Page 93 of Dare You to Run

“Well I didn’t have anything but the clothes on my back. No makeup, not even a toothbrush. I also left behind medications.”

My eyes flit between them, waiting to see if either of them pick up on what I’m trying to say. They both just stare, waiting for me to go on.

“I wasn’t able to take any of my medication for almost two weeks that I was gone.” I feel Hendrix shake beside me.

Or is it me shaking while he sits calmly?

The lights finally flick on in Mom’s eyes and her hand covers her mouth, and I watch the blood drain from her face. I can see her heart breaking and it cracks mine, straight down the middle.

“Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” Dad insists.

“I…I’m–” my throat is clogged with fear and I can’t get the words out.

A strong arm is wrapped around my shoulders and Hendrix says, “Dagen is pregnant.”

The room falls eerily silent. Not even the tick of the clock is heard. Everything freezes, all in fear of what’s to come next.

“And it’s mine, in case it wasn’t clear,” Hendrix adds.

Dad’s face goes from passive to processing and finally to rage.

“I’m going to fucking kill you,” he roars, jumping up from his seat and charging towards us.

Hendrix pops up quickly, and stands in front of me.

“Vaughan! No!” Mom screeches and I peek from behind Hendrix’s legs and see her rip him back by his shirt. “Sit down!”

His chest heaves and he reminds me of a beast, readying itself to obliterate its enemy. Red eyes burn holes at Hendrix, and his teeth are clenched.

“Dad. Can you please sit down? Please?” Full sobs are pouring from me, and it has Hendrix dropping to his knees.

“It’s okay, little mouse. I got you.” He runs his tattooed fingers down my face, trying to soothe me.

I breathe in and out in exaggerated puff.

“Get away from my daughter!”

“Sir. Please. You’re upsetting Dagen and she doesn’t need that right now. She’s been sick with worry for a week–”

“A week? You’ve known for a week and you’re just now telling us?” Dad's rage filled eyes turn on me.

“Look at how you’re reacting. I barely had time to wrap my mind around it, much less have to deal with you. Don’t you think the one thing I wanted to do was run to my parents and have them hold me and tell me it would all be okay? But I couldn’t, Dad. I couldn’t because I knew that you would freak out instead of hugging me like I needed.” My chest heaves for air as my words become more and more unintelligible.

Hendrix turns my head back to focus on only him. “Do you want to go home, baby? We can leave right now. No one says we have to stay.”

He gently runs his hand down my face, wiping away the tears that can’t seem to stop. I inhale and my breath is stuttered. The crying that I have done in the last few weeks, starting with the bomb about Stephanie, is starting to wear on me. I’m so tired and weak and feel completely defeated.

“Dagen, sweetheart.” Mom’s voice is soft and cautious. “Have you taken a test or been to a doctor?”

Nodding, I tell her, “I took three tests. All of them were positive.” Dad’s nostrils flare. “I didn’t plan this, okay. Nowhere in the neat and organized map of my future did I havefind outyour birth mom is a rapist, crash your car and get pregnant from a man you’ve known for a monthpenciled in. I’m just as scared and shocked as you are. Believe me. But all I can do now is roll with it. Are you in or are you out? Those are the only two choices.”

Mom stands from her perch next to Dad and tiptoes over to me. The cushion dips as she sits and takes my hand.

“My sweet girl. I’m so sorry you’ve been going through this all alone–”

“She’s not alone. I’ve been right here.” Hendrix’s voice is harsh.

“Thank you, Hendrix, for being there for her. Guess we look like big jerks, don’t we?” Hendrix shrugs and I smack his leg. “We’re here honey. We’re not going anywhere. We’ll be here every step of the way, offering whatever support you need.”