“Sweetheart, you’re only twenty-two and you
still have to graduate, you’re about to have a
child.”
“I can make it,” I say, even if my voice betrays
me. “I don’t want you … I don’t want anyone to
take care of me. I’ll take care of myself.”
“I’m sure you can do it, Erin, but I’m your
father and the child is my grandchild. Do you think
I could stay away from you? You’re all I have.”
My eyes fill up with tears and in a second, my
father hands me his handkerchief.
“I want to be there, even if you don’t need me. I
want to be near to help you because I am your dad
and that’s what parents do for their children.”
I nod, grateful and relieved. My father has come
home and will be close to the baby and me. It
makes me happy and is a huge weight lifted that
makes me feel better.
Not only because I’ll have someone to count on
but also because my father is my entire family.
“We’ll have to advise your mother,” he says.
“She has the right to know.”
I nod, drying my eyes.
“We’ll do it together, as soon as you’re ready,
okay?”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He smiles and caresses my hand.
“I’ve called an agency and asked them to find a
solution. They have assured me they will take care
of it quickly so that we can go back home.”
