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1155 Words
Instead of returning to the dinner table, I decided to go to my room. I didn't want to be around anyone, so I needed to call the family attorney.
As I sat on my bed I dialed Fred's number and waited for him to pick up.
On the third ring, I heard, " Hello."
"Fred, this is Drew. I'm sorry for calling so late but I need your help."
"No problem. Let me go into my office so we can talk."
"No problem."
I waited for several seconds as he walked into his office.
"Okay Drew. Now tell me what is going on."
So for the next five minutes, I explained to him what has happened and what is currently going on.
"Do you know if they called the police?"
"Not sure. But she is seventeen and I was drunk."
"The good news is, Texas law states that as long as she is seventeen she only has to consent to have s*x. You can't be charged for having s*x with a minor."
"What about r**e charges?"
" Too much time has passed and the fact that both sets of parents are involved, I don't think she would stoop that low. My advice would be to get a DNA test done. We can petition to have a DNA test done."
"Can DNA testing be done before the baby is born?"
"Yes. The mother would have to agree, but if she refuses, we can get a court order. I can write something up and deliver it to her tomorrow."
"I would like that."
"Sounds good. I'll work on that in the morning. This will cost you a pretty penny, Drew. Fetal paternity testing can be costly."
"I don't care. If she is accusing me of being the father, then I need to know the truth."
"Alright son. I'll start working on it. If the police show up, have your father call me if they want to arrest you."
"Wil do. Thank you Fred."
"Anytime."
He hung up and I decided to look at photos of Sherly and I.
I couldn't help but smile at the photo of us at the stream. It was her first time fishing and even though she didn't like it, she enjoyed the time we spent together. It was our third date and the first time we kissed. After that kiss, I knew she would be mine forever, but now she was gone.
"Knock knock," I heard mother say as she stood in the doorway.
I looked up and said, " What's up?"
"I brought you the rest of your dinner."
"That was nice of you."
"Well I try. Anyways, are you okay?"
"Not really, but I'll get through it. I take it dad told you?"
"He did." She walked into the room and set the food down on my nightstand, then sat in the bed next to me.
"That's a cute photo of you two."
"It was her first time fishing. She hated it but she was happy to be with me."
"She loved you."
"I know and I love her too. I miss her so much."
"Before you bring her back here, once you find her you need to clean up this mess."
"I am. I spoke to Fred and he will be asking Mia for a fetal DNA test. If she refuses, then I'll take her to court. I know we were not intimate, but I have to clear my name."
"For your sake, I hope you're right, but the drama and hurt this is causing, it could rip the two families apart."
"I know but I won't marry her and raise a child that is not mine."
"It will all work out. Have faith."
"I do."
"By the way, your father is trying to stop them from calling the police."
"Let them. Mia is seventeen and it is legal to have s*x in the state of Texas. All she can try and pin me with is r**e but, since she wasn't complaining about it weeks ago, she has no case."
"That's good to know. I'd hate to have to bail you out."
"Same."
She put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed. "You will find her. It might not be today or tomorrow, but you will find her."
"I hope I do and that she is still single. I want to marry her."
Her face lit up and she said, "if the love I saw on her face every time I saw her with you and the hurt that crossed her face the day she left is any indication, then I know for fact you two will be together again."
"I appreciate it mom."
I leaned over and hugged her. "I love you."
"Love you too, Drew. Just know, no matter what, I will always be there for you."
"I know and back at ya."
She smiled and stood up. "Bring your plate down when your done."
I nodded and looked back at my phone.
That night I went to bed looking at the photo I took of Sheryl riding a horse and woke up the next morning to my dad telling me to wake up and meet him in the study.
I got dressed and headed downstairs, but before I entered the office I sent Sheryl another message.
'I love you. Please come home.' I knew she wouldn't reply but I messaged her frequently.
As I entered the office, my dad sat at his desk with Mia and her father on the other side.
"Come in Drew."
"Good morning," I said as I tried to keep my feeling neutral. I wanted to scream at Mia but I knew that wouldn't do any good.
"Drew, I'm here because my daughter is pregnant and she is saying your the father. We need to make this situation right."
"I won't marry her because the child is not mine." Her father was about to say something but I quickly cut him off. "I would like a fetal paternity test done and I will pay for it to be done. If the child is mine, then I will marry her, but if it's not, then this will stop."
"I will not allow that test to be done. It could harm the baby," Mia said as she placed her hand on her belly.
"It won't harm the baby and since you are refusing we will go to court."
"Dad, I won't allow this," she shouted.
"I've already spoken to my attorney and I know my rights. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I prefer easy, but I don't mind the hard way. Fred will be by later today to talk to you. I expect an answer by then." I turned and left the room with a smile on my face. Mia's face was red and the thought of her getting caught in a lie left a smile on mine.
- Writer
