Be My Baby by Andrea Smith Page A

father's voice boomed in his
authoritative tone.
    I heard the sound of Danny's footsteps
retreating down the hall toward the back entrance. My father's
footsteps were right behind his ensuring he left the premises. I
scrambled from where I had been listening near the doorway to the
hall and fled upstairs to my suite.
    I slammed my door behind me and threw myself
on the bed. My body was racked with uncontrollable sobs as I
unleashed the flood of tears. I was ashamed and humiliated. My
father had to be so ashamed of me. How could I have disappointed
him of all people?
    There was a soft knocking at my door. It was
probably Edie bringing Preston up to me.
    "Come in," I said, sitting up trying to wipe
the tears off of my cheeks so as not to upset the baby.
    It was my father that came through the
door.
    "May I talk with you Tylar?"
    I nodded 'yes' still trying to compose
myself. He closed my door softly behind him and came to sit on my
bed next to me.
    "Dad," I started, "I need to apologize for
-"
    He held his hand up motioning me to stop
talking.
    "There will be time for apologies later
Tylar, hear me out first please."
    I nodded looking up at him as he took a
moment to select his words.
    "I know that I wasn't able to be a father to
you during your formative years. If I had known you existed I would
have remedied that situation immediately I promise you. But I am
your father now and it pains me to see you on some self-destructive
path. Please tell me how I can help you aside from providing a safe
haven for your escape?"
    He stopped waiting for my answer.
    "Is that what you think I am doing,
Dad?"
    "Isn't it?"
    "I came here to relax and reflect; to sort
things out and put things into perspective," I answered.
    "That all sounds well and
good Tylar, but tell me specifically how that is supposed to
take place? What actions do you need to take in order to bring
about resolution to the issues that brought you here?"
    "I guess I just felt like resting and being
around you and Preston would be therapeutic for me."
    "I see," he replied rubbing his forehead as
if he was getting a headache. "The fact that you have spent very
little time with me in the evenings; and even less time with
Preston since Trey delivered her here doesn't seem conducive to
recovery."
    "I know Dad," I admitted sheepishly, "I've
been on a roll I guess haven't I? I suppose I was trying to
recapture my teen years. The funny thing is I never acted like a
teenager even when I was one. Do you think I'm having a nervous
breakdown or something?"
    "Sweetheart I think that you are going
through something that is out of character. I think it would
benefit you to get some counseling and perhaps visit a doctor to
check to see if you need medication."
    (Wow - my dad thought I was going nuts. .
.)
    "I think you're right, Dad. I stopped taking
my anti-depressants when I was pregnant. I didn't even think about
asking my doctor about going back on them after my mis-- after I
lost Marley."
    "I will be happy to help you locate a doctor
in the area if you wish."
    "Thanks Dad. I would appreciate that very
much.
    "That's what a father does," he replied
smiling.
    "I need to talk to you about Danny," I
said.
    "I'm listening but it is really none of my
business Tylar."
    "Dad - it matters to me what you think of
me. It matters to me that you know that I am not a slut."
    He raised an eyebrow looking at me.
    "Yes, I was listening outside in the hallway
to your conversation with Danny this morning. You need to know that
I wasn't waiting in the hallway in the loft for him to come
home."
    My father listened intently as I relayed to
him what had happened at the club and about Vincent driving me
home. I didn't go into detail about what happened in Danny's
apartment other than letting him know that I couldn't go through
with it and left in a hurry. I told him that Trey was waiting for
me in my room when I returned. I told him that Trey had figured out
something had gone on when he saw my disheveled