“You really think so?” I ask Gran. I know I look like an idiot when I look at Denise, but does she really look at me the same way? “You’ve just met her. How do you know she doesn’t look like that all the time?”
“Well, before you opened your big, dumb mouth earlier, she was looking at you like you hung the moon. Of course, then you tried to tell her what she can and can’t do and she rightfully put you in your place. And by rightfully, I mean you completely deserved it. She’s a grown woman, and she’s been taking care of you and the rest of your idiot friends for what, 15 years? She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”
“You’re right, Gran, she is capable. But I want her to know that she doesn’t have to do it alone. Iwantto take care of her. Nothing would make me happier than to be the one she turns to when she needs support.That’sthe guy I want to be. So how do I do that? How do I be that guy?”
“Alright kiddo, I have a plan. It won’t be easy. Are you sure you want to do this? Being a parent is a lifetime commitment. Even if you and Denise somehow don’t work out, you will still be this baby’s father. Do you understand?”
My own mother abandoned me when I was a kid. I know what that feels like and I wouldneversubject any child to that, whether they have my blood or not. Being with Denise feels like the most natural thing in the world. It makes me feel capable, like maybe I can actually be the man that I want to be, for her, and for the baby.
“Yes. I understand. Better than anyone, I know what it’s like when a parent doesn’t love you enough to stay. I wouldn’t try to become this baby’s father if I didn’t intend to be there for life, no matter what happens.”
Gran claps her hands together and stands up. “That’s all I needed to hear. Give Gladys your phone and she’ll start making the calls. You, come with me.”
Confused, I give Gladys my phone, and I take Gran’s hand. She grabs her purse and leads me out the door toward her car.
“We have some shopping to do. Get in.”
Gran’s never steered me wrong before, so I’m just going to trust that she knows what she’s doing. If she can convince Denise to trust that I want to be that baby’s father, and that she’s not trapping me, I will do whatever Gran tells me to.
