She simply rolls her eyes. “You guys told me you won’t support me having this baby so I’m leaving.”

  “Leaving?!” her mom demands. “Where in the world do you think you’re going?” Then she looks at me. “Oh, I see. You’ve decided to get involved in this mess, have you?”

  “Allie is going to let me stay with her for a while,” Margie tells them. “At least long enough for me to think some things through.”

  Her mom stands up with her fists clenched at her sides. “If you leave, you’re not moving back home.”

  Nathan’s expression doesn’t seem quite as determined as his wife, but he doesn’t contradict her.

  “That’s fine,” Margie tells them. “I’ll go pack and get out of your hair.”

  This whole scene is so tragic. It’s obvious Margie’s parents love her. And they wouldn’t be this upset if they didn’t feel that way.

  When Margie leaves the room, her mother tells me, “Don’t expect our gratitude.”

  “I’m just trying to help your daughter. She needs a calm environment.”

  Holly glares at me before walking out of the room and following her daughter up the stairs. Which leaves me with Nathan.

  “I know you must think that Holly and I aren’t handling this very well,” he says. “You must think we’re horrible parents.”

  “What I think doesn’t matter,” I tell him. “It’s your relationship with Margie that matters.”

  The poor guy looks like he’s about to cry. “Holly might not thank you, but I do. I appreciate what you’re doing. We love Margie, we just don’t think having a baby is the right thing for her.”

  “This certainly isn’t something she planned,” I tell him. “You should be proud at how maturely she’s dealing with this.” I can tell he’s about to disagree with me, so I say, “Margie knows her mind and she’s willing to do what it takes to hold true to her beliefs. That’s maturity.” I quickly add, “Please tell her I’ll meet her in my car when she’s ready.” Then I hightail it out of the Flynn household as fast as my feet will carry me.

  Of all the problems I’ve had in my life, and there have certainly been a few doozies, I wouldn’t trade places with Margie Flynn for anything in this world. I won’t go as far as to say that I’m grateful for my journey, but at least I was old enough to feel like I could handle the problems that came my way.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  NOAH

  I don’t know what I expected to happen when Allie and I met with Jordan and Margie this afternoon, but I didn’t think Allie would give Margie the lifeline that she did.

  After leaving Rosemary’s, I stop off at the grocery store to pick up some much-needed supplies, and then I head back to my parents’ house.

  I’ve found the weekends the hardest part about being back in Elk Lake. In Chicago, I’d be hanging out with friends, going to concerts, even jogging around the lake, but here, I don’t really know what to do.

  After unpacking the groceries, I sit out on the back patio and drink a bottle of water. The more I sit here, the more I realize I want to talk to Allie and check on her. I eventually give into temptation and pull out my phone.

  “Hello?” she answers before it can even ring through once.

  “It’s me, Noah. Is Margie with you?”

  “Yes, I mean no. I’m at her parents’ house waiting in my car for her.”

  “Did you talk to her mom and dad?” I ask.

  “Yeah.” She doesn’t sound thrilled, which I’m guessing means it didn’t go well.

  When she doesn’t elaborate, I demand, “And? What happened?”

  “She’s moving in with me. That about says it all, doesn’t it?”

  “Are they mad? Are they grateful you’re helping their kid?”

  “They didn’t bake me a pie and throw a party, if that’s what you want to know,” she says before explaining, “Margie’s mom is mad. Her dad seems a little more sympathetic, although he’s not exactly standing up for his daughter.”

  “Do you think they’ll come around?” I ask.

  She hems and haws before concluding, “Maybe? I suppose it depends on the timeline. For instance, I’m guessing by the time the baby is five, they might be back together as a family.”

  “That bad?”

  “Margie’s parents appear to be taking their daughter’s view on abortion as an act of defiance.”

  I can’t seem to stop myself from asking, “What would you do in the same situation?”

  She exhales loudly into the phone like she’s annoyed. “I don’t know, Noah. I’ve never been in Margie’s situation.”

  “But if you had,” I prod. I’m not sure why I want to know her answer, but for some reason I feel the need to learn everything I can about Allie. I want to know what her favorite color is, her favorite food, whether she just watches the Super Bowl for the ads or if she’s invested in the game …

  “I don’t think I could ever have an abortion, but that’s just me. It’s not my job to tell other women what’s right for them. What about you?” she wants to know. “What would you have done if you’d gotten your girlfriend pregnant in high school?”

  Being that we’ve already discussed how high school parenthood couldn’t have been in the cards for either of us, I tell her, “I guess I’d probably be coaching my kid’s high school basketball team right now. Unless of course they were into pottery. In which case, I’d be buying a kiln or something.”

  “That’s sweet,” she says quietly.

  “Ultimately, it would be the mother’s decision, but if it was up to me, I’d probably want the kid. I’ve always wanted kids.”

  “Then you should have them.” Why does Allie sound so sad when she says this?

  “You want a family too, don’t you?”

  “I think I’ve mentioned I’m unsure about that.”

