His fingers wrapped around my

throat as his words drove inside

me like venom without brakes.

"You got her pregnant!" His

voice continued to scream

as she begged him to not

take away the most precious

thing her life.

Azura, don't say that. I am far

from being precious. That

baby is precious.

His punches came rapidly

and the blood soon flew out

freely, out of my mouth, my

head, my soul. Yet it was

worth it. She's fighting for

two lives and it is all because

of me.

"Goddammit, Charlie, you really

screwed up this time." Mom's

voice came from the halls as

she yanked me off the ground.

"Sir, don't ever place your hands

on my son ever again." Her voice

was stern, "or else I'll call the police."

"I'd rather go to jail as long as he

is dead."

The world paused, the room got

quiet. Everything was still as the

dust dropped from the ceiling,

trying to act as if it is glitter. Trying

to feel beautiful.

"Dad, don't you ever say that again,"

Azura's hand brushed against her

father's face and a loud smack

rang like the bells in churches.

"I would be dead if it wasn't for Charlie,"

she continued. "If Charlie wasn't

here, you wouldn't have a daughter.

But that's a good thought for you,

isn't it? Finally, another burden off

your shoulders so you can focus

on your other ones?

Like mom, maybe?

Or your drinking? Smoking? Dealing?

You are a deadbeat father, dad," she emphasized

the word 'dad' as if it was a forbidden

word. "I'd rather be in jail than to

see a father like you wandering around

here. You think you're such a good

father?

At least I won't abandon

my child even if Charlie leaves.

I'm not like mom. I'm not like you. I'm

having this baby, whether you like it

or not. And this isn't some sort of phase or

act of rebellion. It's the act of accepting my

mistakes and using them for the greater good.

Yes, this child was unplanned. Yes, it'll be hard on

me. But what did the child do to deserve to feel unwanted?

Absolutely nothing. With that, you are no longer allowed to

ever come near me ever again. Or Charlie."

His lips shook as he reached out

for her hand, only be yanked back.

"Don't touch me. Leave. And do not

come back."

His legs slowly shuffled against

the carpet in the room as he

made his way to the door, silence

imprinted itself onto his skin.

"Oh, and dad?" she called after

him. He spun around immediately,

hope in his eyes.

"Tell mom that I said goodbye."