Delivery

“Congratulations, you’re a father! It’s a girl!” The doctor grinned at me. I sat there in disbelief as she walked back into the delivery room.

“I’m only seventeen. I can’t be a dad. I’m not even a good son.”

“Well, you better get used to it, kid.” I turned to the older man next to me. He stuck his hand out, “Chris.”

“Ricky.”

“So you’re a dad?”

I shook my head. “I just found out Jenny was pregnant like a month ago.”

He nodded. “And now suddenly you have a daughter who’s gonna depend on you and drive you plumb crazy. She’ll make you cry when no one else can and she’ll make you laugh when no one else will. Welcome to your life.”

“I didn’t ask for this! I have too much to do. I can’t be saddled with a kid.”

He nodded again. “I hadn’t thought about that. Don’t give up your plans for something that’s not your responsibility, Ricky.”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean! My dad left when I was two and I’m fine.”

“Happens all the time, Ricky. You’re not the first man who didn’t want to be a father. Just like your dad.”

“I’m not like him! It’s not that I don’t wanna to be a dad...”

“No, but you just can’t have your dreams with a kid there.”

“That’s not what I mean. I can still-”

I was cut short by the nurse carrying a bundle in a pink blanket. “Ricky, would you like to hold your daughter?”

Gently, I took her from the nurse. I gazed into my own eyes and looked up at Chris. “Meet my daughter, Christiana.”

The nurse turned to him. “Jenny is asking for her grandpa.” He winked at me as my mouth dropped open.

“Welcome to our life, Christiana.”



**300 words**