Luke was seated at the corner of the bar, with him, a Red Bull can and some alcohol.
I hated alcohol; I barely ever took a sip. It was something I saw no point in. So I just came in and sat right next to him after giving him some buddy greetings.
He was one of the men who loved greeting styles, the pop culture identity of course, he was a musician, so it should be common knowledge.
"How have you been?" I asked, as if it was something I hadn't asked before. Of course, he was fine. I just wanted him to give me his piece, and then I would leave. A lot already occupied my thoughts; regarding a job, regarding Kate..,. The chemist job brought me fifty to seventy dollars per month. I know it's not much, but for a student, I believed it was enough to sustain me for the short period of time here. However, the reason behind my thinking was that I knew I needed to find a more sustainable job for myself, especially with the current state of Kate. I needed her, I mean, I needed us to visit the clinic so I would be sure when the baby would be delivered, in order to prepare myself adequately for the perfect time.
"Is the baby yours?" Luke asked out of the blue. I just eyed him; he always said what was on his mind. He never cared how it would affect me or my relationship. If it were me in his position, asking me such a question, he would surely give me the wildest of looks, as if I wanted to take away his girlfriend from him.
"We did it," I stated briefly.
"You know, girls can hook you up because they see much of a future with you. By the way, when did you even find time to hook around? Your course is a little time-limited," he stated. He sometimes talked like a father, or simpler, like an older brother.
"I liked her before, you knew .I always told you about her. It just happened so fast, but I tried to slow it down a bit. But it seems it's mutual; she too enjoys my company," I stated, realizing maybe it was too fast. But that didn't matter to me; I honestly did want to take care of her, and I was more honest with my decisions at this point. I really wanted her for myself, and I was ready to spend my future with her.
"Okay," Luke stated as he poured himself a drink. He always did that when he contemplated things.
Luke and I had different tastes in women. Luke liked more churchy girls, lengthy dresses, a little submissive, just a little church-sectored. For me, I took much interest in the "bitchy" girls, if bitchy is a good word. I liked girls who were termed 'bad'. I liked them; wifing them was not something in the picture, but I liked such kind of women because they always had something in store for you. If it was sex, hell, they knew more than any other woman would. They always had something of surprise., in regard to the bed moment., ha, if that's best to describe.
I would die for an innocent girl with a classy and nonchalant attitude. An innocent girl who finds herself in crazy clubs and situations, like clubs with drinks and she ain't drinking, or better off, one who knows a lot of things in regard to sexual activities but has never actively engaged in the action. I believe there are those girls who seem really confident and knowledgeable, but in reality, they barely know the practicality of it all. It gives a sense of pride to a man, making an innocent classy girl bend over on her knees; it just feels beautiful.
Anyway, Luke and I chilled with not many talking points, except for me asking him how his music was going and questioning when he would come back to finish off his education... that is, medicine. He had deferred, meaning his position was still on hold by the school. However, from the looks of it, he barely even wanted or rather dared entertain the topic of going back to school. So, since I was in no mood for a drink, I just waved goodbye to him and headed outside, taking the nearest cab to my apartment, where Kate had already taken siege.
She had not yet started her pregnancy cravings, but she hated the smell of eggs in the morning, and nausea had been hitting her. I thought it was just normal, but since I was told the other day, I am resonating and coming to the best conclusion about all that. It was all because of this.
I headed up the stairs, opened my apartment door, and called out for her, with me some watermelon and bananas. Fruits help, I guess, I don't know, but it was something we learned in our lessons about women and their expectancy duration. However, she was not in, so I just placed my little bag on the couch and headed outside towards her room, which was quite near, as you all recall me remembering.
On arrival, I first listened, and it seemed she was inside with someone else, not sure who... so I just shrugged, after minutes of contemplation whether to knock or just give her some time to speak with her guest and then call her later, and request if I was to hang around at her place, or if she was down to coming to my place. So I knocked.
One, two... no response.
And then I knocked again, after the voices inside became silent, and I heard the door knob twitch as if the person inside was opening it... and in front came Kate. I don't know why, but every time I was just in sight of her, it seemed time just went silent, and all I could do was stare... I missed her... the only word my mind stated. So, I stared at her as she brought me into her arms and I hugged her back, and now I stated the word, loudly and in a mumble, "I missed you."
"I did not know you would come quite early," she stated, still blocking the door. And hell, I wish I knew how impatient I was to know who she was with inside. I was sure it was a guy; I heard it. And I hated being insecure like an idiot, but I don't know, I was starting to become insecure with her, even after knowing she is carrying the child, she mattered, maybe she mattered even more than the child, okay, they both mattered, but for now, my feelings were ingrained onto her, and how I would just make her really happy.
"My conversation with Luke was brief, and the chemist work ended so early. I was quite excited to see you, talk to you, talk to our baby, make some food for you, and maybe just be here," I stated as I smiled at her, after lightly touching her stomach. She was really attentive towards me, something I really appreciated about her. "Have you had supper?" I added, and she somehow nodded. It was like she did not want me to come in or something of that sort because she stood in the door, quite big. Then, as if reading my thoughts, she lightly welcomed me in.
"Funky was just leaving," she stated, even before I could remove my sneakers.
"Funky's here?"
"Yes," she stated, and hell, I almost cursed this day because I left just to work for her. What was Funky really trying? Why was he being a little bit extra? However, I just ignored it, closed the door after placing my shoes on the rack near the door, and entered. I found Funky sleeping very comfortably on the couch; any man would assume him to be the man of the house.
"Hey, dude," I stated as I sat on the next small couch.
Kate's house was a bit more furnished than mine; she had some expensive things. I assumed she either brought them from her home, bought them herself, or someone bought them for her. I had never asked her about her past; I felt knowing her past would maybe break my heart or somehow view her differently. I feared. All I knew, and it was just quite recently, was that she also lived in New York, on the northern side, and her grandparents lived in Michigan, where they headed during most holidays. We were still on the lengthy holiday, and I just hoped she was in no hurry to leave. However, much encompassed me, like how I would tell my mother that I had messed with a young girl. She would surely be mad at me.
If there was something she always stated, it was 'do not dare bring another child here,' and she was always serious about it, as if she would kill anyone who did that.