Page 51 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“Wolf,” my mother whispers, but he holds up a finger and doesn’t lose my eyes.
“Who, baby girl? Give me a name. Do we know this boy?”
“Boy?” I ask. “I’m a grown woman.”
“Apparently,” he snaps. “Who’s the father?”
“That’s between me and him.”
My father’s brows lift. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Wolf, calm down,” my mother snaps. “Now is not the time for this.”
“It’s exactly the time. Why can’t she give me a name?”
“Look at you, Daddy. You look like you’re ready to kill someone. I’m pregnant. There’s going to be a baby, and I’m sure you’re going to love her or him. Right?”
“Of course, I’m going to love the baby. What’s that got to do with this?”
“Can you just be happy for me and not worry about who the father is?”
“Are you happy about this?” he snaps. “If you are, why haven’t you shared the news?”
“I needed time to adjust to it myself. I have. I’m going to love this baby, and I’m going to raise it on my own. What I’m not going to do is talk about who the father is. He’s not part of our lives. End of story.” With that, I slam the counter.
“You’re being unreasonable. Why can’t you tell me? You do know, right?”
“Wolf,” my mother snaps. “That’s enough. What a thing to say. Don’t talk to her like that. I won’t have it. Do you understand?”
My father rakes his hand through his hair and drags in a breath. “I’m sorry. It’s all a shock. I need to cool off.” He walks out the door, and Rafe straightens from the lamp post he was leaning against. They both walk to Rafe’s truck, and my father gets in the passenger side. A moment later, they drive off.
I look at my mother. “That went well.”
“He’ll get over it. It’s just a shock. I think he always had dreams of walking you down the aisle. That’s what he wants for you.”
“I’m not saying I won’t eventually get married, but I don’t think it’s in the cards anytime soon, Mom. Where do you think Dad went?”
“To the clubhouse to cross-examine every man in the place.” She pulls back and cups my face. “Was it one of them?”
“The boys in the San Jose clubhouse? No, Mom. It wasn’t any of them.”
“Good.”
“Why good?” I ask.
“It would cause a lot of strife in the club. Especially if you didn’t want them or they knew you were pregnant and didn’t step up.”
“God, I feel horrible that he’s going to cause a scene.”
“Don’t worry about it. Fiona?”
“Yes?”
“Raising this baby on your own… Is that what you want or did this guy bail on you?”
“Mom.”
“Does he even know about the baby? Have you told him?”
