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Halloween came and went, as did Thanksgiving. She wasn’t showing quite yet, but Teal knew it was only a matter of time. By December, her mother’s boss was pretty much living with them, and Teal had suddenly begun to test well.
Her heart was breaking.
Early December, Teal sat at her window, looking out at the abundance of snow, feeling the roundness of her stomach and knowing she was supposed to do something.
But what?
There was a knock on her door, and she turned to see her mother standing in the doorway. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
“Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to come and see you. Wanted to make sure you’re okay. That you’re happy.”
“I’m fine.”
“Your father says you won’t take any of his calls.”
“I don’t have to talk to him if I don’t want, do I?”
“No, of course not.”
“Good.”
“But is that what you want to do?” Bethany asked, perching on the other end of the window seat.
“What do you mean?”
“I know your father and I have made a mess of pretty much everything to do with each other, but we have gotten past that. We talk better now that his secret is out in the open.”
“Mom, he had a whole different family to us. That isn’t just a secret, it’s a lie.”
“I know, but the truth is, I think I’m a little relieved. Your father and I hadn’t been happy for a long time and we were … lying to ourselves. I know something is going on with you. I don’t know everything, but I know you’re not happy. I know you’re angry.”
“It’s nothing, Mom.”
“Talk to me, honey.”
Teal had tears in her eyes, and she hated that she was crying. “It’s nothing.”
“Do you think I don’t know what heartache is? I know your father and I are not the best example, but I have been through something like this, honey. I know you’re hurting so badly right now, but trust me, you will pull through. I promise you.”
“I, it hurts,” Teal said. “Mom, it’s… I fell in love and, you cannot freak out. No matter what.” Teal glared at her mother. “You cannot go to the cops. You cannot do anything fucked up because I will deny it, and I will leave.”
Her mother cupped her face. “I know.”
Teal frowned. “What?”
“You and Jaxson, I know,” Bethany said.
“What?”
“I saw you sneak him out of the house when I came home.” Bethany sighed. “I, I didn’t know what it was, but I’m not one to judge.” She shrugged. “You and Jaxson were together, am I right?”
“I love him,” Teal said. “When did you get so cool?”
“Because I was once a young woman, and even thoughthat was a long time ago, I remember my parents mocking me when I told them I had fallen in love with an older man. Then I met your father and broke it off with that older man.” Her mother chuckled. “And then that older man became my boss.”
Teal gasped. “What?”
“Yes.” Bethany laughed. “I know, right? Messed up. Henry was once my father’s best friend, but we were close. He is twenty years older than I am, and I loved him back then. But my dad found out, and he went a little crazy. So I then dated your father, we got married, and we had you, and everything was fine. Eighteen years of fine, but it wasn’t love. Not true love. Then Henry bought this company and became my boss, and I stayed away. I worked hard to prove myself and that closeness again. It awakened old feelings, and I can’t deny that I loved him. Even your father said he couldn’t compete with that man, and he didn’t want to.”
