22 April 2012
I'm two months pregnant now. I look round at the maternity pants in the shop window. Just looking. What sorts of woman would buy these. They look like trousers that a clown would wear, only less stylish.
I sweep my gaze round the mall. I see the little café in the middle of the shopping centre. A young couple kissing on the escalator. A young man walking around doing nothing at all.
I concentrate on the young man, I know him from somewhere. Then it hits me. "Oi, you!", I shout. I run towards him. He looks round. A look of guilt and disbelief crosses his face. He sprints out of the shopping centre and skids out of the doorway.
He runs down the street as fast as he can. I'm hot on his heels but I can't carry on much longer, the extra weight of the baby is stopping me moving very fast. He turns into a dark alley, hoping to lose me, but all he comes to is a brick wall.
I stand in the entrance to the alleyway, blocking his path. He could push me out of the way whenever he wanted. But he doesn't.
I study him. He has bright blue eyes and the most perfect skin. His deep chocolate hair swishing around his eyes. If I didn't know him then I would call him handsome.
"Don't try and run", I tell him, "Or I'll call the police." "You... You don't know my name.", he stammers. His voice seems so innocent. "George Current" "How do you know that?"
He looks worried now. "Never leave name labels sticking out of your trousers", I find myself almost joking with him. Pull yourself together, woman, this man has committed a serious crime.
But I can hardly bring myself to believe this. This boy who could only be about 17. Who, if... No, when I press charges, would be most worried about what his mum would say.
As I make these assessments, George has time to assess me.
"Oh my god", he's staring at my belly,"Is that..." "Yes", it is", I give him a stony glare. "I'm so sorr-" "You're what!", I shout,"You're sorry! It's a bit late for that!"
"Please", he's begging me"I'll do anything" "How about turning back time, so you never raped me!"
Tears are running down his face, I almost pity him. Almost. "Well", I say,"I suppose there is one thing..."
The Baby - Chapter Two • Opuss № I