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“Tom,” my mom says, resting her hand on his arm, trying to calm him down. “Everyone has their own path. Maria will be fine.”
She, at least, seems sympathetic as she gives me a reassuring smile. It does little to stop the tears from silently pouring out of my eyes.
However, it doesn’t calm my dad down, as he rips his arm away from my mom, which causes her to gasp.
“No. No. All I’ve done for her, and here she is, letting older men get her pregnant likethat,” he punctuates the word by snapping his fingers. “It’s stupid.”
Tyler’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder, and I turn to look at him with tears rushing down my face.
“We’re leaving,” he says abruptly, standing up from his seat and offering me his hand to pull me up.
“Good. Get out of my house!” my father shouts as Tyler whisks us to the door, not pausing to turn back as we leave my parents’ home.
He helps me into the car, rushing around to the driver’s side, so we can get away as soon as possible. Tears roll down my face in streams.
It isn’t until we’re halfway to Tyler’s place that my silent tears turn into full-on sobs.
CHAPTER25
TYLER
After returning from Maria's parents’ place on Friday night, things have been tough. She spent hours crying until she finally tired herself out and fell asleep.
Saturday and Sunday were a little better. There were moments of intermittent crying, but for the most part, she kept herself occupied with thoughts about the baby. The more we talked about it, the more excited I became about welcoming our child into the world.
However, all weekend, I had been dreading what work would be like on Monday. While I didn't want our personal issues to interfere with our professional environment, I doubted there was any way to completely avoid the awkwardness.
I saw Tom when I arrived at work today. I gave him a small nod, trying to show that I hoped for a professional atmosphere, but he didn't reciprocate. Instead, he chose to shoot daggers at me with his eyes.
Although the situation is uncomfortable, there isn’t much I can do about it. So, I focused on my job and looked forward to returning home to Maria. We're in the process of figuring out how to move her from her apartment to mine. With three months left on her lease, we have some time, even though she practically lives at my place already.
Despite this period being one that should make us happy, it's been overshadowed by the conflict with her dad. But her mom seems content enough with our situation. She called Maria the next day to say that she wasn’t upset and that she believed her dad would eventually come around. While it provided some relief, it didn't completely ease the pain she feels.
I think that’s what hurts me the most. While Tom can be mad at me all he wants, he shouldn’t be taking out his anger on Maria.
My plan for the day is to get through it with as little interaction with Tom as possible. But we’re still working on the copyright case, and there are documents that I need that are with him.
I put off getting the documents as long as I can, but I finally run out of things to do.
So, after hours of putting it off, I get up the courage to walk over to his office.
Knocking on the door, I hear his gruff voice call out, “Come in.” It doesn’t sound nearly as cheery as it usually does.
I don’t beat around the bush as I walk in.
“Do you have the transcripts and” I’m quickly cut off as he sets a thick manilla folder down on his desk, the thud signaling how full it is.
“Take it,” he barks, not bothering to look at me.
He’s unlike the Tom I’ve known, always seeming positive despite the tiresome work that being a lawyer entails. I guess this is what happens when family gets involved.
I grab the folder from his desk. For most, it would be pretty obvious to leave. But I think about how hurt Maria was after our dinner and feel as though it’s up to me to remedy the situation.
“Tom, I,” I’m again cut off. It’s painfully obvious that he’s not interested in a word I have to say.
“Get out!” he all but roars, and this time, I do what I should have done before.
Leave.
