AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"It just doesn't end," Darlene moaned. "I don't even know what will be with Karen."
There was nothing to say. Jesse had his head down, and I looked away, biting my lower lip. Darlene rose slowly and, with Mama still embracing her, walked out. We heard the front door open and then close. Mama returned, shaking her head, her own face now crumpling. She turned and ran out. We heard her pound the stairs to her and Daddy's bedroom.
Daddy sat back.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
"Me, too. Go up and talk to your mother," he said. "I'm still hungry." He stabbed his fork into a piece of roast beef.
Jesse stood up, glanced at me, and walked out.
"My father used to say that when you made a big mistake, a real error in judgment, you placed yourself in the hands of unmerciful forces. Things have a way of spiraling out. I doubt that you'll forget any of this, Zipporah, but I hope you won't fall into those unmerciful hands, too," Daddy said. "Go on and eat. Your mother will feel even worse if she sees no one ate her dinner."
"I can't," I whined.
"It's not all your fault, Zipporah. It didn't start with your hiding her out or Jesse having an affair with her. We don't know what started it, but it's not all your fault. I don't want you to think I believe you're innocent of any wrongdoing, but you're not solely the bad guy here. Understand? Do you?"
"Yes."
"Then force yourself to eat something You have to think of restoring yourself. We all do," he said.
Would I ever have his wisdom and strength? I wondered. Would Jesse?
Before Daddy and I were finished, Jesse returned with Mama, and they sat at the table.
No one spoke. Jesse helped me clean off the dishes and then clean up the kitchen, while Mama and Daddy talked softly in his home office. Afterward, Jesse and I went out and sat on the front porch, staring at the dark road. Only one vehicle went by.
"I think that's Mr. Bedick," I said. "He almost hit me one night when I was walking home from the village. It was my fault. I wish he had."
"Don't talk stupid," Jesse said. "I have the monopoly on that in this family."
I couldn't help but smile.
We heard the front door open. Daddy stood there looking out at us a moment.
"Come inside," he said. "In the living room." He turned, leaving the door open, and we quickly followed. Mama was already seated on the sofa. We sat beside her. Daddy took his seat.
"We've made a decision," he began. "We're adopting the child."
"You are?" I asked, incredulous.
"Adopting might be the wrong word. I'm not sure. He or she is our grandchild," he said. "Your mother and I are somewhat old-fashioned when it comes to this sort of thing."
He looked at her, and she smiled at him. With that smile, she looked years younger to me.
"We believe in bearing responsibility. We believe in family, in blood."
"But what about your work?" Jesse asked Mama.
"I need a break. I'll go back when I can. Or maybe I won't. It seems the length of time and attention you should give your children might not be as short as one would think."
"But everyone will know," I said, not meamng to have it sound as if I were complaining.
"They'll know anyway. Some probably know already, considering Darlene Pearson's anger."
"What will you tell the baby when he or she is old enough to ask questions?" I asked.
"The truth, of course," Daddy said. "The last lie was told in this house months ago."
