TW: language and physical abuse

Audrey took a deep breath. I can do this. Seymour wants me to do this. She lifted her hand, preparing to knock.

She put it down. I can't do this.

Why does it have to be his baby? Out of all the men in the world, he had to be the one to get me knocked up. Audrey was less afraid of telling him than she was of his reaction. She hadn't been lying when she told Seymour Orin wasn't a good man. He was worse than that—Orin could easily be classified as a monster. I'm having a baby whose father is a monster.

Suddenly, Seymour's sweet, encouraging smile popped into her mind. She imagined his voice, gently telling her that everything would be okay, somehow. How she wished the baby was his! Don't be ridiculous, Audrey! Seymour would never love you, let alone want to be the father of your child. Regardless, Audrey was encouraged by this thought, and hastily rapped on Orin's door. She fumbled with her nails as she waited, like she normally did when she was nervous.

Creak. After what felt like too long, Orin Scrivello, DDS., opened the door. Seeing Audrey, he sneered.

"What do you want?"

Audrey wanted to run back home and hide until the next day, when she could see Seymour again, but her feet were glued to the stoop.

"Docta', I…"

"You what?" he snapped. "Get on with it already, you dizzy cow!"

"Docta', I-I'm pregnant, and it's your baby. I didn't know if I should have told you—" Audrey was interrupted by a harsh slap across the face.

"You little bitch! I can't believe you would do this to me! I'm perfectly fine taking care of myself! I don't need a little brat to provide for on top of that!"

"Docta', it wasn't my fault!" Audrey sobbed, but she was received with another slap, even harder than the first.

"Of course it wasn't!" he yelled. "You know what? I can't deal with this! You've caused me more than enough trouble, and now you're forcin' a kid on me? No fucking way! I'm done! I am done with you!"

"Docta', what about the baby?"

"Does it look like I give a shit?" Orin screeched, pushing her to the ground. "Your actions, your consequences! Leave me alone, you whore!" With that, he slammed the door shut. Audrey stumbled away and down the sidewalk dazedly until she reached her little apartment.

But Audrey didn't go inside. Instead, she collapsed in tears right there, in front of the door.