He helps me up to my feet and the walk into the kitchen is quiet. I sit at the table and watch him pour me a glass of water and grab a couple of sheets of paper roll.
He joins me at the table, and ushers me to drink up. It reminds me of when I was a little girl and was sick, and he’d look after me.
I’m about to ask him what he’s thinking when he asks, “What do you plan to do regarding college? I mean, do you wish to keep the baby?”
It’s funny, I’ve had no idea what I wanted to do after school. And now I’m in a sticky situation my future has never been so clear.
“I want to keep it and still go to school. And after I have my degree, I’ll join you at the publishing house and I’ll provide.”
“It’s going to be challenging, Amelia. It sounds like a good plan on paper, but in reality, it’s going to be one of the toughest things you do in life.”
“I get that, but I’ll show you that I canandwill do it.”
“I don’t doubt that, sweetheart, but I…” His soft smile disappears and then he asks, “Who’s the father? A boy from school?”
My heart sinks, he’s going to hate me, but I can’t hide it from him.
“No, he’s from Dog City. I haven’t told him and I’m not going to.”
“A gangbanger?” he gasps and my chest locks tight.
It’s not all he is, or so I thought, but I don’t tell my dad that. I simply nod.
“Goodness Christ, Amelia,” he barks.
“Please don’t be angry with me. I’m going to do this on my own, I’ll show you I can figure it out.”
He leans over and hugs me, rubbing my back soothingly.
“I know you will, I don’t doubt that, but you won’t be on your own. You’ve got me. I’ll be right here for you both.”
Pulling away, I ask, “You will?”
“Amelia, there isn’t anything you can do that I wouldn’t support you. I wish this wasn’t the case at your age, but life happens and it’s how you deal with it that makes you who you are and while I haven’t quite got my head around it, I know you’ll still do well in life.”
I didn’t realise how much I needed to hear it. A weight has been lifted and I feel like I can breathe again.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Now, I’ll order takeout tonight and we’ll have a nice dinner, see if we can cheer you up.”
I want to cry. But in a happy way.
I’m glad I told my dad everything. The weight of keeping a huge secret from him is worse than anything I’ve felt before. The sun rose a while ago and at least I haven’t woken with the nausea I’ve had all week.
Having my father’s support means everything to me. He was the only one I was truly scared to tell and now he knows, there isn’t anyone I feel the need to share the news with and concern myself with their opinion.
A knock at my door interrupts the early morning silence and it opens and dad pops his head in.
“Oh good, you’re awake. I’ve made you an appointment to get checked out, make sure everything is as it should be.”
Sitting up, I can’t help but shed a tear. The relief is too much, and I smile in response.
“You should get washed and dressed, we’ll have breakfast and then we’ll have to get going.”
Though I have his support, he’s still quiet throughout breakfast and on the drive to the hospital. It’s no surprise he’s made the appointment at the Angel East Hospital. It’s for the sick people of Bolton who have the means to get better with the best help available. Someone like Darius wouldn’t make it through the door, let alone sit with a doctor.
He’d have to go to Bolton General. I don’t know why I’m thinking of him or what his situation would be, and I lock it down in the back of my mind as I climb out of the car.
