Baby On Board

Chapter 3 - Results & Reactions

"Hey Ash, I was wondering...what would you think if I said I haven't had my period in two or so months and have been feeling really sick, usually in the morning until lunch time, especially if I haven't eaten?"

I hit send on the text and waited anxiously for a reply from my cousin.

"Tara...I would say you need to take a pregnancy test and tell your father..."

My anxiety spiked. "No, no, I'm fine it's probably nothing, I have a shitty memory and the flu, that's all."

I replied hastily and immediately regretted asking her.

"I really think you need to tell him."

"I'm fine, just forget it, okay?"

"You NEED to tell him this week, or I WILL."

"I'll do it soon, God."

I shut off my phone and closed my eyes, attempting to calm my nerves.

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About a week later, I got an unexpected text. Curiously, I unlocked my phone only to find a text from my cousin.

"Have you told him yet?"

"No, I was planning to soon."

"You said that last week."

"Yes, well I'm trying to get my shit together, okay?"

"Tara. Look. If you can't handle telling your father you're pregnant, then you can't handle the responsibility of a child. You're being really immature."

My anger flared as I reread her last text over.

"Then I guess I'm being immature."

By this time I was shaking, and I don't know of it was because I was anxious, scared or angry. Maybe all three.

"I'm going to tell him myself then, since you won't."

I shut off my phone and slammed it on my desk, almost forgetting I was in the middle of math class.

That did it. That triggered everything. I couldn't hear the teacher talking to the class anymore, all I could focus on was my burning face and shaking hands.

I wasn't thinking.

I turned my phone back on and unlocked it, then went straight through my contacts until I found my father's.

Because I only live with him and not my mother, he usually keeps track of my periods because he buys me my menstrual items and sometimes let's me stay home because of the cramps, so I knew he would have an idea.

"Hey dad, when was my last period? I haven't gotten it yet and I don't remember getting it last month and I can't remember Febuary, since I had my surgery."

"I don't know. Do you think you're pregnant?"

"Maybe. I don't know, I haven't been feeling well very much."

My heart was racing. My hands were sweaty and I could hardly breathe. I didn't know what was gonna happen once I got home.
Would he hit me? Scream at me? Kick me out? Take away my phone? My computer? Make me break up with Alex?

It had been 10 minutes, and my father still hadn't replied to me yet. I felt like passing out.

Suddenly, my phone went off and I snatched it up, checking to see who had messaged me.

It was my father.

"You have an apointment at the clinic right after school, don't pee. I'll pick you up in front of the office."