CHAPTER 42: THEN

"Dude, let's head to the bay," I stated, and Luke just stared at me. "She's had some contractions; I think she's in labor," I added, trying so hard not to stutter.

This thought came after all the drama of tears and everything. I thank God Luke was here; I don't know what I would do if he weren't. I would for sure go mad.

"Okay, (scratctching his head) but I think you should first think this through" he answered, but I rushed to take my small bag, whch in it I would carry everything that would sustain me for the drive and stay. In addition, I just ignored his statement that I should think this through. This was not something to think through, it was something to act on mercilessly.

 "What do you think we should buy her?" I asked, hope filling my eyes; assuming the look of frabergust and fear that Luke was giving me. He sure was regretting this; coming here without knowing my state. I was completely crazy. I did know I was, but what else am I supposed to do? I had no available options, other than to step on the acceleration pedal, put in the gas, and head to where Kate was. Even her mother could not stop me at that. She can't.

 "Dude..." he started, but I just shushed him as I pulled him,by his hand, towards the door so that we can leave. And then I remembered he had already bought himself a car.

"Your car," I told him, punching the air in excitement, as now we already have a machine. Gas money was no issue but he seemed astonished about my countless reactions, I did not care tho' "You don't have a gig, I believe," I added as I closed the apartment door and he already heading for the stairs.

He however, barely spoke to me through the stairs. However, he let me hop in the driver's seat right when we arrived onto the car, and he into the passenger's. His car was a well-composed Honda Civic, and there was me who still had no car, just some bicycle I bought a while ago. Don't judge me; my mom needed to take care of other things rather than buying me a car. Though for my sister, I needed her to have one; I shall actually buy her one.

Well, as I started the car, Luke just stated, "Dude, it's a long way, man." Of course, I knew it was a long way, a really long one. So, I took my phone and called the mother. The number that had previously called, and after two rings, she answered;

"Yes."

"Hello, Mom, it's Hayzen," I stated, as I heard her sigh as if in frustration.

"What, young man?"

"Where are you? Please tell me." But she hung up on me before even answering, and my thoughts instantly decided to locate the caller ID. But Luke just stopped me. I knew I was defeated.

"Dude, she's gonna be fine; she's with her parents," he stated, and I just looked at him as I switched off the car engine. I did not know what to do anymore.

"She's gonna be okay, right?" I asked him, seeking clarification, and he nodded towards me.

"Let's head out for some drinks," Luke suggested.

"No, I just wanna stay in," I stated, and he just looked at me, as if contemplating on what really was happening in my mind at the moment.

Deeply, I wanted to see Kate. Deceptively, I just wanted to mask everything I was feeling.

In the past, I never really wanted Luke to see my vulnerable side, but this time, despite how much I would have wanted to mask them, they were just too much for me to deal with.

"How's medicine?" Luke asked, trying to at least shift the conversation.

"Nice," I stated, then added, "I'm sorry, man, I didn't wish you to be in this mess."

He just nodded, and as if in deep thought, stated, "I think you should see Kate though it would be sad for her to know you did not even fight for her."

Those words tore me, and this made me now, look at the location of the phone call I had dialed. It led straight to...

"What??" I exclaimed.

"What's up?" Luke questioned.

"The guys are here, man; I think they are in the school hospital," I stated, wondering why Melissa would have chosen to lie to me like that. "Dude..." and with that, I started the car as I heard Luke try to tell me not to drive fast as the car was new and all that.

After about ten minutes, we arrived at the school gates and then entered the hospital's parking area. I didn't even have time to listen to Luke, who was yelling about how fast I drove the car. I just left him inside the car, as I quickly opened it and ran straight into the reception.

I knew this hospital like the back of my hand; this was where all our medical practicals occurred.

"Rachael, please, get me inside," I pleaded with the receptionist.

"And who are you looking for?" she asked.

"Katerina," I stated, scratching my head, trying to remember what last name she had used. She had told me various names.

"Catherine McDavie?"

"Yes," I stated.

"She's in the ward. Her parents have restricted me from letting anyone see her."

"What?" I questioned.

"Yeah."

"Can you do me this favor, please," I asked, as thoughts of bribing her with some cash crossed my mind.

"No," she shook her head.

"C'mon," I said, making puppy eyes. I didn't know if any of this was working. "You know me better. I mean no harm to her."

"Okay, just take two minutes. Only three friends are allowed, and I don't see you on the list," she stated. Of course, she knew my name, Hayzen, the best student according to Doctor Kingstone, my chemist boss. However, she did not know my private life and relationship. I wish she knew I was more to Kate than just friends.

"Thanks, thanks," I stated as I realized I came without anything to offer Kate. Not even flowers. "God, I'm a screw-up," my mind stated as I heard Luke following me.

"Follow the path; left is the maternity ward. I always knew…" and as I approached the maternity ward, I caught sight of Kate's mother, Melissa, and I believe, Funky.

"What the fuck is Funky doing here with Melissa, that bitch?" I found myself questioning and cursing as I hid in a corner of the lawn that led to the maternity ward.

"Dude, I think you should just go," Luke stated.

"Her mom is tough," I replied, and then suddenly,

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" It was a voice right from behind me. Turning, I found the man I would never want any boy to see when it comes to a girl: her father.

"I... uh... Kate, you see... no..." I stammered, and I'm sure he saw the most idiotic version of a man. He wondered how low his daughter's taste was.

As if hearing us, Melissa, Funky, and Kate's mother came over. Luke was almost hiding behind me, and I was there like armor for him.

"Guards, can you get them out?" Kate's mother stated, as one of the guards approached.

"Mom, I just want to speak to Kate," I tried to state, as Funky calmed Kate's mother with his long arms interlocked with hers. I knew this was not about me... no... it was about 'richness and position.'

Seeing this, my vision blurred, and... everything went quiet. It was as if someone hit me on the head, or somehow I just lost focus, or I don't know... but all I heard was Luke telling me it's going to be alright and the smell of the car gas as it left.

"It's gonna be okay... it's gonna be okay," Luke was constantly chanting.

But my head was just a blur. I had never felt this defeated, never. 'I regret the day I met Kate,' I found myself thinking. But maybe she is the one who regrets our meeting the most.

"It's gonna be okay..." Luke continued chanting, as if his chanting helped me in any way. Actually, it was just adding to the dread of pain and rejection that my mind was going through. What did Kate's mother see herself as? A warrior? Raising a child without a father is... of course it is, I found myself answering the damned thought. It's easy for men to lose their paternal rights.

I hated my father. I hated him so dearly, and I had promised myself, come rain or shine, I would never be absent from any of my children's lives. Now, I guess I shall be absent without getting to see the boy.

Am I cursed? I wondered, as the car stopped, wondering if we had arrived. I was just in the passenger seat, pushed further back, and looking helplessly out of the car's window.