“He’s never going to call you, sugar. You’d better suck it up: move on; this is not healthy.” Cathy’s emphatic tone did not go down well with Holly. Heated arguments between the two friends had become part of their everyday routine. Place or time didn’t matter. Holly claimed there was still hope, whereas Cathy expressed her doubts. As usual, she was being quite blunt. “Man, I’ve met my fair share of stubborn people, but this guy? He’s as stubborn as a mule.”

“Here we go again,” Holly sighed, gazing out her living room window. “You call him that every time we meet. Aren’t you tired of repeating yourself?”

“Not when it comes to him. You made one mistake: just one.” She raised her index finger in the air. “And he doesn’t want to forgive you. Doesn’t he make mistakes? Who is he, God?”

“Why don’t you put yourself in his shoes?” Holly would still not raise her voice, preferring to look up into the cloudy, evening sky. “What would you do if you found out your boyfriend doesn’t trust you?”

“I don’t know, Holly,” Cathy sighed (it now being her turn to do so), using a sweeter tone than before, as she handed her friend a mug of tea. “I wouldn’t like it. That’s for sure. But, break up with him? I don’t think so.”

“I broke up with him.” Holly corrected her, lifting the mug to her lips. “I hurt him; I said he wasn’t true.”

“He has too much pride,” Cathy concluded. “That pride has built a wall between you.”

“He’s a military man,” Holly stated, turning to her friend. “He may be retired, but, in his heart, Jake will always be a marine.”

“So, what: marines are made of stone?” Cathy’s voice was reeking of sarcasm. “They’re human, aren’t they?”

“Seriously, are you pretending to not understand?” Holly wondered, a hint of annoyance in her voice. “I insulted his honor. That’s the worst thing you can do to a man like him.”

“I thought honorable men didn’t hang out with criminals,” Cathy scoffed.

“Jesus!” Holly replied in a raised her tone, shaking her head. “You don’t let up, do you? That ‘criminal’ saved his life the other day. Jake would be dead if it hadn’t been for Marshall.”

“You’ve told that story a million times already,” Cathy complained.

“That’s because we’ve had the same conversation a million times already,” Holly remarked, furrowing her brows. “Frankly? I’m sick and tired of arguing about the same things, over and over. I know how you feel. Just stop reminding me on a daily basis, okay?”

“I’m only looking out for you, honey,” Cathy said in a much nicer tone, raising her hand to her friend’s face. “You haven’t been the same since you guys broke up. You don’t smile anymore. You don’t eat. You hardly sleep. You always bring him up. Why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Because: it’s the only way for me to feel closer to him,” Holly replied, her voice low and wobbly, as tears welled up in her eyes. “Every time I talk about him, I think he’ll just…” She faltered. “Walk through that door.”

“Awww; baby,” Cathy whispered, opening her arms. She took her in her embrace, as two tears rolled down Holly’s cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Cathy,” Holly said, her voice broken as she rested her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sorry,” Cathy put a little force in her own voice. “I should be trying to change the subject, instead of calling him names all the time.”

“Could you go get me some water?” Holly politely requested. “I don’t feel so good.”

“What’s wrong?” Cathy spoke, a touch of worry in her tone as she leaned back.

“I’m fine,” Holly sighed, wiping her tears off her face. “I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

“Sit down,” Cathy whispered. “I’ll be right back.”

Holly bent her knees, attempting to ease her mug down on the living room table to the right, as her friend made her way towards her kitchen; but as she did, the world around her darkened. She closed her eyes, as the mug slipped through her fingers. It landed on the table. Hot tea spilled all over it and the carpet, as Holly’s body swayed backwards. She landed hard and flat on her back, her arms close to her waist, her legs slightly apart.

“Holly!” Cathy’s voice was riddled with tension and fear, as she sprinted across the living room. “Oh, my God!” she cried, dropping to her knees beside her friend. “Open your eyes, baby. Come on. Open your eyes for me,” her words tumbled over each other as she gently slapped her friend. Holly’s eyelids twitched. Cathy cupped her cheek and put her free hand on her wrist.

“Are you alright?” Cathy asked with her own eyes dark with shock, as her friend slowly opened her blurry eyes.

“What happened?” Holly whispered.

“You passed out,” Cathy gasped. “You look so pale… when was the last time you ate?”

“Last night,” Holly responded, her voice faint.

“What?” Cathy’s face loosened in utter disbelief, as she opened her eyes wide. “That was twenty hours ago! And a power bar doesn’t really qualify as ‘dinner’, does it? Jesus Christ, Holly! Hold on to me.”

Holly grabbed her left forearm, as Cathy pulled her hand away from her face. She reached down and took her friend’s wrist into her palms, before pulling her up.

“I think I can walk,” Holly’s said in a voice that was still somewhat faint, as Cathy helped her back to the couch.

“Don’t tell me what you think,” Cathy urged, panting for breath, as her friend seated herself.

“I’m scared,” Holly confessed, leaning her back against the couch. “I won’t be alone in a few months.”

“Oh, my God…” a whisper of deep concern left her lips, as she covered her mouth with her hands. “You’re…”

“Pregnant,” Holly finished her friend’s sentence, her voice broken, as a flash of lightning lit up the night. “I went to the gynecologist yesterday.”

“What are you going to do?” Cathy inquired in a barely audible voice. “Does he know?”

“I’m keeping it.” Holly’s answer was quick. “He doesn’t have a clue.”

“He’s the father. You have to tell him.” Cathy’s emphatic tone returned, as she leaned over her. “If you don’t, then I will.”

“I’ll tell him.” Holly whispered. “I just don’t know when.”

“The sooner, the better,” Cathy suggested, her voice firm, as a streak of lightning tore through the night. “In fact, I think you should go talk to him tonight.”

“Okay.” Holly said with a nod. “Tonight it is.”