"Thank you everybody, have a great night!" I say, then ducking behind the curtains as the crowd cheered one last time.

Whew.

Another night done.

Now one more night before I get Megan back.

"Shapiro! Good show man!" A set guy barked at me, smiling.

"Thanks."

"Don't forget about the meet and greet in the red room!" He instantly reminded me.

Can't I at least get a drink? Maybe breathe?

"Yeah, I know." I said, trying not to let my exhaustion show.

You try doing shows in 3 cities without a day of rest you planned. My STUPID managers forgot to mention the part that the days I was supposed to be resting were never discussed with the scheduling people.

So I have been run ragged anyway.

I haven't spoken to my "Management Team" since the day of the first show when I found out about the compressed schedule, and the extra show per night.

Don't really want to either. I yelled at them for about 45 minutes, saying it was a breach of contract and I could have a legal case to sue. They didn't really fight that.

I've talked to the Deka people, the only ones that really matter and I'm firing them all.

The whole "Team".

The only people's opinions who matter really are mine and Deka, since they finance the operation. I own the tour and ideas, and I hired the buffoons, so I am firing them.

But until then, I keep smiling.

I'm actually not that mad. The tour has gone great. Full rooms on every stop, tons of autographs, which is a new thing and I'm going home 3 full days early.

3 days I could have used to rest, but what's done is done now. I did the shows on less rest, and got more money that I was expecting when I embarked.

So in that way it was a success.

Just keep smiling. And ask the bartender for a drink at some point.

I open the door to a pretty lively room. The first people I see react and say hello.

"Hi." I shake the woman's hand, then her husband's.

"You're the guy on stage right?' She asked.

"Yes Ma'am."

"You did wonderful son. That was some of the best standup comedy I've seen in person. Have you ever considered New York or Las Vegas?" He asked me, clapping my shoulder.

I hate it when people that aren't my parents do that. Maybe Beck and Andre, but anybody else is a no.

"Thank you sir. Have you seen Vegas or New York comedy?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Yes I have, and I have to say your act would have fit perfectly. Would have been better than some famous acts I might add too." He said pompously.

"Ahh. Well I appreciate the compliment. I haven't really gone too far from California, but I've just started, so there's time." I said.

"Sure, sure. Where do you live?" The wife asked.

"Los Angeles."

"Oh!" The man said, out of shock.

Yeah, Sacramento people think LA is just soooo far away. It's like traveling across the country.

Gimme a break. I drove my own car here.

"That's so far!" The wife said.

"Not really." I said calmly.

"How'd you get here? Bus?" The man asked

"Nah, drove."

They both exchanged looks of shock.

"You have quite the dedication Mr. Shapiro, I'm sure we'll here of you someday." He said, shaking my hand.

And then they were gone.

Such an abrupt end to a conversation.

I turned again and this time I had a couple of college aged kids come to me. This time, it was pictures.

They at least had some good conversation. I was younger than all but one of them. They joked that college wasn't the way to go.

Jury's out on that.

Then I got all the way to the bar, where I got a coke with Blue Bird Pear.

Don't tell me your retort about it being a girly drink. I don't care. It's actually good, if you get past the name.

I talked to a few more people, one engaged couple who seemed tipsy and a single blonde with heels.

To be honest she came onto me strong. Too strong for my liking. Why wear heels to standup.

Golddigging bitch. Go away.

I have a girlfriend.

Finally, she gave me a scrap of paper and walked away.

That's not happening.

She's old school. Usually I get asked for my phone. Paper? Really lad—

Somebody just tapped my shoulder, hold on.

Cat?!

"Cat!" I say, surprised to see her also in a dress but with nice flats.

"Hey! How are you?" She gushed.

"I'm…I'm great! Why are you here?"

"I'm doing great too! I was afraid you were gonna leave. I lost your number by the way. Can I have it back?" She rambled.

"Yeah, sure in a sec. But why are you here? This isn't in LA."

"I wanted to see you! And I need to get your number and talk to you!" She said, looking right at me.

