Title: "Adversity On Gilman: Part 9 of 12"        

         Later in the night, Zero and Erica walked up to Matt's apartment door. His lights were on. They knew he was home. They were just tentative about going on. Once in, they knew there could be no turning back. They would have to reveal the truth to him.

         Zero took a step forward to the door. He could hear Matt's stereo going in the back of the apartment. He pulled his head back, his hand up, and came down with a strong knock.

         Matt obviously didn't hear him.

         Zero knocked again. This time, he could hear the stereo go quiet as footsteps walked towards the front door.

         With a quick twist of a knob, Matt opened up the door.

         Zero quickly spoke up to him. "Matt..." he said. He wanted to make it clear that this wasn't apart of some grudge that Matt believed Zero held for him because of the fight.

         Matt's eyes opened. He hadn't expected Zero to drop by. He took a small gulp when he said, "Hey..." He raised his tone a little, trying to show more confidence. "Hey man, how's it going?" He couldn't see Erica, who stood off to the back of Zero. Matt continued on to Zero, thinking it was just the two of them. "Look man, I'm completely sorry about yesterday. I..."

         Obviously not wanting to take the discussion into that direction, Zero cut him off. "Look, it's fine man. I hold no grudge against you..."

         Erica walked a little closer into the light emitting from Matt's apartment. She held her body low, but tried to put on an array of confidence in her face. She would need it.

         Matt saw her walking up. He hadn't expected, nor realized, that she was there. "Erica, hey. What are you two up to tonight?"

         She held no joy in her voice when she told Matt: "We have to talk."

         Matt's eyes went from Erica, back to Zero. He wasn't completely sure what exactly they needed to talk about. What reason all of them would be there for it. It could be one of two things. Perhaps Zero was, in fact, coming to say something to him about the fight. He hoped that was what it was, as he said, "Hey, Lint... man, I'm sorry."

         Zero voice was solemn, not looking forward to the intent of the "talk." He looked up to Matt, listening to his quick message that still hung on about the fight. He replied, saying, "Again I say, I'm not mad at you, Matt. I am just here right now. Erica has something that she has to tell you. I just came to help out the process." His eyes looked into Matt's, seeing the panic growing inside of them.

         Or it could be the other possible reason for why they came back. Matt felt a sick feeling in his stomach. He felt like he was going to puke, but it was a feeling that only lasted inside of the body, impossible for it to emit itself. It was the worst kind of feeling in one's stomach.

         Obviously shaking, his voice barely audible, he said, "Oh... man. Damn. You two don't have to tell me. I already know why you came by."

         Erica took a step forward, compassion showing on her face. She was doing a good job of holding back those tears. Her time of crying was over. That was what she had told herself. She was there for Matt. She went ahead and told him their grim reality. "It came back positive."

         Matt took a deep breath, leaning himself against his doorway. His eyes scoured the ground, then up to the two faces before him. He took another deep breath and looked at Erica. "Are... are you positive?" He desperately wanted her to not be. It was the only thing in life that he wanted at that moment.

         Zero stepped back into the background, letting Erica come to the forefront, in front of Matt. She looked into Matt's eyes. She, herself, desperately wanted to not be pregnant. But the facts that she was presented told her otherwise. "It says that I am," she said. "I could get a doctor to look at me. I fear that he would just confirm what I already know." She looked into his eyes. She hoped that he knew the way she was feeling at that moment.

         Zero took a step forward to offer any help Matt might need at that moment. "Matt..." He offered his hand out to Matt.

         Matt stood up straight in the doorway and looked at Zero's outstretched hand. He shifted his head a little, although he was still visible shaken. "No... It's ok. I'm... I am just not real sure what to say." He shuffled in his place like a monkey on display at the zoo.

         Noticing his obvious feelings, Erica spoke up to him. "We're here for anything you need."

         Matt looked back up to her. He didn't intend any sharpness in his tone, but as he said, "Yeah, I kind of guessed you would be," his voice cracked on him and sent the words off in a flurry. He shook his head, but didn't try to correct himself.

         Zero looked at the discomfort that Matt was going through. Matt looked pale and sick at that moment. Zero wanted to let him know that, despite any turbulence the two might have felt the previous day, he, too, was still there for him. "Is there anything you need to talk about, Matt?"

         "No," said Matt. His voice was keeping at a steady, unknown pace. He shuffled where he stood. His stomach was doing cartwheels. "No, I think I just need some time... some time alone." He looked up at the two, realizing he might have offended them. "It's nothing against..."

         Zero quickly acknowledged the fact. "No, I understand. I understand, more than you think I do."

         Matt tried to give a small smile to Zero, but his facial muscles were so tight that he could barely even move his lips to speak. "I'll be back soon. I just need to sort my mind."

         Erica nodded her head, trying to be as compassionate about the situation as she possible could. "It's understandable." She knew better than anyone. "I've been having to go through it, too."

         Matt shook his head. "It's pretty hard..." He fiddled with his feet, staring at the ground before slowly raising his face up to Zero's. "Zero... could I borrow your Blazer?" He waited, looking at Zero's reaction. "I just need to drive around for a little."

         Zero looked at Matt, knowing how he was feeling but also cautious as to whether or not he should allow him to use his Blazer. "Matt, I don't know."

         Matt nodded his head and once again looked back down to the ground. "Yeah, I understand." It was to his surprise with what Zero said next to him.

         Zero looked at him. He thought of the situation that Matt was suddenly in. From inside his pocket, he located his set of keys. He looked back to Matt. "Just promise me that you don't do anything rash in it." He pulled the keys from his pocket. "It's getting old, but it's all I have." He tossed the keys over to Matt, who's face shown the surprise he felt.

         Matt caught the keys and gave them a look. He looked back up to Zero. "I promise. I just need to drive around for a bit, get some wind blowing in my face and put my mind together. It's spinning right now, man."

         Zero nodded to him.

         Erica gave him a hug and kiss.

         Matt clutched hold of the keys and stood in front of them. "I'll be back," he said. With that, he slowly turned and walking quietly around to the backside of the apartments.