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She purses her lips but nods, then rushes to her room and closes the door. I’m not worried about my parents at all. They’ll ask uncomfortable, but not unexpected questions. I’m worried about how Winter so easily assumes the worst will happen, or that my parents will somehow think less of her because we slept together. But who knows what kinds of crap her dad has said. He seems like a misogynistic douchebag. Undoing all that emotional damage will take time.
I grab a hair tie on my way to the kitchen. My parents are standing behind the island, holding coffee mugs.
“Are you being safe?” is the first question out of my mom’s mouth.
“Absolutely. Yes.” I shove my hand in my pocket. Yeah, better to get this part out of the way.
“Is Winter on birth control?” Mom sips her coffee.
So far my dad has said nothing.
“Yes. And we used condoms.” I always use condoms, mostly because until now, sex has been about feeling good. I’ve only been with one other person where actual feelings were involved, and that went so sideways it turned upside down. “I care about her,” I blurt. “A lot.”
My parents exchange a look. Mom smiles. “We can see that.”
Footfalls on the second floor have us all looking toward the stairs.
Winter appears at the landing. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she’s dressed in her work uniform. But the thing that makes my stomach twist is the backpack and duffle she has with her. Clearly I was right about her preparing for the cliff dive.
When she reaches the bottom step, she adjusts her hold on her duffle. “I’m really sorry.” Her eyes flick to my parents and back to the floor. “I shouldn’t have… We shouldn’t have. I took advantage of your kindness. I can move back to the cabin now.”
Mom motions to the chair across from her. “Why don’t you put your bags down and have a seat, honey.” If there’s one thing my parents don’t allow, it’s running away from tough conversations.
Winter sets the duffle and backpack by the stairs. Her swallow is audible as she pads across the room. Her eyes meet mine briefly as she pulls out the chair opposite my mom and sits. I take the one beside her and skim the back of her hand, but she snatches it away and shoves it between her legs. Yeah. She’s taken a right turn into Up-Shit-Creek-Ville.
“It’s gonna be okay,” I whisper.
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye. She’s gone as white as a sheet, and her upper lip is sweating.
“Would either of you like some coffee?” Mom asks.
Winter looks confused by the offer.
“That’d be good, thanks,” I reply. I turn to Winter. “How about you?”
“Um, okay. Yes, please?” Her knees bounce, so she covers them with her hands.
While my mom pours two coffees, my dad brings over the cream and sugar. “You have a chance to share the news about the scouts with BJ?” Dad says.
“Uh, yeah. I told him.” Her voice is pitchy.
“Good. We can make that call whenever you’re ready.” He nods a few times, then looks to Mom, like he’s waiting for direction.
“Okay.” Winter seems extra confused by my dad’s easygoing demeanor.
That makes sense. There probably weren’t many discussions in her house. Just her dad losing his shit whenever he didn’t like what was happening.
Mom sets the coffees in front of us. Winter’s hands shake as she pours cream into hers and two heaping teaspoons of sugar. I take mine black.
“So, we have a few things we’d like to discuss, but in light of recent developments, we might need to adjust some of those plans,” Mom says.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, worried for the first time that there will be backlash for this. “We didn’t do anything wrong. I mean… We were safe.”
Mom raises her hand. “I’m not talking about what I walked in on this morning. But while we’re on that topic, I understand that you’re both adults, capable of making adult decisions, so I hope those decisions will include continuing to be safe.”
“I have no intention of ending up like my mom,” Winter blurts, taking a huge gulp of her coffee.
Mom gives Winter a soft smile. “I was the result of an unplanned pregnancy, and my mom raised me on her own, with no support from my biological father. So I understand and appreciate not wanting to repeat history, Winter. However, mistakes happen, so I don’t want either of you to think we won’t be here to help and support. But doing your part and staying safe, especially with you both still in college, is important. Which brings us to the next piece.” Mom looks to Dad.
