This week we’d like you to write a fiction or creative non-fiction piece about a time someone crossed a line, legally or ethically. Explore the motivation of your character and possibly the consequences of his or her actions.
“You can’t believe it?” Mandi demanded. “What did you think we were going to do? Chat all night and do each others nails?”
Jake looked over at her as he finished getting dressed. “Mandi, I’m sorry. This should have never happened… I… I sort of have a girlfriend.”
“Well guess that’s why you murmured Becca in your sleep,” she replied as she stood up to gather her things. “So now what?”
Jake shrugged in response, “I guess we forget this night happened and move on.”
And that’s what they did. Mandi returned to school while Jake went back to the states. Both had set aside their night together and moved on.
——–
Jake’s phone buzzed in his pocket as he made his way through the crowds of people at the mall. “Hello,” he said without even bothering to look to see who it was.
“Jake?” A woman’s voice asked hesitantly.
“This is Jake,” he replied. “Who is this?”
“Mandi,” she said.
Jake paused for a moment remembering who she was and for a moment fear shot through him and he didn’t know what to say.
“Jake… I’m pregnant.”
“What?” he asked. “Why are you telling me this?”
She sighed, “because it’s your baby.”
He laughed. “Not possible,” he stopped walking and moved out of the way of the crowds. “Why are you trying to pin this on me?”
“I’m not,” she replied softly. “I haven’t slept with anyone in months other than you.”
Again Jake paused and cursed under his breath. “What are you going to do?”
“Keep it of course!”
“Mandi…. come on… think about this for a minute. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am very sure. Look Jake… I’m just letting you know because it’s the right thing to do but I’m not asking you to be part of this child’s life or mine.”
“This is going to ruin my life!”
Mandi’s voice rose, “Your life! You bastard! What about me?”
“I’m engaged and getting married this summer!”
“Well congratulations! While you’re on your honeymoon I’ll be as big as a house and getting ready to deliver your child!”
“Mandi, please… calm down. You sprang this on me! Give me some time to process it all. I’ll give you a call after the holidays, alright?” And with that he hung up as Becca made her way over to him.
She leaned into him and kissed him. “Everything alright? You look upset.”
He pulled her close as they headed out of the mall and said, “Yea, I’m fine. The crowds were getting to me.”
“Well, we’re done Christmas shopping so we won’t have to go back,” she told him with a smile.
Looking for more of Jake & Becca’s story? Click here!
