Page 104 of Embracing Trust

I stand on the porch for a moment as I gather my thoughts. I breathe in and let the humid air fill my lungs.

This has to end today. I can’t keep this inside me anymore.

“Anyone home?” I take a deep breath and step into the foyer. The sound of the ball game is blaring from the living room.

My stomach grumbles and I wipe my hands down the front of my jeans.

Mom comes out of the kitchen and dries her hands on a towel. “Come on in. We weren’t expecting you.”

“Hi, Mom.”

“Quite a little storm out there, isn’t it?”

“Your dad is in there watching TV. You just missed lunch. Can I get you anything?”

I shake my head. “No thanks. I’m good.”

I step into the living room and find Dad with his feet up in his recliner and I take a seat on the sofa next to him.

“What brings you by?” Dad shuts off the TV with his remote.

“I’m here to talk to you and Mom. Aubree too.” I rub my hands together.

There’s a fluttering in my chest. I tighten my hands into fists as I sit on the edge of the sofa.

I need to do this. I’ll never be able to move forward until I get through this.

Mom’s eyebrows knit together as she enters the living room. “Everything okay?”

Just relax. This will be over soon.

“Yeah, I need to get some things out in the open.” I clear my throat. “I need to talk to everyone.”

Mom studies me. “I’ll get Aubree. She’s upstairs.”

Dad lowers the recliner and sets the remote on the end table. “I’m glad to see you out here to check on Aubree and the baby. You don’t come around much.”

It doesn’t surprise me that Dad brings this up almost immediately. I’ve purposefully stayed away as I waited on the DNA test results.

Dad looks around and then lowers his voice. “What the hell was the drama all about the last time you were here? Chasing Julia Crandall out of the house as you did. Upsetting Aubree.”

“Yeah, we’ll get to that,” I say as I rub the back of my neck.

“Your mother said Julia showed up out of nowhere to have dinner here apparently.” Dad shakes his head. “Your mother said she’s texted you a few times to ask about it and you never gave her a clear answer.”

I let out a breath. “It’s complicated, Dad.”

“I suspect.” Dad grimaces. “You need to be taking care of your business around here, son.”

“My business?”

My jaw tightens and practically burns from the pressure.

“Yes, Aubree and your child.” Dad narrows his eyes. “That’s your business now.”

“Sure.” I’m not starting an argument. I’m not going to let him bother me and lose focus on why I’m here.

Dad opens his mouth to reply and Mom comes in with Aubree close behind.

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