The Daddy Project || s.m

One

Shawn

"One second, Bree I'm getting a call." I put my best friend on hold.

"Hello?" I said into the phone.

"Good afternoon, this is Brookside orphanage. We are calling about your daughter Allison Mendes?" A lady answered.

My heart stopped.

"My d-daughter?" I stuttered.

"Yes, is this Mr.Mendes speaking?"

"That would be me." I said.

"Well, a woman dropped by and gave this baby up for adoption and left me this phone number for approval before we let her go into foster care."

"Is it alright if we meet so we can talk about my daughter?" I asked.

"That would be great, the address is 88 Brook Lane. The orphanage is open from 7-9 on weekdays and 10-6 on weekends. Would you like an appointment?"

"Can I stop by today at 5:00 pm?" I asked checking my schedule.

"I'll see you then, Mr.Mendes." She hung up.

I took the time to process that I have a daughter. Im 18, I just graduated high school and I have a daughter.

Shit! Aubrey's still on hold.

"Hey, Bree sorry bout that." I said.

"About time.. I managed to finish an episode of Friends by the time you were done." She said.

"You'll never guess who I talked to."

"Am I supposed to guess, or.."

"I have daughter."

"What?!" She yelled into the phone. "You mean, Claire gave birth?!"

"I guess..."

"Shawn, this is great! When are you gonna see her?"

"Today."

"Wow, you as a dad, that's so weird!" She exclaimed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing.." She laughed. "Hey, I've got to go Joey Tribbiani is waiting for me."

"So an episode of Friends is more important than me being a father?Okay thanks." I said jokingly.

"Love you too." And with that she hung up.

I'm actually a dad. I decided to tell my parents and my little sister Aaliyah.

•

"What do you mean, you got a girl pregnant?!" My dad yelled.

"Manny..." My mom tried calming him down.

"Shawn, you're only 18! The child is a year old! That means you got a girl pregnant at 16?!"

"Honey, why didn't you tell us?" my mom asked quietly.

"I-I don't know." I stuttered. "After Claire-"

"Claire?! You got that slut pregnant?!" Dad yelled.

"She is not a slut!" I yelled back.

Aaliyah started crying.

"Aaliyah, go upstairs." Mom said.

"Why are you guys yelling? Im gonna be an aunt and all you do is fight!" she sobbed. "We should be happy!"

"You are not gonna be an aunt! I don't want to see you and your stupid child in this house ever!" Dad yelled. "You're a disgrace to this family."

"Manuel Mendes! Take that back right now!" My mom yelled.

"Admit it Karen, it's true."

"Mom?"

"Shawn, I-"

"I get it, ill start packing."

"And where are you supposed to go?" Dad asked.

"Away from all of you!" I ran upstairs and packed up all of my clothes furiously.

I threw my guitar at the wall, my heart broke as it smashed into pieces. I got the case and filled it with more of my things.

Where was I supposed to go now?