Chapter 2: The road Trip with Aaron

It was Wednesday afternoon and Martin and Aaron were on their way to New York. They arrived there at about 3:30p.m. Martin rented a car at the airport strapped his six month old son into the car and was on his way to see his aunt. But it was only 4 o'clock and he knew that she worked until 6 o'clock during the week so he decided to go shop around a bit. The first place he went was into the sports store and was looking at some baseball items. Then they were walking down the street stopped at a corner he bent down to pick up his sons play keys that he dropped when a pretty blond women walked up next to him waiting for the light to change. Then he stood back up and was standing there waiting as well.

"Martin?"

"Yeah. Oh my god... Cecilia."

"Hey, I haven't seen you in so long. What are you doing in New York? All the way from California."

"Yeah. I just needed a break. You know just break free of everyone for a week or two. Just everyone wants to help me with everything and I need to do things for myself."

"Yeah. So, who's this little one? He's adorable. Babysitting?"

"Uh, no. He's um….my….son."

"What? You had a baby? You're eighteen. When did you? Who did you?" Cecilia just didn't know what to say.

"Yeah, I did. Six months ago."

"Wow. Where's his mother? Did you get married?"

"No I didn't. She's gone. And was only 21 years old."

"Wait she abandoned you and her son?"

"No. She unfortunately died in a car crash. Four months ago. Now it's just me and Aaron."

"I'm sorry, Martin. Hey do you want to go get some coffee and talk. Catch up. Unless you have somewhere to be?"

"No. I'd love to." He smiled at his ex-girlfriend.

"Great. You can tell me everything that's happened. Unless that's too hard for you?"

"No, it's okay."

Martin and Cecilia walked down the street to a Starbucks and with Aaron on his lap Martin started to tell his entire story of everything that happened with Sandy. As he came towards the end he started to tear up a bit.

"The thing is I was so horrible to her while she was pregnant. I mean I talked to her like a matter of two times for nine months then I just showed up at the hospital while pretty much being forced by the Camdens. But now I can't take that back. I wish I could. I was such an insensitive jerk. I mean I didn't think of her feelings or how to care for my son. So maybe god is giving back to me now that I have to do this on my own. I kind of feel like it's my punishment or something. But the thing is it's not just to me. It's to him too. He lost his mother at two months old. It just doesn't seem right, you know?" he said with tears coming down the side of his cheek.

"Martin, it's not a punishment. Not to you or your son. Okay, things just happen. You couldn't have prevented that. Sure you could have acted differently, but you're eighteen years old. You weren't ready. And to tell you the truth I think your still a really great guy. No matter how guilty you feel right now."

" That's just what Sandy said."

"Well, she was right. And I'm sure your son will grow up great just like his dad."

"Thanks Cecila. You really help you know that."

"Well I do what I can. Thanks. Well, I should get going but we should get together soon how long you here for?"

"A few weeks."

"Great. Call me okay?"

"You can count on it. It's really great actually. I could really use a friend to talk to right now."

"Any time. But you don't have anyone to talk to back home?"

"Well of course I do. I mean I have Mac. Not much of a serious guy but still."

"Well I'm always here. Talk to you later."

"Yeah."

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Martin and Aaron drove to his aunt's apartment. By that time they got there it was almost 7:00 p.m.When he reached his aunt's apartment he felt very nervous since he never told her about Aaron and he felt guilty about that fact. Especially after Sandy died. He knocked lightly at the door and a few seconds later his aunt appeared opening the door.

"Martin? Oh my god what are you doing here?"

She hugged Martin and then pulled out of the embrace.

"What? You got a babysitting job already? God Martin how long you been here?"

"No Actually this is...My...son."

His aunt just stood there in complete shock unable to say a word. Martin stood there with grin on his face and picked up his son out of his stroller.