Once they came back from spring break in Chicago, they had not had much time together. She had to concentrate on her midterms and two term papers. So their visits had become mostly stop bys to check on each other.
That is why when Mrs. Ladd called her name over the intercom, Latham was surprised. They avoided each other at school since they had started dating. So he tried to act normal as he had her come in.
“Miss Downey, what brings you here today?”
The door shut and he crossed to her. He was careful not to get too close to her. Paul looked at her. She sat down. “I was late to trig, sir.”
“Well, Miss Downey, you know the policy.” He smiled at her. She knew he wasn’t going to paddle her.
She whispered, “I had to see you.”
He got close to her. “Are you alright?”
“I’m late.”
“I know, but don’t worry; I’m not going to punish you.” He continued to whisper.
“Paul, I skipped Trig to come here. I’m not only late to class. I am late.”
A look of horror came over his face. “How late?”
“Over a week.”
“Have you taken a test?”
“No. If I go to town and buy one, everyone will know.”
He crossed to the chair and knelt in front of her. “I want you to go to the nurse and tell her you are sick. Go back to your room and change. Then meet me back at the garage.”
“What are we doing?”
“We’re going to Millersville.”
The entire ride to Millersville, Paul pulled her close to him and held her while he drove. They didn’t say much. After a while, she leaned on his shoulder and fell asleep.
The doctor came in and she was in a gown. Paul was sitting there, holding her hand. “I’m Dr. Trebeck. How can I help you today?”
“I’m late.” She started. Paul didn’t know if that was how most women did it, but it sounded so unnatural.
“My girlfriend and I need to know today if at all possible.”
The doctor started asking questions and then asked Paul to leave the room. He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
The doctor sat down across from her. “Megan, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How old are you?”
“I turned 18 in October.”
“Do you have some ID?”
“Excuse me?” She looked at him in disbelief.
“Young lady, I am sorry but you look young and your boyfriend is obviously older. By law if you are under eighteen I have to report it as statutory rape.”
Megan grabbed her purse and pulled out her driver’s license. “Here.”
“You’re not from around here?”
“I’m in school around here.” No specifying if it was college or high school.
The doctor went to the cabinet and took out a syringe and two vials. As he took the blood, he calmly talked to her. “I can have the results back in two hours. You two can go get something to eat.” The doctor let Paul back in and left.
“Are you okay?” He helped her get dressed.
“Besides being harassed about my age, I am fine.”
“What?” Paul looked in the mirror that was over the sink and realized why the doctor would ask. “Maybe I should have waited in the car.”
“It’s okay. I gave him my ID and he backed off.”
“When will we hear back?”
“Two hours. He suggested we get lunch.” She finished buttoning her shirt.
“Two hours. He suggested we get lunch.” She finished buttoning her shirt.
“Are you hungry?”
“No, but I should probably eat.”
They left he doctor’s office and walked hand in hand to a nearby café. Paul looked for a quiet corner booth and the two of them scooted in together.
She leaned against his shoulder. “What are we going to do if I am?”
“It’s your choice.”
“Don’t you have an opinion?” Megan looked at him with question.
“I know what I would want, but it is your body and your choice.” He whispered and then put his arm around her. “I will support any decision you make. I love you.”
“But what will happen if I keep it and someone finds out?”
“I’ll have to change jobs, but I can handle that.”
The waitress came over and the two of them split a sandwich and fries. Megan didn’t eat much from being nervous, but at least tried to eat in case she was pregnant. They didn’t talk much more and when the two hours was over they walked back to the doctor’s office.
This time the nurse put them in a small office. He held her hand as the doctor can in. The older man looked over the results.
“When was the last time you two had sex?”
“About three weeks ago, before my midterms.” Megan looked at Paul and he nodded I agreement.
“Then I can say without a doubt that you are not pregnant. The blood test shows up after nine days.”
“Oh, thank God!” Megan breathed for the first time all day.
“You sound like you are under a lot of stress.” The doctor handed her a bottle of small white pills. “It’s called atarax. It will help you to relax and hopefully you will start within a few days.”
Paul looked at the doctor. “Thank you.”
On the drive back, Megan kept kissing his cheek. “Oh, thank God, Paul.”
“If you had been pregnant what would you have done?”
“I don’t know.” She backed away from him while she thought. “Yale is my goal, but a baby would not have been the end of the world either. I’m just glad that I haven’t ruined things for you.”
“It wouldn’t have ruined anything.” Latham couldn’t take his eyes off the road. He sounded a bit distant to her. They didn’t say much the rest of the ride home. When they got to the school, she ducked down until they were in the garage. He finally turned and spoke. “You should go back to your room, Meg. You are supposed to be sick.”
Megan was shocked at his tone. “Are you mad at me?”
“I just think we need to cool our jets for awhile.” Paul walked from the garage and into the house. She followed him. “Megan, you need to go home.”
“You are mad at me.”
“I don’t know how I feel, but I know that I am not mad.” He turned his back on her.
She turned and left. Walking along her usual path to the dorm, she couldn’t believe him. Megan was careful to sneak back to her room without anyone seeing her.
