you’re going to tell us the reason you returned home.”
“You already know.”
She threw up her hands. “Do it again.”
Wes laced his fingers with mine and squeezed, reminding me I wasn’t alone.
“For several months I was involved with my professor. He told me he was in a loveless marriage. I refused his advances for a long time before anything happened between us. He told me he loved me and that we’d be together. He made me think he was leaving his wife. It all began to unravel when I heard things about him; how he’d been with other students in the past. I confronted him and of course he lied about it. He became more determined to prove his adoration for me. Then I found out I was pregnant. He ordered me to have an abortion and finally the real truth was revealed. Within twenty-four hours I was being called to his wife’s office and threatened for having an affair with her husband. I didn’t know what to do, so I packed my things and drove across the country to be with the only people in the world I thought would be able to help me.” I probably wouldn’t have gotten through the story without Wes sitting next to me. Even though I was sniffling, tears were falling from my eyes. I didn’t have heartache when it came to James, because I was learning the difference between love and infatuation.
My mother spoke again. I could tell she hated hearing about my predicament. “Conner, I want you to tell everyone how you felt when Cammie came home.”
My father sat with his arms crossed. He looked right at me as his spoke, as if he was piercing into my soul. “When she first arrived I was concerned she might be in trouble. I’m hurt. I feel like I’ve failed as a parent. How could the values we instilled in our daughter become so misconstrued? How could she assume any of her actions are justified?” His voice was becoming louder, so my mom stopped him.
“Okay. Now, Cam, explain what it was like to look at your father and tell him your news.”
“I hated myself. I felt like all my hard work was gone in an instant. I felt like a disappointment. You’ve always been so proud and I knew my news would crush the both of you. That’s why I didn’t say anything about the baby at first. It was too much all at once.”
“We can’t help you unless we know everything, Cammie.” My mother mentioned.
“I know, but you didn’t see dad’s reaction. I couldn’t stay in this house with him, especially when he gets angry.”
“We both needed time for it to sink in. It was a shock.” She explained.
“How do you think I felt? Do you think it was easy to drive across the country with all that time to think about the mess I’d made of my life? I’ve punished myself.”
“Actions have consequences.” My dad’s statements made me smirk.
“It also hurt me knowing that you and Dad were together when you were married to someone else. James made me believe he was in a loveless marriage. I thought you’d be able to relate to it. You of all people having been with mom for the same reasons.”
I rendered him speechless. How could he come back with an argument when I had a point?
“Let’s move on to someone else.” Of course Mom would want to change the subject when they were in question. “Callie, talk to your sister.”
“I don’t want to play this stupid game. I’ve got nothing to say.”
“I’ll talk first,” I offered. “I understand why you’re mad. You think I stole Wes from you, but you’re wrong. He wasn’t yours, Cal. He never was. I’m sorry I hurt you. I didn’t do it in spite. You’re my sister and I love you. What happened between Wes and I was personal. I didn’t want it to happen at first, but now I’m glad it did. He’s helped me. He’s held my hand through all of it. He’s even helping me fix what’s been messed up.”
Callie said nothing. Maybe it was for the best. She had a resting-bitch-face, so I knew better than to push for a response. Callie often blamed other people for what she couldn’t have. Hurting her wasn’t something I wanted to happen, but I refused to regret what I’d done with Wes. I could only hope she’d get over it. It wasn’t like she didn’t have guys hitting on