Blossom [Watty Awards 2015]

Chapter Eight : Confessions, Confessions, Confessions

I took a deep breath as I paced my room. I had to tell them. They'd find out sooner or later. I could wait. Wait until I start showing. Or maybe I could just wear baggy clothes the whole time. Then they would never have to know. I could've gotten an abortion. No. I'd never do that. I couldn't hide it. I'd need their help for doctor's appointments and classes. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to be a mum. They'd have to help me find adoptive parents. There was no way I was keeping it. It would just keep me from living my life. Everyday, an abortion seemed like a better and better idea, but I'd never do that. I took another deep breath and headed downstairs.

"Mum," I said. She was putting salt and butter into a bowl of mashed potatoes. She turned to face me, a loving smile on her face and it broke my heart. They loved me so much, and then I go do this to them. I couldn't bare to look at myself. "Dad," I said. He was sitting at the kitchen table, reading a newspaper. He looked up from it, looking like I'd kept him from something important. "I've got something to tell you,"

My mum put down the milk bottle and my dad out down his newspaper. "What's wrong?" my mum said. I looked at them a long time. I thought it would be better to just come out and say it, like ripping off a plaster. "Are you on drugs?" mum said. I shook my head.

"Are you in trouble at school?" my dad asked.

"No!" I replied.

"Do you need money?" My mum asked.

"No! Just listen to me-"

"You better not be pregnant," my dad interrupted. I looked at him and I felt tears spring to my eyes. I tried to speak but all the exited my mouth was grunts and vowels. He stood up sharply out of his chair and came towards me. He put his hands on my shoulders and I felt genuinely scared. "Tell me, Daisy," he said as he looked me square in the eyes. "Are you pregnant?"

I nodded. "But I promise I'll do everything myself, you know? I'll schedule doctor's appointments and I'll find good parents and-"

"Abort it," my dad interrupted. I stared up at him, wide eyed.

"What? No! I'm not going-"

"Abort it or get out of my house."

"James!" My mother scolded, but my dad just stared me down.

I didn't know what to do. An abortion was totally against my morals. I would never have an abortion unless it was definitely necessary. My dad wouldn't actually throw me out of the house. He'd be trying to scare me into an abortion. "You're bluffing," I said.

"Try me," he replied.

"I am not having an abortion," I said, standing my ground. He looked at me, unblinking, and I swallowed nervously. I didn't think he had the guts to hit me, but then again I didn't think he had the guts to throw me out of the house.

"Then you heard me," he said. "Get out of my house."

I turned to face my mum. "Mum. You can't let him do this." I said.

"She'll do what I say," my dad replied. I turned to face my mum, but she had just returned to solemnly finishing the mashed potatoes. "Now pack your bags and leave,"

"Where will I go?" I said through tears.

"You'll find somewhere," my dad said. "Either way, do not come back until that baby is gone."

I sniffed loudly and wiped the tears away with the back of my hand. "I'll never forgive you for this," I said as I ran up the stairs preparing to pack my bags.

My vision was blurry through tears. I didn't believe that my dad would be able to do something like that. He wasn't a very loving man but I didn't think he had something like that in him. I thought about where to go. I thought about going to Katy's, but she was still in the hospital. I had no idea why, so I would have to go see her soon. I didn't have any family nearby, so maybe I could go to a hostel or wherever it is that homeless people go.