The Father

“Son, come over here a minute. I want to talk to you.”

“Uh, I’m kinda in a hurry. What’s up?”

“Sit down. I don’t think you’re going anywhere.”

“uh-oh.”

“Yeah, uh-oh. Get your feet off the table. A girl came by the house earlier today looking for you.”

“Who was it? Debbie?”

“No, I know Debbie. I didn’t know this one. She seemed upset and I –“

“Wh-what did she look like? Was she, um – did she have red hair?”

“Yes, and yes, she was. Son, I think we need to talk.”

“Dad, I know what you’re thinking, and we don’t need to talk. It wasn’t me. She’s just a good friend, and she didn’t know where to turn. She didn’t think she could talk to her mom. Not about this. She wants to go somewhere and get it taken care of, but she needs money.”

“So she came to you? Dan, what are you thinking? You’re gonna give ‘just a friend’ the money to buy her way out of her problems?”

“Dad, I know what I’m –“

“No, Dan, you do not. Do you really think she will get something like that by her parents? And what about her parents? If she’s afraid they’ll try to talk her out of it, well, she’s probably right. But don’t you think they have a right to know that their daughter wants to have her insides scooped out? Oh, yeah, Dan, that’s what it is. It’s not like going to the school first aid office for some aspirin and a band-aid. It’s serious. What if something goes wrong? Suppose she went under and didn’t come back up? Do you want to go back and tell them? Tell them you funded the death of their daughter and grandchild?”

“Nothing like that is going to happen. They do these things every day. Thousands of them. And I hear there’s even a pill…”

“Dan, you have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not gonna get into the question of morals on this, but I do want you to think deeply on the ramifications of that kind of decision. Fine, this isn’t your baby, and I realize you think you’re being a good friend by helping her out this way. I admire your commitment to your friends. But Dan this is her life and her baby, and her parents child and grandchild. I don’t think you want to get in the middle of this. Do you know who the father is?”

“Dad, I can’t tell you anything else. Just I have to do this and I know it’s right. I’ve got enough to help her from the money I got mowing lawns this summer, and I’m gonna use it.”

“Dan, you do know the father, don’t you? If you want to help her, then do what you can to get him to take responsibility.”

“Dad, just trust me. I’m doing the right thing. Leave it alone!”

“Dan, I can’t just turn away, because your actions could implicate you and –“

“If that’s what you’re worried about, forget it.”

“It’s just that if her parents found out you financed her abortion they’d accuse you of fathering the child and –“

“And what? Force me to pay for the abortion? I’m already doing that!”

“They could bring charges. Dan, you’re under my roof and you’re still my responsibility.”

“So you’re afraid they’ll come after you?”

“No, Dan, I –“

“Dad, for the last time, I’m doing the best thing. Please trust me, and LET IT BE.”

“Dan, are you sure this isn’t you’re child?”

“Yes.”

“She has to go to her parents eventually.”

“She can’t.”

“I know it’s hard to do, to face them, but she has to.”

“She can’t!”

“Look you and I are talking about it. I don’t think –“

“She CAN’T!”

“Why?”

“HER DAD’S THE REASON! OKAY? Now, please let it go…”

“Of course, it’ll be tough to talk to him. All kids are afraid of their father’s anger, but…”

“The father, dad.”

“Her…father?”

“The father.”

“Dear God.”

“The father.”