Hearts Attached by Scarlet Wolfe

give it up for adoption. I’ll even tell people it’s someone else’s, so your parents never have to know.”
    “No way are you telling people this baby is some other guys, Kenzie. I can’t believe you said that.” In an instant, I’m hurt and angry.
    “Luke, it’s not what I want, but I’ve been thinking, and people know I went to that party in Lebanon. I could say it happened there. No one else is aware you and I were already together then.”
    I hold her biceps and bring her closer to my face.
    “You listen. That is my baby, and you are not saying differently. Do you hear me? You are not ruining your reputation to save mine. Hell no. We’re in this together.”
    She cries again. Jesus, this is a nightmare.
    “I’m sorry, Luke. I was only looking for a way not to mess up your future.”
    “My future will be perfect as long as you’re in it. I love you, Kenzie. You matter most in my life.”
    ***
    A fter Kenzie and I decide that today is not the time to make important decisions, and after I console her, I trudge home. I can barely put one foot in front of the other.
    Stepping into the house, my dad looks at me from the couch. “Luke, you don’t look too good, buddy. I kept a plate of food for you. You know I don’t cook the greatest, so you might want to eat something else.”
    “Thanks, but I’m not hungry.”
    “Your sister told me McKenzie has the stomach flu. You really shouldn’t be over there.” My dad, David, has his tie off, but he’s still in his dress clothes.
    He’s forty-five and in great shape. He’s a go getter, driven to this day. I picture the disappointed look I’m going to see when I tell him the news and tears well up in my eyes.
    It shouldn’t surprise me. The only other moments I’ve cried were over Kenzie. It happened a few times when I knew her dad had beaten her. I’d feel angry and helpless, and the tears would come. Then I’d be even more pissed over the fact that I had cried.
    “I know, Dad,” I say as I run upstairs. I can’t let him see me upset. Sitting on my bed, I lean against the wall, and the immense weight of responsibility I feel is pressing on my chest. I can hardly get my breath when there’s a knock at my door.
    “Luke, can I come in?” Liv asks.
    “It’s not a good time, Liv.”
    “I know. I feel it, so let me in.”
    “Fine,” I say.
    She opens the door as I’m wiping my eyes with my palms. “I knew something was wrong, and I can feel that it’s big. Are you and Kenzie having problems, or is she sicker?”
    I begin to cry and cannot stop no matter how hard I try, so I pull my knees to my chest and bury my face on my arms.
    “Shit,” Liv says before I hear the door shut and feel her climb onto my bed. “Damn, Luke, what happened? She didn’t break up with you did she?”
    Lifting my head, I wipe my eyes and take a deep breath. “You can’t tell Mom and Dad, Liv.”
    “You know I won’t.”
    “She’s pregnant. Kenzie is pregnant, Liv, and I don’t know what we’re going to do.” I cry again, and it’s pissing me off. I’m going to be a dad, yet I’m crying like a child.
    Liv takes hold of me and pulls me over to her. I lay my head on her stretched out legs, and she runs her fingers through my hair.
    “Oh, my god, Luke. I’m sorry.”
    ***
    A ge 5:
    “No! Get that away from me,” I scream.
    “Luke, the doctor has to stitch up the cut on your leg,” my mommy says, and she’s mad, but I don’t care. The doctor is not sticking me with that sharp thing. Wiv hops up on the bed next to me.
    “Here, Luke, lay your head in my lap. It’ll be OK. They have to do it,” she says. “Remember when I fell off my bike and had to get them? It doesn’t hurt that bad.” She’s wying cause she wooks wike she might cry.
    I cross my arms. “I don’t need to way my head in your wap. I’m oder and tougher.”
    My sister rolls her eyes. “By–how many minutes was it, mommy?” she asks.
    “Five. Luke, lay your head on your