Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I drove home with a burning in my gut but my mind was clear. Things were moving faster than I would’ve liked through no fault of my own and the situation was about as sticky as it could get. Now it’s up to me to get in front of this thing before it blows up in my face and make a liar out of me.
By the time I opened the door to my childhood home I was sure of only one thing. I can’t let her suffer because of what we have. Neither of us had said the L word yet, but I know what I feel and what I hope she’s coming to.
I also know that as the one who initiated this, I have a responsibility to see that she comes out of this debacle unscathed. I have no idea how much this fuck knows about us. Had he followed us on our little one-day trip? Were there more pictures? I have no answers. But I know I have to protect her by any means necessary.
Mom was waiting for me at the kitchen table when I walked in and dropped my bag. She was tapping her fingers on the table, which meant she’d been thinking about this shit all day and was ready to dig in.
“Mom, I need you to listen to me without interruption. When I’m done you can say whatever you need to, just hear me out first.” I looked around the room, “where’s dad? Maybe he should hear this as well.”
Just then I heard his footsteps coming down the stairs and from the look he threw me when he walked in the room I knew he’d already heard the details. “Where’s Jennie?
“She’s at Delia’s.”
Mom answered as dad went to the fridge for a water for him and one for me. “You want anything dear?” He tried passing his bottle to mom who ignored it as she continued to stare at me. I couldn’t tell if she was pissed or not, but she’s known for keeping a level head.
I pulled out a chair and sat, turning the cool water bottle over and over between my hands. This wasn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be. I wasn’t afraid for myself, but for her, and what they might think of her.
I knew in that moment that no matter how I word this, she’d be the one to catch the blame. Now why hadn’t I thought of that before I fucked up her life? No, I won’t accept defeat so easily? I’ll make this work, I have to, for her.
“Mom, dad, do you remember how much you used to praise me for having a good head on my shoulders? For never giving you a moment’s worry?” Mom swallowed hard and dad took a sip from his water bottle. I didn’t get an answer, didn’t expect one.
“Well I need you both to remember that I’m that same guy. That nothing has changed about me in the last month and a half. Mom, the thing you read this morning….it’s true.” Her eyes widened and she started to speak but dad took her hand and squeezed.
“Let him finish honey. Go on son.” I took a sip of my own water to wet my suddenly parched throat. No wonder she’d looked like a scared rabbit in the principal’s office this morning. This shit is harder than I thought.
“It wasn’t her doing, it was me. In fact she did everything to dissuade me, to put an end to my interest in her.” I can’t even remember if that was true but it fit with her personality, plus it would give her points in mom’s eyes at least.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you, but the time just never seemed right…”
“If this hadn’t happened, would you have told us?”
“Yes! Because this weekend I realized what she means to me and I knew I couldn’t keep it a secret for much longer.”
“She’s a great lady mom. She’s sweet and kind and…she’s not like any of the girls I’ve messed around with.” I can’t believe I just said that shit to my mother.
“Of course she’s not, she’s a grown woman…”
Once again dad stopped her with a look before turning to me to go on. “I guess I don’t expect you to understand, so all I’m gonna ask is that you don’t judge her, at least until you get to know her. That’s all I ask.”
“This is crazy. What kind of woman does this? I’ve been online all day reading about these predatory women who go after young high school boys and it never turns out well.” She had a hell of a lot more to say, each word only putting me in a much tougher position. I don’t know what I expected, maybe I fooled myself into thinking that we could keep our relationship a secret for as long as we needed to.