"Good morning, baby doll." My mom shook me awake.
"Oh, hey Mom. Didn't anyone tell you I don't have school today? It's Sunday." I groaned.
She laughed. "I know. I wanna talk to you about something before I head with Topanga to work. Can you sit up please?"
I gave her a confused look but obeyed, resting against my bed's headboard. "What's up?"
She took a deep breath. "I don't why, but I think today is the day I tell you about your father."
"Mom, we really don't have to-"
"Yes, we should."
"Fine. Why isn't he around?"
She out a hand on my knee. "Because he doesn't know you exist, baby."
I pulled my brows together. "What? How?"
"Babygirl, he doesn't know he's your dad. He's always been a free spirit, I didn't want to tell him we were having a child, especially when I knew he wasn't ready for one. It was a one night stand, but I hope you know that you are NOT a mistake. You were a beautiful surprise."
"How could you have known that if you didn't even give him a chance?" I said with a lot more bitterness than I meant. I calmed myself down.
"Because I just knew, Hannah. I knew. He wanted to travel the world, he didn't even want a relationship, much less a child."
I shook my head and opened my eyes, slky realizing I had closed them. "What's his name?"
She smiled. "Shawn."
I rolled my eyes. "Shawn what?"
"Promise you won't go searching for him and tell him who you are?"
"What if he's ready for a child now?"
"Hannah!"
"Fine, I promise."
"His name's Shawn Hunter."
I gasped. "You mean, like, Riley's uncle? Mr. Matthews' best friend?"
She nodded slowly. "That's the one."
"So that's why you don't come to the Christmas dinners."
I thought back to the last time I saw Shawn, which was 6 months ago for Mr. Matthews' birthday.
"There's something familiar about you, kid. I like you a lot. Me and your mom go way back!"
"Oh really? Maria Sutton?"
"Yeah, she's a nice lady."
"Shawn! C'mon, let's talk and catch up." Mr. Matthews yelled from the kitchen area.
Shawn looked at me weird. "You look SO familiar."
I smiled. "Have a nice talk with the old teach, I'm gonna find Riley and Maya."
He waved me off.
"That's exactly why."
She kissed my forehead. "I gotta go, or Topanga and I are gonna be late for work. Head over to the Matthews' soon, okay? I love you sweetheart."
I smiled. "I love you too Mom."
Shawn. My dad was Shawn.