  She’s clearly trying to shut down this line of inquiry, so I tell her, “Having kids in high school is never ideal.” Then I change the subject. “Do you have any plans tonight?” I shift my position on the porch swing so that I’m lying down and my feet are hanging over the edge. I always used to do this as a kid but it’s a lot less comfortable now that I’m over six feet tall.

  “I’m going to order pizza and help my roommate adjust to her new living situation,” Allie says.

  I probably shouldn’t invite myself over for that, so I tell her, “You’re a good person, Allie. This is seriously an amazing thing you’re doing for Margie.”

  “Yeah, well, I figure it’s no skin off my nose and Margie is really up against it.” I’m about to suggest we get together tomorrow when she says, “Margie’s coming out of the house. I’m going to give her a hand with her things.”

  “Call me if you need anything,” I tell her. “Anything at all.”

  “Thanks.” That’s all she says before the line goes dead.

  Against my better judgment, I’m starting to really want to ask Allie out on a real date. Not two coaches getting together to talk about defense strategies, not two teachers talking about student behavior, and certainly not an evening with my sister’s best friend. I want to take Allie to dinner, I want to hold her hand, and if she’d let me, I’d really like to kiss her.

  Yet, I know these are thoughts I’m going to have to ignore. If it’s my goal to go back and coach at my old school—and it is—I cannot get involved with Allie romantically. I don’t even know if she’s over her ex or not. If she is, I sure don’t want to be the guy to get her hopes up before leaving her to go back to the city.

  Going into the house, I head toward the living room where I left my laptop. Opening it, I continue with my new favorite hobby—cyber stalking the coach who took over for me. While he was a pro at one time, and I know that looks good for the school, it’s been over two decades since he played for the Bulls.

  Right after retiring from the NBA, Holland Frame coached at a D-1 university on the East Coast. He did well with that team but left after six years. Since then, he’s lived the life of a retired ball player, which is what really sticks in my craw. While he was taking it easy and resting on his laurels, I took Banks from thirtieth in the state to third, and I did that in only a few years. I know I could have gotten them to first, too. If not this year, then next.

  My mind shifts back to the Crappies. I’m certainly doing my part to move the team higher in rank, but I’m still not sure the guys want it badly enough. And if they don’t want it, you can be assured they’ll never get it.

  Life is like a basketball game. You have your group of supporters (teammates) but there’s another side that’s always trying to steal your ball. In my case, that would be my job. Continuing with this tortured metaphor, I need to jump higher, run faster, and shoot with greater accuracy if I want to win the game—AKA, get my job back at a much higher salary than before.

  I know some of the parents from Banks are trying to help me, but let’s face it—if the team does as well as they did when I was coaching, there won’t be any need in their eyes. That’s why I have to turn the Crappies into something great.

  On a whim, I send out a team text and ask how many guys might want to meet at the park in an hour for a game or two. I certainly don’t expect everyone, but neither did I think every player would decline. Which is exactly what happens.

  Jordan is the only one to send a full message.

  Jordan

  Sorry, Coach, my parents spent the afternoon coming up with a list of chores they’re making me do. Somehow they think cleaning the gutters and dusting the floorboards is proper punishment for getting Margie pregnant.

  Me

  Give them time, Jordan.

  Jordan

  They’re never going to be okay with this baby.

  Me

  I’m sorry you’re going through this.

  Jordan

  No one is sorrier than me.

  I wish there was something I could say to give him hope and assure him that his life isn’t over. I want to tell him that if he works hard enough, he can accomplish anything. Yet now doesn’t feel like the right time. Jordan needs to feel what he’s feeling. If Margie ultimately decides to keep this baby, there will be plenty of time in the future for pep talks.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  ALLIE

  Having Margie at my apartment is turning out to be a nice experience. Not only is she quiet and respectful, but I haven’t washed one dish since she’s been here.

  On Saturday night, we ate pizza, watched movies, and did our best to ignore the circumstances that have made us roommates. On Sunday, she caught up with her homework while I read a book. Which brings us to today.

  “Morning, sleepy head,” I say as I walk out of my bedroom and into the living room.

  “Morning,” Margie replies as she busily folds up the bed and puts the cushions back on. She sounds more resigned than excited.

  “Are you nervous about going back to school today?” I ask while filling the coffee pot with water and coffee grounds.

  “Terrified.” She lays my new tasseled throw over the back of the couch before sitting down.

  Most of our conversations have revolved around how her parents are taking things. I have yet to delve into the treatment she’s receiving from her peers. “Are your friends giving you a hard time?”

  She offers a half-shrug. “They’re trying to be there for me, but the truth is that none of them can understand why I won’t just make the problem go away.”

  “Everyone thinks they know what they’d do in a situation,” I tell her. “Until they’re faced with it themselves.”

  She snorts. “If I had to put money on it, I’d guess my situation will have the entire senior class keeping their knees together for the rest of the year. I’m like a walking abstinence ad.”

