Page 28 of Orlando

“How the fuck do you figure that?” Dad chuckles.

“You were supposed to have the talk with him,” she says. “To prevent things like teenage pregnancies.”

“I did. I even bought the kid a lifetime supply of condoms,” Dad tells her.

“How could you let this happen?” Mom asks me. “This is going to change the course of your entire life.”

“I’m aware,” I reply.

“No, I don’t think you are,” she says. “Babies aren’t a fad, Orlando. They’re forever. This precious little gem is going to rely on you for everything.”

“And I’ll give him everything.”

“How do you plan to do that? You’re still in school. You’re starting college next year,” Mom reminds me, like I don’t already know that.

College isn’t something I’ve been set on doing. I know my parents want me to go, especially my mom, because she didn’t get that experience. I’ve just never seen the point of it. I’m going to continue singing and making albums.

“I don’t need to go to college. I can just look after him so that Aleeka can go instead.”

“What are your plans with her?” Dad asks. “Are you guys… together?”

“She says we should be friends.”

“She’s smart.” Mom hums to herself before adding, “Then again, she let you get her knocked up, so that’s debatable.”

“She’s not like that,” I’m quick to counter.

“Like what?”

“It was her first time.” I cringe at telling my parents that not only did I take the girl’s virginity, but that I knocked her up at sixteen.

Mom blinks at me and sighs. “I really thought I raised you better,” she says. “Obviously, this is a shock to all of us. And we are going to do whatever we can to help both of you.”

“I appreciate it,” I tell my mom as I retrieve my phone, which has been buzzing continuously in my pocket, before checking to see who keeps messaging me.

Aurora:

WHAT???

Aurora:

ORLANDO, WHAT???

Aurora:

YOU HAVE A KID???

Aurora:

I need a pic… NOW, Orlando.

I look up at my dad. “Does the whole family know about Sebastian already?”

He shakes his head. “Just us. And Zio Theo, Dante, and Josie. Why?”

“No reason.” I lean over and snap a picture of Sebastian while my mom is holding him and send it to my cousin.

Me:

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