you tell them you’re pregnant
Pt 2 -
Dallas Winston
Light was beginning to flicker through the blinds of the room. Dallas hadn’t returned all night, and you knew this because you had watched the sun slowly fade into darkness, just to flicker again. What if he is gone? For good this time? You pulled the covers over your head and squeezed your eyes closed. It was too painful to even speculate. You wanted desperately to take back the last 12 hours. It was so bitterly unfair, he had just a big a part in this as you, maybe even bigger as you were certain he had initiated. The irony was lost on you.
You didn’t flinch when your apartment door was thrown open, an emptiness had taken over you and you didn’t know if you could ever feel emotion again. Part of you wished it was someone coming to rob the place, at least then you wouldn’t have to feel like this. “mornin’ doll” It was Dallas. You could guess what he had been doing by the slur in his voice. He stumbled over to the bed and flopped down beside you. His brown eyes looking into yours as he nuzzled his head into your thigh. Your heart flickered with sadness as you let his arms curl around your leg, you debated briefly pushing him off you but you didn’t have the energy. “Darry s’not happy” He sighed, letting his eyes fall closed. Darry? What had Darrel Curtis got to do with this? As if he could read your mind, he continued. “he was at Bucks and I told ‘im what happened. He hit me when I mentioned Syl and Buck’s friend. Started telling me to act like a man.” You didn’t notice it in the low-light but a purpleish bruise was blossoming across his cheek. Your chest burned with gratitude. Thank God for Darry, He was the only Curtis who could get through to Dallas. “and?” His eyes opened at your voice, he looked frustrated. “And, I’m tryna tell ya that ‘m sorry doll. I guess Im scared or somethin’. This kinda stuff comes naturally to you, but I ain’t got no example to learn from, how am I supposedto raise a kid?” He scoffed then, letting his eyes fall closed. You brushed a curl from his face instinctively as you tried to process what he said. It wasn’t an excuse; he shouldn’t have abandoned you like that but he looked so vulnerable laying against you and it was the most honest he’d been, even if his breath did stink of beer. “Youre drunk Dal” you tried to make it sound firm, but your anger was melting into pain and fear. You were so hurt by him leaving you when this situation was scary for you too, you’d wanted to travel and leave here, maybe build a life for the two of you first and Lord only knows how your parents would react. The thought made your blood run cold. “Yeah maybe but That don’t mean I aint being truthful, ask me again in the mornin’ doll, I’ll tell ya” His words faded as he fell asleep, still clutching your leg.