The Fast Times

Pete got the okay to crash at Chris's house for a few days while his parents were visiting his grandmother in Springfield. When they would return, Pete would have to find another place to go. He was okay with the arrangement for the time being, he didn't want to think ahead and stress himself out.

The only future he thought of was his and Nancy's and their baby's. His heart was in a spin, he was happy, excited and scared. He never felt this way about a girl before, especially since he was one to panic over committing himself to anything. Even picking his favorite things made him queasy and nervous. But this was different, he had no choice but to commit to being a father and he had no qualms about it.

As he crashed on the couch, he thought deeply about what his parents must've thought of him. He knew his father hated him and that his mother was upset. Pete felt bad, but he figured this was all for a reason and he would know soon enough what it was.

He shut his eyes, his head filling with baby names and what his baby would look like. He was in love and this all made him dizzy and insanely happy. He couldn't wait to see Nancy when he woke up.


Nancy couldn't help but to worry about her future. She wasn't rich and the only money she lived off of was whatever money Alma got from her 401K and social security checks. Alma was paying off the debit her husband had left after he passed, paying for her medication and taking care of the house necessities. Alma wasn't worried, Nancy was - she wasn't sure what she would do once her baby was born. This scared the hell out of her.

Nancy sat with Alma in her bedroom before she went to bed. Alma could see the worry in her granddaughter's eyes. She had thoughts of her own, but the only worries she had were of Nancy.

"We'll be fine," Alma assured her. "Darla'll come around. She's stubborn but she isn't heartless."

"I don't care," Nancy muttered stubbornly. "I'm gonna go to bed, Gram. Do you need anything?"

Alma nodded as Nancy stood, "I need you to calm down and take a deep breath. This isn't the end of the world."

Nancy smiled softly. Even at their worst -what Nancy thought was their worst- Alma could make her feel so much better. She leaned over and kissed her cheek, "Okay, I'm sorry. Thanks, Gram."

"Go get some rest, honey," Alma reached out, her hand patting Nancy's stomach over her sweatshirt, "Rest too, little one."

Nancy couldn't help but to smile even wider. She knew then that this was a good decision. Her baby would be loved and would be taken care of, no matter what anyone said or could do.

Nancy turned out Alma's light, shut the door and headed down to her own bedroom. She closed the door, leaned against it and took in a deep breath. In her mind, she kept repeating that she'd be okay, that everything would come together the way it should. She even had hope that she'd grow to love Pete as much as she could love another person. She loved their baby already, she was just nervous and scared about being stuck to Pete for the rest of her life.

Nancy went to her bed and climbed beneath the covers. She began to think about her parents and how they were in love and had her. Her parents met in school, at New Trier, in the drama club; her father was forced to take the elective and her mother wanted to be an actress. They met when they seventeen, they got married just before her father's twenty-first birthday, Nancy was born a few months after. Her parents were in love, they managed to work at well paying jobs, they managed to keep their love like new, as if they were mad teenagers and Nancy had admired that. She, herself, couldn't wait to find a love like that; her parents -Tyler and Marla- were full of love and were happy. When they died, it felt like all the love Nancy ever had, had died with them.

Now, after a year, she realized she was gaining some love back. Her love for her baby was undeniable, she never felt close to anyone as she did to her tiny baby. With her hands around her stomach, she laid back in her bed, her fingers trailing invisible spirals around her belly button.

"I love you baby," she said to herself - really to her unborn child. "I love you a lot."


Pete found that without his father constantly on his back, he could finally do what he wanted; grow his hair back. He thought about this while he bundled up and stood outside smoking on Chris' porch. It was mid-afternoon, the snow had let up, the sun warm high, but the streets were blanketed in white snow. He thought about so many things, but the only thing he focused on was the fact he could finally grow his dreads back and play in a band again. He could smoke as much as he wanted and he could quit soccer if he wanted, but he knew he wouldn't do that.

Chris had woken up to the house phone ringing, answered it and caught Nancy on the other end. Chris was too tired and hungover to tease her, so he just went to the front door and gave Pete the cordless. Pete didn't question who it was, he assumed it was his mother; "Hello?"

"Hey," Nancy spoke. "Um, what-what are you doing?"

Pete tossed his cigarette butt into the snow, "Uh, nothing. Why, what's up? Do you need something?"

Nancy swapped audibly, "My grandma wants to talk to you. If that's okay? I can pick you up."

"The streets are crazy right now, babe. You shouldn't drive."

"It's too cold for you to walk," she reasoned.

"I'll be fine. I'll be over in a few."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Nancy agreed reluctantly, "O-okay. I'll see you soon."

