Kerry decided to keep her baby. Mathew's parents came over the following weekend. They seemed like nice enough people. His mother was the kind who thought her son could do no wrong. Jake turned up to borrow Dad's Ute. He decided to hang around to, as he put it, see how things panned out.

We hung in the background like flies on a wall.

"So..." Kerry was saying. "Mathew and I have talked and we want to keep seeing each other. We want to keep the baby."

Mrs. Cook gasped. "Mathew what about your apprenticeship? I think she should have an abortion. You don't want to get caught like this. You'll be ruining your life."

I was real proud of Dad. I think Kerry was too because he jumped in and said. "Look, Dot, I'm afraid he should have thought about that four months ago."

She huffed and said. "If your daughter hadn't..."

"What convinced your son to get her pregnant? I'm sorry you see it that way, Dot. In my experience it takes two to make a baby. Unless it's rape." He gave her an enquiring look and stayed silent just long enough for her to pick up on his implication. She gasped again. Before she could reply Dad continued. "Let's put it to the kids." He looked at Mathew and Kerry. "You both agreed to have sex?"

They looked at each other and nodded to the four adults.

"Okay...so who's idea was it to have sex without using a condom?"

Mathew hung his head and put his hand up.

Dot gushed again. "Don't you dare take all the blame for this."

Dad folded his arms across his chest with a smug look on his face. Mr. Cook who hadn't said anything sighed and shook his head. "I should cut your balls off myself you stupid boy."

Mathew took Kerry's hand and held it in front of him. "Just look at her. She's beautiful. I couldn't help it. It just happened. Kerry didn't want to but I kept telling her it was safe if I pulled out, because I thought it was. That's what I did when I didn't have a condom."

Dot held onto her chest, a look of horror on her face.

Jake elbowed me and whispered, "Wanker."

I must admit Mathew had guts because his mother was acting like he was committing a massive sin by talking so openly about it. He tilted his head and added.

"Don't tell me you've never done it."

Jake whispered more to himself than to me "Oh yeah...been there."

Dad and Mr. Cook rubbed their hands over their mouths. Mrs. Cook looked like she was going to faint. Mum jumped in and changed the subject.

"Now we've got that sorted what did you come up with?"

Kerry had started to do the talking earlier but it was Mathew who continued.

"We want to keep the baby but we think Kerry should finish school. The baby isn't due until the end of November early December." He looked affectionately at her. "She knows she's going to have to put up with some crap being pregnant and at school but it's what she wants to do and I agree."

Mum and Dad nodded. Kerry seeing they looked happy with this decision took over. "I want to stay at home if it's okay with you?" She glanced at Mathew then back at Mum and Dad. "Mathew's got two years left on his apprenticeship and, well...he doesn't make a lot of money yet."

Mathew said, "I know I'm asking a lot but if Kerry can live here and I can still live at home at least until the baby's born. I'll be able to save some money. Our lives will be just the same. We don't want to ruin things by living together straight away. We want to get to know each other. I'll take her to the doctors and stuff like that. She's seventeen in a few weeks. I'll take her for her driver's test. Pay for it. She can use my car if I'm not around. I'll help out where I can. When the baby's born we'll talk about it some more. I'll only have a year left. Maybe we could move in together with one of you guys." He looked from one set of parents to the other. No one spoke.

Kerry smiled nervously. "If it doesn't work out for us Mathew will pay maintenance and see the baby. We both want our baby to live and know its parents."

Mathew kissed her hand. "We can only try. We're asking you to help us."

The silence seemed to go on forever. Mrs. Cook looked like she was going to have a coronary. Mum had a blank look on her face. Mr. Cook seemed agreeable but wasn't game to say anything in case Mrs. Cook passed out so it was left up to Dad. He lightly banged his fingers down on the edge of the table, pushed his chair back, took a deep breath and said.

"Well sounds like a plan. I think it's time for a beer." Jake went to the fridge and passed the beer around.

Dad leaned over the table and shook Mathew's hand. "I'll give you credit son. It takes a big man to do what you've just done. Lots of blokes would deny everything. So I'll congratulate your parents because they've obviously brought you up right."

He glanced at Jake. "I can only hope my son would do the same."

Jake grinned, winked and threw Dad a beer. He tapped the side of his head then mouthed. "Your son has brains."

The little speech Dad made seemed to appease Mrs. Cook. She smiled proudly. Mr. Cook took a large gulp of air. Mum put the kettle on and pulled out the condensed milk tart she had made especially for the meeting.

I stayed in the background. The silent observer and I will admit I was in shock. Never before in my life had I seen my family handle a drama as peacefully as this one.

I wondered if it had something to do with the new life growing in my sister's belly.

I wondered if they were thinking like me.

I wondered if they were thinking of Jed.

Copyright © 2017 by Donna Fieldhouse. All rights reserved.

Thanks so much for reading. 

This story is very close to my heart xoxo

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