Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
NOAH
I had a great time at dinner with Allie last night.
Such a good time that I’m disappointed she only wants to be friends.
I guess I ruined my chances when I didn’t show any interest in her when we were kids.
But honestly, how could I have? When I was eighteen, she was only fifteen, and there’s no way that would have been right.
Of course, now probably isn’t the right time for us, either. I’m determined to go back to Chicago, and I don’t know what Allie wants. I don’t even know if she’s over her ex.
Somewhere around lunch time, I decide that being her friend is better than nothing. She’s sweet and kind-hearted—particularly regarding the kids at school. Her concern for Margie Flynn is admirable, especially being that she doesn’t even have Margie in class.
Speaking of the Flynn family, on my way out of the teacher’s lounge I run into Decan. “Hey, man, we missed you at practice yesterday,” I tell him. “You feeling better?”
“Hey, Coach,” he says distractedly. “I, um, wasn’t sick.”
“Is there anything going on that you want to talk about?” I ask him. I know from experience it’s hard to be a teenager and feel like you can open up to an adult about uncomfortable topics.
I’m convinced he’s going to say no, but then he surprises me. “Actually, I would like to talk.”
“Why don’t we go to my office?” I lead the way down the hall, through the gym and into my inner domain. Neither of us says a word until we get there.
Sitting down on a chair across from my desk, Decan announces, “My sister is pregnant.” He’s quick to clarify, “Margie, not Leah.”
“That’s rough,” I tell him. “How’s she doing?”
He snorts loudly. “Not great. She throws up a lot, and my parents are really mad at her.”
Even though I feel for Margie, I also see the other side of it. “It must be hard on your folks.”
“How do you figure?”
“Parents have dreams for their kids,” I tell him. “Those dreams don’t usually involve their children becoming parents before they’ve had a chance to grow up.”
With his elbows situated on the armrests of the chair, Decan teepees his hands in front of him. Resting his forehead on the peak of his fingers, he says, “I guess I can see that. But my mom and dad are being really mean. They want Margie to have an abortion.”
“What does Margie want?” I ask.
“She wants to keep the baby. My parents told her that if she does, she’ll have to leave home. They said they’re done raising kids and if Margie thinks she’s grown up enough to have one then she’s grown up enough to get a job and support it.”
While I understand the Flynns not wanting to raise another child, their reaction seems a bit harsh. “What about adoption?” I ask.
He looks up in surprise. “I don’t know. No one has talked about that. I’ll mention it to Margie when I get home.”
“I have a good friend who was adopted,” I tell him. “We were roommates in college.”
“Was he bothered by it?” Decan wants to know.
“Jake had great parents who loved him a lot,” I say. “But yeah, he always wondered why his birth parents gave him away. I suppose he had some abandonment issues because of it.”
“He was probably better off though,” Decan says. “You know, having parents who really wanted a baby versus having ones who didn’t.”
“What do you think Margie’s boyfriend would say to her putting their baby up for adoption.”
“Jordan doesn’t want anything to do with any of it.”
“Jordan Hollis?” I ask in surprise. He’s on the basketball team with Decan. Which might explain why the two have seemed at odds lately.
“Yeah. I like Jordan, or at least I did before this happened. Now I’m having a hard time even looking at him.”
“Do you know how his parents are handling things?” I ask. Trying to offer both perspectives, I tell him, “He may be having a hard time at home, too.”
“I doubt it.” Decan tells me, “His parents don’t even know about it yet. He wants Margie to have an abortion so they never find out. But I think it’s probably too late for that. Too many people know.”
“Are Jordan’s parents nice?” I don’t get to meet most of the players’ families until the season starts so I don’t know the Hollises yet.
Decan shrugs. “I guess. Mr. Hollis plays golf with my dad. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before that stops.” He adds, “I think my parents just want the problem to go away so they don’t have to be embarrassed. They want Margie to go to college and pretend this never happened.”
“What do you think she should do?” I ask, hoping to be the outlet for him to express his own feelings.
Decan slumps in his chair before answering, “No matter where you stand on abortion, it can’t be an easy decision to make. And honestly,” he adds, “I’m surprised my parents are so in favor it. They’ve been pretty judgmental in the past regarding people using it as birth control.”
“It’s easy to form an opinion about something before you or someone you love is faced with the same situation.”
“Yeah, I guess.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m really torn up about this. So is Leah. On one hand, I want Margie to have the life she thought she’d have. But it is her life, you know? If she wants to keep this kid, then shouldn’t she be able to do that?”
My head is spinning, trying to see everyone’s side of this. “Yes,” I tell him, “but your parents also have a right to feel the way they do, too.”
“When I become a dad,” Decan says, “I’m going to love my children no matter what. Everyone makes mistakes and I’m going to have their backs when they do.”
“You’re a good kid, Decan,” I tell him. “But remember the best way not to make sure this particular mistake doesn’t happen is to either practice safe sex or to simply abstain.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” he grunts. “The last thing I want to do is become a dad as a teenager.” Hopefully, other kids will learn that lesson, too. Especially if Margie comes back to school and decides to keep her baby.
“Will you be at practice tonight?” I ask Decan.
“Both Leah and I will be.” He hesitates for a beat before adding, “The strange thing is that Leah and I are getting closer because of this. I guess we’ve realized it’s important to have your family’s back.”
A slow smile crosses my face. “Are you saying you welcome your little sister on the court?”
“Maybe,” he admits. “But I’m still going to kick her butt.”
“Competition will make you both better players.” I’m glad Decan and Leah have basketball to help distract them from bigger issues.
Decan stands up before stretching his hand out in my direction. “Thanks for talking to me, Coach. I really appreciate it.” Then he turns and leaves.
One of the things I like most about teaching high school is being in a support position for kids. This is a hard age no matter what your circumstances.
It doesn’t matter if your family is rich, like the kids I taught in Chicago, middle class, or financially struggling and just barely getting by.
Everyone who traverses the road to adulthood faces challenges they don’t see coming.
Unfortunately, that’s just the beginning.
All we can hope for is that we get better navigating the challenges thrown our way.