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“I’m waiting for his food to cool down,” Mom said before I could use it as an excuse. “You haven’t told him, right? I don’t even need you to confirm it for me, because that look on your face says it all. So, when are you going to tell him the truth?”
I groaned and leaned my head back. “I don’t know, Mom. I mean, Jake is amazing, and we’ve been good this past week. But I don’t know if he wants to be saddled down with a family, especially all the way across the country from his home.”
Mom snorted. “Whether or not he wants it, it is still his responsibility, and you shouldn’t have been shouldering it alone for the past two years. Tell Jake the truth, and bring him home. Your dad and I would like to meet him.”
I threw her a suspicious look. I didn’t doubt that they’d try to give him a hard time if I brought him home, but that wouldn’t be fair. Sure, we were both careless, but what happened between us was something mutual. Neither of us could have known what it would lead to.
He had no idea, and that was why it was so hard to bring it up. Even worse, I knew he was only around temporarily, and while I had a way to keep in contact, I didn’t know how long this trip of his would last.
“It’s not as easy as you’re making it out to be, Mom.”
She frowned. “What’s so hard about it? you’ve been having fun these past few days, so just remind him of the last time you had ‘fun’ and made a baby that you’ve been raising on your own.”
“It’s more complicated than you’re making it sound,” I complained.
“How is it hard?” she said insistently. “You went off with some boy and got pregnant! And this boy never showed up until now. If you’re having trouble, tell me who he is and where I can find him. I’ll go talk to him for you.”
“No, no,” I said quickly. No need to do that.” I hesitated for a bit, then sighed, and admitted, “The truth is, Mom… I didn’t run off with anyone for that trip. I went on my own. And it’s not like I would know anyone in Vegas.”
She frowned. “Then where did you meet this Jake?”
I smiled shakily. “You see, Mom, Jake and I didn’t…necessarily know each other. He was staying at the hotel I was and we somehow met, and he helped me out. Then he asked me to spend a day with him, and I did…and at night, I stayed in his hotel room.”
Technically, the fun stuff started in the limo before we got back to the hotel, but I wasn’t going to give her that much detail.
“So…”
“So, I only knew him for a little longer than a day. We weren’t off having fun the entire time I was gone, Mom, it was just on the last day before I came home, and… I had a one-night stand. It’s nothing like me at all,” I said quickly. “But I thought I was seriously ill, and he was fun, so when he wanted to take things further…”
My voice trailed off, because I couldn’t bring myself to say more. My face was burning. I’d never had intimate talks with my mom like this before, and I couldn’t help feeling awkward.
“Oh,” she murmured after a while, looking dazed.
She looked a little dazed, and I didn’t blame her. Because I didn’t want to admit this truth in the first place, I’d lied and told my parents that the dad wanted nothing to do with the baby and probably thought I’d go the abortion route, since I was sick, and in the middle of school. I’d hated telling the lie, but it was easier than the truth at the time.
“You’re right,” she said after another minute. “It is complicated.”
I only had a moment to feel relieved that she agreed with me.
“But you still have to tell him.”
I sighed. “I’m getting there, Mom. I’m getting there."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Klara
Jake had wanted to spend the whole weekend with me, but after practically running away from him so I could get home, I was a little worried to see him again. I hesitated to call him, but when he didn’t try to call me either, I go
t worried enough to call him first.
I didn’t get a reply. Even when I sent texts, there was still nothing. I figured he was annoyed at my behavior.
Dammit, Klara. He must have realized something was wrong. You were too damn obvious!
That evening, since I didn’t get any form of communication from him, I stayed at home. It turned out Dad and my siblings had gone out so the kids could have some fun.
Mom took Dad aside to talk, and when they came back, the expression on his face was strange. She must have told him about the one night stand. I was glad that she’d told him so I wouldn’t have to, but I had a feeling Dad wouldn’t be looking at his little girl the same way again. It would be impossible not to realize I was an adult when I came back pregnant, but neither of my parents could have imagined I would do something like this.
