Private - Tracey and me only

"Which school," he asked, standing and helping her up. "I'll clean up the bottles," he promised.

"The one downtown with the new apartments. Grand Valley." she said as he helped her up and she still rested her arms on his shoulders. She knew she had to get going but..."Are you going to college this year?"

He sighed and shook his head. "Can't afford it," he shrugged. "Meet you at the entrance at three tomorrow," he asked.

"Oh..." she nodded and and started to walk away. She paused and turned back walking right up to him and kissing him before parting and blushing embaressed.

Chad blinked and grabbed her hand, pulling her back to kiss her back softly. "Missed you," he murmured.

"I missed you too, so much...." she murmed "But I have to go now...otherwise I'll miss it..." she said gently before kissing him agian and turning to leave.

"See you tomorrow," he murmured after her retreating figure and sighed, starting to pick up his beer bottles.

She smiled then sighed to herself, she'd have no idea how she'd tell chad that they had a daughter. Even when....he's not going to college...it'd be cheaper than having her go to daycare if he had her during the day but she didn't know what kind of life he lived now...it's been 5 years...

She sighed and went through orientation without really paying attention to things.

Chad did have a job - he worked for his friend's gym, cleaning and doing the laundry. And he worked at the hotel half-time, cleaning the rooms. But he still couldn't pull enough money together to go to college. He dumped the broken and unbroken glass in the nearest trash bin and stuffed his hands in his pockets, heading back towards his apartment.

She got settled into her appartment and talked to her friend "I....I saw Chad today...Hope's Father...I didn't think I'd see him so soon...." she said looking at her feet shyly.

She looked up from her book. "Really? Did you tell him about Hope," she asked quietly.

"I couldn't, I couldn't do it...." she sighed and ran a hand through her hair to get it out of her face. "He's not even going to college, he can't afford it..."

"Oh, honey," she frowned apologetically, going to hug her. "What are you gonna do?"

"i don't know....i don't want him to make it feel like I came back just because I want him to give me money...all the feelings I had for him, came rushing back as soon as I saw him. He's so handsome." she said sadly

"You say he handsome like it's a bad thing," she joked, trying to make her feel better. "And if he knows you at all, he'll know you didn't come back just for money. You're not that kind of girl."

"I dunno....I wasn't allowed to call him all this time..... Four years without a word...He was suprised I even remembered. If I just show up and plop a Hope down, I dunno what'd he's gonna think.
I mean, I guess he's drinking now too...I don't want him to get drunk or something and not take care of her...." she sighed and hugged her back.

Jess thought a moment. "Maybe you should gradually give hints that you have a daughter," she suggested. "Spend some time with him, see if he's changed at all or if you think he's good for her. If not, then... I'll pretend she's my daughter if he ever comes over."

She nodded "Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you." she smiled. "Speaking of the little munchkin I think I better go grab her." she chuckled lightly. "I hope she likes daycare...."

Jess chuckled. "I'm sure she'll be fine."

She sighed nodding and got up "Yeah, I just felt bad about leaving here there you know? She started crying in the car cause she wouldnt know anyone...." she sighed. "At least my parents are paying for daycare but still...."

"Aww, poor thing. She's a sweet girl, though. She'll make new friends easily," she smiled.

"Yeah, she is." She smiled and slipped her shoes on walking out the door "see you." she said as the door closed behind her.

"Bye," Jess smiled and waved as her best friend left.

Jamie drove over to pick Hope up at daycare. "How was it sweetie?" she asked holding her hand as they walked down the driveway to her car. "It was alright." she said quietly.
"Did you make any new friends yet?"
Hope shook her head no.
"Why, you get along with others so well!!"
"Someone told me to shut up. I talked too much."

Chad sighed, deciding not to pick up a beer on the way back to his apartment. He walked past the daycare, thinking he saw Jamie there, but ignored it, thinking it was impossible; she'd been too young to have a baby. Prob'ly someone else.