Mick’s birthday was going to be just a bunch of friends at The Eight Ball, and then pizza at his house afterwards.

“Man I don’t get why Mick is so into that Evie chick,” Vinnie told Julio.

“I do she has fab chongas amigo,” Julio said rolling his eyes towards Evie’s chest.

“So does most the other girls,” Vinnie sighed. At least Sheila treated him and the others like they were humans with feelings this Evie thought she was a freaking queen and she was too good to rub elbows with their kind. He wondered why she liked Rosa, but Rosa kept telling him to give Evie a chance she was a bit scared of Vinnie.

For someone so smart Mick was sure blind to that chick. Sheila did not even buy into this whole thing he could tell by the way she kept glancing at Mick. Talk about hot Sheila was not bad either, he didn’t know how Mick could have let her go for the ice princess. The only other person who seemed to think it was wrong was Bela but he didn’t say much about it.

But Bela’s reasons were different he could see that Evie would end up wrecking Mick he wasn’t sure what that meant but he could see it happening. But today was Mick’s eighteenth birthday so everyone was trying to have a good time.

"Okay everyone, to my house for pizza, let's eat," Mick laughed.

Scott was feeling a better, but he was still getting tired easily and the party was a lot of fun, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Scott and Sheila had went home ahead of the others to pick up the pizza.

Evie had bought a really nice used stereo at a pawn shop as Rosa had suggested, the idea had really been Vinnies, but Rosa thought it was something Mick would enjoy. The gang had chipped in what little money they had and gave it to Rosa, who had gone with Evie to get the stereo.

"A cake and a stereo, you guys are too much," Mick laughed, he was so happy.

"Hey you only turn eighteen once," Jube teased.

Evie realized even though she liked Rosa, the gang made her feel uncomfortable and she never could fit in, it was time to break up with Mick this had been a mistake, she hoped he would see she had given it a good try. Their worlds were just too different.

So she wrote him a note and put it in his book, knowing he had class tonight. He would find the note and hopefully understand why she couldn’t see him any more.

When he found the note the next day when he was going over what the teacher had put down for them to work on in the next week, he threw his books in the trash.

“Now why did you do that? Don’t tell me you are giving up you only have one more week of class and then the test,” Bela said.

Mick looked at him, and sighed, “It’s no use, Evie has left me what does it matter.

“Well it matters to us man,” Bela said.

“What matters?” Scott asked.

“Nothing,” Mick sighed.

“Come on man lets go play some pool,” Bela said taking the books out of the trash.

Scott looked puzzled, but after Bela and Mick left he found the balled up pink stationary and sighed. He called up Sheila and told her what was going on.

“Look man,” Bela sighed, as they stood on the corner.

“Bela I loved her, she has hurt me so bad, I don’t know if I can go on,” Mick sighed.

“I know it feels like right now your heart is ripped right out of you, but it will pass, there will be other girls, I never felt right about this chick even when she was with Scott, she is how you say . . . .flakey.” Bela said trying to think of the right English word.

“She said she loved me, she went to great lengths to prove it, and now she dumps me, on my birthday,” Mick cried.

“Maybe this is a good thing man she is jail bait to you now,” Bela said, wishing he could tell Mick how he really felt.

Mick sighed, Bela was right he had to go on, but why did it feel like he had just died some inside. He couldn't believe he had just cried like a baby in front of Bela and the gypsy had not made fun of him or showed contempt.

“Look man, if it is true love she will realize she made a mistake and she will come back, otherwise you will find someone better suited to you,” Bela said. He hoped Evie would be gone from Mick’s life forever.

The next morning Evie was sick to her stomach. It was probably the food from Mick’s party. She had been getting sick of the morning quite a bit lately but this was the worst she had been.

Evie had forgotten about the doctor’s appointment she had made to get on the pill with their family doctor until her mother reminded her the next morning she had it after school.

At first she thought of canceling it, but then she decided to go ahead and get the pill, Liz was on it now and she said she liked how it made her periods more predictable.

The doctor said something shocking that rocked Evie to the core, he said she might be pregnant Evie was upset when she left his office and called Liz, feeling as if Liz was the only one who she could trust right now, all her new friends were still of unknown quality. Liz and she met at the Night Owl, which was opening earlier now.

“What are you going to do?” Liz asked.

“He is supposed to call me Monday with the results could you come home with me after school, I don’t think I am pregnant but I need a friend right now,” Evie pleaded.

“Of course Evie but if you had sex you could be pregnant,” Liz reasoned, thinking how easily a girl could get pregnant. <

“Mick used condoms,” Evie said, forgetting about the time she and Mick had spontaneously made love at Chris’s cabin.

“Well my mother had a false pregnancy,” Liz said softly.

