(John and Tristan)
The rest of
the party was awkward after Aaron’s departure. The children aged up normally
and Maricela and John went home.
Matt sat in the living room with his
father-in-law.
“I would like
Austin to stay here until he gives birth. Afterward he’s coming home to get
married. We found a lovely young woman who is willing to marry him in spite of
his indiscretion.”
“I see. What
about the child?”
“It will be
given up for adoption. There is no way we could acknowledge it.”
Matt frowned.
“What does Austin think?”
Mr. Aaeng
said dismissively, “He is a child. He will do what he is told.”
“Are you
sure? He is eighteen. Legally, he is an adult.”
“Matthew, he
has shamed me and the family by his behavior. He knows this and is willing to
do whatever it takes to make amends.”
Matt made a
sound of agreement, but privately he thought that his father-in-law didn’t know
his son as well as he thought he did.
Later that
night, he caught Austin sneaking out of the house.
“Going
somewhere?”
“Yes,
anywhere away from here. I’m keeping my baby. He can’t make me marry that
woman.”
“Do have
money?”
Austin
nodded. “Some. I should be alright.”
Matt handed
him a stack of bills. “Take this. It should help.”
“Thanks,
Matthew.”
“You’re
welcome. Good luck.”
Austin
slipped off into the night. Matt prayed that he would succeed against the odds.
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