It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when I came across the package for my dad. It was sitting on the kitchen counter, addressed to him, though I hadn’t seen it arrive. The note attached to it was scribbled in a hurried handwriting: “Please give this to your father.” I couldn’t resist—I opened it. Inside, I found a positive pregnancy test and a small folded piece of paper. My heart raced. What on earth was going on?
My dad, a widower for the past five years, had been quietly dating someone. He had never made a big deal of it, always mentioning “someone special” in passing, but this was beyond anything I imagined. A pregnancy test? From whom?
My curiosity overwhelmed me. I was already feeling uneasy about his new relationship, unsure if he was moving on too quickly after Mom’s passing. But this—this was a whole new level of uncertainty.
I had to know more. I called my dad’s phone to check if he was home, but no answer. That meant he was probably out with this woman he’d been seeing. I decided to spy—not proud of it, but I needed answers. I grabbed my jacket and slipped out, tailing his car from a distance, my mind racing.
When I arrived at the café where I knew he was meeting her, I saw them sitting across from each other, laughing. The woman was younger than I expected, but what struck me more was the gentle way she looked at him. It wasn’t just a casual date; there was something deeper. Was she pregnant? Was this some kind of big revelation? The possibility swirled in my mind.
I didn’t know how long I sat there, hidden behind a corner, watching their every move. They shared an appetizer, and then they both seemed to get serious, lowering their voices. My heart thudded as I finally saw her place a small envelope in front of him, almost like she was giving him an ultimatum. What was in that envelope? I felt an overwhelming need to know.
Unable to resist any longer, I finally left my hiding spot and approached the table, pretending to stumble accidentally. I apologized, acting casual, but I couldn’t help but stare at the woman. She smiled politely but didn’t seem surprised. My dad, on the other hand, looked taken aback, his eyes wide, almost like he was caught in a lie.
The conversation became awkward, and I could tell I had intruded. But my mind couldn’t let go of the one thought: What was the note about? And how did this pregnancy test fit into everything?
I didn’t get the full answer that day, but the questions remained, gnawing at me. Would my dad acknowledge what was unfolding, or would I have to keep digging? I didn’t know, but I was certain that everything was about to change.
