I remember the taste of alcohol on his lips as we kissed. His hands between my legs as I arched my back. My moans echoeing throughout the room as he pleased me.

He had me right where he wanted. Then he positioned himself, and he was in.

..

I woke up startled by my dream. The alarm clock ringing as Martha laid beside me.

8:30 am

I always started my day early. I got up, showered, brushed teeth, watched a little news while drinking coffee. Ate breakfast and went about what I had planned for the day. Usually I'd go visit my mom. But lately she's been bugging me about wanting to know how all this pregnancy stuff happened. I knew she meant well. I just couldn't be bothered with questions when I had some of my own.

Today was different. I didn't have a clue what I would even say or how any of this was going to unfold. He left his number on the nightstand with his name underlined. Why would he do that? Does he do this with all his one night stands? Or is it just in case I wanted to have another crazy sex romp with him in a hotel room?

I read in the paper they were on break. Maybe now would be the best time to unleash all this on him and then we can get back to our own lives.

I reached for the phone and dialed slowly, wishing someone would come knocking, a call would interrupt, or the building went up in flames. Nothing. The ringing on the other end was horrifying. My stomach turned in knots. Martha napping on the carpet as I waited. I heard the line pick up and a familiar voice answer.

"Hello? McCartney residence." I heard him chuckle. I stayed frozen. "Hello?" He asked again.

"Um...hi. It's...me." I said dumbly.

"And who exactly is me?" He asked.

I shut my eyes and went on. "Uh...Candlestick park. After the concert. Hotel room...."

"O..ohh." He whispered. I heard shuffling and then he spoke. "You saw my number."

"Yeah. About that..."

"I shouldn't have left it. It was completely innopropriate of me. I left it because...you were so beautiful I..."

I blushed a little but put this aside. "I'm pregnant."

It was dead. No words. Not even a breath. I looked at the clock and back at Martha.

"Hello?" I asked.

"And?" He asked. I sighed.

"And....I'm pregnant because of what happened in San Francisco."

"What do you want me to do about it?" He said harshly. I swallowed and bit my lip.

"I just wanted you to know." I said quietly.

"This is....a joke innit?"

"What? No I...."

And just like that, the line was dead. I sat in silence, putting the phone down and shaking my head.

"Asshole." I said through my teeth.

Martha picked her head up and watched me tear his number up into pieces and toss it on the ground.

"What?" I asked her. She put her head back down and whimpered.

..

"What did he say??" Emily asked as we walked in the park. It was a cloudy, wet day as I took Martha for a walk.

"Nothing. Just...." I trailed off and began crying. Em grabbed my hand and led me to a soft, grassy area.

"Sadie what...what did he do!?" She asked angrily. I sniffled.

"It's what he didn't do. Christ I'm sorry for crying. I just...I'm so alone in all of this. I feel like an idiot for even thinking he would show me some kind of compassion. He thought it was a joke."

"Shhhh. You always have me and mom. Why don't you come back home?"

I looked at her through my teary eyes. She sighed and nodded.

"I can't go back home. What? So mom could make me admit that I really do need her? No. I can't do it again."

"You're all alone Sadie. You need help..."

"I can take care of myself Emily. I know you mean well but....I need to do this on my own."

She stayed quiet and petted Martha's head. "You have another gig tonight?"

"Yeah."

"I thought you didn't play on Sundays?"

"Some magazine people will be there so...I have to make sure I don't fuck up."

"I'll be there."

I shook my head. "You should be at home. Studying or sleeping."

"Like it did you much." She muttered. I laughed sarcastically.

"Why do you even try being a part of my life? Come around and show me sympathy then throw out a stupid, rude comment like that?"

"Because I'm your sister. I can."

We just looked at each other and smiled. I held her hand and squeezed it.

"I'll save you a seat. Front row yeah?"

She nodded and kissed my cheek. "I love you."

"Yeah yeah." I smiled.

..

My life consisted of writing and playing. I wasn't anything fancy. To the world, I was only a nobody. Just someone who wanted to be someone. I've met many managers, many fans who come every night to hear me play. I just never made it beyond the club.

I covered songs cause that's what people wanted to hear. I wrote my own music but, people weren't to keen on it. So I stopped. I kept them to myself. Only Martha heard what I had to give. She was my biggest fan.

My dad gave me Martha for my twenty-first birthday. A year later, he was killed in the war. She was my love. The reminder of what once was. I took special care of her....like a baby.

My mind was all over the place as I played my last song for the night. I couldn't even focus. I skipped lyrics, played wrong notes. Emily didn't show. It was a disaster. I apologized to the crowd and left in the middle of a song.

"Sadie are you alright?" Another musician asked as he unloaded is gear. I nodded and set my things away.

"Yeah I...I'm just not myself today. Lots going on at home." I laughed nervously. He nodded and patted my shoulder.

"Well, I hope all gets better soon. You're a beautiful singer and guitarist. Cheer up."

I smiled and watched as he left on stage. The crowd clapping and whistling.

..

I lit a cigarette and walked home in the rain. I really needed to save up for a car. I stopped at a small restaurant, taking my food to go. A little something extra for Martha.

I was always greeted with cries and licks, making me giggle. But tonight, I was greeted with a ringing phone. I clumsily dropped my guitar case and set the food on the table, picking up the phone.

"Hello?" I answered breathlessly.

"About fuckin time you picked up. I've been calling all morning." He sounded angry. I sighed.

"It's almost midnight here. What do you want?" I asked.

"I need to see you. If this is all true then, I think I have a right to have a say in what happens next."

I bit my lip and shooed Martha away from the table.

"Fine. When?" I asked.

"Tomorrow alright?" He asked. I made a face.

"You know I'm in Los Angeles right?" I asked.

"I had the call traced I know already."

"So tomorrow meaning Monday? Or tomorrow meaning Tuesday?"

"Tuesday alright? I'll call again for you to meet me at a hotel." He said quickly.

"Fine. Is that all?"

"Yes. Good day." He hung up. I looked at the phone and set it down.

"You mean goodnight." I said to myself.

............