Chapter Eight

Randy stepped off the plane and into the airport. He hadn't brought anything with him so he didn't need to go to collect his bags. Instead he made his way outside to grab a cab. On the way to Jessica's house he thought about what he was going to say to her. He hadn't really thought about it since Eddie had come to his door. He just knew he had to see her.

The cab pulled up outside Jessica's a while later and Randy paid his fare and stepped out. He walked slowly up to the door. He was so nervous about knocking on the door. He wasn't sure what kind of reception he was going to get. His worse fear was Jessica's mom and sister. He knew that Jesse's mom might be mad, maybe even disappointed in him for what he had done. Katie scared him more than anything, more than Dave even. She was handy with a bat or so he had heard. He took a breath and knocked.

Jessica heard the door and got up. She looked out of the window but couldn't see who was standing there. She shrugged and opened it. Her smile disappeared and she just stared. Randy looked nervously at her and smiled. He didn't know if that was a good thing but he didn't know what else to do. After what seemed like an eternity Jessica stepped aside and walked away leaving the door open. Randy figured it was an open invitation to go inside. So he stepped into the hall and closed the door.

Jessica was sat on the couch when he walked in. He cleared his throat and thought about what he was going to say. But his thoughts were interrupted by Jessica's voice.

"If you want to talk, we better go upstairs. My sisters will be home soon. They don't know yet."

She stood up and walked up to her room. Randy nodded and followed her. She walked into her bedroom and sat down on her bed. Randy walked into the room and closed the door.

"Sit down." Jessica said nodding at the chair by her dresser.

Randy sat down and sighed. It was now or never.

"Look, Jessica I'm sorry. I really am. I, I just don't know what came over me. I panicked when you told me and I realise now I didn't act in a way I should have or that you would have expect of me. I'm sure I hurt your feelings but I am sorry."

"Yeah, you did hurt my feelings Randy. You acted like a total jackass. Which isn't surprising seeing as it is you we're talking about."

Randy looked at Jessica and frowned.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"You have to understand I asked you if the baby was mine because I don't know you. I don't know you at all. I thought I did. I was wrong. You have to understand what went through my mind. I mean, you came to Dave's and all I knew about you was all the childhood stuff and the problems with Dave. I didn't know anything else. Look, this is my point of view on this whole thing. I freaked. You were the first girl who has ever told me she's pregnant. That might shock you but it's true. My first thought was, What if she was already pregnant and she's trying to pin it on me. I have money. I realise now I was wrong to think that. I'm sorry."

"Yeah, you keep saying sorry. Randy, I was just as scared of you. How do you think I felt. I'm just 18 for god sake."

"I know. I understand that. But baby listen, you and I both know I acted out of line. Please just let me fix it. I didn't know you hadn't been with anyone else before. I'm not psychic."

"And I wasn't impregnated by God. I'm not carrying the next baby Jesus Randy I'm carrying YOUR baby."

Randy smirked and tried to might light the situation.

"Well, you were impregnated by A God."

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"Shut up Randy. I can see now you are not ready for a baby. You're not father material. I can do this by myself, Dave is here for me and if I need him so is Eddie. I have people. Amanda, she'll help me too. Just go back, be single and baby free. Continue to live out your "God" Stage."

"Jesse, I want to be a father. I made this baby. I'm here now aren't I?"

"And what do you want for that? A fucking medal?"

"I don't know what else I can do or say to make you realise I'm sorry. I want to help Jessica."

Jessica looked into his eyes, just to see how genuine he was being. She couldn't read his feelings though. She smiled now.

"This is a picture of the baby. Take it and keep it. Tell people you have a baby. I don't know. Just don't force yourself to be a father. I know you don't want it."

"Jessica, please I do want it."

"Randy, go please. Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be. I'll be fine. You can see the baby when it's born."

"Jess.."

"Go Randy."

Randy didn't want to distress Jessica anymore. He didn't want her to be stressed. He nodded, stood up and left.

Jessica heard the front door close. She looked out the window and saw Randy walking down the drive. Her eyes blurred and tears slipped out.

If only she could have seen Randy's eyes. Randy's tears. Maybe then she would have believed he really wanted to be apart of her and their baby's life.