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After three rounds of back-and-forth, I was ready to face my friends, or as ready as I’d ever be. Keeping hold of one of his hands, I led us to the same area where I’d told the girls I was pregnant the week before. They’d both been over the moon, however, I had a feeling luck would not be on my side twice.
“Okay, what the hell is going on with you, Quin?” River started as Alec sat me in the rust-colored overstuffed chair before positioning himself on the arm.
Opening my mouth, I tried like hell to come up with the right words to say, but nothing would come out.
“No one in this room is going to judge you, baby. Just tell them.” He began rubbing soothing circles along my spine with his thumb.
“Does this have anything to do with the bruises I saw on your arms and legs?” Ems asked quietly.
Mine and Alec’s heads snapped in her direction.
“Bruises? What the fuck are you talking about?” River shouted, slamming her open palms against her thighs.
Rico, who had been standing against the far wall with his brothers, moved to her side. He placed his hand on top of her shoulders, giving her a little squeeze in a show of support.
“I saw them the morning after she stayed the night with me,” Emory told her.
“Someone better tell me what the hell is going on right now before I lose my ever-loving mind.”
She was becoming increasingly agitated and it was all my fault. “I lied to you both, and by extension, I lied to all of you.”
“Take your time, caradear,” Mrs. del Toro cooed, picking up on my distress.
“My parents aren’t deaf. I freaked when you asked me about them, River.”
“Why? Are they abusing you? Because if that’s the case, we’ll go over there right now and pack up all your shit. You can move in with me and Rico.”
“Hold up. Shouldn’t she move in with Alec? She’s carrying his baby, not mine.”
“Shut it, Rico. She’s my best friend.”
“My dad has Alzheimer’s disease,” I blurted.
The room went deathly quiet as all eyes immediately focused on me. With Alec’s encouragement, I started by telling them about what led to his diagnosis, then went on to explain how the disease had progressed so rapidly over the last four years, to the point where he needed constant supervision.
“Sometimes he doesn’t get his words right and he needs help with everyday things like bathing and dressing. There are times when his frustration leads to more violent episodes, but he doesn’t mean to hurt anyone. He just gets scared.”
“Who else helps you and your mom?” Alec’s mother questioned.
“Pete and his wife, Nancy, know everything. They usually keep him for a few hours on Sunday. Other than that, it’s just the two of us.”
“Not anymore,” River and Emory said at the same time.
“I didn’t tell you––”
“You had your time to talk,” River interrupted. “Now it’s mine.”
She stood, flipped her dark brown hair over her shoulder, then calmly sat on the coffee table in front of me. There was no pity on her face, only stubbornness mixed with a hint of concern.
“You, me, and Emory…we’re family. We may not have been born that way, but fate and circumstances brought us together. Did you lie? Yes. Am I mad? Also, yes. Right or wrong, you did what you thought you had to do out of love and respect for your father. No one here will fault you for protecting him. It’s time to reach out for help though.”
No one else spoke, we simply sat there and stared at each other.
“Are you going to?” she asked after a few minutes.
“Oh.” I cocked my head to the side. “You want me to physically reach out?”
“Well, no, not physically, I guess.”