  I pull a cup out of the cabinet and pour the first cup of coffee that comes down, which in my opinion is the best one. “Why don’t you grab your stuff, and we can head downstairs and get you a hot chocolate and a muffin for breakfast.”

  She stands up with a little more excitement. “That sounds delicious.”

  “It’s important to get enough calories in your body while you’re making another person,” I tell her. “We’ll also have to make sure you get enough protein. Do you like eggs?”

  She makes a face that indicates she’s not a fan, so I tell her, “I’ll pick up some protein powder later, and we’ll make sure you have at least one shake a day.”

  “You’re being so nice to me, Miss … Allie.” Margie grabs her backpack from the front closet, while adding, “You’ll never know how grateful I am for you.”

  Turning off the coffee pot, I pick up my purse and respond, “You’re not on your own, Margie. I’m here to help.” I don’t even think about there being an end to assisting her, either. She’s a young girl who feels completely alone, and she’s bringing an innocent child into this world. They need someone.

  Once we’re down the stairs, I hold the door open for Margie to walk into Rosemary’s. Teddy is at the counter which gives me the opportunity to introduce my new friend.

  “Allie is in the house!” Teddy calls out endearingly.

  “Good morning, Teddy.” I smile at him before gesturing toward Margie. “This is my friend Margie. She wants to be an actress.”

  Margie’s expression of awe immediately turns to one of panic. It shifts again when Teddy winks at her and says, “Maybe we’ll be in a movie together someday.”

  “I … uh … hm …” Margie has lost her ability to string together a sentence.

  “She’s still a senior in high school,” I tell him. “But she wants to go to Northwestern someday.” I know that if she keeps the baby, that won’t be anytime soon, but I want to remind her that her life isn’t over. She can still work toward her dreams. Nobody can take that from her.

  “I went to Northwestern!” Teddy says excitedly. “It’s a great school. You’ll love it there.”

  “I, well, the thing is …” Margie finally says, “I can’t go.

  Teddy nods knowingly. “It’s expensive, for sure.” Then he shares, “I didn’t pay off my student loans until I played Alpha Dog in the first Wonder movie.”

  Margie blurts out, “I can’t go to college because I’m pregnant.”

  Teddy doesn’t respond right away, but when he finally speaks, he says, “Breakfast is on the house!”

  “I’m not exactly celebrating,” Margie tells him.

  He offers a short shrug. “Nevertheless, your baby needs breakfast. What can I get you?”

  Even though Margie’s smile looks pained, she says, “I’d like a pumpkin-spice hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin, please.”

  Teddy turns his attention to me. “How about you, Allie? What would you like?”

  Lifting my coffee cup into the air to show him I made my own, I say, “I’d like a blueberry muffin, too. And I’m paying for both of us.”

  He hurries to retrieve our muffins out of the case before steaming Margie’s drink. When he hands everything across the counter, he says, “On the house means on the house.”

  “You’ll never make any money if you don’t charge me,” I tell him. Seriously, I’m starting to feel like a charity case.

  Teddy puts his hands behind his back indicating that he won’t take my money. “Good thing I’m a movie star then, huh?”

  “Thank you,” Margie says while taking her order. “I really appreciate this.”

  He turns his full attention toward her. “When my wife, Faith, was pregnant with our twins, she ate more gingersnaps than an entire kindergarten class could in a year. You’re going to get cravings, and I firmly believe it’s the baby’s way of telling you what she wants. When that happens, you come on in, and we’ll take care of you.”

  Margie looks like she’s going to cry but she somehow holds it together. As we walk out of the bakery she tells me, “I don’t know why I told him I was pregnant.”

  “Maybe because you’re ready to accept it.”

  After getting into the passenger side of my car, she says, “I just kind of freaked when you told him I wanted to go to Northwestern. I can never do that now.”

  “Don’t put limits on your dreams, Margie. Maybe it won’t be next fall, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen someday.”

  She takes a bite of her muffin and chews it slowly. After swallowing, she says, “I’m afraid to have dreams.”

  Even though I can probably guess what her answer will be, I ask her, “Why is that?”

  “My parents keep telling me my life will be over if I have this baby. They’re probably right.”

  Starting the car, I pull out onto the street and tell her, “Did you know that Sofia Vergara had her son when she was still a teenager?”

  “Who’s that?”

  I nearly pull over to the side of the road so I can fully express my shock. Instead, I say, “She’s the Latina actress from that television show, Modern Family.”

  “Oh, I know her! My mom and I watched that show over the summer together.” She asks, “How in the world do you think she became famous after having a baby so young?”

  “I don’t know her full story. I just want you to realize that going down a different path than you thought doesn’t mean you can’t get where you want to go.”

  Margie snorts. “I can’t imagine how I can be a single mother and make enough money to take care of my kid while still following a dream like stardom. It seems a little out there, you know?”

  I turn into the high school parking lot and park in the faculty area. “My dad used to always tell me to reach for the stars. He said you can’t have something if you can’t imagine having it. You need to figure out what your dream is and then you need to start visualizing the result you want.”