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Chapter 26 – Shelly
I couldn’t believe how nervous I was. I mean, Cal’s family is my family, but I hadn’t seen them since before Vegas. I was nervous that they would treat me differently, and would be upset that I was planning to divorce their son.
I wonder if he told them that I was.
I probably should have asked him what exactly his parents knew, before I’d said I’d meet him at their place for Craig’s birthday.
I stood on the front porch and smoothed my hand across the floral-print sundress I was wearing, trying to calm the nerves that were fluttering furiously beneath the surface.
I raised my hand to knock, then shook my head and opened the door instead. I hadn’t knocked on this door for six years, it was silly of me to feel like I had to now.
I opened the door and smiled at the sounds and smells that greeted me.
I walked up to where Craig and Scott were talking in the living room. Although Cal had said this would be a family-only dinner, I’d known that Scott would be included. He was just like another brother to Cal and Craig. Rose, Cal’s mom, had always treated him just like her own boys. She’d even grounded him the weekend she found him and Cal sneaking beer from the fridge when we were all still in high school.
“Hey, birthday boy,” I said with a smile when Craig turned around. He enfolded me into a hug, and I was struck by how much he looked like Cal had at eighteen.
“Not a boy anymore,” Craig replied with a devilish grin. I could only imagine how the girls at school responded to that grin on the same handsome face as those amazing eyes.
I chuckled and turned to give Scott a hug.
“Hey,” I said smiling up into his face.
He looked a little stressed around the eyes. “Hey,” Scott replied. “I’m glad you came.”
I just nodded, eager to keep this night about Craig’s celebration, and not about mine and Cal’s relationship.
“There’s my favorite girl.” I looked up and watched Rose maneuver toward me from the kitchen. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” She turned and smacked Scott on the arm, “Don’t just stand there, go get Shelly a drink … And help Cal set the table.”
“Haha … I get a pardon cause it’s my birthday,” Craig yelled out after Scott.
“Just for that, you can go help your dad with the projector,” Rose said with an arch of her eyebrow.
I stifled a giggle at the forlorn look on Craig’s face as he turned to walk down the hall.
“Birthdays used to mean special privileges,” Craig said to no one in particular as he walked.
Rose and I both laughed, and I felt my heart lurch as she tucked her arm in mine.
“Let’s walk a bit before dinner,” she said.
I nodded and followed her lead out the door.
Once we were outside, Rose didn’t waste any time getting to the point.
“Shelly … Cal told me about what happened, and I am sorrier than I can ever explain, for you … and my son. I can’t begin to understand the hurt and betrayal that you must have felt … must still feel … I can only imagine. And I understand that your first instinct is to cut and run, but Shelly, I have to tell you, I’m really hoping that you won’t.”
We both stopped and turned to look at each other. I knew and respected Rose enough to let her finish what she felt she needed to say, but a part of me was burning inside, and I wanted to tell her to mind her own business.
But I didn’t.
“Cal has loved you since the moment he saw you in that gymnasium, and as much as Harry and I worried that you kids were getting too serious too young, Cal never wavered. He told me the summer after you met that you were the girl for him, and that he would marry you as soon as he could. And he did. My son may have made a horrible mistake, but I know his heart as well as you do, and we both know that he loves you with a passion, and he always will. All I’m asking is that you take into consideration the past six years of your life, as well as that one night, before you make a final decision. I also want you to know that I love you dearly, and that no matter what decision you do end up making, you will always be my daughter.”
I choked back a sob as my eyes filled, and we smiled at each other through our tears. I pulled her into a hug, and we both stood there for a moment, crying silently and holding on to each other.
I loved this woman dearly … No, I loved this family dearly, and the thought of not having them in my life was like an added weight on my shoulders. I felt it crushing me and I wanted nothing more than to be able to get out from under it.
Suddenly, my body felt coiled with frustration and rage.
