It Is What It Is

Chapter 8

     I woke up late the next morning to my dad talking to someone downstairs on the phone. I wandered down into the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal. "Alright, we'll see you then." My dad hung up the phone. We are going to the Harley's for dinner tonight so we can talk this whole mess out. I nodded. Great. I went upstairs and put my work clothes on and went outside to mow our lawn. At around two, I went back inside and took a shower and changed. Then I watched TV till around 5. "Let's go bud," my dad said, scaring me. I hopped into the passenger seat of the truck and we were off to Meghan's. We arrived at around 5:30. We walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. Meghan's father, David, answered the door. "Welcome, both of you," he said smiling. We walked into the house. It was beautiful inside. "Meghan, Jamie, Randy, they're here!" Randy was Meghan's twin brother, a tuba player in the band. Jamie was Meghan's mom. "Hey guys, come have a seat at the table. Dinner just got finished," Jamie said as she entered the room. My dad and I followed David into the dining room. I took a seat next to Meghan and my dad sat down between David and Randy. We started eating the delicious meal of steak and mashed potatoes. "This is very good Jamie," my dad stated. Jamie smiled, "well thank you!" David cleared his throat, "okay, so we need to talk about whats going on. As we all know, Meghan's pregnant." Meghan flinched. I could tell she didn't like that word. Her mom sighed, "but," Jamie said, "I'm sorry to say this, Parker, it's not your baby." I was shocked. So was my dad. Meghan looked down. I looked at Meghan, "What?" I asked. "We had Meghan wait to say anything to you. She's 14 weeks, Parker, you guys, we'll, did it 6 weeks ago." I looked down at my plate. My dad sighed, sounding slightly relieved. "If I may ask, whose is it then?" My dad asked. "Meghan, why don't you tell them," her father stated. "Nathan Jones," Meghan said sadly. I stopped chewing. "Tailgate?!" I said with a bit of stress in my voice. She nodded. I shook my head, "How could you do that to Finley?" She started crying, and everyone left the table except Meghan and I. "It was the first week of summer band, Finley and Tailgate weren't together yet. I frowned. That's the real reason Tailgate knew. I got up. "Why'd you tell me, not him?" She looked up, "I was hoping I convince you it was yours, but my parents figured it out." I sighed, "does Tailgate know?" She nodded and said, "yeah, he's telling Finley tonight." I shook my head, "I'm sorry Meghan, I can't process this, we better go." My dad walked in at that time and nodded. "That's probably best." He said. We said our goodbyes, and walked out the door. "Are you okay bud?" My dad said as we pulled up at a stoplight. I shook my head no, "I can't imagine how Finley feels." My dad looked confused, "Finley?" I nodded, "Tailgates girlfriend." My dad sighed, "Well, it's none of our business." I nodded. He was right. I stared out the window. I guess I'll find out Monday.