Page 31 of Despite It All
Mom squeals. “Oh, look at you two! I’m so happy you guys are getting to spend some time together. Tell me what you guys have been up to. Jett, do you like Aster Creek?How’s your shoulder? You aren’t overdoing it are you? I was worried that—”
“Mom,” I cut her off before she can get the next five questions off. “My shoulder is good, I’m not overdoing it, I promise.”
“Good, and Aster Creek? What do you think? I just love that town.” Mom beams. She went to the college the next city over and completely fell in love with Aster Creek. She talked about this place so much growing up, when it came time for Anna to decide where she wanted to go to college, she decided on Mom's alma mater and didn’t want to leave.
“Yeah, it’s great. Great town, um, yeah.” Shit here we go. “Um, well…”Rip the Band-Aid, like Wyla did, just say it.“I have some news.”
“Oh,” Mom says with excitement. “Good news?”
“I think this qualifies more as life-changing news.” I don’t think finding Wyla with my daughter could ever be seen as bad news in my eyes, but this is about to be quite the shock. “I have a daughter… she just turned four last week.”
My parents stare at me blankly, then Mom starts to her nervous laughter that she does when she doesn’t know what to do. “Ha, huh, um, this has to be a joke right? Youdon’t have a daughter. I would think you would tell your loving parents of their grandchild.”
Dad doesn’t laugh. “Jett, come on. Seriously, that’s not funny.”
“He’s not joking, Dad,” Anna says quietly.
“Explain now,” Dad demands.
I hit the highlights, met Wyla in Nashville… things progressed—clearly. We didn’t exchange information, so neither of us knew of a way to contact each other. Then fast forward five years and I show up randomly at her fourth birthday party.
“Okay…” Mom starts slowly. “A daughter, you’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure, her name is Stevie. I know this is a lot to—”
“Pah!” Mom exasperates.
“Listen, no one was more shocked than me. I can assure you.”
My dad sighs heavily, while Mom’s jaw is still practically on the floor. “I’m calling our family lawyer,” Dad finally says.
“That’s not necessary, Wyla and I can handle this like adults.”
Dad scoffs. “Adults? Seriously, I figured after twenty-two you were smart enough to use condoms, but no.Damn it, Jett, how do you even know this girl is a good mother to your child?”
I open my mouth ready for several curse words to come flying out, but Anna takes over. “Dad, Wyla is a wonderful mother. I know her and her family very well.”
“You knew she was Jett’s and didn’t say anything?” Mom burst out.
“No, I didn’t know. Wyla didn’t know, no one knew any connection at all. I assure you, Wyla is an excellent mother and had she known that Jett’s my brother, she would have most certainly said something. I know this is unfair, but I’ve been able to watch Stevie grow up. She’s wanted for nothing and Wyla gives that child a hundred and ten percent every day. Now, none of us can change what happened, so we are all going to suck it up and be happy to have both her and Wyla in our lives because Stevie already has some pretty great family, and I don’t want to be the aunt she only sees on holidays.”
Anna’s speech seems to snap them out of their shock. Or well, it snaps Mom out at least, Dad is still a little standoffish about the situation. We stay on the call for a bit. I tell her about the past two days at the track and tumbling class, and I send some of the pictures of Stevie to them both.
“Oh, Jett, she looks just like you,” Mom cries.
“Really? I think she looks more like Anna.” I look at the picture of Stevie cheesing in the flower field from yesterday.
“Well, yeah, but that’s only because your sister looked exactly like you as a baby. The only real kicker is the freckles. She’s got Anna’s freckles and I’m guessing her mom’s dimples.” I smile at that thought—those dimples came from her mom, for sure. “But the rest is all you. I’ll have to dig out some of your baby pictures to show you when you come in. Oh, Jett, please bring Wyla and Stevie with you, please.”
At first I want to say no but really, I want my parents to meet Stevie… and Wyla. I want to bring them with me. The thought of three days I would have to be without them makes my chest hurt. “I’ll talk to Wyla, see what we can work out.”
“Thank you,” Mom says, and Dad nods as he’s looking at the pictures on his phone.
After talking to our parents a few minutes longer, we say our goodbyes and Anna shuts her computer. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No.” I rock into her, pushing her over. “Thanks forhaving my back.”
“You’re welcome. I’m still wrapping my mind around it. I’m her aunt. I’ve felt like one of her aunts for years really but knowing I am legitimately her aunt feels good.”
