Page 125 of My Mistake To Make

‘How long have you known about me?’

I watch as Jessie takes a large gulp of water and puts her glass down. Her hands come back to rest on her knees, her fingertips tapping lightly as she takes a breath.

‘Everyone in town knew the story of Charlotte Reynolds leaving town with a boy. The gossip was always that there was a baby, a teen pregnancy that caused a rift in the family. I paid it no mind. The only reason I ever thought about the Reynolds family at all was when I had to listen to Doug going on and on about that house, but the older folks would bring it up every now and again, wondering what happened and where Charlotte had gone. It wasn’t until ten years ago that I knew the real story.’

‘Ten years,’ I breathe the words, barely a whisper. She knew about me for a decade.

‘My mom was dead, and my grandfather was dead. The only family I had left was my dad, and he was on his way out. Seems he decided he needed to confess his sins before he went.’

‘So, he knew that she was pregnant, that he…’

‘Not for sure. He told me what he did and why. He told me that his daddy was pissed that she had the audacity to reject his precious son and told him he needed to take away her choice. Told him to mark her, taint her so no other man would want her.’She stops as my hand comes up to cover my mouth. I feel sick, but I need to hear this, and my small nod lets her know I want her to continue.

‘He told me there were rumors about a baby after Charlotte left town. Eventually, it was confirmed that she’d had you, and he knew there was a chance you were his, but that she left town with your dad, so you could be his too. I held onto that, thinking maybe he was wrong, maybe you weren’t his, but then I saw you, and I knew. Hell, look at us, and shit, you look more like my kid than I do. We can get a DNA test or something if you want, but…’

‘No,’ I say without meaning to. ‘She was a virgin when he—’ I can’t finish the sentence, and Jessie’s lips part, but she doesn’t speak for a moment.

‘Jesus,’ she whispers after a while. ‘Do you want to know any more?’

I shake my head, no. I don’t think I can take any more.

‘How old are you?’ I ask, surprising myself with the question, and she smiles softly.

‘I’m almost thirty-one. My mama was already pregnant with me when he did what he did. They were already set to get married when my grandaddy tried to arrange the marriage to Charlotte. Ever obedient, Daddy dumped Mama. She was eighteen, unmarried, and pregnant, then, when Charlotte left town, he came back to her, and she let him back in.’

‘This is all such a mess.’ I sigh, and she releases a small laugh.

‘Welcome to Forest Falls, honey.’

‘Okay, baby. I got way too much, yet again. Oh, shit, sorry.’

Jessie and I both turn to the man joining us on the terrace, grocery bags in his arms.

‘Um, hi.’ He smiles, looking between Jessie and me before a soft smile settles on his lips. ‘You must be Cara.’

He turns his smile on Jessie, and I don’t miss it. I know that look. He’s proud of her.

‘Yes, um, Marcus, meet Cara. Cara, this is Marcus.’

I take the hand he offers after putting down the bags.

‘Nice to meet you.’

‘You too, real nice. Are you staying for dinner? I got plenty.’

‘Oh, um,’ I pick up my phone to check the time. I’m a four-hour drive from Forest Falls. ‘I actually should think about finding a place to stay. Are there any hotels close by?’

‘Not in summer, sweetie.’ Marcus smiles apologetically.

‘Stay here.’ Jessie’s words surprise me. ‘We have room, and I’d like to keep talking.’

‘Yes, I’ll make up a guest room,’ Marcus adds, and looking into the eyes of my brand-new sister, I nod, yes. I’m staying.

‘I hope you don’t mind water or soda with dinner,’ Jessie says as she opens the fridge, ‘my therapist thinks I use alcohol as an excuse to behave the way I was and that I need to cut it out of my life for the time being.’

‘Of course not. Water is fine.’

Marcus is on the terrace, grilling all sorts of food that smells absolutely incredible. I came in with Jessie to help her get plates and cutlery, and all the condiments she’s pulling from the fridge. Not that I know her very well or have a lot of experience of her before today, but she does seem very settled here. Marcus seems like a lovely, kind man. He’s almost forty, and he’s a dentist. When he told me that, it reminded me of Jamie for the first time in months, and it hit me how much my life has changed.

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