I kissed her forehead before leaving the room. I gently closed the door so I wouldn't wake her up. She had said yes! I didn't think she'd do it, but there she was, wearing a ring on her left ring finger! My heart was skipping happily, until a dreadful thought came to mind. How was I going to explain this to her parents. I could already see it going down in my head.
~*~
Jacie got up to use the restroom. I let out a deep breath. Okay, don't sweat it, just be cool. I looked over at her father, who was stuffing his face with steak. I cleared my throat and thought over the ways to say it.
"Is there something you need to say?" he asked, wiping his mouth.
"Um, well, uh," I stuttered.
What was I supposed to say? Should I be indirect about it, or just get straight to the point? I needed to choose fast, or her dad wouldn't like me. At the moment he could tolerate me, but I knew deep down inside he hated me. He cocked an eyebrow and waited.
"Well? Are you going to say something or not?" her father asked, getting agitated.
"Yeah," I answered.
"Well then speak up, boy. Just say it," he demanded.
"I'm engaged to Jacie and we're having a baby," I blurted.
The room went deathly quiet. Her mother seemed surprised, but otherwise no anger. Her father was a different story. His face was bright red. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing large, muscular biceps. He was breathing heavily through his nose, veins popping up on his forehead and neck. He stood and grabbed the edge of the table. Oh shit.
"You lazy-ass punk asked my sweet little daughter to marry you?! And she accepted? GET YOUR ASS OUT OF MY SIGHT!" he screamed.
With all of his strength he flipped the table up into the air. I dropped my fork and gaped in terror at my table. I tried to get out of the way, but it came crashing down on me. I was squished under, not quite dead yet. Her father spat on top of the pile and crossed his arms.
"Don't mess with my daughter," he growled.
~*~
I cringed at my imagination. No, he would be civilized. He wouldn't do something so rash in front of Jacie, he loved her too much. Thoughts spun around in my head as I picked up Jacie's phone. I transferred her parents' numbers over to my phone and pressed the green button.
I nervously lifted it to my ear as it rang. All kinds of endings went through my head. Would her dad be cool about it, and the mom goes into an outrage? Or vice versa? It rang three time before someone picked up. My stomach knotted in worry.
"Hello?" a deep voice asked.
"Um yeah, hi. It's me, Toby," I managed to say.
"Oh, it's you. What do you want?" he grumbled.
"Jacie and I wanted to invite you over for dinner sometime. We were wondering when was best for you," I answered.
There were voices mumbling in the background. I could tell her parents were discussing it. I ran a nervous hand through my hair.
"The best time would be Saturday. We'll be there at seven o'clock sharp," her dad said.
"Okay, great! Well, uh, see you then," I replied.
He didn't even bother to say goodbye, just hung up with a click. I set down the phone and let out an uneasy breath. What have I gotten myself into? I was pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. I sighed and got up to answer it.
