"I didn't realize I was pregnant until after he left, and I didn't want to tell him on the phone."
"You have to tell him."
"I will," I said. "When he comes back."
"In two months?"
"You said it'll be here before we know it." I reminded him.
"That was when he was just your boyfriend, but now it's different. He needs to be involved in your decisions."
"He will be," I said. "But this internship is so important for his future."
"What about your future, Jocelyn? You have your whole life ahead of you."
"It's just that Alex is so smart, and I don't want to mess this up for him."
"He's not that smart." He laughed, but the sound didn't hold much mirth. "He managed to get my eighteen-year-old daughter pregnant, didn't he?"
"He didn't do it by himself," I said.
"He was older and more experienced," he said. "He should have known better."
"It's done!" The tears started again.Damn, I'm so emotional. "We can't change it."
Max sat down next to me and pulled me into a hug. "Ah, Jocelyn." He sighed.
"Are you disappointed?" I asked on a sob.
"Yes. This is not what a father wants to hear from his little girl."
"I'm not little anymore."
"You'll always be my little girl," he said. "But, you're right, it's done now. What do you want to do about it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have you given any thought to what you want to do? Do you want to raise this baby?"
"Yes," I cried. "Please tell me you'll let me do that."
"Jocelyn," he said, as he rubbed my back. "Shh, calm down. I'll support your decisions, and I'll help you any way I can."
"Okay." I hiccupped. "I know it's a lot to ask."
"You're my child," he said. "We'll get through this. We'll figure it out."
I relaxed against my father's side. I’d been so afraid to tell him, but now, for the first time since I found out about the baby, I felt a small sense of relief.
"Jocey," he said. "I get what you're thinking about not wanting to ruin Alex's opportunity, but I think you need to tell him before he finds out another way."
"Dad, please." I begged. "I want to tell him in person. I want him to be with me because he wants to be, not because he feels obligated."
"Whether you tell him now or when he gets home, won't that still be an issue?"
"I guess, but he'll leave Connecticut and come right home, I know he will," I said.
"And if things don't work out between us, I don't want him to resent me for that."
