Yes exactly!"
Jennifer and I say at the same time.
"What do you think about this," Jennifer asks Danny.
"I think my grandparents have a small farm in Spain and there will be enough space for Natalie to go crash for a while," Danny replies quickly.
"What! Are you both crazy!" Jennifer asks, now screaming at them both.
"Really?" I ask Danny.
"Yes." She says looking at Jennifer hesitantly.
"Ok. How soon can I go?" I ask her without even considering what this might really mean.
Jennifer leaves my room and a moment later I hear our apartment door slam.
"Go after her," I say to James who doesn't need to be told twice?.
I turn to Danny. "She'll be fine. She has James now." I try to settle my guilt.
"We can leave tomorrow and let my grandparents know when we're on our way," Danny says.
"Wait. We?" I ask Danny.
"Yes, I'm not letting you go all the way there by yourself," Danny says.
"But what about your job?"
"I'm not working for people like that," Danny says. "I'll send them my letter of resignation tomorrow morning."
"So you really want to do this?" Danny asks again.
I take a moment to think about it. "Yes, I'm sure. I can't stay here." I say feeling sure that I want this.
"Ok. I'm going home to pack. Well, meet here tomorrow morning." She says.
"I'll ask James to take us to the airport. And I'll pay for the plane tickets." I say when she is at the door.
She just gives me a nod and then leaves.
I finish packing my stuff and then I wait for my two friends to come home.
************************************
When they finally come through the door Jennifer ignores me and goes straight for her bedroom.
"Give her time," James says.
"I'm leaving tomorrow for Spain," I tell James. Looking him in the eyes.
"I figured as much. I know you by now Nat." He says. "And I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just what you do. You run. Sometimes something like that can be for the best." He says looking away.
"But sometimes it can also be a bad thing. And I don't know what it will be this time." He ends.
I look at him for a moment, understanding his words.
"Will you please tell Jennifer for me," I beg him.
"Sure. Night's Nat." He says and leaves a kiss on my head.
************************************
The next morning comes around fast and I don't even have time to think about anything before Danny arrives.
I've booked the plane tickets last night and the only flight available was at eight this morning. I told Danny after confirming the flight.
"You ready?" she asked when I emerge with my suitcase from my room.
"Yes," I said looking at Jennifer's bedroom door.
I put my suitcase down by the apartment door and then head over to Jennifer's room. "Jennifer," I say after a knock.
"Go away." I heard her say.
"Jennifer I'm leaving. And I'm sorry, but I can't be here right now." I say through the door. "You should know that I'm not leaving you. As soon as I'm settled I'll send you a first-class ticket to Spain." I said.
There's silence. And then I hear a hiccup. "Jen, I love you. And I'll miss you." I say before turning to the apartment door.
Before I can exit I hear Jennifer's door open. And she comes running towards me. Then gives me a bone-crushing hug. "I'll wait for the first-class ticket." She said, through the tears and hiccups. Making me let out a sad laugh.
"Bye," I said as she turns around walking to her bedroom door.
At the airport, I ask James to look after Jennifer for me, before boarding the plane with Danny.