Megan took one of the pills. After a few minutes she got sleepy. She changed into her PJs and crawled under the sheets. Her mind drifted off to sleep and she tried to forget about the day.
When she woke up, it was dark and she reached over to turn on the lamp. There were a dozen roses on her dresser. She couldn’t figure out how they had gotten there. But there was a note.
Megan, I am sorry. We do need to talk about this afternoon. I was confused. Can we have dinner tomorrow night?
She rolled over and looked away. It had been a long day for them both. So she closed her eyes and prayed the day would just end and start tomorrow new.
It was 5:30 and she still wasn’t there. Paul was starting to think they had really screwed things up. He went into his study and pulled out a bottle of scotch. Pouring a glass, he got to thinking.
He knew that she went to class because he had found an excuse to pass by her classes today. She had seen him one time but didn’t acknowledge him. He couldn’t believe he had screwed up this badly. It wasn’t that he was mad at her. He was mad at himself for what happened. Then her answer in the car had not been what he had hoped. She was more worried about him more than she had been about herself or them.
That’s why he had snuck the stuff in. The flowers had been a trick to sneak in, but it was actually fun. She was sleeping so soundly, he just wanted to watch her sleep. But he left the roses and note and then got out of there quickly.
It was three weeks before he had a chance to talk to her in public. He had received a phone call which gave him an excuse to pull her out of class. Mrs. Ladd went to get her. Paul had to contain the excitement of the news and seeing her up close again.
“Miss Downey is here, sir.” The secretary called over the intercom and then opened the door for Megan.
“Miss Downey, please come in.”
Once the door shut, he stepped forward. She was still near the door. He motioned her forwards, yet Megan stayed where she was.
“Sir, I have an essay to turn in to Mrs. Kizer, may I please return to class?”
“I received a phone call today. It was from the Yale Admissions office. You have been accepted to Yale.”
Megan was shocked. Yale was her dream and now she was being accepted “Are you sure, sir?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They stepped forward, towards each other. Then Paul put out his hand and she took it. Then Paul took her into his arms. “Congratulations, Megan.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her cheek. She looked down at the floor. “May I return to class?”
“Yes, but I would like to talk to you later.” He whispered the last part.
“Yes, sir.”
“Dinner tonight?”
“Yes, sir. I will be there at 5:30.”
He released her. Megan returned to class. Part of her was excited about Yale. That had been her dream for 10 years. Now it was coming true.
But part of her was upset about the changes lately. That hug felt so warm and inviting to her when Paul congratulated her. At the same time neither of them could answer the questions they needed answered.
It was 5:30 and she wasn’t there yet. He was beginning to think she had stood him up again. Then there was a knock at the door. Paul came to the backdoor and opened it. There she stood, still in her uniform. ‘Thank God.’ He thought.
“Hi.” She stepped in and he closed the door.
“I thought you were…”
“I was going to. But I figured you would just find another excuse to pull me out of class again.”
“Have a seat.” He motioned to the couch.
“I thought you said dinner.” She looked at the empty kitchen.
“I didn’t want to waste a good meal to be stood up again.” Paul raised his eye brow at her.
She sat down on the couch and he joined her. They were close enough to feel the heat, but at the same time it felt like they were separated by an invisible divide.
That was when Paul noticed she wasn’t wearing her bracelet. Since she had gotten it, Megan had not taken it off. Now her wrist was bare. It finally hit him as to the extent of the damage done.
“Congratulations on Yale.”
“Thank you.”
“I am sorry about that day.”
“We both were scared.” She acknowledged that fact.
“I could have told you how I felt.” He reached over and brushed back her hair. “You’re right. I was scared. But it’s not for the reason you think.”
“What then?”
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “I was scared of what your answer would have been.”
Megan looked at her hands. “I still don’t know what my answer would have been, Paul. I don’t believe in abortion. So my only option would have been for me to keep the baby and stay with you or leave after graduation.”
“I would have asked you to marry me.”
She looked up into his eyes. “What?”
“I would have asked you to marry me, Megan. Really, I would have.”
“Don’t say what you think I want to hear or just be saying something to be saying it.” Megan turned her back on him.
“I love you too much just to say something. I love you, Megan Downey.”
She got up and walked slowly towards the door. “I need to go.”
“Please, Megan, don’t leave me.” Paul pleaded with her.
“You were right, we need to cool it.” She continued to the door. She was doing everything she could not to loose it.
He rose and stepped towards the door and her. “I will never stand in your way.”
“And I will never cost you your career.” She turned back to him. “I love you too much to do that.” Megan stepped forward and kissed his cheek. “I need to go.”
Paul didn’t try to stop her. He couldn’t. If he loved her, he couldn’t stand in her way.
Finals came quickly and before they knew it graduation was there. Latham sat at his desk reviewing the last of the senior grades. His secretary brought him a message. “Will there be anything else?” She asked.
“Is there a problem with the graduates, Mrs. Ladd?”
“No, sir. Why do you ask?”
“I thought we had 220 graduates.”
“A few have chosen not to walk.”
“Who?”
“The Mallory twins, Shawn Carlyle and Megan Downey are a few of the ones that I can think of off the top of my head.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ladd, have a nice night.”