"Ok. When do you wanna talk to me?"

"Now if that's at all possible." She said seriously.

I freeze.

That doesn't sound like Cat.

"Ok, I know there's a balcony up a few floors. Is that ok?" I asked.

"Yeah!" She smiled and replied.

"Great, let me just run into the other room and I'll meet you at the elevators ok?" I said, already shading towards the door.

"Sure!" She chimed.

I turn and calmly walked out.

WHY IS SHE HERE?

Did she see the show?

She looks great.

ROBBIE!

You. Aren't. That. Guy.

I don't like her. I was almost disappointed in seeing her.

I had put myself in the mindset that I never would see her again.

And sure she lost my number. Suuuure you did little kitty cat.

I don't get her.

I grab my jacket from behind the stage and put my drink down so I can put it on, then scoop it up again.

Then I go to the elevator, where Cat is loyally waiting.

I swallow down a thousand questions as I smile at her as she presses the up arrow.

A moment later, the doors open.

Cat presses the button for the 19th floor and stands back.

"19?" I ask.

"I asked the bartender." She said.

Then I notice the drink she's also carrying.

How did she lose my number if she texted me?

I completely forgot she texted me. I don't think I texted her back.

I just got caught up in life. It's not like I have oodles an oodles of spare time on my hands. Between Megan, the tour, work and all my other friends she got booted back to the recesses of my mind.

Where she's been for the last few months.

The doors open and we both step out.

There are signs on the walls, saying the balcony is down the hall.

And so we walk down the hall, in silence.

I glance over at her and she seems to be in her own little Cat World.

Finally, we reach a room and a door, where it's obvious that a gigantic and lighted balcony is outside.

I hit the lights as Cat opens the door.

I soon follow her and the second I step outside the cold air hits me.

Cat looks like she's freezing.

"Want my jacket?" I asked.

"No, I have one, but I forgot it." She deflected.

I took mine off and extended it to her. She snatched it up immediately.

I smirked and she smiled shyly.

"So what's up?" I asked.

"I need to talk to you. Didn't you get my text?" She asked right back.

"Yeah, question. How'd you text me if you lost my number?"

"I had to ask Beck for it when I saw him recently. Then I stupidly forgot to put it in my phone." She harshly replied, taking me aback by her self-criticalness.

"Oh. When'd you lose it?" I asked as she motioned for me to give her my phone.

I forked it over.

"I forget, around April. I didn't notice until I needed to text you…" She said, concentrating on my phone.

Little does she know how vicious a back handed compliment that was.

I make a non-committal noise, then we're silent until she hands me my phone back, then gets absorbed in her own phone briefly, typing rapidly.

"There. Got it. Thank you." She said, seeming sincere.

"No problem. Now what's up?" I asked.

She immediately started to pace. "Not much, been really busy with stuff. How about you?"

"Yeah. Pretty much the same."

"Is that why you didn't answer? Because the read report popped up before I accidentally deleted the conversation."

"I just got busy. Sorry." I said, looking out onto nighttime Sacramento.

It's actually kind of pretty.

"It's ok. I just need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"I, umm…I'm going to need your help."

"With what?" I asked.

She looked away from me and out to the skyline as well.

Just as I open my mouth to repeat myself, she looked back to me, a different look in her eye.

"I'm pregnant."

Oh, that's nothi…

…

…

"Say that again?" I say quietly.

"I said I'm pregnant Robbie." She said, not batting a eyelash.

…

Oh.

My.

God.

"You're pregnant?" I asked one more time, not quite believing it.

In the seconds long pause between my question and her answer, I realize how much bigger I am than her.

She sort of looks like a tinker toy.

Kind of.

"Yeah." She replied.

I take a deep breath, then a swig of my drink, then run my hand thru my hair.

"You're pregnant…"

She looked anxious for me to say more.

"Sorry, this is just out of the blue…" I mutter, then turn to lean on the balcony.

"It's ok." She said calmly, smiling sweetly at me.

I let out another monster sigh and take another drink.

Cat's pregnant.

"How do you know?"

