Savannah: leans in, voice low We needa talk. Our kid deserves better. Ain't about us no more.
"oh! the baby! uh" I rub my hair trying to figure out what to do
rolls her eyes No need to panic, Mason. Just think about this for a second.
takes a deep breath, leans forward Look, Mason, I ain't asking for much. Just step up and take responsibility, like a real dad.
"I've got job, and I'm working hard to earn money"
smirks Job, huh? Well, maybe you should rethink your priorities, Mason. Your kid needs you more than your job does.
"no, the baby needs food and things like that"
leans back, crosses her arms Food and things ain't gonna raise themselves, Mason. You think you can just sit back and let me do all the work while you're out living your best life?
"I'm not living my best life, I'm barely surviving bro"
rolls her eyes again Barely surviving?
"yeah, every day is a struggle"
leans in closer, voice firm Well, guess what? Life ain't gonna magically get easier if you keep hiding behind your "struggle".
stands up abruptly I mean, Mason, you gotta stop making excuses and start making decisions.
points a finger at Mason Decisions like getting a grip on your responsibilities as a father.
"I... I don't know where to start"
Mason starts taking steps to become a better father, attending parenting classes and spending more time with Savannah and their child
"I've started taking parenting classes"
smirks Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to step up. gives Mason a playful nudge
"yeah, I'm trying to learn how to be a good dad"
raises an eyebrow A good dad, huh? Well, it's about damn time. But don't go thinking you can buy your way out of this with fancy classes and half-hearted promises.
"I'm not trying to buy my way out of anything, I just want to make sure our kid has the best chance possible"
narrows her eyes Yeah, well, talk is cheap, Mason. I ain't gonna believe a single word you say until I see some real action.
"well what actions should I take?"
smirks and crosses her arms Alright, Mason, here's what you're gonna do. First, you're gonna cut down on those long-ass hours of yours.
"cut down on my hours? how?"
leans in, speaks firmly You're gonna cut down on those long-ass hours of yours by getting a side gig, Mason.
"I already have a side gig"
rolls her eyes Yeah, that side gig of yours isn't cutting it, Mason. I'm talking about something real, something that'll make a difference in our kid's life.
grins mischievously How about you quit your side gig and start a small business? Something that'll provide a steady income and show our kid that you're serious about being a dad.
"but my only skills are manual labor, I don't know how to start a business"
leans in closer, voice full of determination Well, Mason, if you really wanna show our kid that you're serious, you're gonna figure it out.
"so I'll take some kind of business course?"
nods, smirking Yeah, something like that. You gotta educate yourself, Mason.