What Would've Happened

Talks With Dad

Come on in boy, sit on down
And tell me 'bout yourself
So you like my daughter, do you now
Yeah we think she's something else
She's her daddy's girl and her mama's world
She deserves respect, that's what she'll get, ain't it son
Now y'all run along and have some fun
I'll see you when you get back
Bet I'll be up all night
Still cleaning this gun

Still Cleaning This Gun by Rodney Atkins

We were sitting in the living room. Dinner was still being cooked, and I could smell the pot roast wafting from the kitchen. It was making my mouth water.

Unfortunately, Angie's dad (which was named Bob.) kept giving me the death glare. He had tough, menacing brown eyes.

Angie's mother (Marilyn) was cooing over Maria as the roast cooked in the oven. Maria laughed a little, then attempted to stuff both fists in her mouth. Turning my attention away from Bob. I smiled at her. I felt my heart warming for the baby girl. My baby girl.

"So Mac, where did you and Angie meet?" Marilyn asked, rocking Maria in her arms.

"Eh, just at..." I struggled. "The store. I was a clerk, and we just, kinda got off to a good start."

"Where at." It wasn't a question from Bob's mouth; it was a challenge.

"At Grandma's Fresh Foods." I stated, remembering going there with Angie a long time ago.

"Well, that's a nice store. How old are, Mac?" Bob demanded, narrowing his eyes at me.

"I'm, uh, 30, sir." I answered. I was. Really no way around the truth.

"Never do anything funny with my daughter?" Bob demanded, his voice hardening.

I widened my eyes in false shock. "No sir. As pretty as your daughter is, I would never dream of doing anything to her!" I exclaimed. When he fixed me with that brown eyes glare, though, all my braveness faded. I looked away and bit the edge of my thumb nail.

"Uh, Mac, would you like to hold Maria?" Angie offered when things went awkward. I nodded, relieved. Marilyn passed Maria over to me. Once she was resting in my arms, I smiled down at her, my heart swelling.

"Son, you wanna come up to my room for a minute?" He asked suddenly, getting up from his rocking chair. I glanced up from Maria, shocked. "Now, boy."

Getting up, I gently handed Maria back to Marilyn, and followed Bob up the stairs. Angie was giving me worried looks, which didn't help at all.

Inside his room, Bob was on the floor, taking something out from under the bed. "Need any help, sir?" I offered.

"I got it." He grunted, pulling out a long, black case. I swallowed when he opened it, revealing a hunting rifle. He took it out of his case, and sat on the bed, the rifle across his lap. "Please, take a seat." He gestured to a simple wooden chair. I sat down. He room was a classic room; floral wallpaper and a queen sized bed.

"This is a nice room." I complimented.

"Son, do you think I'm stupid?" Bob suddenly demanded.

"Um-"

"You don't think I don't know who you are, Mac?" He spat, glaring at me. My stomach twisted up in knots. "I know you're the drug cooking rapist that kidnapped my daughter."

"H-how-"

"You think I don't know that you're the father of that little girl out there? I've seen the look of pride in a fathers eye."