Heartbroken And Abandoned
1316 Words
/-Dahlia-/
“M-Mom, I was going to tell you…”
“You were going to tell me?” she repeated, voice trembling. “Were you going to tell me before or after the entire state knew? Before or after the PTA meeting next week where I have to look those people in the eye and smile like my daughter’s name isn’t being dragged through the mud?”
I swallowed hard, throat aching.
“Who is it?” my father finally spoke. His voice was terrifyingly low. “Who’s the boy?”
My hands were shaking now. “It was… It’s… Williams. But…”
“Williams,” my mom cut in with a disbelieving laugh, hands on her hips. “The one we let sleep over here on game nights? The one you swore was ‘different’? That Williams?”
I nodded. Shame heating my cheeks.
“And he’s denying it?” my father asked.
“He said, he’s trying to say it’s not his. That I…I made it up.”
“Jesus Christ.” My mother turned away, her hands going through her hair. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to yourself, to your future? Our reputation?”
“I didn’t plan this!” I snapped, feeling the tears rising again. “I’m not some scheming girl trying to trap a boy! I loved him. I thought he… he loved me too…”
But they weren’t listening anymore.
And then the final blow.
“Oh, she planned it alright,” Denise said, leaning against my doorway, sipping a glass of juice like this was some primetime show. “Why else would she parade the test around school like a trophy? Please, she’s been craving attention ever since cheer season ended.”
“Denise, shut up!” I barked.
“No,” she said, sauntering into my room. “You always act like you're better than everyone else. But now? Now you're just the girl who got dumped, humiliated, and pregnant in the middle of the cafeteria. Congratulations. You're officially the family disappointment. To think mom and dad invested so much in you like the rest of us were nothing only for you to turn out like this…”
“Enough!” my dad snapped.
But the damage was done.
My chest was heaving, tears falling freely now.
“I didn’t plan it,” I choked. “I swear I didn’t mean…”
“Shut up,” she snapped. “We don’t want to hear about love or accidents or whatever fantasy you’ve written in that head of yours.”
“I was going to tell you. I was going to…”
“Well, now you don’t have to,” Denise called sweetly from the hallway. “I saved you the trouble, didn't I?”
So she was the one who sent them the video. I lunged toward the door, but Mom blocked me.
“You’re going to fix this,” she said, her voice now eerily calm. “You’re going to call the clinic tomorrow. You’re going to make an appointment. And you’re going to handle this quietly.”
The floor tilted beneath me.
“What?”
Dad crossed his arms. “You’re getting an abortion. Either that or I am going to disown you.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
Their eyes were on me, waiting for me to make my decision.
I bit down on my lips hard as the tears rolled down. I understood them. Despite being rich and influential, it didn't excuse any poor behaviour from us. They had a reputation to protect.
But I couldn't bring myself to murder a child simply because it was an inconvenience.
“I can't…” I whispered. “I can't do it…”
Denise's smile immediately faded. Her lips parted slightly with disbelief and my mother mirrored her expression.
“What are you saying, Dahlia? Are you out of your mind?” My mother snapped. “Do you think this is a joke?”
“I know it's not a joke, mom. But I can't abort this baby. I have already disappointed myself once. I can't afford to do something…”
“Can you cut out the good girl out for once in your freaking life?” Denise snapped, irritated and angry. “If you get thrown out into the streets, do you really think you can survive on your own? With a baby at that too?”
I wouldn't.
Which was why I was really hoping I could apologize my way out of this. Convince them to let me keep the baby and maybe resume school after delivery.
I turned to my father, dropping to my knees. “Father, please. I know you are disappointed but please don't send me away. I am really sorry and I am ready to pay for my actions but please don't make me abort this baby.”
“I don't think you understood me,” he said coldly. “If you are determined to raise that bastard, it won't be under my roof.”
I stared up at him, my knees burning on the cold floor, but the ache in my chest was far worse.
“Dad…” I whispered, voice shaking. “Please, I’m begging you. I’ll do anything. Just… don’t make me choose between my family and my baby.”
“You already made your choice the moment you decided to ruin everything we built,” he said, his tone sharper than I’d ever heard it. “You think this is about you, Dahlia? About your feelings? We gave you everything. The best school. A future. And you threw it all away.”
My mother folded her arms tightly across her chest, as if hugging herself to keep from exploding. “You think the world will be kind to a pregnant high school dropout? You think colleges will still be sending you scholarships once this video circulates beyond the school?”
“I’ll figure something out,” I croaked.
“By doing what?” Denise snorted. “Braiding hair at gas stations? You don’t even know how to take care of yourself. And now you want to raise a baby? Wake up, Dahlia. You’re not strong. You’re spoiled. And without them…” she gestured to our parents “...you have nothing.”
“Enough, Denise,” Dad said, but he didn’t look at her. “Pack your things.”
My heart plummeted.
“What?”
“You have until morning,” he said stiffly. “After that, your mother and I don’t want to see you in this house.”
I couldn’t breathe. I looked at my mother, hoping she would say something but she didn't.
That was when Denise's true colours came out and she gave an ugly laugh.
I slapped her.
The sound cracked through the living room.
Her mouth hung open in disbelief, but I didn’t wait for a reaction. I stood, shaking, heart hammering in my ears.
“You got your wish,” I said hoarsely. “You’ve always wanted me gone. Well, here you go.”
My father didn't waste time retaliating the slap. “Don't you ever in your miserable life raise your filthy hands on my daughter again. Now get out before I say something I'll regret!”
Tears blurred my vision.
I turned on my heel and marched toward the closet. My vision blurred with tears, but my steps didn’t falter.
I packed in silence. Clothes. A few essentials. The two remaining pregnancy tests. I shoved everything into a duffel bag, hands trembling. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I had to leave before they made good on their promise to throw me out like trash.
When I came back down, the living room was empty. I didn’t even get a final word. Not a goodbye. Not even a look.
- Writer
