Ch. 2 Because of Ancestors.
"Delia, dear, there is something I wish to speak to you about," Were the words that were the opening of the gates of hell. I sat down calmly, 'Why freak out just yet?' And composed my features to look business like. My father sat across from me, looking nervous, 'This can't be good.' "Delia, sweetheart, you must always understand that I love you. And as my daughter, I want what is best for my little girl." My dad was beginning with the love speech. I had only a handful of conversations that began this way in eighteen years of living with my dad, and they were never good.
"Dad," I interrupted, "please stop beating around the bush, what is it that we are going to be talking about?" Dad wiped the sweat that was beginning to form on his brow.
"Well, it's about your future." My brows furrowed in confusion.
"What about my future?" I asked quizzically, I could already feel my blood pressure rising.
"Do you remember that story you grandfather always told you and your cousins when you were younger, about our family?" I tried to connect the dots of how a childhood story could have to do with my future.
"Um, yes," I said hesitantly, "I believe so."
"And how it involved the family that resides in England?"
"Yes, the one that has something to do with an useless will, that no one actually believes exists? Is that the one you are referring to?"
"Good, you remembered, but do you know the specifics?" My father inquired, I wanted to scream in frustration. 'Where was he going with these questions'.
"Something about our family and the foreign family getting together, marrying, then making babies in exchange for land, right? But the title to the land doesn't mean anything now, am I correct?"
"Yes, you summoned it up well, and not in today's time. But it is worth a lot of money, for both families."
"What does this have to do with my future Dad," he hesitated and looked around as if trying to find the answer on the wall behind me.
"You know we are going through a hard time financially, the whole family. With you wanting to pursuer your singing career, and I'm not having any luck finding a job. And your aunt and uncle just had their fourth child, but Ronnie still can't find any work either. You and I both know that Trinity's meager paycheck from the grocery store can't possible support their family for long. And what about your Uncle Pierce and Aunt Hayden…" He continued babbling.
"Dad! What does some stupid story Grandpa told me have anything to do with my future and the family's financial state?" I finally asked, cutting him off. He was going to answer my question, one way or another. He looked at me, pain clearly writing across his face.
"I received a letter about a month ago. It states that the person who wrote it is aware of our family's history. And so while the will is still valid, they wish to fulfill its expectations." I felt my jaw drop, and I stared straight ahead trying to connect the dots my brain was refusing to understand.
"Del, you are the only applicable person in the family that can do this." My mouth went dry as I finally saw the picture.
"No, this is some kind of sick joke," I didn't finish my sentence as my father shook is head slowly.
"Please, Delia, understand that I have no choice." My temper flared.
"You don't have a choice!?!" I screeched, "You're the one saying that you wish to ship me off the England, marry god only knows who, have his child in order for us to hopefully get some money? That is one of the sickest thoughts I believe has ever formed in your head, Dad. And I mean that full heartedly." My father sat in silence. He opened his mouth, then closed it. What was he to say to that, maybe he hadn't thought it through.
"Delia, I have spoken with the rest of the family, and if you marry him, the family will automatically get $1.5 million dollars. And that is after it is split evenly among us all." I shook my head, as if to clear my brain of any thought of this plan.
"Stop looking at the figures, Dad, and focus on what you are asking me, your little girl. You are asking her to give herself up and marry this guy and have a baby with him! How…." I trailed off, running out of anger that fueled my speech that turned to absolute disgust.
"You don't have to stay married to him. After the will is fulfilled, which we, you and me Delia, we will get up to $3 million."
"After it has been fulfilled?" I yelled, my voice going two octaves higher. "You mean after I have the baby, then my duty as the baby machine is done. Then what Dad?" I asked, angry tears spilling down my face. "I'm just going to come home like this never happened? Or can I bring home the little bastard, since its father will most likely never have anything to do with it. Now you're not only asking me to go through with this ridiculous notion, but also bring a defenseless child into it, who may only be able to live with one parent. No, I draw the line there, I will not willingly have my child, your grandchild, grow up as I did. I won't do it Dad, and I will be damned if you or anyone try and stand in my way or try to change my mind." I got up from my seat on the couch, and walked out the door. my father's face set in shock at my choice of words.
I walked the two block it was to reach Kellie's, my best friends, house. I knocked on the door knowing she would be up despite the hour. When she opened the door, and saw my face, she asked no questions and let me in.
