la, 1980
around 8:30
—nikki walked me to the doorstep of my house and im starting to think that maybe i should introduce him to my daughter. her names olive. ive been going out with nikki for about 7 months now and how ive been able to avoid it this long, ill never know. i mean he's been inside the house before and yeah, my sister would take olive out when that happened but still. its not like there wasnt things that couldve pointed towards the fact that i had a daughter.
coloring books and a box of crayons on the console of the couch. a pink blanket with colorful polka dots on it draped over the back of the couch. sometimes thered be a stuffed animal from where she'd bring one down in the morning and go back to sleep on the couch.
"i think we should make this a friday night regular," i smile, looking up at nikki. he was so pretty and it amazed me why he would want to be with me when he's got women lined up down the street to date him. we had gone out for ice cream and then we drove up to the hollywood sign and watched the sunset.
"did you enjoy it that much?" his arms wound around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
i nod and pull my bottom lip between my teeth as i consider what i want to do. "i need to tell you something and it can either go one of two ways and i need you to not be mad at me for not telling you," i start.
"whats wrong, baby?" his hands fall to lace into mine and i pull him over to the swing where we sit down together.
"theres no way to make it easier to say so uh. .," i look up at him before i say it so i can gauge his reaction. his eyebrows are slanted in concern and hes worried. "i have a daughter."
he doesnt say anything but his lips form a straight line and his eyebrows tilt upward in shock. a tear slips down my cheek when he sighs and pulls his arm from around my shoulders. he rubs his face with both hand and more tears fall from my waterline. i put my head in my hands, wishing he'd say something.
i stand up and lean my elbows against the rail. i was silently praying for him to not leave me although i had a hunch that it would prove fruitless and i would be alone again within the next hour. but i felt a hand on the small of my back, pulling me into a hug. he whispered something like 'its ok' to me but i didnt hear it. once he finally got me calmed down, he placed a hand on my cheek and tilted my face up so my eyes met his.
"im not mad at you, i promise. im shocked and i wish you would've told me sooner but im not mad. how old is she?" at his words, my arms tightened around him and i hugged him again.
"shes five and the reason i didnt tell you is because nobody wants to date a single mom with a five year old. every time i tell somebody that they leave," i sniffle, pulling away from him. "her names olive."
"im not gonna leave you," he assured me and kissed my forehead. "how anybody could want to leave you, ill never understand." i smile at his words and he dips his head down to kiss me. "you've got starry eyes, baby," he mumbles against my lips before kissing me again.
"do you want to stay the night?" i ask once he pulls away.
he smiles softly at me and nods. i squeeze his hand and we walk towards the door but i stop when i hear a familiar laugh and my sister voice. "do you uhm- do you want to meet her?"
"yes," he kisses me again. "i promise, im not going anywhere anytime soon."
"my sisters here too so-"
"thats fine, honey," he assures again and i tell him to sit on the swing while i tell my sister and olive whats happening.
when i open the door, olives hugging my legs and mias waving to me from her spot on the counter. "do you want some tea?" shes asking as she slips down.
