Hunter

When Blue and I returned to the lunch table, we acted like we hadn’t tried to eat each other by the fountain area just a moment ago. Instead, I picked up my mini-pizza and took a large bite off it, and reached out to get the Tuna Greek salad wrap. Elaine and dad knew what had happened of course; their faces told me they weren’t oblivious. If anything, they appeared to be content with this new development, i.e: me getting serious with a woman in my life. The mermaid part, they didn’t need to know.

I noticed Elaine’s plate filled with her usual vegan food. Not that I hated vegan food, it’s just that I couldn’t make a habit of eating it to save my life.

“Blue and Hunter were swapping saliva out there. I saw you.” Elliot spoke to me with a mouthful of sausages.

Aunt Paige sighed and shook her head. She picked up her plate, and reached out to grab Elliot. “Let’s go sit and eat with Hannah, sweetie...”

Elliot pulled his hand away. “No. I’m sitting here with Blue.”

“Come, Elliot.” Aunt Paige warned having had enough.

“Nooooooo....”

“You’re not going to the Carnival next Sunday.” Aunt Paige said. She’d pulled an ace out of her sleeve. I realized she must be doing this often.

Elliot jumped down from the table. “Where’s Hannah? Let’s go sit with her.”

I watched as the mother and the kid walked away from the table and that made this even more awkward. At least Elliot played as a good comical distraction between our conversation.

“So Blue, what are you planning to pursue as a career?” Dad asked.

"Haven’t really thought of any career as of now.” She said.

Good girl.

I’d predicted my dad’s list of questionnaire for Blue and had told her specific answers to those questions, so far nothing had been asked out of the book.

“Surely you have something you aspire to become.”

Blue thought of that for a while.

Oh god, no.

This wasn’t even rehearsed. Blue was walking into dangerous territory.

Before I could tap her knee, she said, “I’d like to become anything that Hunter would like me to become.”

Huh?

see the surprise on their faces, clear as day. Dad narrowed his eyes

your life. Do what you want

I was being a possessive boyfriend and keeping Blue from doing what

also go into modeling. You have the face and the body. Why

don’t know

you never wanted

could have a child like that, my very own baby that

was two seconds away from

she aspired to become a mother. Someone needed to tell this beautiful mermaid-girl that ‘becoming a mother’ didn’t constitute as a career option. It was more of

silence dragged on when dad asked, “How could you?” And that was the first time my father had acknowledged me

you done?” That

of them. “What did I do? Why are you guys looking at me like I’m some kind of a criminal?” I asked them directly, having had enough of getting the accusing stares and being

pissed. Blue appeared to be folding and unfolding the table cloth, obviously worried and

have a right to spoil a woman’s life, or

sorry, Hunter. I

my hands in defeat, in confusion. My family was going to drive me fucking mad. “I have no

tell us anything, Hunter?” to Blue she

“Preg…what?” Blue asked.

answer to their question and secondly, it was still hard for them

unless I’d gotten

“I understand things like these could happen, she got pregnant but so what? Both of you are still

eyes were glazed over too. Seemed like she was planning to take her future grandchild to charity events and show off to her circle of posh ladies. “You can have a kid and still manage it. We will do what we

more proud of you, Hunter, taking responsibility for the young lady and the child. We have enough money to make sure the child gets everything he or

Could either of them stop talking to just breathe? I

have nothing to worry about.”

took Blue’s hands in hers. “Forgive me, honey, but I’m so excited for this. Can we have a baby shower

had become really desperate. And my chest was filled with a warm fuzziness that I couldn’t even describe. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. To

so happy in one

sorry to break it to you…” I

that I thought I’d made a mistake

said. “We…we thought…oh

sorry that I’m not pregnant.” Blue said innocently. “I tried to…I

table and when she looked at me in question, I slowly shook

his fingers on his thick mustache, I guess he was feeling embarrassed. He was the one most excited. He eyed the steak accusingly, like it was to

faces, I kinda wished Blue was pregnant

you.” I

eyes which were

everything.” I said. I caught Blue’s hand once again and just held it so I could have her strength, her courage to speak what was on my mind because I needed it. “I’ve caused you a lot of trouble; I’ve messed up more times than I can count, and you’ve always had my back. I hated you for cutting

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