X

X

X

X

The next day was Sunday- the day Wilson's entire family was actually together. Under Becca's urging, they decided he was going to tell them without her. She didn't want to just show up to meet them the first time and drop a bomb like this. She didn't feel it was fair to them, and Wilson agreed. His mother, who felt guilty about being gone for the better part of the last few months, made them a real breakfast. There were pancakes, eggs, and sausage.

The smells of the breakfast reached every corner of the ranch house, waking both Wilson and his father from their slumber. They both bounded into the kitchen around the same time, donning the matching robes and slippers they got for Christmas last year with their pajamas underneath. They sat at the same time and smiled at Martha West. Dr. Geoffrey West put on his reading glasses and reached for the paper off the counter.

Wilson breathed in and out, concentrating on the motions of inhaling and exhaling. The family looked so happy and normal that he decided to wait at least until breakfast was over. He didn't want to ruin the meal that his mother had worked so hard on.

"So, son," Geoffrey said as he skimmed the morning's headlines, "how's swim going?" This was the first chance they had really gotten to talk since states.

"We won states. I officially have the fastest freestyle time in all of California. In a week or two well find out if we, I, qualified for nationals."

"See Martha? I knew being on the swim team would be good for him. He's a state champion. Congratulations."

Wilson took a bite of his pancake. "Thank you."

Within twenty minutes, he was done, his mother was done, and his father was done.

"That was nice, having a meal together for a change," his mother said.

"Indeed it was," said Dr West.

They were going to leave and funnel off into their separate sections of the house. Wilson had to grab them before they did. It was now or never.

Mustering up all the courage he could, Wilson spoke. "If I had something really important to tell you, would you listen?"

"Who, me?" his dad asked.

"You and mom, both of you."

"Of course."

"And…and if I did something, would you judge me?"

"Never, honey," his mother said. "You know that. We love you."

"Good because, um…" He stopped there. The words didn't seem to come.

"What did you do?" his dad asked.

Wilson felt half relieved. It was almost out. "I kind of- no, not kind of, I did." He was starting to sweat. "Two months ago, I got this girl pregnant. I'm going to be a father." There was no response from either of his parents for a long time. His mother looked like she had stopped breathing. His father appeared to be contemplating the grain of the wood in their kitchen table. "You guys still alive?"

His mother was first to speak. "I…uh…how- what happened?"

Before Wilson could answer, his father interjected. "Who is she?"

"Rebecca Tanny."

His mother was still so flustered. "I thought you went to an all-boys school."

"I do."

"Then how did you meet her?"

"She used to date the captain of the swim team. She goes to CGP. She's sixteen; she's a sophomore."

"Is she a good person?" Dr. West questioned.

"Yes, I believe so."

"Do you love her?"

"Dad."

"What?" The angry part was coming. "You slept with her. At least tell me that you like her."

"I do like her."

"Do you love her?" his mother asked.

He turned to her. "I don't know," he answered with grave sincerity. They both dropped it.

"I want to meet her," his father said extemporaneously.

"Right now?"

"If it's possible."

Wilson felt the urge to roll his eyes but contained himself. "I'll call her and see if she'll come over."

"She drives?"

"Yes."

"Oh boy."

x

Becca showed up a half an hour later. Wilson waited outside for her and briefed her on how it went and what she should expect when she came in. He kept rambling on and on about what not to say and she just couldn't take it anymore.

"Enough, OK? I'm a person. I know how to speak."

"I'm sorry," he mumbled and opened the front door.

His mother and father stood waiting directly inside.

"Um, wow. Hello Mrs. West, Dr. West."

"Rebecca," Dr. West said curtly.

"Please call me Becca."

Wilson pulled Becca to the right and toward the couch. "Let's sit, OK?"

HHHHeHuowbrfickasmHe sat with her, and Dr. West and Mrs. West stood menacingly in front of them and behind the wooden crate they used as a coffee table. Mrs. West stood still while Dr. West paced back and forth like a detective would do when questioning a suspect.

"So…" Becca said. She wasn't afraid of adults, especially Wilson's parents. If Wilson was harmless, his parents couldn't be that bad.

"Tell us about yourself Becca. Don't be shy."

"Well, I go to California Girls Prep, I have an older sister who attends U Penn, my father's a highly respected tax attorney and my mother is one of the top real estate agents in the Southern California region." Wilson was impressed. Becca really knew how to make a good impression.

"That's all very nice, but what about just you?"

She faltered. "I-uh-I don't really know."

"How are your grades?"

"Average. To be honest, school's not really my thing. I feel it places too much of an emphasis on tests and not enough on real world experience."

"Well, you're both going to get a lot of real world experience now that you're going to have a child."

"I know," she responded meekly.

"Have you told your parents yet? Was that your plan, to tell us separately?"

She shook her head. "My parents aren't home."

"Where are they?"

Wilson braced for their response and Becca cringed before answering. "I don't really know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

She sighed. "I'll be honest with you. They're not the best parents in the world. They're never home and I don't know where they go. I'm alone."

"I see." He cleared his throat. "Do you have any idea at all when you'll see them again? Can you contact them?"

"My mom has a cell phone and my dad has a car phone. I could call them on that and ask them to come home if you want."

"It's not up to me. It's up to you. But, that is what I would advise."

Wilson turned to Becca "Use our phone. Do it from here."

She looked apprehensive, but Wilson begged her with his eyes. "OK, fine."

X

X

X

X

X

Psyched to meet Becca's father? He's a trip. Review.

X

X

X