An American Scandal (Editing)

Chapter 20: Power

Before I blinked we were out of the police department and both the Hastings and the Mckenzie's (my parents) were sitting around my dining room table. By this time Mrs. Hastings had heard the news of my possible pregnancy and she had this incredulous smirk on her face. My mother seemed to share the sentiment while our fathers seem to think this was messing up whatever plan they seem to have for us. I don't know, I kind of liked the idea of us becoming a real unified family! We all loved one another. It was just the perfect case scenario.

"I think you should stay home for these next couple of day." My mother spoke and I looked at her. "Both of you." She added. I could not agree more. I was tired of that place called school. I was tired of lying and fighting and I can only imagine what will happen next.

"I need it." James said and reclined back as if he had been through war and back. I looked at his face and realized in fact he did suffer the casualties of a war. He had bruises and cuts that I needed to nurse. I could not help but wipe away some dried up blood on his face. His mom smiled at me as if my act of affection showed her that I was in fact the best person for her son.

"Sophie I am fine." He said grumpily. I rolled my eyes at his annoying macho behavior.

"Just because you got arrested doesn't mean you got some street credibility in my book. You are still a punk in my book." I teased. His father chuckled.

"Indeed." His father added.

"More importantly Sophia is that offspring growing in your stomach." My dad said changing the playful tempo of the conversation. I cleared my throat and then ran my fingers through my hair.

"Have you been having any symptoms?" My mother asked.

"I think." I said truthfully.

"She thinks." My dad said sarcastically. I shrugged. "Have you been vomiting? Stomach pains?" My dad asked aggressively.

"Yeah but a lot has been going on... And I am on the pill and..." Then my mother cut me off.

"I will call Dr. Ross and get an appointment and we can go." My mom said.

"I want to go too." James said.

"Me too." My dad said.

"You are talking off of work?" I asked shocked. He shook his head up and down.

"I think this warrants a day off." My dad said to me. I agreed but I was still shocked. Work was so important to him.

" Thanks dad." I said impressed with his concern. Maybe he was not concerned. Maybe he just wanted to get the results just as everyone else did. I don’t know but I took it as a good thing that he was going to be there.

"I love you Sophia," he said "and don't you forget that." I shook my head up and down. That validated my thought. He wanted to come for good reason. I smiled at him and then at James and then at my mom. I guess did not have to be a lonely awful experience, after all.

"We would love to come too." Mrs. Hastings said. I smiled and said sure.

“Sophie you got any first aid stuff.” James asked. I looked at him and saw that he was in pain.

“James are you okay?” His mother asked. He shook his head up and down. He was lying through his teeth. He had that I’ve just been tackled by a defensive back who weighs 300 pounds face on. I turned to him. I rubbed my palm on his face.

“James…you don’t look to good.” I said to him lowly.

“Yeah, I just need a pain killer and sleep.” He said.  Guys kill me with trying to act like they could take it all. I wanted to kiss him but I was not comfortable to do that around our parents at this point and in this situation. Maybe when things cooled down, I will be able to get lovey dovey with him in front of them.