Episode 1190: Talk Of The Town

“When are you pleased with me?” Paul muttered under his breath. He’d dreaded this conversation for years, from the moment Lucy told him she was pregnant.

“I didn’t raise you to be irresponsible,” his father huffed.

“That’s what I’m doing right now. I’m taking responsibility. That’s why I’m telling you this.” Because he had no choice. Because if legal proceedings happened his father was bound to hear about it and his reason would be even worse if he found out from someone else.

“I for one am looking forward to being a grandparent,” his mother interjected.

She hugged Paul as if all this was brand new to her, as if she hadn’t already met her granddaughter. Paul supposed it made sense that his mother was so good at putting on a facade, between her everyday performative stuff she’d had to do to get along in high society her entire life and her own secret child she’d yet to tell his dad about, the woman had eons of faking it to make it, under her belt.

“I’m so pleased you’re taking action to bring this girl into our lives. Aren’t we pleased about that, Rodney?”

Paul squeezed his mom’s hand in silent thanks. While he doubted she’d be successful in bringing his dad on side, he was grateful for the attempt, especially knowing how little she liked to rock the boat.

“Am I pleased that our son has suddenly decided to be a father after skipping out on how many years of her life. Strangely, I would have preferred that he’d married, then had a child, then actually raised that child from the start instead of behaving like a deadbeat.”

“He gave the girl up for adoption, that’s a selfless act, Rodney. Paul knew at the time he wasn’t ready to be a parent yet and rather than foist that on an innocent child, he left her to parents who could properly care for her.”

“He passed the buck is what he did,” his dad said. “And now he’s letting the whole world know it by finally acknowledging the child. Honestly, son, I thought your lack of commitment to your career was bad enough… Perhaps you should think about getting your life in order, starting with getting off cruise control at work rather than adding yet another thing to your plate that you aren’t going to handle well. I’d rather not be the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.”

Episode 1191: Blame It On The Rain