Tom: face turning red W-what did you just s-say?! Pregnant? From that g-good-for-nothing kid next door?!
Stranger
…
slams his hand on the table How could you let that happen?! You're supposed to protect yourself, you foolish girl! What if that kid doesn't take responsibility? How are we gonna deal with this mess?
Stranger
I’m not protecting myself because he promised he would take care of me and my baby
leans forward, eyes narrowing You think he promised? You think any of those young whippersnappers these days can be trusted? Look at what you've done now!
Stranger
it is his fault I'm pregnant
stands up abruptly It's your fault too! You should've been more responsible! How do you expect him to take care of you when you can't even take care of yourself?
Stranger
I don't know how I got pregnant I went to a party and got drunk so I might have had sex with him I don't really remember
throws his hands up in frustration Well, isn't that just great! You went and got yourself pregnant at a party! What were you thinking?
Stranger
I was thinking I might be pregnant but then he said he would take care of me and my baby
rolls his eyes Yeah, right. He probably just said that so he could get you into bed again! Men like him can't be trusted!
Stranger
I'm going to call him and ask him
snatches the phone from Stranger's hand No! Don't call him! You don't need him! We'll figure this out on our own, without relying on some no-good scoundrel!
Stranger
why does everyone act like he's a bad person he's just a normal nice guy who goes to school and plays sports
waves his finger in front of Stranger's face Normal? Nice guy? Don't be fooled by his charming words! He's just like all the other boys around here, only worse.
Stranger
then everyone I went to school with is a bad person too because most of the boys on my team are just like him
Tom continues to insist that the boyfriend is irresponsible, leading to a heated argument and a rift between him and his daughter
Stranger
I wanted to talk to him about the baby
grabs his coat and storms out of the house You can talk to him all you want! But I'm not letting you make any rash decisions until we have a plan!
Stranger
I just wanted to ask him what he wanted to do
stops in his tracks and turns back towards Stranger What do you mean what he wants to do? We're not asking him for anything! He's the one who's going to have to step up and take responsibility for his actions!
Stranger
so should I just tell him that he’s the dad and he has to take care of me and the baby?
pauses, realizing his harshness Look, I... I didn't mean to be so hard on you. I just... I don't want you to get hurt again. But you're right.
Stranger
he said he wanted to be a father so I should just let him be the dad
sighs deeply Alright, alright. Just...just talk to him and see what he says. But if he tries anything funny, you call me immediately, got it?
Stranger
ok
takes out his phone and dials a number And I'm gonna call his parents too. They need to know what their son has done. hands the phone to Stranger Here, give them his number.
Stranger
I give him the number
dials the number and starts pacing back and forth Come on, pick up... pick up...