Fatherly Advice
1021 Words
Santiago
"Have you told Mateo?" I asked Alice.
"No," she answered softly. "Please don't say anything, I might not even be sure that I am. I just think I am," she was freaking out. I didn't blame her. I was holding all my emotions in but I was seething inside. The thought of her pregnant enraged me. Was that something I wanted? Ever? The thought of my brother being the father made me insane. I would never allow that. I didn't know if it was my pride or my arrogant conceited self that would not allow me to share her. I tried. I have been trying but this was taking it too far. My brother would try to use this to take her away from me. I knew it. Maybe it was a good idea to keep this from him until we know for sure.
"When will you take a test?" I asked Alice.
"Um, I don't know," her voice got lower. I know she was panicking. I wasn't helping the situation.
"It's okay, for now, we will act as if nothing has changed. Take your time. We will say something when there is something to say," I told her.
"Okay," she came to sit on my lap and I kissed her softly.
"It's going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine," I reassured her. I held her tightly. I wanted to ease her worry. I wanted her to know that no matter what I was still here. I would still be here. Even if it turned out not to be mine. I just couldn't say it out loud. I couldn't let that be true for now.
A WEEK LATER
"It's nice to see you again," my mother greeted Alice. "I'm glad my boys let you out again."
"Mother, we do not keep her locked away," I told her.
"Sure," she joked. We were having a family picnic. We were in our huge backyard, where we had almost every birthday party. Alice went to sit on the grass with my mother. She was such a beauty. Her eyes widened every time she smiled or laughed. Her smile was subtle but alluring. She was amazing. I could look at her for hours and never get bored.
"You are in love," my father said as he handed me a glass of bourbon.
"And if I am?" I questioned.
"Then you are in trouble because that only leads to complications in a situation like yours," he replied.
"You came out alright," I excused.
"Yes, I did but it wasn't without complications," he said.
"Do I even want to know?" I asked.
"No," he smiled.
"So?" I asked annoyed.
"So, what do you plan to do, share with your brother forever. Get married?"
"I don't know but what I do know, is that she is mine. I am hers,"
"Son, I have been there, I am not trying to tell you what to do or how to live," my father spoke. "I am just trying to get you to understand there is so much work and trust that needs to be built before you can conquer this type of love or relationship."
"Love," I said. "Trust."
"Do you trust her?" he asked me.
"Of course," I hesitated but I answered.
"You were never truly trusting of anyone," he said. "You trust her completely then?"
"I do," I knew what he was trying to say. "I know she is not with me for my money or power."
"Good,"
"She might be," I couldn't say it.
"Son,"
"Dad, she might be pregnant,"
"Wow," is all he said. "We should call Chris here." My other father came after Nate texted him.
"I can't believe it," Chris said. "Is it yours?"
"How would he know that?" my father answered.
"Well, I don't. I think that is the first thing that goes through your mind," Chris said. "Am I wrong?"
"I don't know if the baby is mine. I don't even know if there is a baby but what does it matter?" I said.
"I think you know why it matters," my father said.
"Mateo doesn't know anything," I said. I turned to look at Chris.
"And you want to make sure he stays in the dark?" Chris questioned.
"Yes, there is nothing to know as of now," I said. "No need for him to be freaking out too."
"So you admit you are freaking out?" my father asked.
"Alice is freaking out, she doesn't want to take a test. Taking a test and having an answer means it becomes real and right now we both don't want that," I told him.
"So, fine, I won't tell Mateo but he deserves to know just like you, son," Chris told me.
"I know. I will tell him the minute there is something to tell," I told my fathers.
"I hope so," Chris added.
We walked back out to the backyard. Mateo was chasing Alice around. My mother was cleaning up. My fathers went to her side. I watched how they both kissed her and held her. They didn't seem to have any problem sharing. I still don't understand. I don't think I ever will. Watching Mateo and Alice right now made me feel left out. It made me want to go over there and grab her. Take her away and f**k her until she screamed my name. Only my name. I forced her into this life, into this situation because I was scared if I made her choose she wouldn't choose me. Now, I can't stand any of it. She doesn't even seem to miss me.
And as I thought that, she turned around and looked at me. She smiled and waved me over. I walked over to them. She jumped up and kissed me.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"With my fathers," I told her.
"This was fun," she said. "I like your family."
"They love you," I said. She smiled. "Did you eat?" She nodded.
"Hey, so guess what?" Alice asked. "Mateo has a few concerts next week and we are going to go with him."
- Writer
