Page 64 of Unexpected Pass

“Um, I… uh… I have something to tell you.” I swallowed down my nerves.

“Yes?”

“I’m p-pre-gnant.” My voice trembled, and the line fell silent. Their smiles flattened.

“Pregnant!” my mom shouted.

“By Kellon Barnes?” That was my dad. Of course, that was all he cared about.

“Well… um no?—”

“Yes, sir.” Kellon spoke over me, cutting me off.

My eyes darted to him. I didn’t know he was going to do that. We’d told his mom the truth. I thought that had applied to my parents as well. I guess not. My father slapped the table.

“My grandbaby gonna have an MVP for a daddy! Baby girl, you did well.”

“Really?” my mom snapped, setting her tea down. “Phileigh, are you serious? You’re telling me you’re pregnant with no ring on your finger? And I had to find out over the phone? Is this how we raised you?”

I swallowed hard. “I know, Mama. I didn’t plan for it to happen this way.”

“Well, of course, you didn’t plan it. That’s the whole problem. If you planned it, you’d be somebody’s wife, not a damn baby mama!”

“Mama—” I started, but my dad cut in.

“Bea, come on. She’s grown. Didn’t you just say you wanted grandchildren?”

“I do, after she’s married like a proper woman of God. Not becoming someone’s baby mother. It’s a disgrace.”

“Mrs. Read?” Kellon slid the phone out of my hand. His jaw was tight. “With all due respect,” he said politely. “I’m here. I care about your daughter, and I care about this baby. We ain’t doing this by the textbook, but that doesn’t garner disrespect. I am a stable man and capable of taking care of my responsibilities. I’d appreciate it if you respected that.”

My dad nodded, visibly as impressed as I was, though I was sure Kellon couldn’t do anything wrong in his eyes. My mom stared for a long time with her face twisted up before finally responding.

“I appreciate you saying that, Kellon. I apologize this is a lot to take in,” she said quietly.

My mouth dropped. Did Kellon just check my mom?Damn, this man is everything.I leaned into the camera. My eyes bounced from Kellon to my parents.

“I know this a lot,” I agreed. “But the baby is coming no matter what you think about it. We can’t turn back time. I hope you still want to be a part of the process even if you’re mad at the order.”

“I’m not mad, Phileigh. I’m just… worried. I’ve always wanted better for you. I just want you to have the best in this life,” she said, her voice cracking a little. “But if you think fora second I’m not going to be there for you and love on my grandbaby, I’m doing a bad job as a mom.”

My eyes watered, and Kellon pulled me into a side hug. I’d never heard my mother say anything to me that wasn’t judgmental.

“We love you, kid. We ain’t always got it right. Mainly me. My infidelity got in the way of our parenting, and I’m not proud of that, but never get it twisted. We love you. So, we naturally love that baby you’re carrying.” My father spoke up, and the water works fell from my eyes. What was happening?

“It’s a boy,” I said. “The baby’s a boy.”

“What?” my parents shouted in unison.

“How far along are you, Phileigh?” my mom questioned.

“Almost thirteen weeks,” I said. “The doctor confirmed the sex today.”

“Thirteen weeks?” she blurted. “A boy… Oh my God!”

“Yeah, I only confirmed my pregnancy a few weeks ago. I had a lot going on, and I was scared and in denial.”

“We’re having a grandson, Bea!” my father shouted. I’d never seen him this happy.

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