Short Story - The Confession

Lauren had just gotten back from working a shift from eight to four and she was exhausted. She was cooking dinner for herself on this Thursday night, and was engaged in a phone conversation with her boyfriend Alan. They were discussing a very touchy subject that didn’t always please Lauren: his departure for Iraq in November.

“Don’t leave, please, just don’t go” said Lauren. “What am I gonna do without you for 11 months?”

“Honey, it’s my job, I already told you this. I have to go” replied Alan.

“I know, but a lot can happen during such a long period of time,” said Lauren.

“I will come back in one piece, I promise,” said Alan, giving her that crooked smile that made her heart melt every time.

Work, school, and family were the main things that preoccupied Lauren these past couple months. She struggled at her work because her boss demanded a lot from her. In addition to being overwhelmed at work, she was finishing her final semester at university. Home was not always easy. Her parents were strict and wanted the best for their only daughter. Though Lauren was extremely busy, she found time to dedicate to her new boyfriend Alan. Unfortunately, due to the distance that separated them, she only saw him once or twice a week.

Lauren often thought of Alan. She loved to daydream of his dark brown eyes, with the depth and color of a muddy river, looking down at her from dignified height. It took only a few dates for them to fall in love deeply with each other. She often reminded herself of the very first date with Alan: the romantic dinner, the slow walk downtown next to the river, and the warm and comfy cuddle session on the couch of his apartment where they both fell asleep watching a movie. That night was memorable for Lauren, and she enjoyed playing it over and over in her head, though it made her miss him even more. Soon after, their relationship grew even stronger when Alan once surprised her at work. He walked inside the department store with her favorite flowers, wearing the shirt she got him for his birthday. As soon as she noticed him, she couldn’t stop smiling at him and threw her arms around his neck to pull him into a tight embrace.

However, Alan has not always been the perfect-boyfriend-that-all-girls-dream-about type of guy. He had issues in the past with his family, leading him to move out of his parents’ house at a young age, and maintain a distant relationship with his parents. At one point of his life, he was without a job and began to drink with his buddies on a regular basis. This was when he decided to enlist in the army, to get back on track and do something with his life. Even after enrolling in the army he had difficulties figuring out who he was and what his goals were in life. This was over a year ago. He had overcome his problems and was now the leader of his regiment that would leave for Iraq in the near future.

Initially, Lauren’s parents did not approve of Alan. They were convinced that he was a man with problems. Her mom, especially, was not so happy with Lauren dating him. Lauren would have phone conversations with her mom about this issue.

Lauren’s mom would always try and convince her that Alan was not the one for her. She would list everything possible to make her daughter think otherwise, but Lauren doesn’t let anyone change her mind.

November was only three weeks away, and Lauren was becoming more nervous. The daily phone conversations with her mom began to affect her. What if my mom knows about my secret? Is he a good guy to share this precious gift with for the rest of my life? Or will he see this as a burden and just someone else to take care of?

Tonight was the last night Lauren and Alan could spend together. They met at the café for a late night coffee. As they casually sipped on their espresso, Lauren had a feeling this was going to be her last chance to tell him what was going on, but she couldn’t find quite the right time to bring up such serious news, when the rest of the conversation was light and enjoyable. Then, she felt like she was finally ready.

“Alan, there’s something that you should know before your departure, and I hope this will not affect you by any means,” Lauren said.

“Sweetheart, nothing can possibly affect me more than not being with you everyday for eleven months,” replied Alan.

“Well this is sort of unexpected babe,” said Lauren, as she ran her delicate hand through her hair.

“What is it Lauren?” said Alan, now worried.

“I am pregnant!”

“You are... Pregnant?!” said Alan.

Suddenly, Lauren feared that she had made the wrong decision about telling him. She could sense that Alan was not ecstatic with this shocking news. There at a small table at the café were Lauren and Alan, sitting across from each other, without saying anything to each other. Thoughts were suddenly filling Lauren’s head. Was that a mistake? What if he decides to retreat from going to the army because of that?

The next day, Lauren got in her car and was on her way to the airport, where she would say her last goodbyes before Alan would board his plane for Iraq. Alan had finally decided that Lauren should keep the baby and promised her that he would come on a leave when she would give birth. When she arrived at the airport, she tried not to think too much about Friday’s conversation and slowly entered the automatic doors, looking around her to finally find Alan who was waiting for her.

“I love you, Lauren” Alan said, as he pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek. ”Last night was a big shock for me hun but I am so glad. We will start a family once I get back, and the baby will be my primary source of inspiration when I’ll be over there.”

The army’s general interrupted Lauren and Alan’s emotional conversation. He informed them that the plane will be departing in less than an hour and that it was time to say their last goodbye. Lauren sadly looked at Alan and kissed him passionately. She knew that the eleven following months would be the hardest, but at the same time, she was glad to carry something very special and meaningful for both Alan and her. It was time to say goodbye to a loved one, but to say hello to a new one.