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“I know I will be. Talk to you later.”
Marcus hangs up, and I use those few moments afterwards to figure out what I’m going to say. Once my parents answer my call, I have to tell them they’re grandparents, but how? Do I make small talk and ease in? Or do I just blurt it out before I do anything else?
God, this is going to be difficult.
I decide to go for the easier route, and dial my dad’s number. He’s going to be shocked, but he’s not going to freak out like Mom. He can be more levelheaded about something like this.
Hopefully.
Dad answers slowly, and I can hear the tiredness in his voice.
“Hey, son.”
“Sorry, Dad, did I wake you up?”
“No, not really. I was just dropping off in my chair.” Dad yawns loudly. “I should start heading to bed, but that means getting up from my position right now, and I’m comfortable.”
I can’t help but laugh at this.
“Mom’s not going to be too happy if you do that.”
“She’s busy in the kitchen. We just had some friends over, so she’s cleaning up. So, what’s up? You don’t normally call at this time. Everything okay?”
“I…I think so.”
How do I answer a question like that?
“What do you mean by that?” Dad sounds confused. “Has something happened?”
“In a manner of speaking.” I roll onto my belly, the room momentarily tilting before righting itself again. “I’ve got something to tell you, and I’m not sure how you and Mom are going to take it.”
“Okay, now you’re beginning to scare me. What’s going on?”
Here it comes. I take a deep breath.
“I’m a dad, Dad. Well, I’m a father. A parent.”
There is silence at the other end. Has Dad cut the call? Then I hear him stuttering.
“What…you…are you serious?”
“I am. I’ve been getting to know her recently. Her name’s Amy.” I find myself smiling. “She’s a real sweetheart. A bright kid. You would love her.”
“What? Are you saying she’s not a baby?”
“She’s five years old.”
Dad emits a curse at his end that makes me jump.
“You have a five-year-old kid and you didn’t tell us?”
“I didn’t know myself until a couple of weeks ago, Dad. The mom had no way of contacting me.” That is actually true, and I’m not about to go into the nitty-gritty details of how she could have found me. “I’ve been getting to know her. She’s a great kid.”
“And you’re certain that this is your child? You’re not being swindled, are you?”
“No, of course not. We’re doing a DNA test, but it’s essentially just a formality. You just have to look at her to know she’s my daughter.”
“I see.” Dad sounds dubious, and I can’t blame him for that. “Why would the mother bring her into your life now?”
