PART THREE – BEING GROWN UP

Mark stood in front of the mirror and washed his face with cold water. He left the toilet. Tommy, sitting next to the toilet door in the corner of the café, spoke to Mark. Mark turned to Tommy. He pleased him to take a seat. Mark sat next to Tommy. He was afraid. PLEASE DON’T PUNCH MY FACE, was his thought. “I saw you how you talked to Christine. What about you talking with her ?”, asked Tommy. “Nothing special,” Mark answered to Tommy. “Seems not like “Nothing special”. Anyway, I need your help. I’m on a very thin line. She’s pregnant. I’m the father. She doesn’t want the child. But I want it. My father told me that it’s my duty to stay for my action. I was stupid and needed to handle the consequences. We’re just one year away from getting a bachelor’s degree. What do you think, Mark? Is it the right way ?” He was never that close to Tommy. He never accompanied him. He had other friends, but it was like Mark was the only person to keep having an intimate conversation with both these helpless souls.

“I really don’t know how to help you. But I understand Christine. She’s afraid that you will leave her in a few months after the birth. She has the hardest part to care about. Nine months, no parties, no career because she must break up her studies. She’s young and want to enjoy her youth as long as it is possible”, Mark said to Tommy.

” I would marry her. I would ask her to marry me. I would plead. She’s not the type of girl you left, Mark. Don’t see this as a joke. I know it sounds unbelievable. I’m 24 years old and on my way to being a father and husband. Eight years ago, I was in high school with my friends and bullied other students. I regret it. I was a stupid boy. Last year I started to study, write exams, move to the student residence and focus for the first time on the importance of taking responsibility. I was partying and drinking and flirting with girls. Now one is pregnant and I love her deeply. I would really like to spend with her the rest of my long life. Next year we have a one-year-old child. I go to work and the time when I had fun is over. I’ll be grown up. Sounds curious. The word grown up. The meaning of these words.” Mark looked at Tommy, a man on his way to start a family

” It’s at least her decision, Tommy. You can’t expect that she’s ready to be grown up. It’s fine that you are, but she needs to be it, too.” He got up from his chair and walked back to his table. Back to Jess. He passed Christine, who watched him and Tommy all the time.

“What about you talked with him ?”, she asked, excited. “He seems to see it seriously with you. It wasn’t a one-night stand. For him, it’s the start of a new chapter in his life. The question now is if it’s for you too.”, Mark said to Christine, and left her. She. The dream girl. He knew it was right. It was a hard step. But if he really loved her and wanted the best, then he knew that this step was necessary. To let her go.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, Jess’s best friend, entered the café. She saw her friend sad and alone sitting at a table but two cups were there. “Hey Jessy, what’s up ? Did you ask Mark ? Does he love you too ? Where is he, sister ?”