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“This is the first I’ve heard from him.”
“You’re on strong legal ground, but he could try to be involved. I just want to caution you about that.”
“I don’t want child support. I want nothing from him,” I said vehemently.
“I completely understand.”
“I don’t even want to respond,” I added.
Colin was quiet for a beat before replying, “You don’t have to, however it’s my experience that a response can minimize tension.”
“I guess I didn’t really consider him ever reaching out,” I finally said.
“My suggestion would be for you to respond to the message, to get a sense of what his parents would like. If you’re not comfortable with that, I’m willing to reach out to them first, but it may not be necessary. Think about it.”
After I ended the call with Colin, I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in my desk chair. I deeply wished Teddy hadn’t been conceived in the accidental way he had. I knew I’d been taking a risk when I decided to go forward with my pregnancy. Paul’s actions were a huge violation of my trust. In some states, stealthing was considered a form of sexual assault, although that wasn’t the case in Alaska, not yet.
I’d known someday there would be questions from Teddy about his father. I also knew I’d mentally shoved those away, telling myself I had plenty of time to figure out how to handle that. When Paul hadn’t responded at all, until now, he had made it easy for me to ignore what could happen.
My fury at the situation churned in my chest. Intellectually, I understood his parents wanting to know their grandson. But I didn’t trust Paul, not even a little. I didn’t know how to navigate this.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tish
There was a light knock on my door. “Come in!” I called out.
Phoebe peered around the door. The moment she met my eyes, her smile faded. She stepped into my office quickly and closed the door behind her. “What’s going on?”
I opened my mouth to hedge, to find a way to be socially appropriate. Instead, I burst into tears.
Phoebe was at my desk in a flash, rounding it to lean down and hug me. “What happened?” She stepped back, lingering beside my desk, her worried gaze patient.
I took a sniffling breath. She reached for the box of tissues on the corner of my desk, handing me one quickly. I blew my nose before looking at her again. I tried to smile, but my lips wobbled.
She sat down in the chair across from me. “You’re not prone to bursting into tears. Tell me what’s going on. Can I help?”
I blew my nose again and wiped the tears off my cheeks. I had been vague about Teddy’s father. I studied her for a moment, trying to gather my nerve. Although I knew in my gut what he’d done was a huge violation, it seemed small. I knew minimizing and dismissing the actions of men was par for the course. It often felt like the world wanted us to give shitty men a pass.
“You know how Teddy’s father ghosted me?”
Phoebe nodded. “Yeah. Asshole.”
“He’s definitely an asshole. In a way, it’s been a relief because I didn’t have to deal with what to do if he didn’t ghost me. You know how I got pregnant. When I confronted him, that was the last time we talked. I have crazy mixed feelings about it, I don’t know what to do.” I sighed and shook my head almost to myself.
When I glanced up at Phoebe, she looked calmly furious. “He’s a fucking asshole, but we already knew that. Did he say where he was in his voicemail?”
I shook my head. “He’s a commercial fisherman. Well, he was. I don’t even know if he is still doing it, but he was in Fireweed Harbor for the fishing season when we met.” I shrugged. “Anyway, all he said was his parents want to meet Teddy. I just got off the phone with Colin Blackthorne.”
“Colin will handle it for you. He’s a good attorney,” she said firmly.
“I’m sure he is. I just don’t know what to tell Paul’s parents. I’m not against them having contact, but I don’t want them to pressure me around Paul.”
“Tell them what happened. Their response will tell you what kind of people they are,” she said.
“That’s a good point,” I said slowly.
“Tell me if I’m being pushy, but I think you should just go ahead and call. I’m a run-straight-at-the-problem kind of person.”