“I am sure that is what it is I don’t even have symptoms,” Evie said thinking her clothing still fit and her ankles weren’t swollen up. She didn’t think about the upset stomach in the morning.

“What is this about you breaking up with Mick?” Liz asked.

“I just think we are too young to be tied down, Mick is so sweet and I love him I just want to be free the rest this school year, and this summer daddy promised me a trip,” Evie said smiling.

Ah, Liz thought, daddy was behind this, a trip if you break up with your boyfriend. She sighed, she was glad that her parents were different. They would tell her they didn’t like a boy she was dating but the boy would have to actually do something wrong like the time she had gone out with Glen Dobson and he got caught by the police vandalizing the statue of Jonas Tackett in Tackett park. Her father had calmly explained that a boy with that kind of attitude was not a good date. It had been a dare but her father was right Glen was always in trouble now he was in the Alabasters. Tommy was a much better choice, more level headed and a good guy. He had even gone to back up Chris and Jube but Chris had waved him off explaining later there was no sense in Tommy getting in trouble too.

“I do love Mick, but his life style is so different, I just don’t think I could make him happy,” Evie said, she had thought that would be a satisfactory response, it had worked on Rosa.

Liz looked at her and wanted to say you are full of crap Evie, but instead she said, “Really you love him?”

“Yes, but you have seen where they live and that gang of dim bulbs he hangs around with,” Evie said.

Liz shook her head, she thought Vinnie and Julio were pretty worthless, but Jube was very bright and hard working, so were some of the other guys in that gang, they just weren’t white and their families were not rich. Evie was so prejudice and Liz now understood why Val wrote her off. Liz decided she would wait until Evie was through this crisis and then she too would tell Evie the friendship was over. She didn't want to dump her in the middle of a crisis, Liz was too good of a person to do that.

That weekend Scott and Sheila had a huge fight and Scott was sure she was going to break up with him. It concerned spending time with her parents, going to church and Sunday dinner, Sheila was demanding he go, and he was just as adamant not to go.

After Sheila left he got a little drunk with Julio, Mick was down playing pool with Vinnie or chasing some chick.

Bela walked in on them drinking and wondered if he should say something to Mick, Scott was not as outgoing as Mick so Bela didn't really know him as well as he did some of the others. He knew Scott disliked Vinnie and seemed to take up with Julio.

Bela decided Mick had enough on his plate but he would keep an eye on the two of them. Bela did not really trust Julio and he didn't know why, Vinnie was trustworthy enough unless there were women involved.

Monday at school Sheila was at the lunch counter waiting for the cooks to bring out more salads when Boone's girlfriend came up and said, "Sheila you better do something your boyfriend is passed out in the hall."

Sheila dashed out to find Jube and Boone carrying Scott out of the school.

"He is drunk," Boone whispered.

"Put him in my car, can you get Denee' to cover for me if I am late for period 5?" she asked.

"Sure thing," Jube said relieved he did not have to take Scott home drunk.

"Thanks." Sheila said.

At Mick's she saw Vinnie and she and Vinnie put the very passed out Scott to bed.

Mick was at the junk yard with Julio getting a rear end for some car, and Vinnie was hanging out cleaning parts and keeping an eye out for any customers.

"Vinnie, what is going on, do you have any clue why Scott would get so drunk at school that he would pass out?" Sheila asked.

"No sorry no idea," Vinnie said.

"He keeps this up he is going to get kicked out of school," Sheila sighed, "He almost got caught today, thanks to Jube and Boone he was just thought to be sick again."

"That is not good, I know he was upset about the fight you had yesterday," Vinnie shrugged.

"Well where could he get booze he is only 15 for Gods sake," Sheila sighed.

"Unfortunately there are ways, I like a beer as well as the next guy but drinking to get drunk is not good," Vinnie sighed, Mick was very much against drinking in the gang, a beer or a spot of rum in a hot drink on a bitter cold day was one thing, Scott was doing exactly what Mick disliked the most.

Um Mick just drove in," Vinnie said, "I will handle this you need to get back to school," Vinnie said.

Sheila nodded, and said, "Thanks Vinnie."

Vinnie thought he would not mind slipping it to her at all, but she was a little young now.

Mick was not happy about Scott but he was not sure how to handle the problem, he had no idea Julio had furnished him with a flask of whiskey.

After school Liz went to Evie's house with Evie, they went into the dinning room, Evie spread out the books, and brought the phone in so they wouldn't miss the call.

"If my mother comes home she will think we are studying," Evie said nervously.

"What about your dad?" Liz asked.

"He never comes home this early," Evie said.

"Evie what if you are pregnant?" Liz asked.

