“I asked for a paternity test,” I say. “Didn’t want to assume anything.”
Mom nodded slowly. “That was smart.”
“I got the results this week.”
I pause. Both of them are watching me carefully.
“She’s mine.”
Mom’s eyes immediately fill with tears. “Oh, Everett.”
Dad runs a hand down his face. “You’re a father?”
Hearing someone else say it out loud still feels surreal.
“I guess I am,” I say.
Mom reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “How do you feel about it?”
“Honestly? Terrified,” I respond.
Dad huffs a quiet laugh. “Good, that means you care.”
Mom squeezes my hand. “You’re going to figure it out, and we are here to help.”
“I also told Violet. I know I haven’t told you much, but I do like her, and we were hanging out, and then I got the call, and everything is weird now. But we’re working on fixing it,” I tell them.
“How did she take it?” Mom asks.
“She wasn’t upset about Emily; she was upset I didn’t tell her sooner, and I kept things from her.”
Mom nods knowingly. “That sounds about right.”
I add, “She said she needs time to process everything.”
Dad leans forward slightly. “That seems fair.”
“I know a lot is happening all at once for you, the theater, Violet, and now finding out you’re a father. But sweetie, if anyone can handle it, you can.” Mom gets up and gives me a kiss on my cheek. “I’m going to let you and your dad talk.”
Then she disappears outside. Leaving just Dad and me at the table. The silence stretches for a moment. Then he clears his throat. “You know,” he says slowly, “I used to be pretty mad at you.”
I look up. “I know.”
“When you left for LA…” He stares at the wood-grain table. “For generations, the oldest son took over the ranch.”
“I know,” I say again.
“I figured you would too,” he says.
I rub the back of my neck. “I didn’t want that life.”
“I understand that now,” Dad says. “You, leaving, felt like rejection.”
“I’m sorry, I never meant it that way.”
“I see that now,” he says. “You came back, and you built something of your own.”
I think about the theater. The work, the vision finally coming together.
