Thrive - Side 2
Rewind and Breakdown
It was in the afternoon and I really wanted to talk to Abby.
Wanna talk for a minute? I know you’re out with Miranda, but...
Instead of texting me back, she called me.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” she said with a smile.
“How’s your day been going so far?”
“Well...”
“What happened? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
I instantly began to worry without even hearing what she was going to say.
“Everything’s fine. I just had a breakdown after I picked her up this morning. That’s all.”
She brushed it off like it was nothing which bothered me.
“A breakdown’s a big deal. You and I both know that. What brought it on?”
“Alex...”
“Abby...”
Just tell me.
“Fine. It happened after I told Miranda she could listen to whatever she wanted. The Only Exception came on and it brought me to tears because that was the first song played in your car on that night.”
She was in tears.
“Oh my God.”
More tears fell.
“I’m sorry.”
“Out of all the things to apologize for... why this?”
“You’re the whole way in another country and I’m here being a fucking blubbering mess and there’s nothing either one of us can do about it.”
Before I could even react, she hung up on me. I ran a hand through my hair and began to pace. I wanted to physically comfort her, but I literally couldn’t do that and it sucked. That memory of us in my car that night she was raped flashed through my brain.
A few smiles and hugs later, I wrapped an arm around Abby’s waist and walked toward my car.
“Are you ready?” I asked as she laid her head against the headrest.
“Yeah.”
“Wanna listen to something?”
“Sure. Doesn’t matter what.” she said in a low tone.
“Ok.”
I put on one of her favorite songs from one of her favorite bands.
”... but darling, you are the only exception.”
“I love you.” she said.
“I love you, too.”
The trip was silent aside from the music echoing throughout the car.
Once I got my shit together, I texted her in hopes she would respond.
Talk to me. Please.
I sat down and waited. Luckily, she called me back.
“Thank goodness. You had me worried.”
“What a surprise.” she said sarcastically.
I sighed.
“You know what? I’ve never felt this much like a bitch in my entire life. I fucking hate it. I also hate still having to be on my happy pills because if I don’t, I risk hurting the baby.”
“Fuck. I need to be there.”
“I know. Just about three weeks and then, there’s my next appointment.”
“Where we’ll be able to find out whether we’re having a boy or a girl.”
She smiled.
“Yes. Still gunning for a girl.”
“Still gunning for a boy.”
I laughed.
“I love you.” she said.
“I love you, too. Are you gonna be good after I hang up?”
“Yeah. I will. Remember, before I had you as my rock, I had Miranda as mine.”
“Ok. Talk to ya tomorrow.”
“You too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