"Why didn't I go to another Doctor, or have them call my private line?" Evie said ignoring the question.

Liz thought she was deluding herself but hoped it was not true, this would ruin Evie's life and although she had no idea what Evie should do either she would be thinking of some sort of action.

The phone rang causing her to jump.

"Hello," Evie said, and heard a faint click.

"Hello this is nurse Swensen from Dr. Craders office may I speak to Eve Kentland please," a voice said.

"This is Eve," Evie said, she really hoped it was good news since it was the nurse not the doctor.

"Hold on one moment," she said.

"Hello Eve, this is Doctor Crader, your pregnancy test is positive, and reviewing your chart I would say you should come in for a second trimester check up in about three weeks, I think also you should tell your parents as soon as possiable," Dr. Crader said.

"I am really pregnant?" Evie asked.

Liz's eyes widened.

"Yes you are Eve," the doctor confirmed knowing it must be a shock to her as it was to most teenage girls.

Evie hung up and sat down heavily.

"What are you . . ." Liz started as a furious Will Kentland entered the room.

"You are pregnant!" the man shouted. 

"Daddy I . . ." Evie cried looking truly terrified.

"I think I should go," Liz said, wondering if she should wait in her car.

Evie gave her the signal the four of them had for wait for me, and Liz thought she should do just that. Will Kentland looked scary.

"You little strumpet gone and gotten yourself pregnant, who is the father?" Will demanded angrily.

Evie had never seen him so angry, he almost looked insane.

"Daddy, I . . ." Evie pleaded.

"Who is he?" Will demanded, "Drummonds kid?"

"No!" Evie said shuddering slightly.

"Don't lie," he shouted and slapped her soundly.

He had never struck any of his children before and it startled him slightly this gave Evie time enough to grab her mothers silver tea pot and bean her father with it, she was really afraid he was going to hurt her.

He went down, and Evie ran from the house.

Evie was so scared and not just about her fathers attack what would she do?

"So where do you want to go?" Liz said as they drove along.

"Your house I guess," Evie sighed.

"No, it is the first place your dad would look," Liz said she wanted to call Val and Sheila and tell them what was going on and she couldn't do it with Evie there, plus she really did think he would look there first.

"You are right, I guess I could go to Rosa's but I am not sure where she lives and her parents might ask her too many questions." Evie sighed.

"You should go to Mick," Liz said, it was the obvious answer.

"No," Evie cried.

Liz sighed.

"Take me to the bank I will withdraw all my money and go to a motel," Evie suggested.

"What Motel will take you in?" Liz said thinking that was a crazy idea.

Probably the Rail Road Hotel Would but I know one for sure would, we will go to Moonlighters," Evie said.

"Are you sure you don't want to tell Mick?" Liz asked.

"No," Evie said, and Liz thought he is the father he has a right to know.

Liz got a room, with two keys, and was surprised the young college student desk clerk did not even question her just took the money. At nine dollars a night plus food Evie would soon be broke. Then what would she do? Liz decided she and the others must act Evie was in shock and probably in no shape to make any kind of decision.

They went up to the room, and Evie turned to her, "Liz you are really a good friend.

"I still think you should tell Mick," Liz sighed.

"Why so he can laugh at me, Scott said today that Mick hates me," Evie said, trying not to cry.

"It's his baby, and you are going to need help," Liz said wondering if Evie thought she could just live at the motel until the baby was born.

"Why would he help someone he hates?" Evie asked.

"I think Scott was drunk," Liz said.

"Besides I am the one who is pregnant you don't understand, I am the one who's life is ruined," Evie sobbed.

"But Evie what are you going to do, how will you make money and support yourself?" Liz asked.

"Oh I have a trust fund and I am not worried," Evie said going over to lay on the bed.

"You don't get that . . ." Liz started then thought what is the use, Evie was deluding herself.

"I will talk to my grandmother," Evie sighed.

"Look I got to get home my parents will be worried.

"Oh Liz can you bring me something to eat later?" she asked.

"Sure," Liz sighed. She needed some time to think about this. Evie was unbelieveable she was in some kind of dream world. Maybe she was in shock.

Later she went over to Mick's place, she had talked to Sheila and Val, and at first they wanted nothing to do with it. Then Sheila caved, and agreed to talk to Val. Liz thought it was because Sheila still loved Mick or she cared about Scott.

Mick looked at Liz, and smiled, "What?"

"Evie is pregnant. It is your baby Mick . . ."

"No we were careful, no way this could have happened," Mick said looking shocked.

"The night you and she were at Chris's cabin?" Liz said.

Mick turned away wordlessly.

For a long time he stood there as if stunned, then Liz touched his shoulder it was trembling, she was amazed Mick Warwick was crying.

