“That’s all we’ve been dreaming about all day, lovebug,” Jenna sing-songed as Lindsey skipped away towards a sliding glass door leading to a fenced yard.
The door had barely closed on Lindsey’s back when Susan spoke up. “Really, Jenna? You’re gonna ambush me like this? Why did you pick today to do this?"
“Because,” Jenna replied matter-of-factly, “he’s going to be part of this family whether you like it or not. And by the way, there’s nothing to not like. Avery is lovely. Aren’t you, Avery?”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I began.
“Bullshit. You supported James the entire time he was in prison. You filled him with hope and showed him love. You’re a fucking saint, Avery.”
“But…” I started.
“Yeah, so the situation isn’t perfect. But life is shitty, Avery. It’s messy, and ugly, and beautiful, and stupid. None of us are makin’ it out alive, so everyone needs to just chill because y’all are stressing me the fuck out. And pregnant women are supposed to remain calm.”
“Oh my god,” I exclaimed as Susan squealed.
“Are you serious?!”
Jenna was grinning from ear-to-ear as she nodded. Susan hurried over to wrap her arms around her. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it! Oh, I hope it’s a boy! What did Jack say?”
“He’s excited. A little stressed about the finances, but he also hopes it’s a boy.”
Susan opened her mouth to say something else, but Jenna interrupted her. “Now, back to expanding families…”
Susan sighed and looked back over at me. Her smile seemed to melt into something akin to pity.
“Avery, is it? Look, I’m sure you’re a very nice boy. But you don’t understand what you’re getting yourself into. I mean, just look at that nasty bruise on your handsome face. James is… troubled.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.She thought James had hit me? What the fuck?
“Susie, that’s terrible,” Jenna interjected. “Shame on you. James didn't do that to him. And I’m sorry… what evidence do you have of James being, what was it?Troubled?Is that because he’s gay? I willnothave Lindsey, or the new baby, around a homophobe. I will not allow my children to absorb blind hatred.”
“Jenna I—”
“Stop.” Jenna put her hand up. “This is non-negotiable. You’re better than this, period. And if it’s not about James being gay, then there's something else you need to know.”
Jenna’s eyes darted momentarily to the ceiling, and she mutteredplease forgive meunder her breath.
“James didn't rob that store. Jack did. Jack was wearing James’s hoodie when he did it because I’d spilt barbecuesauce all over him a few hours before. James took the fall because I was pregnant, and he thought Jack was better off on the outside to look after me and Lindsey."
“What?” Susan and I had spoken at the same time.
Jenna’s eyes widened as she met mine. “Wait, you didn’t know?”
I shook my head. “No! He never told me that. Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. James sacrificed himself to save my family.Ourfamily. If I had known sooner, things would have been very different. I was ugly to James when he first got out. I didn’t understand why my husband would allow a convict to move in with his wife and daughter. Brothers or not.”
Jenna shifted to look back at Susan, “We let him sit in that prison for years without a letter, without money on his books. No phone calls…” Jenna’s voice broke and she paused before continuing. “James gave up his freedom and more opportunities than we will ever know to make sure Lindsey didn’t grow up without her father. It’s time to make it right.”
Susan’s eyes filled with tears. “Ex-excuse me,” she stuttered as she walked past me then quickly disappeared up the stairs.
Jenna muttered a curse under her breath. “I’m gonna grab Lindsey, and I’ll meet you in the car. I think we’vedone about all we can do here.”
Still being completely stunned by Jenna's revelation, I simply nodded and headed back towards the front door.
Chapter Seventeen
James
