Page 130 of Scores Of The Heart

“I have to get all the facts before we can come to that conclusion. Then I can make a plan going forward.” Tyler’s voice is small, and I can tell he’s all out of puff.

It’s not a side I’ve seen to him on the ice; surrender.

He looks and sounds defeated. He makes a move to stand, but I clutch onto his arm.

“Tyler, wait.”

“Your dad is right,” he says. “I’m sorry, Cindy.” He glances over at Dad and Angelique. “And I’m sorry to you both for what I’ve put Cindy through with this, and now more scrutiny is about to unleash. I’ll have you know I’m contacting the newspaper right after this to give them a formal statement about the article and about the facts.”

“The one you haven’t even seen yet,” dad scoffs.

“I want to make this right,” Tyler says. “I love Cindy no matter what you might think. And I’m willing to navigate through it day by day, as long as Cindy wants me. But I think we can all agree that we need some space.”

I feel something in my chest stab me, at the same time it’s like a heavy weight has been dropped on my heart. I take a breath, hoping that might bring some clarity, at least for just a moment. But I’m met with a feeling of emptiness and confusion because Tyler is leaving.

“That’s the best thing you’ve said all day,” Dad gripes.

Angelique stands too. “I’ll see you out, Tyler,” she says quietly.

“I’m coming with you.” I jump out of my seat, knowing I have to find Henry. He’s probably still running around the backyard with Ruby, oblivious to everything that’s just gone down.

Dad stands and watches us go. I think he’s too shocked to even say anything else.

The rain has let up when we finally round up Henry and make our way out to the car.

Everything feels like a mess, and I’m on the verge of tears.

“It might not seem like it now,” Angelique says as I put Henry in the car and turn to give her a hug because she followed us out. “But you two will get through this. It was very brave to come here and lay it all down on the line like that.”

“I don’t feel very brave,” I mutter into Angelique’s shoulder as she pulls back to look at me.

“You too, Tyler. You know what he’s like. When he settles down, things will come more rationally and it will start to make sense. I can see the love you have for each other in this short space of time.”

“I meant what I said,” Tyler says over the hood of the car, holding his driver’s door open. “I love Cindy, and there’s nothing I won’t do.”

“Then hold on to that,” she says. “A love like that is worth fighting for.”

“Thank you,” he says with a small smile. “You’ve been very kind. I’m glad you can see how much we care about each other.”

“Yes,” I agree. “Thanks for sticking up for us.” I give Angelique another hug.

“You two go and sort yourselves out. Let me work on my husband.”

She squeezes my hand as we get back into the car and she waves us off. She may be a tiny little southern woman, but if anyone can calm my dad down and make him see sense, it’s her.

Her kindness this afternoon really shone through, and I may just need to hold on to that shred of hope that things will be okay… because next I have to call my mother.

* * *

Tyler drives me to Tacoma after a quick convo with Mom over the phone to make sure she’s home.

Nothing like getting it all out in the open in one fell swoop. We figured while we were on a roll, no matter how bad, we may as well keep going.

The conversation is very brief but I want to let her know before we get there that me and Tyler are coming together and we wanted to talk to her about some things…

It went like this;

“What on earth are you bringing Tyler Peterson here for, Cindy?” She says. “And also, why haven’t you been returning my calls?”

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