"The doctor said so." She chimed immediately.

"No, but why'd you go to the doctor? Or was this totally a luck thing?" I asked bluntly.

She looked a little taken aback but answered anyway.

"No, I knew something was happening. So I went to the doctor."

"Hmm. I assume the father is your boyfriend?" I ask.

That'll speed things up.

"Umm, well yeah, but that's also why I need to talk to you."

"Isn't that because you're pregnant?" I ask.

She tensed up again and said "Kinda."

"Ok. So what else is up?"

"Uhm…he…" She began, but cleared her throat.

"Jordan doesn't want a baby."

"That's a big problem girl." I state the obvious.

"I know. I'm keeping it."

"Good." I smiled, turning to see relief flood her face. "You'll be a great mom."

"Thanks. But Jordan…still doesn't want it." She said mournfully.

"That's his problem. He's the father." I said.

"I know…but he…left."

I couldn't have just heard that.

"Did you say he…left you?" I ask, jaw dropping as I said the words.

What kind of a monster does that?

She nodded, tears flooding her eyes.

I quickly pull her into a hug. "Cat…I'm so so sorry sweetheart. Oh my gosh…A baby."

She let out some sound but clung to me.

"Are you ok?" I asked, immediately chastising myself for asking such a stupid question.

"I'm…really happy but really sad." She said, not sounding happy.

"About your boyfriend?"

"Ex boyfriend. But yeah."

I sighed but hugged her again.

"What do you want to do about him?" I asked, as she separated from me.

"I don't know. I'm just letting everybody know the news and contacting you guys from school."

Which you let slip by the wayside.

Easy Robbie…this is bigger than you.

A baby.

A small human.

Inside Cat this very moment.

And the father left her because he didn't want to be a Dad.

I'm assuming. But it wouldn't shock me.

"Ok. So have you talked to everyone?" I asked gently.

She nodded. "You're the last one. That's why I initially texted you. I was going to ask you to lunch and tell you. But you didn't reply and I had to search for you."

Oh god…

"That must have been terrible. I'm sorry." I groan.

"It's fine. Wasn't hard. Just went to and found out you weren't in town. So I came here."

"But still…"

"Don't worry about it." She brushed me off with a wave and a smile.

"So what's your plan? Do you need my help?" I asked.

"Yeah, I asked everybody to help. I don't know how exactly, but I'm sure I'll need everyone." She said, glancing out again.

"I assume Tori is still in the dark?"

"As blind as a bat." She replied, half smiling at the end.

"Well I'm here for you girl. I'll run it by Megan but I can't see her having a problem." I say.

She suddenly turned to face me. "Megan?"

"Yeah, my girlfriend. You met her." I say.

"I didn't know you guys were dating."

"Yep. Nine months next Thursday." I say happily.

"Congratulations." She said, smiling again.

"Thanks…but she won't see a problem. I'm sure of it. I'll be there when you need me. Promise."

She came in for another hug, then separated.

"I better let you get back to your adoring fans. But thank you Robbie."

"Of course Cat…congrats." I smiled at her.

Another abrupt ending.

"Thank you. It was great seeing you."

"Same to you."

"Bye." She waved.

I waved back, and then she disappeared.

I walked back over to the balcony and slumped over the railing.

This changes everything.

Cat's single and pregnant.

Looks like this is sort of a group reunion.

What about this Jordan guy, Cat's ex-boyfriend.

Turned Baby Daddy and turncoat.

Benedict Armold.

Full blown traitor.

Can I punch him like I punch the guy she slept with at prom?

I remember seeing him in the parking lot a few days afterward. Cat had admitted what happened, and that he dumped her.

I didn't bother introducing myself. My fist did that for me.

I blink and see a couple dressed in a suit and tie about 10 feet away.

I raise to my full height, and the man spoke up.

"You ok? You look defeated."

"I'm fine, thank you." I say, then move inside.

I get to the elevator before wondering where my jacket is.

Cat was wearing it.

And absent mindedly walked off with it.

That's just going to make this even more difficult.