Pregnant For My Bully

Jason Davenport

I didn’t reply when I heard the knock on my bedroom door. I didn’t feel like seeing anyone. And from the heavy sound, I knew it was dad knocking.

After knocking twice without a response, he walked in. Surprisingly, he didn’t get mad when he saw that I was awake and on my phone. Instead he only took a seat next to me.

I sat up and put my phone down. “If you’re here to talk about the thing with Ashley, I really don’t feel like it.”

Dad’s forehead creased. “What thing with Ashley?”

I searched his face for any sign that he was denying it. But he really was baffled.

She didn’t tell him?

Usually she’d jump at any chance to report me to my dad.

“Anyway, I’m not here to talk about Ashley.”

I folded my arms.

“Lately, we’ve been disagreeing a lot. Fighting over things we shouldn’t be. And it’s putting a strain on our relationship. We’re supposed to be there for each other, especially since mom isn’t here anymore.”

I still didn’t say anything. I just stared at him. And for the first time, I noticed how he was beginning to age. And it was scary.

A few minutes passed by without a word between us and then I just kind of lost it.

“You caused everything, Dad.”

He swallowed.

“Why did you have to bring all those women into everything? We were doing so well our own. Yeah I missed mom, but I was glad that I still had you. But no, you began to bring different women into the equation. That’s when we began to fall apart. If you really cared you’d have known.”

I stopped to catch my breath. I was really angry now.

“So it’s not just about Ashley, Dad. It’s about you. It’s always been you. You put a strain on our relationship.”

I felt my throat tighten and I knew I’d rather die that cry in front of him so I got up and left.

Jason Davenport

I took one last look in the mirror before my limo would arrive. The boys had arranged for us to arrive in style-with no dates. That way, all the girls would have their eyes on us. It would be up to them to compete for our attention.

I laughed. The ideas those guys came up with sometimes.

I felt good. And I sure as hell looked it too. Instead of the traditional black suit and tie, I’d opted for white on white, paired with a crisply ironed button-down shirt-a few buttons open-and a pair of white ankle sneakers.

Why?

Because they matched my eyes. Duh.

A maid had done my hair. And this time I’d allowed her to pack as much gel as she deemed necessary. She’d also let a few tendrils come undone in the front and so they fell across my eye in a lazy but sexy fashion.

Breathing out, I straightened the front of my jacket, although I didn’t need to. Ashley had put out a rose for me to pin on the pocket. But I wasn’t going to. I didn’t need anything from her.

Just then, Dad walked in with a gift box in his hand. I pretended not to notice as I sat on my bed and began to scroll through my phone.

This time Dad didn’t sit beside me. He just stood there, head bent over.

“I’m sorry,” He whispered, after some moments of silence.

As I whipped my head up to stop the discussion, he shook his head. “Just hear me out. Please.”

I fiddled with the tiny cross pendant I wore around my neck and nodded a little.

“You were right. I’m so selfish. I should’ve understood that you needed more time to heal from the loss of your mother. I should’ve used the time to build on our relationship instead of seeking some kind of. . . solace.”

His voice was shaky.

“I only thought about myself, my pain, instead of yours. I should’ve been more alert, more attentive. But instead I forced these women on you and expected you to be cool with having a new mom. I was bitter, authoritative, and I never gave you a listening ear.”

He buried his head in his hands. “I’m so sorry, Jason. I let you down.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

My throat tightened. I didn’t know what to say.

“I guess. . . I felt kinda. . . abandoned.” Saying it out loud made me realize how true it was.

He lowered himself onto my bed and held my left hand in his. “I-I miss her so much. . .” He broke down.

For the first time in my entire life I saw my dad’s eyes well up with tears. I always thought he was tough and strong and that he never cried. But here he was. My eyes filled up with tears.

“I was so desperate to heal myself that I went after women who I didn’t even care for,” He wiped his face with one palm.

“A-and with you, I don’t know what happened. Being a parent is so-so difficult. I never know what to do. And I’m always scared I’m gonna mess it up.”

He sniffled again, his eyes red rimmed and muttered apologies for crying in front of me.

The first tear dropped from my eye and I wiped it away hurriedly. “It’s fine.”

He looked up at me once more. “With Ashley. . . I really do love her. And I wanted you to as well. But forcing it on you was wrong. I should never have done that. You don’t have to call her mom, or tolerate her anymore. But. . . it would mean a lot to me if you could give her a chance. Try to really see her.”

I could admit that much that Ashley honestly liked him as much. And it hurt. But today, I’d seen just how much he was struggling and how hard it must’ve been to admit he was wrong in front of me. And it was the bravest thing ever. So I’d try. Not for Ashley, but for him.

“I’m sorry, Jason. I’m sorry for failing you. But I promise, if you give me another chance, I’ll be better.”

I nodded vigorously, prompting the welled up tears to fall.

Dad gave a watery laugh. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool beans,” Dad said, giving me a thumbs up.

I facepalmed, my shoulders shaking with laughter. “Please, never ever say that again.”

Dad had the guts to look confused. “Isn’t that what you teenagers say?”

I fixed him a blank stare. “Yeah, if you’re in 1996.”

“Ohhh.” He looked thoughtful. “That’s woke.”

My eyes widened. “Okay, leave my room now. Thanks for coming.”

“I heard this teenage girl say that in a store last week.”

“Okay good to know,” I gently prodded him towards the door.

“Wait one more thing.”

I paused.

“You look great.”

“Thanks Dad.”

I smiled as I faced the mirror once more.

Opening the box Dad had handed me, I gasped as I procured a diamond studded Rolex.

Without wasting time I clapped it on my wrist, marvelling at how good it looked.

A notification from my phone alerted me that the limo was here. I smoothened out my jacket and my shoes one last time and hurried to the door.

On second thought I picked up the rose and pinned it on my jacket.

For some reason, I had a good feeling about today.