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“And getting a girl pregnant so young.” I didn’t want him to think he was a mistake, but I wanted to install the importance of birth control and responsibility in him. Thankfully it was too early for any talk of safe sex.
“They wanted me to go to college, get an office job, then get married, and have kids. They believe there’s a natural order to things, and I did things differently.”
“I still don’t understand why they don’t call or visit.”
To him, it was simple. People who loved you were there for you. Even though his mom sent him here, she did it out of love. At least, I hope he saw it that way. I hated reaching out to them. It made me feel like I was eighteen again and still needed their approval. “I’ll talk to them.”
“Really?”
I pushed the stack of pancakes and bacon in his direction. “Yeah, in the meantime, eat. You’re a growing boy.”
Corey poured syrup on top of his pancakes while I poured orange juice in a glass for him. Then I opened a container of precut fruit I’d picked up from the grocery store. Every once in a while, I remembered to shove fruit and veggies at him. I was trying to be a good parent. Who knows if I was succeeding?
When he was full, I sent him to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready. After things got out of control with Hailey on Friday night, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I saw her again. Would she pretend like nothing had happened?
With Jake present, we’d need to act like nothing had changed between us. I just wasn’t sure I could pull it off.
For someone who didn’t like to shower, Corey sure took long ones when he finally did. When he was ready, I drove to Nana’s house on the outskirts of town. Hers was the original farmhouse. At some point, she and Grandpa sold the farmland surrounding it.
Jake’s truck was already in the driveway when we arrived.
Walking inside, Nana sat in her usual chair. Looking up at us, she set her knitting aside. “Oh, you’re here. And who’s this?”
“This is my son, Corey.”
Nana stood. “I haven’t seen you since you were little.” She patted him on the cheek. “You’re so handsome, and you play football.”
“I play football,” Corey parroted.
I hadn’t bothered bringing Corey by during his visitations because they were usually so short, and I wanted him to myself. But now, it was important to introduce him to all the people who were important to me.
I wanted him to get a sense of family in Annapolis. I wanted him to find friends, attach to his team, and want to stay. It was probably asking for too much at this stage of his life, but I wanted him to be happy here.
“I thought he could help out.”
“We sure could use the help. We have a lot to do around here. Why don’t you grab the blueberry muffins I made this morning? They’re cooling on the counter.”
Corey’s eyes lit up, and he bolted from the room. I was positive he’d eat a few before he returned with the plate.
Hailey walked in then, moving to Nana’s side to kiss her cheek. “Morning, Nana.”
Hailey sat on the couch across from Nana’s chair. “Are you planning on selling the house soon?”
I saw the breath Hailey sucked in as she waited for Nana to answer.
“Honestly? I’m not sure. I just want to be prepared.”
Hailey let out a breath. “That’s smart.”
I wanted to talk to Hailey about Friday, and make sure we were okay, but it wasn’t the best time. Especially not with her brother here.
Corey returned with the plate of muffins.
As I grabbed a muffin, footsteps sounded above us. “We’d better get started.”
Nana waved a hand at Corey and me. “Yes, go on up. Jake was here early.”
As we climbed the stairs, my nerves kicked in. Would Jake know I’d had his sister spread out on the couch the other night? Just the memory of that night had me salivating.
