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“Your father’s not dead. He’s just never wanted anyone to know you were his.” She says flatly, with no emotion. But her words are like a wrecking ball slamming into what’s left of my heart
“What?” I gasp and clutch my throat.
“I wasn’t going to tell you because I’d hoped you’d never have to know. But… It’s David Lister.”
“Lister?” My eyes feel like they’re going to pop out of my head. “He’s old enough to be your father.” I picture him with his head of silver hair. His visits to the bookstore.
“I know. I was young. Stupid. He was married, and I was his secret. And when I told him I was pregnant, he threw me out like yesterday’s trash.” Her voice is devoid of anger. There’s just so much sadness.
“Oh my God.” I clamp a hand over my mouth and don’t say another word.
“I just made my way forward the best I knew how. I know I messed up, but we didn’t need him. I didn’t want you to know that your father didn’t want you. I hoped you’d never find out. At the party, your boyfriend’s mother tried to blackmail me wi
th it. She threatened to tell you if we didn’t pick up and leave town.”
That hits me like a punch in the gut.
“Lister is my father?”
“No, he’s the sperm donor who made me your mother. He only sold us that bookstore because I threatened to sue him for back pay of his child support.”
“He’s always known that he’s my father?” I ask and think about the time he’s spent with me.
She nods. “He doesn’t deserve that title and you’re better off. I promise.”
I shake my head, dazed. “Why are you telling me this.”
“I told you.” She snaps.
“Mrs. Wilde?”
“Yes. She thinks you’re going to ruin her son’s future. After yesterday, I think it will be the other way around. Those fucking people. They have may have all of the money in the world. But they are empty vessels. I pity them,” she says in a voice dripping with disdain.
I told her about my humiliation on our walk home. She hadn’t said a word then, and I was glad. But, right now, I need answers. My mind is reeling. That man is my father? And he hasn’t wanted to know me?
“I don’t understand,” I whisper numbly.
“It’s simple,” she snaps. “Boys like him don’t ever take girls like you to parties like that. They don’t marry girls like you. All of that is for girls who come from good families. With mothers who are all members of the same club.”
“But… we were different. He made me promises.”
“Clearly he didn’t mean them. We’re leaving tonight.”
“Tonight? What? No,” I cry, the melancholy that has gripped me for the last two days clears, and I scramble off the bed to stand in front of her.
“Yes,” she says firmly.
“But… I don’t understand.” I look around my room and can feel all of the pieces of my life slipping from my grasp.
“I got a job in New York. My cousin Sabrina’s going to put us up until I find us somewhere to live. I start work on Monday, I need to enroll you in school. We have things to do. I know it’s sudden, but I also think it’s divine timing. One door was closing, and another one opens,” she says with manufactured enthusiasm.
“I don’t know what to say. I need to talk to Remi—”
At the mention of his name, her patience seems to snap.
She grabs my arms and rattles me slightly. Her eyes burn into mine.
“Don’t be a fool. His mother couldn’t have done any of that if he’d told you the truth. It’s better for you to have a broken heart now rather than live with a string of them your whole life. He’s one boy. You’ll meet others. Someone whose feet touch the ground. We can’t play on their level, Kal. I put all of those fool ideas in your head, but in truth, you’re no different than me. Forget this fantasy.”