“You too, sir.”
So she was skipping graduation. “You really screwed things up this time Paul.” He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Paul saw here every time that he closed his eyes. Sometimes it was the last time they had talked. Sometimes it was the first time she had graced his office with her presence. Other times it was their trip to Millersville.
He wanted to go to her and say the words that hung on his lips. But he promised her he wouldn’t stand in her way. Opening his eyes, he looked out at the May sky.
Then Paul looked down at the quad below. Megan was walking along the path with two people that he recognized from pictures as her parents. They were talking and heading towards the main building. One last time to talk to her, he thought.
Latham rose and put on his jacket. He ran down the stairs to the second floor landing. He waited until they got to the door and continued down. They met in the lobby.
“Miss Downey.”
“Hello, Headmaster Latham. These are my parents, Kurt and Wendy Downey. I was giving them a tour of the campus, sir.”
The younger man extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“The same. Our daughter has spoken fondly of your help for her to get in to Yale.” Mr. Downey shook Paul’s hand.
Paul turned to Megan, “I heard that you are not walking, Miss Downey.”
“Yes, sir. I am going on a trip to Europe.”
“It’s a Yale scholar exchange. She is going to Cambridge for the summer. She has to be there in three days.”
“Congratulations, Miss Downey.”
“Thank you, sir.” Megan looked at the floor as she said this. She couldn’t look him in the eyes. “If you will excuse us, we must get to the airport by eight.”
“Of course.” He held out his hand to shake hers. She took it. They both felt that shock, but tried to keep if hidden from everyone, including themselves.
The summer was the most excruciating for Paul. He had taken some time off to go camping, skiing and do other physical activities that he liked. Keeping his activity levels up seemed to help keep his mind occupied. But at night, when he stopped to close his eyes, she was all he saw.
Finally, summer changed to fall and it was time for school to start. Paul threw himself into his work, but after registration week, he chose to take a drive into the country. It really relaxed him after a hectic week.
That evening he arrived home and put the car into the garage. He was halfway between the two buildings when he realized he smelled food cooking. Then he noticed the light on in the kitchen. Latham cautiously opened the door. The kitchen was lit and someone was cooking, but no one could be seen. “Hello?” He called out.
“Just a minute.” A bodiless voice called out. He knew the voice, but couldn’t believe it. That was until she stepped into view. “Hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Can’t a person surprise you?” Megan continued into the kitchen to finish stirring the food.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in New Haven or Europe?”
“Yes, sir. I am supposed to be.” She relied calmly. She had her back to him and he couldn’t see the grin on her face.
“Then why are you standing here?”
“Cooking for you.”
He laughed because it reminded him of that day in October when he had first questioned her. Then he walked over to the stove where she stood. “I mean, Miss Downey, why are you here at Anderson?”
She felt his hands on her shoulders. His thumbs went up and down her neck. “Instead of being at Yale?” She asked coy like.
“Yes.”
“It’s a surprise. I’ll explain while we eat.”
He looked over the dishes she was cooking. “This looks good. When did you learn to cook?”
“This summer. I actually like it.” Megan let Paul’s hands fall off her shoulders and she reached for two plates. “Go wash your hands and sit down.”
Paul did as he was told. She put his plate in front of him and then joined him at the table. He took a few bites and was amazed. “Oh my God. You couldn’t boil water three months ago.”
“I am a quick learner.” She was happy that he liked it. “I enrolled in a cooking class in London.”
“But you were supposed to be in Cambridge.”
“I was. Then I came to a decision.” She took a sip of her wine. “I always thought Yale was my dream. But once I got to Cambridge, I knew it wasn’t.”
“But you want to be an art historian.”
“I still do. But I don’t have to go to Yale. Especially since I want to also be a teacher.”
He dropped his fork. “A teacher?”
“Yes. Anderson could use a decent art program. With four years, I think you can find the funding for it.”
“But you need a degree and license.” He stared at her dumbfounded.
“I’ll have them by then.”
“How?”
“I’m enrolled in the college at Eureka. It has a good program for bother teachers and Art history.”
“I’m enrolled in the college at Eureka. It has a good program for bother teachers and Art history.”
“That’s only an hour away.”
“Yes, it is.” She took another bite of her dinner. “I even got permission to live off campus. My apartment is halfway between the two schools.”
He ate for a few minutes and was close to finishing when he finally asked. “Are you sure, Gorgeous?”
“Paul Latham, are you trying to run me off?”
“No.” He took her left hand. Then he noticed that she was wearing the heart bracelet again. He fingered it for a moment. “I told you I wouldn’t stand in your way.”
“Then get me an art program here, so I have a reason to stay with you.” She concentrated on him. “I do believe you are the one that asked me not to leave you.”
“How are your parents taking it?”
“They’re surprised. But by the time I tell them about us, they’ll be happy that I am with a man who is of the same class as them.” She said this with an air in her voice.
“Is that all I am?” He feigned being hurt by this comment.
“No. You’re the man I love.” She took another sip of her wine. “Now take me to bed. I’ve missed you.”
Paul didn’t argue, picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He laid his future wife on the bed and kissed her lovingly.
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