Chapter Text
I did the right thing, I told her – said Otis to himself for a small reassurance. He was lying on his bed, checking his phone every 5 seconds. It’s been just 2 hours since he got home. Maybe the thing is she went for a walk with her mum and her cute little sister.
But hold on what am I even expecting? She burst into tears and run to me immediately or call me as I asked her? Would my confession do that to her? She told me she liked me and I literally told that I love her in front of everyone at the ball last term and even after that she couldn’t say how she felt. She couldn’t say I feel the same or just touch my arm or for fuck sake just move a little bit closer so I would feel or see that she might has feelings for me. No, she definitely won’t make the first step I need to do it! I need to try until I succeed. COME ON OTIS! MAN UP!
He then jumped out from his bed and started to run down but soon he realised it’s already 12 am and he should try tomorrow. “I hope I’ll still have the courage to do it” – and he let out a small sigh.
However her mum was still awake so instead of sleeping – which I’m sure he couldn’t do – he went to talk to her.
Jean was really in her thoughts, Otis needed to put his hand on her shoulder to bring her back from them.
“Mum. Mum?”
“Sorry darling, I was just …”- but she let this sentence fade away. “Why are you up so late?”
“Well…I was…I was just thinking and I saw the light of your lamp so I thought we could wonder together. Anyway, what were you thinking about?”
“Ohh I see. This is a really good idea Otis, I need to tell you something anyway.”
“What is it Mum? Is everything alright? Did I do something? Is it about the clinic or your work?”
“No no, it’s not about these but I’m glad you mentioned the clinic. That’s gonna be another talk. Otis please sit down.”
“I’m pregnant” – she says and tears starts to escape from her eyes
“What? Do you know who’s the father? How far are you? Do you want to keep it? I know a clinic…” – he stops there but he has sooo many questions. He soon realises he is not the only one who has these questions in mind. Jean surprised by his reaction she imagined a far worse scenario. She sigh and tries to answer all of Otis’s questions without a breakdown.
“Jakob is the father and he doesn’t know it yet. I’m in my 5th week and I don’t know. We broke up Otis” – she says as she starts to cry.
“I don’t know how to tell him or should we even keep it? We are old and… “ - she couldn’t hold it together anymore.
Otis shocked about the news and he doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t know how to comfort his mother. He hates to see her like this. Then he says while he is hugging her mum:
“I’m here Mum. I’m right here, you can count on me. Whatever you decide I’m gonna be here for you and I’m gonna be at the hospital if you choose to abort the pregnancy or if you choose to give birth to my little sibling. I’ll be there when you tell Jakob if you want to.”
Silence. The whole room fell in silence.
Jean fell asleep in Otis’s arms a few hours later. Otis mind was running 1000 miles/hour about his mum pregnancy, her relationship with Jakob which he ruined and the thought of the abortion. But when he closed his eyes he thought about Maeve because no matter what happens the last thought before falling asleep is always Maeve.