Still Dunno

Chapter 24 - Secret Revelations

Jamey's POV

Dad and Janis ordered a ton of food. We sat around Janis' little table eating.

When we were done, Dad cleared his throat. "So, you're pregnant?"

Joslyn looked at me and Janis, and the three of us laughed.

"What?" Dad asked, confused.

We couldn't stop laughing, and eventually, Dad joined in too.

Joslyn wiped her eyes. "Oh, I needed that!"

"Okay, being serious now, what's your plan, Joslyn?" Dad asked.

"My plan... I'm going to get rid of it."

Dad shook his head no. "I don't think you want to do that, Jos."

"Yes, I do," Joslyn argued.

"I think Dad is right, Jos. You don't want to live with that; what about adoption?" I asked, tapping my fingers on the table.

What would I do if Stephanie came and told me she was pregnant? Would I suggest an abortion or adoption? No, I'd want to keep it.

It's a baby, and it is innocent. It didn't ask for this.

Although, what kind of life would it have with Steph and me as parents? It would be okay.

What kind of life would this baby have with Joslyn as its mother? I didn't know the answer to that question. If it was Janis, that would be a different story.

But Joslyn?

"What about the father?" I asked.

Joslyn's eyes cast down. "I don't know who the father is."

Dad's jaw clenched, and his eyes went dark.

I braced myself for his lashing, but it never came.

"I'm sure you have an idea. Can't you pin it down to when you had... sex?" It sounded like Dad was going to choke on the word sex. "...and go from there."

Joslyn shook her head no.

"Okay, then you have the baby, and you raise it. We will help," Janis said. "You can live with Dad and finish school..."

"I'm not going back to school. That video is out there, and everyone saw it. I'll never step foot on that campus again!" Joslyn said.

"Oh, yes, you will!" Dad said sternly. "You will finish school and get your degree and a job."

"Dad, I can't..."

"Yes, you can! And you'll have this baby. Abortion isn't the answer."

Joslyn's face turned bright red.

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"The hell I can, you are my daughter, and... since your mom died, it's up to me to take care of you. Your mother would die all over again if you had an abortion."

"Wait a second, you don't get to guilt trip me. Mom may not have been happy with my decision, but she would support me. And didn't you leave Mom because she wouldn't have an abortion?" Joslyn yelled.

"What?" Janis and I said together.

Riker glanced down at his hands.

"That was different. Your mother's life was at stake. She could have died if she had the baby."

"What baby?" I asked, a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Dad wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Dad? What baby did mom almost have an abortion with?" I asked again.