This is so messed-up. This is not how I wanted this to go. I wanted to tell him on my terms. I wanted Kai to be with me. I wanted time.

“Well?” His fists are clenched on top of the table. His rage is palpable. My father is not a good dad. I’ve come to realize that I don’t even know him well enough to know if he’s a good man, but I can say he has never put his hands on me. I’ve seen my dad angry before, but I’ve never seen him at this level, and if we weren’t in public right now I would honestly be afraid that today would be the day he hits me.

I could lie to him, call Myra crazy, and feign ignorance. But what would be the point? One, I don’t think he would take my word over Myra’s, as sad as that is, and two, even if he did believe me, he’d watch me like a hawk from now on and would discover the truth anyway.

With that thought in mind, I rip the Band-Aid off. “You know what, Dad? Yeah, I am pregnant. Congratulations, you’re gonna be a grandfather.”

He’s silent for a moment and then it happens—he laughs. It starts as a low chuckle that sends a chill down my spine then it becomes more boisterous, making my eye twitch in discomfort. Finally, it turns into a full-blown cackle, drawing the attention of everyone surrounding us and making me sink deeper into my seat.

Our server approaches our table with a cautious smile, and the menacing sneer disguised as a smile my father just gave me transforms before my very eyes to the megawatt charming smirk he gives her. “Sorry, hun. My daughter just told a very funny joke. She’s very funny, my daughter. Tell me, what did you say your name was again?”

“Yvonne.” She fidgets.

“What’s your relationship with your parents like, Yvonne? Are they proud of you?”

I take a subtle look around, and everyone seems to have lost interest in our antics. I try to communicate telepathically with Yvonne that she should leave while she can, but of course she doesn’t hear me. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I think they are.”

“That’s great, Yvonne. That’s great. Do you ever lie to your parents?”

This gives her pause. “Umm…”

“It’s okay, you can tell me.”

“I mean, who doesn’t?” She laughs and looks to me for validation. I don’t have the heart to tell her that my validation would only be her downfall.

My father’s smile never wavers. “That’s so true. I was young once too. Can I give you some advice?”

“Sure.”