33
I was a bit stunned by his presence and felt a bit nervous but moved towards the car and got in and we began driving off. I didn't look at father for a second and when I did he stared at the road with a small glare. I wasn't sure if I should say anything so I sat back and waited.
"Your mother told me. About you and the Bondurant." he said and I winced deeply at his words and he seemed disgusted as he spoke. "I can't really say I approve. You're eighteen…he's in his forty's. That's around my age. Don't you know how dangerous this can be?"
I kept hard face as I looked at the road and nodded.
"Yes." I replied. He sighed and shook his head and just kept his eyes on the road as well.
"I always know what to say, but this time I don't." he said. I bit my lip now and curled my fingers together.
"Dad, I'm pregnant." I replied and looked at him with only my eyes. His face shifted a bit and he looked shocked before a smile crossed his face and a booming laugh coursed from his throat and I could tell he thought I was joking and as he looked at my serious face, then the road, then my face again his happy face shattered.
"Oh fuck!" he yelled and slammed down on the breaks and I gasped and felt my body push forward then back and we skidded a bit and I yelled a bit and once we were at a complete stop father's door opened and he walked around the front of the car and I watched with fear as I noticed the anger in his eyes and he opened my door swiftly and pulled me from the car and I yelped at the sudden motions of his hands on my forearm pulling me out and once I was out he let me go and I didn't even move as I watched him stand in front of me shaking his head.
"What do you mean you are pregnant?" he asked. I trembled before him but kept my fists clenched to compose my nervousness.
"I have a child growing inside me….and it's Forrest's." I replied and he broke down and winced shaking his head as if he was in denial of my words.
"Eula…you are just becoming a woman and now you are taking on early responsibilities." he said. I nodded knowing this.
"Forrest will help me daddy I will not be alone. The Bondurant's will help me. Mom will help me." I replied. He frowned and looked away.
"I knew she knew more then she was telling…do Ray and Arliss know?" he asked. I shook my head and he nodded.
"They can't know just yet. Those boys are on edge with that deputy looking around for their business…he's been burning men alive and pouring tar on them to make them talk." he said with his hands on his hips looking away. I was shocked to hear Charlie Rakes could do such a thing, but after what he had done to me I wasn't surprised. Dad looked at me now.
"If they find out they will most likely shoot those Bondurant's down and knowing them they won't go down…But you're pregnant and there's nothing to be done or said about it. This means once you start showing you will not be working at the Bondurants Bar. You will stay home and help your momma around the house and prepare for the child's arrival." he explained and his voice was so serious there was no room for objection. I nodded.
"Yes daddy." I replied. I'm glad mother hadn't told him I planned to get married because I wasn't going to tell him yet.
"I can imagine Forrest is okay with this and is going to help care for the baby correct?" he asked and I saw on his face that if my answer wasn't a yes there was going to be a major problem. If there was one thing my father couldn't stand about a man, it was one who would knock up a woman and leave her to care for herself and the child. I nodded.
"He's happy to know I am pregnant and will help." I told. He then looked down as if lost in thought and then he nodded.
"Well let's go home." he said and moved and got back into the car. I blinked swiftly not expecting him to even be this calm about the news I just gave him. I turned and got back in the car and we drove on. Nothing more was said and once we were home he parked the car and looked at me.
"Go inside. I need to think." he demanded and I nodded and got out and walked around the car and moved up the steps. As I did this father suddenly reversed out of the driveway and sped back down the road. My eyes widened at the motion and I couldn't help but wondered where he was going. Maybe he was going to drive around to think. I moved back inside the house and looked to find mother in the kitchen.
