Wendy's apartment was a nice little place once she fixed it up. It was just going to be her, Jules, Leslie, Alec, Kirbo, and Kevin having a few drinks and unwinding. Wendy would remain sober in case a driver was needed. She tended to plan more and more of these private after-dinner parties now that her Billy was in New York. She'd been lonlier than before. Every day one of the other 5 would visit everyday, and she'd go out and try to meet people, but somewhere in the pit of her chest, her heart felt a little hollower. For tonight's party, she even found a stereo for records and tapes. Alec would be bringing a few of his Springsteen and Jackson albums over.
Within 30 minutes of setting the last things in place, everyone had arrived. Alec was already drinking a can of beer and playing Billie Jean. Kevin sat on the couch chatting with Jules. Kirbo was dancing like a fool after downing three shots and making everyone laugh. Wendy was playing hostess and offering microwaved hors d'oeuvres to her guests. The only one who seemed quiet and withdrawn was Leslie, who looked pale and seemed to be constantly clutching her stomach as if she were sick. No one really seemed to notice for a few hours. Leslie stood by the stereo, rubbing her stomach and standing aside. Alec finally noted Leslie's lack of enthusiasm and poured a shot for her. If he knew Leslie, a single shot would bring her right into the fun with the rest of them.
Alec crossed the room and looked at her. Something about her seemed different. She looked tranquil, yet her eyes looked distressed. Alec held out the glass. "Hey."
Leslie almost looked hurt to look Alec in the face. Was it him? "Hey" was her reply. Alec held up the glass again.
"Here, it's a scotch," he offered. Leslie looked at the glass blankly. She reached out a hand, but seemed to actually have a second thought and retracted her hand.
"No, I'm not feeling up to one, thanks, Alec," she said, looking at her feet. Alec was shocked. Had Leslie EVER felt like rejecting a shot of booze?
"You feeling alright?" asked Alec. Leslie nodded.
"I'm feeling okay, thanks!" said Leslie. Alec nodded warily, and walked away. That really was strange, but Alec didn't want to pry. Maybe she was getting sick again? She had been woozy for a while last week. Alec joined Kevin and Jules on the couch. Leslie sighed and leaned back into the wall and patted her stomach again.
Meanwhile, another Jackson "Beat It" began playing. Kirbo suddenly laughed and went to Jules, begging for her to teach him the moonwalk. Wendy laughed and asked to learn too. Jules, who'd also had one too many shots at that point snorted and got up.
"We gotta clear the floor first!" she said, depsite the fact she was in a fairly open space. No one moved. Kirbo stood on her left, Wendy was on her right. Just as she got the beat, she started sliding backwards until she hit the wall. Alec shook his head and Wendy clapped. Kirbo tried to immitate her style, but instead he looked like he was walking with his head on backwards.
"No Kirbo! Don't pick up your feet!" insisted Jules. Wnedy tried, but couldn't do it either. After one attempt, Wendy sat down on the sofa, but Kirbo wouldn't quit until he got it right. Even Leslie cracked a smile for a minute. Soon enough, the record finished playing and no one got up to restart it, so the moonwalk lesson was over, and the conversations started up. Wendy got up to make mugs of coffee (she may have been the designated driver, but she wasn't about to drive with Kirbo and Jules hanging off her neck). Meanwhile, Alec had sat down next to Kevin. He glanced at Leslie.
"She hasn't talked to anyone all night," informed Alec, who'd been keeping an eye on her from across the room all night. Kevin looked over at Leslie.
"Oh, Les?" Kevin frowned. So, he wasn't the only one who noticed her strange behavior.
"I think she's coming down with something," Alec said. "She looks like she's going to ralph." Alec looked at his once fiancee (well…almost). Alec secretly wanted a second chance with Leslie, and had wanted a chance ever since that day at Jules' apartment. For awhile, he'd been blowing off steam and cursed everything (even love, like Kevin would have). But there was something about the way Leslie smiled when Kirbo announced that Jules and Billy were laughing after Jules tried to kill herself. He understood how afterwards, she said she needed a break from relationships. But Alec still had the red nightgown (Leslie had purposely forgotten it when she packed up) he'd bought her sitting in it's normal place in the dresser drawer. He sometimes took it out and ran his fingers around the lace, then he'd quickly stow it away before the bad ememories came back. He wasn't going to ask Leslie to come around. He knew she could think perfectly well on her own. She knew what was best for herself. Still, Alec missed having someone nestled under the crook of his arm in bed.
Leslie noticed Alec looking at her, then turning to talk to Kevin. What was he saying about her? Leslie sighed and fingered a Police album cover. Alec would be such a good father. So organized and such a good example of stride and determination for the future. Kevin gave her a look too. Kevin was so sympathetic, so loyal and understanding. He could be a great father too. Leslie felt her head begin to spin. She realized that she couldn't choose which one it was. If she told either of them of her condition, one would be a father, and one would be alone and disappointed. Alec didn't know that Leslie knew he wanted her back! Alec had called twice to tell her that she'd forgotten a pair of shoes, then a picture frame, then a pillowcase. Leslie had purposely left behind the red nightdress, and Alec had never called about picking that up. That little detail, overlooked by everyone else, had stuck in the back of Leslie's mind. It was proof Alec wasn't completely through with her yet. But Leslie didn't think anything could work out between them. It would only end up like last time.
Alec got up from the sofa. "I need to pee, be right back," he said. Kevin nodded and sat back, keeping leslie in his gaze. Why was it every time he looked at her, Leslie's words echoed in his ear: "Sex isn't love…sex isn't love…" He loved her. What else was there to know?
Leslie felt her headache merge with her queasiness right in her chest, and she suddenly realized she couldn't bring herself to tell either men about their potential fatherhood. Instead she got up and quickly went onto the porch and sat down with her head in her hands. Kevin instinctly got up and follwed her. He sat beside her and shut the door.
"What's wrong, Les?" asked Kevin.
Oh great. Of all people, it was Kevin who'd pursued her outside.
"Leave me alone, please," requested Leslie. Kevin realized whatever was wrong, she wasn't going to talk to him. Maybe she'd talk to Alec…
Leslie waited until the door had shut to burst out crying. She didn't realize she'd been thinking out loud, but she was now.
"Oh god, what am I gonna fucking do? I need help! I can't do it! I just can't!" Leslie began muttering to herself. A buzzing noise began ringing in her ears. She had hoped to keep face and possibly tell Wendy once everyone else was gone. But she couldn't keep face anymore. She didn't even hear the door open again quietly behind her. "I can't tell either of them I'm pregnant! What'll they say? What'll happen if either of them find out I could be having their child?!"
Alec couldn't have heard correctly. No, Leslie was definitley sober. But, what had she just said? Not the words…PREGNANT and…and CHILD? Right? Alec shook his head and looked down at Leslie, who didn't know he was standing in the doorway. Alec couldn't believe it. Leslie was knocked up.
Alec turned to go home. He needed to get some sleep. As he brushed by Kevin as he walked at the door, Kevin grabbed Alec's arm.
"What is it?" he asked.
Alec was very blunt, although a definite shakiness of worry was in his voice. "Leslie's pregnant." Alec then pulled free of Kevin's grip and walked out of the apartment. Kevin looked at Leslie moaning outside. His heart leapt in sadness and sympathy for the poor girl. Kevin looked down at his left hand, which held a small shot glass with an ounce at most of vodka.
It was shaking.