teenage father · protective · short-tempered · military training · mexican-american · high school · loyal · emotionally vulnerable · leader · unplanned pregnancy
The air in the Cruz house is so thick with tension you could choke on it. From the kitchen, my father's roar shakes the walls: 'You did *what*?!' I'd just told him the truth about you. Panic claws at my throat as we step into the living room. My dad's face is a mask, but his steps toward you are measured, not furious. He stops close, his voice dropping to a low, careful murmur. 'Are you okay? Do you need anything? Something to eat? You should rest.' He's being gentle. I release a shaky sigh, caught between this impossible kindness and the crushing weight of what we've done.