“That horny little rat!”  Rosetta leaned back as he began snarling epithets. 

Then something inside her snapped.  “YOU!”  She stabbed her finger at him.  “You have have done nothing but hate on him from the moment he hit puberty!   He doesn’t deserve any of the things you’ve said!  He is sweet and smart and terrified of you!” 

Her jaw began to tremble.  Don’t cry now!  She gritted her teeth and continued, “…and I’ve allowed it because I thought you did it out of love for me!  But you’re not!  You treat me like a child, and at first that’s what I wanted, but I need to grow up now, and you need to let me!” 

“But Pumpk-” 

“No!  I’m not your Pumpkin anymore.  And I’ll be moving in with Emerson.  I’ll be back in the morning to pack my stuff.”  She turned around and opened the door.  “We’re done babe, let’s go.”  And she walked out. 

Colby was on the couch watching the news when Rosetta came back inside.  “Dad, we need to talk.”  Her stomach gurgled in apprehension.  And possibly hunger. 

“Sure Pumpkin,”  He hit mute and got up.  “What’s the matter?  Are you crying?” 

Rosetta braced herself for the onslaught.  Better just do it quick, like a bandaid.  “Dad… I’m going to have a baby with Emerson.” 

“What?”  He shook his head.  “Oh Rosie, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.  I mean you’re just a kid.  Trying for a baby is a big step, preferably one made with a husband, not a boyfriend.” 

She just stared at him.  Oh for ‘bobs sake!  “No!  Dad!  I’m already pregnant!  This isn’t junk food, it’s a baby!” 

“Is that all!?”  Emerson’s shoulders sagged in relief. 

“What!  What do you mean ‘is that all’?”  She frowned in suspicion.  Did he understand what she’d just told him?  “It’s a baby, Emerson.  I’m pregnant?” 

“I thought you were going to break up with me!  As long as you’re not leaving me, and you’re not dying, I don’t care.”  He wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug.  “I don’t care if you’re pregnant or just fat!  As long as you love me back it doesn’t matter.” 

She squeezed him back, and started crying again. 

He kissed her ear.  “So am I moving in with you, or are you moving in with me?” 

Through warm tears and muffled sniffling, “My dad’s gonna kill you when he finds out.” 

Emerson burst out laughing.  “My parents’ house it is!  I’ll just have to stand behind you when we tell him.” 

“No, let me do this one last thing myself, okay?  He needs to know that this is my choice, that you’re not twisting my arm.  If you’re in the room he won’t hear me, he’ll just focus on you.” 

Emerson sighed deeply.  “I guess you’re right.  But I’ll be right outside!  I’m not going anywhere without you tonight, got it?” 

She smiled and pulled his face in for a kiss. 

“Okay.  You couldn’t have just told me that you wanted some quiet time?  I would have left you alone.  I did that for your entire senior year for ‘bobs sake!” 

“I know, I’m sorry!  

But… you can see I’ve gained some weight…”  

“I don’t care about how much you weigh!  Were you avoiding me until you lost it?  Geez Rosie!  To just drop me and leave me hanging for weeks without a word?  I can’t do that.  A need for space I can handle, but I won’t put up with random silences that make me feel like I did something wrong, and make me crazy trying to remember what it might have been!” 

“No listen, please, it wasn’t that! -” 

“Whatever your reason for ignoring me, you feel too fat, or you can’t make daddy mad, or Mona’s bored, I will not just tuck myself into a corner without fuss every time something ‘big’ comes up.” 

Rosetta took a deep breath.  “I’m pregnant Emerson.”

He took a breath to continue, and immediately deflated.  “Wait what?”

“I’m going to have… your… baby.” 

“Hi.”  She managed a small, anxious smile.  He didn’t seem angry, but he didn’t seem happy to see her either. 

“Hi,” was all he gave in return. 

They just stood there for a bit. 

Finally, Emerson cracked.  “Why have you been avoiding me?  Did I say something?  Did your dad say something?  Your mom maybe?  Did Mona tie you to a chair for two weeks and toss your phone in the fish bowl?  What’s going on?”  

Rosie laughed nervously.  “I… some things have come up, big stuff, and I needed time to think.” 

She met him at the sidewalk, fresh from work.