I rolled over in the hospital bed, opening my eyes to vibrant pink lilies. My favorite. Unfortunately, the person holding them was another one of my favorites, and the last person I ever wanted to see me like this. I whined, rolling back over,
"Why are you here?", my voice came raspy.
"Because I care about you Lily.", Mr. Andersen said firmly.
"Well don't. It's a waste of your time."
"I didn't want to tell you like this but clearly I need to.", he muttered, "Can you at least look at me?" I shook my head. "Why not?"
"Because you're gonna be mad.", I whispered.
"I'm not mad. I'm worried about you. Insanely worried about you Lil."
"Why? You have no obligation to be worried about me. I'm not your kid."
"You are." I rolled over,
"You shouldn't lie to children."
"I'd hardly call sixteen a child.", he said sitting next to me, "Your mom wanted to put you up for adoption. She'd decided. I told her fine but that I couldn't walk her through a pregnancy and get attached. She never told me when she changed her mind."
"How'd you find out?"
"They called me when she didn't answer. I guess my name was still on your birth certificate."
"So... where's mom?"
"She... She had a heart attack when they told her.", he said softly, "She's in surgery, but it doesn't look good baby." Mom had heart problems and I stressed her out.
"I-I just wanted to get rid of a problem in her life."
"You are not a problem. In anyone's life baby."
"If I wasn't a problem, she wouldn't hate me."
"Why do you think she hates you?"
"I can't remember the last time she said she loved me. Or-Or even asked me how my day was. I go home, I make my own dinner, I clean up, I go to bed. We don't talk unless she's mad at me."
"Maybe that will change now that I'm in your life. I'm not going anywhere."
"Bad idea. I'm a let down. I don't do anything right."
"Yes you do."
"Like what?", I laughed.
"You won a writing contest just last month. I watched you walk a freshman to class all week after she got beat up. You stand by the bathroom for Lexi so she doesn't get beat up for using the girls room."
"All of that is just being a decent fucking person."
"No, it's being an incredible person. And watch your mouth. I don't want to be the bad guy but I have rules you need to follow."
"You're not in charge of me."
"Actually, I am. And-And we have to consider the possibility that your mom might not make it."
"She didn't.", a doctor said coming in, "I'm sorry sweetie. She passed away.", he said softly. I paused,
"When can I leave?"
"Child Protective Services is on their way-"
"I'm her dad.", Mr. Andersen cut in.
"Oh. Great. You can sign her release papers anytime and pick up her pills at the front desk."
"Pills?", I questioned.
"Antidepressants."
"I'm not-"
