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We were still talking when a knock sounded at the door.
I got up to answer. It was Mark and his mother.
["Patty, Patty, we're here to take you home. Come back with Mom,"] Mark's mother said with a forced smile as she entered. Seeing Patricia sprawled on the couch, her smile faltered for a second before returning.
["I'm not coming back. Not until you agree to let me terminate the pregnancy to save my brother."]
Mark followed her in, shooting me a glare before adopting the same coaxing tone as his mother. ["Come on, Patty, let's go home."]
["You like that fancy cheese, right? We'll buy some on the way home. Come on."]
Patricia allowed herself to be half-pulled, half-led back home.
As soon as Patricia left, I started figuring out how to escape this mess.
How could I get away from this toxic friendship? This time, I was staying far away from her family drama..
I was debating whether to take a long leave or find a new job when, during a meeting, the boss mentioned an open position for a company transfer.
The transfer was to Denver, Colorado – we had a factory there. The previous manager had retired, and they needed a replacement.
Denver's high altitude wasn't something us sea-level folks adapted to easily. Plus, the hardship pay wasn't that great. When the boss brought it up, the conference room fell dead silent. No one made a sound. Even breathing seemed quieter, everyone afraid of being singled out.
This was perfect. Exactly what I needed.
I immediately raised my hand. "Sir, I'll go. I'll take it."
Under the astonished stares of my colleagues and the boss's relieved smile, I secured the transfer to Denver.
I got home after work and had barely laid down when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Patricia standing there, eyes red.
She saw me and threw herself into my arms.
["Vanessa, everyone's ganging up on me. What am I going to do?"]
["Kevin can't wait any longer; I have to terminate the pregnancy soon."]
["But I went to three different clinics today, and they all said the pregnancy is healthy and they won't do the procedure."]
Of course not! The babies were five months along – viable fetuses. No reputable clinic would agree to terminate a healthy pregnancy at that stage.
["Vanessa."] Patricia looked at me pitifully. ["What do I do? I can't find anyone to do the procedure, and Kevin can't wait!"]
["Do you have any ideas? Or know any doctor friends?"]
I shook my head, feigning helplessness..
This life, I was determined to stay clear of this disaster.
Avoiding toxic people was priority number one.
Patricia sighed. She turned and spotted the takeout Mexican nachos I'd ordered for myself on the table, her eyes lighting up.
["Spicy nachos! Vanessa, how did you know I love these?"]
["Seriously, since I got pregnant, my mother-in-law won't let me eat anything spicy or greasy, says it's bad for the babies. Today, I'm indulging at your place!"] With that, she opened the container and started shoveling the nachos into her mouth.
Watching her devour my dinner, I was speechless.
I'd just wanted to relax for a bit, find something to watch while I ate.
I was starving!
Patricia inhaled the nachos in record time. She wiped her mouth and grinned at me, ["Eat! Why aren't you eating?"]
Lady, you ate it all! What am I supposed to eat? Lick the cheese sauce off the container?
I shook my head, ["Nah, I'm not hungry."]