"Yeah."

They hung up, Pete returned inside, setting the phone down on it's charger and then made his way upstairs. He knocked on Chris's door, then let himself in. Chris was sitting on his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "What?" He asked with a deep yawn.

"I'm heading over to Nancy's. I don't know when I'll be back."

Chris chuckled, "I'm not your old man, you don't have to report to me, Wentz."

"I'm just telling you in case you lock the door," Pete retorted.

"I won't," Chris assured. "I'll be asleep, man."

"Alright, see ya."

Chris waved before falling into his bed. Pete left his room, went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He made sure to keep warm and make sure he had his heft coat on before leaving. He didn't have gloves, but it didn't stop him from lighting another cigarette before he took off.

He noticed it wasn't as frigid cold as the day before. The snow was just thick and gave the illusion it was colder than it truly was. He smoked as he walked briskly, keeping his mind blank, he wasn't sure what to think. All he thought was he couldn't wait to see Nancy. She was all that consumed his head.

Nancy was sick still. Her stomach was in constant waves and she threw up nearly after every time she ate. It was her nerves, less than the baby. She was afraid of the future, even with reassurance from Alma.

Alma was calm and cool, having figured out what these two future parents were to do. Alma had it all worked out in her head and she wasn't going to take no for an answer. She hadn't told Nancy anything of it yet, not until Pete would arrive to listen to it too.

Nancy sipped ginger ale while waiting for Pete. Alma was cleaning up a little, just to give herself something to do. Her eyesight was going, and this was something she didn't want to deal with, especially with everything else, so she busied her mind.

When Pete arrived, Alma answered the door, "Come in, Pete."

Pete smiled and stepped inside, making sure to stomp the snow off his boots before going in. Alma shut the door behind him and followed him to the living room. Nancy had come in from the kitchen, having poured more ginger ale, and met with Pete. She hugged him, wanting to feel close to him at the moment.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked as he rubbed her back.

"I'm sick," she mumbled, "but I'll live."

He kissed her forehead and then took her hand. They sat on the couch as Alma sat in the recliner, she cleared her throat, leaning her slim body in toward them to speak, "Pete, where are you staying?"

"At my friend Chris' for a few days - until his folks return from Springfield," he answered.

"Do you have any plans after?"

Pete shrugged, "Not really."

Pete and Nancy were slightly confused as to what Alma was getting at. But they didn't question her, as she seemed determined to settle her idea.

"I was thinking," she began, "if you two go to school, get jobs and act responsibly, that you can move in here."

Pete was taken aback, Nancy was shocked. She wasn't sure what to say, and all Pete could muster was, "You want me to move in here?"

Alma had nodded to his words, "My granddaughter is going to need help and your baby needs their father around. I don't want you to be floating around and not having a stable environment for your child to be in. I want you to be there for Nancy and your baby, and I'm willing to let you move in here if you're willing to get a job and do your part."

Pete was ready to say yes, but he wanted to know if Nancy was okay with it. He looked at her, "Cy, will you be okay with it?"

Nancy knew Alma had a point, even if she had wanted to break up with Pete, she still wanted him there. She gave a nod too, "Y-yeah. Yeah, it would be convenient...we have a car, we just need to get jobs and save up for everything our baby needs."

Pete smiled, "Really?"

Nancy forced a small smile, "Yeah, sure. If you want?"

"Yeah, I do!" He exclaimed happily. "I want to be there for everything," he looked over at Alma, "I'll help out, Mrs. Durden, I'll get a job and buy the baby whatever they need. I-I'll do everything."

Alma was happy to hear it, and said so, adding, "You can move in whenever you want. The only rules we have around here is have your turn to wash dishes and wash clothes."

"I don't know how to wash clothes, but I'll learn."

"Good. I hope you two can work this out," Alma stood, "I'm going to get started on dinner."

"Thanks, Mrs. Durden."

"Call me Alma," she said as she left the room with a small laugh.

Pete exhaled in a relieved tone. He looked to Nancy again, who was still shocked. He was worried she didn't really want him around; "Nance, are you sure you'll be okay with me here? I know things are moving so fast, but--"

Nancy cut him off, "I do want you here, I need you."

Pete smiled, "Yeah...I need you too."

Nancy leaned over to kiss Pete. He was hard to resist with that sweet smile and the dimples at the corners of his lips deepening. Pete groaned softly, kissing her back; when they parted, Pete sighed, "If you weren't already pregnant, I would probably be able to do it to you right now."

Nancy rolled her eyes playfully, giggling at his words.