Is this Friendship?

“Is this is what being friends means, I don’t want anything to do with it.  With you.  Lose my phone number.” 

I stared, dumbfounded, as Stacy turned on her heel and walked away.  My mouth was still hanging open as I watched her get into her car and drive away. 

“What was that all about?”  Carl asked coming up behind me. 

I realized my mouth was still open when I turned to him and he started laughing.  I quickly snapped my mouth shut. 

“Actually, I have absolutely no idea what she is talking about.  She apparently thinks I did something horrible, but how could I have?  I’ve been out of town for the last two weeks. 

“Haven’t you heard the rumors?”  Now it was Carl’s turn to have his jaw drop to the floor.  “Is that what she was accusing you of?  She thinks you started the rumors?” 

“The rumors?  What rumors?”  I felt my heart drop into my stomach as Carl relayed the ‘news’ that had been going around town about Stacy.  No wonder Stacy was upset and no wonder she thought I was the one who started the rumors.  It was about the summer we last went to summer camp together.  The problem was she never told anyone who the father was.  Not even me.