You Left Me

Coral

Coral was finally on the plane to Amsterdam—so she could start her life again, so she could forget about Nikolai, so she could have her baby in peace then give him an expensive life which she planned on being able to afford soon.

She fell asleep on the plane. When she woke up, she stared at the dark sky telling herself not to cry. They were getting ready to land, so she buckled up her seatbelt and turned off her phone.

She grabbed her suitcase as soon as she saw it, then she started looking for her new roommate. He was standing by the elevator with a sign that said her name boldly.

Coral quickened her pace and when she got to him she tapped him. “Hey, I’m Coral, Morris’s friend.”

He turned around and looked at her. Man, was he hot! He had gorgeous, deep brown eyes and a beautiful facial structure.

“Are you done staring at me?” he asked, taking her suitcase and grinning from ear to ear.

“No.”

“I’m gay,” he said bluntly.

“Now I’m done.”

“Surely, my cousin must have described me to you. I have been waiting for half an hour now.”

“I’m sorry, I was looking for my bag.”

“Okay, you are forgiven. Follow me.”

“Is there any chance we can take the bus?”

“I have a car.”

“Great,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Wow, you are very excited,” he said sarcastically and started walking to the parking lot.

“I need to let you know that I am pregnant.”

“What? Why would Morris leave out such important information? I’m sorry—you have to go back. I can’t take care of you.”

“Are you serious?!”

“Of course not.” He opened the car door for her.

She muttered, “Idiot.”

***

“Welcome to my humble abode,” the guy—who she was yet to catch the name of—exclaimed as they reached a medium-sized, red brick house.

“Thanks. What’s your name?”

“My name is Landon. At your service, ma’am.”

“You are weird.”

“I get that a lot, ’cause my surname is weird.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“Weird, my name is Landon Weird.”

“Okay…” She trailed off. “By that, I mean get married and change your surname.”

“Whatever, hater.”

Landon unlocked the door and she smiled. She could see herself growing a beautiful family in this beautiful house.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

“Come in.”

Coral walked into the house, the door closing behind her. The smell of roses mixed with a slight hint of fried chicken hit her nose. Landon carried her suitcase upstairs, then came back down.

“Sit, make yourself at home mi casa es tu casa.”

“Gracias.”

“De nada. Are you Spanish?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t have an accent.”

“Trust me, I’m just trying to keep up,” she said with a heavy Spanish accent.

“There it is. Now for my rules: don’t break my stuff unless you are angry with me, stay out of my protein bars, my energy bars, low-fat bars, and my drinking bar for at least nine months.

“Do not barge into my room because I might be doing something that will scar you for life, no sulking this is a happy zone, do not ruin it with pregnancy hormones.

“Ask before using my stuff and eat every meal I offer in order to keep your baby safe, am I clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Now how far along are you?”

“Two months.”

“Okay, then we will take you for a baby scanning thing tomorrow.”

“You mean an ultrasound, right?”

“Yeah, that. Go freshen up. Your room is the one I left open. Do me a favor and come down for dinner by nine o’clock.”

“Okay.”

Coral went up the stairs then stripped down to nothing. She took a quick shower then threw on some comfortable clothes.

***

“I’m nervous,” Landon said, shaking in his seat, moving his fingers around nervously, and gnawing on his lip.

“Why are you nervous? It’s my ultrasound.”

“I know. It’s just that it’s so surreal, you know—I never thought I would be in this kind of hospital waiting room.”

Coral bumped his shoulders. “I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“No, I have aichmophobia which means fear of sharp objects, ergo that needle she is holding, I am going to faint.”

“Landon relax. It will soon be my turn.”

And just as she predicted, her name was called out next. She and Landon entered the room; it had white walls, a monitor, a bed, and it was a bit chilly

“Okay, your name is Coral Carter, right?”

“That’s me.”

“Good. Now lie on the bed and pull your shirt up so we can start the scan.” Coral did what she was asked, then she started waiting patiently.

“How far along are you?”

“Two months.”

“That’s good.” She used her glove-clad hands to feel around Coral’s stomach.

“Do you exercise, Coral?”

“No.”

“Okay, what about dieting—do you have a diet that you stick to? Are you vegetarian?”

“No, I eat everything.”

The nurse spread a cold, clear gel on Coral’s stomach, making her flinch.

“Is it cold?”

“Yeah, a little.”

She started scanning over the baby. “You see that little spot over there?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, that’s your baby.”

“Wow, it’s so tiny.”

“I know. Would you like a picture?”

“Yes, please.”

The nurse handed her a tissue to clean off the gel, then walked out.

Seeing the little life that was growing inside her made her want to cry for Nikolai—he was going to miss the years of his child’s life.

Sure, it was his fault, but it would really break her heart. Maybe she ought to call him and tell him maybe. Then he’d take her back.

“Coral, I got the picture, babe. Let’s head back home.”

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