He turned tears in his eyes, and sighed, “Oh no, what is she going to do? Does her parents know?”

“She ran away, and yes they know,” Liz sighed, he looked so miserable, she wanted to hold him, and then she did.

“Where is she?” Mick asked, “I will marry her I have to for the baby . . . but she ‘ates me.”

Liz felt for him the poor guy, all he wanted to be was have a happy life and he had to get involved with Evie.

“Come I will take you to her, I don’t think you should drive, I will go to the coffee shop and have some hot cocoa, call my parents and wait for you,” she offered thinking he felt so good in her arms, the natural scent of him fresh and clean made her never want to let him go.

“Are you sure?” Mick asked thinking she was the kindest of the girls.

“Yes,” Liz said smiling.

“Let me tell Sheila and Scott I will be right back,” Mick said composing himself and drying his eyes.

“Oh God,” he said thinking she was right, he had been blind sided by Evie she had been the aggressor at least that was how it had started, and he had not been prepared to have sex with anyone.

“She is about nine weeks along,” Liz said.

Mick mentally counted back it was exactly nine weeks since they first made love, and she had put him through Hell and he was sure it would never be over, half of him wanted to order Liz to take the key back and tell Evie to go to Hell.

“Scott and I were abandoned by our father, in fact according to my birth certificate our parents both had the same last name, I think mum made him up, or she really didn’t know his last name, our mother was also single and gave birth to me at home. Scott was born in hospital, but no father signed his cert either. I swore if I ever got a girl pregnant, I would marry her and be around for my child,” Mick said looking miserable.

Liz was both surprised and touched, she thought he might help Evie, being honorable as he seemed, but she knew of a lot of guys who turned their backs or ran when this happened.

Her brother was one, he had gotten some girl “knocked up”, their dad had called it, in his senior year and her father had thrown money at her and she had gone away. Some where in Tacky Town was a four year old child that was her niece or nephew unless the mother had given him up.

They didn’t think Liz knew about Jeff’s little misadventure, but she did and part of her despised him for it, because he hadn’t stuck by the mother of his child.

“You are a real man Mick,” she said admiringly.

Mick snorted softly, and said, “It doesn’t take a real man to get a girl pregnant.”

“No but it takes one to take responsibility,” she countered.

He sighed, thinking a real man should have more control then he had shown on that night.

Liz slipped him the key to room 14.

“She will probably be angry at me but I thought you should know, also her father whaled on her, I will bring her some dinner in about half an hour,” Liz said.

Mick took the key, and sighed, “She broke up with me.”

“I know, she is confused Mick, even before this,” Liz said tenderly. She wanted to hold him again kiss him, she wanted him so much, but turned and walked towards her car, after he assured her he was fine to drive, and left Evies fate up to Mick.

Later Mick unlocked the room, and braced himself for what he would have to face.

“Liz?” Evie asked softly, she had been crying and lay prone across the royal blue spread of the motel double bed.

Then Evie saw Mick and began to cry hard.

“Oh Evie,” Mick cried, fighting back his own tears, “My poor, poor baby.”

“Mick what are you doing here?” she demanded, trying to stop crying.

“I came ‘ere to talk to you,” he said trying to look stern.

“Mick you better stay away my father has lost his mind,” she said motioning to the bruise on her cheek.

“’E did this to you?” Mick asked angrily, even though he knew the answer.

“Yes he has some crazy ideas,” she said pushing back her damp hair.

“Don’t lie to me Evie, I am the one who loves you, and I know you are going to ‘ave me own baby,” Mick said studying her, as he came closer hand out as if approaching a dog he was unsure might bite.

Evie flinched back, and looked at him with shock, then she began to cry again and shook her head, Liz had betrayed her, her last friend.

"Leave me alone," Evie cried.

He scooped her in his arms and said, "I can't do that you are going to have my baby and I love you."

She lost it and broke down in tears, and after a moment she said, "You really love me?"

"Yes Evie," he said tears in his own eyes.

She kicked and said, "Its not yours . . ."

"It is, and I want to marry you, and do the right thing." he said honestly.

"Oh Mick sit me down, I can't believe you still love me after what I did to you," she cried.

"I do Evie," he said his voice choked with emotion.

"Mick, I can't believe this is happening," she said

"Me neither, Evie I love you," he said, and they kissed.

"How could I have ever broken up with you, Mick you are the best man," Evie said holding him close. Liz was right Mick was a good guy.

Liz smiled as she set the tray of food on the end table and slipped back out of the motel room. She still wondered if she had done the right thing.

In the morning after a night of wonderful love making they had breakfast in motels cafe' they had talked until late between making love. Mick was tired but he had a lot of work to do.

"I paid for the room for three nights," Evie sighed.