Cammie Healy - Jennifer Foor Page 0,24
something so important. This innocent life inside of me had nothing to do with his lies. The child was made because of my love for this man. Whether he felt the same for me, or was just trying to get into my pants was irrelevant. This was my decision.
Out of nowhere I sat up, everything becoming so clear. “You’re not in control of this situation, James. It’s my choice, my body, and more importantly my future. With or without you I’m having this baby, and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it.”
He stammered backward, unsure of what to say after my out-of-character announcement. “You’ll destroy me.”
I looked at the technician, who I knew didn’t need to hear our business. “Can you give us a second?”
She sat her apparatus down and exited the room abruptly. I didn’t wait for the door to fasten before giving James my full attention. “This isn’t up to you.”
“Cammie, you and I both know you’re not in any condition to raise a baby. You have years of school left, and no family here to support you. The timing is all wrong.” He waited a second before continuing with more lies. “Maybe if it were after my divorce.”
I laughed at his comment. “Your divorce? Seriously? You’re throwing that card now? You and I both know you’re too much of a coward to divorce your wife. This thing between us isn’t going anywhere. You’ve lied to me from the beginning. I don’t know you. Everything you say is bullshit! You’re right about one thing though.”
“What?” He interrupted.
“My family isn’t here to help me. They’re in North Carolina, where I suddenly feel like I need to be. Thinking we could be anything more than some perverted affair was my biggest mistake, but I won’t let this child suffer because of my actions. I’m having this child, and I’m going to raise it on my own.” I pointed to my belly. With eyes full of tears I let him have it.
“You can’t do this to me. You weren’t a perverted affair.”
“Oh cut it with the charm, James. I know about the other students. You think people don’t talk? There were rumors before you ever knew I existed. I was just too stupid to believe them. I saw the look in your wife’s eyes today. She was telling the truth. You’ve been with other girls. I’m not the first, and I probably won’t be your last. I was a fool to think this was special.”
“If you go through with this…”
I pointed to the door, not letting him finish his sentence. “I want you to go.”
“You can’t be serious. How will you get back to the dorm?”
“I’m a big girl. It’s time I stopped worrying about what others will think and do what’s best for me. I don’t need you to have this baby. I have all the love and support I need elsewhere.” I paused for a second to control my shaking. “I want you to leave.”
“You’re in the doctor’s office. I’m not abandoning you.”
“James, go home to your wife. Promise you won’t do it again. Tell her whatever it is you did the last time you decided to screw a student. She obviously forgave you before. I’m done with this conversation. I’ll find another ride home.”
I could tell he was thinking about over minding me. He was old enough to be my parent, which gave him some kind of authority complex, even though he was beneath me in many ways.
When he walked out the door I knew he wouldn’t be returning. He wouldn’t come to my dorm later and beg me for forgiveness. I knew the truth. This was all some game to him, and I’d been a victim.
I had my first sonogram alone. Since I was only about six weeks along there wasn’t much to see. I wasn’t even far enough long to hear a heartbeat. The proof of life was on the screen. A little peanut was inside of me and from that very moment it was pointed out I knew I’d do everything in my power to keep it safe.
It took me a while to get the courage to call for a ride back to the college. Jasmine wanted details, and I wasn’t in any condition to give them, but I refused to leave anything unsettled.
“Come on, Cammie. What happened?” She badgered.
“I’m leaving school, Jas. It’s over. It’s all over. I can’t be here anymore. My relationship was a lie. You were right about