Page 48 of Salvation
My brows furrow, but footsteps come down the hall, dragging the conversation to a stop.
John stands when he sees his wife come into his room, a smile on his lips that transforms his face. He’s softer when he looks at her. Surprise flickers through Jackie’s eyes when she sees Campbell and me on the couch. Willow and Kolton obviously didn’t prepare her for our presence, but she covers her shock up quickly with a smile.
“I didn’t realize we had guests, or I would have brought refreshments as I came.” She gives each of her kids a sharp look—that of a mother scolding her children—and they have the sense to duck their heads to avoid her gaze.
“It’s fine, ma’am,” Campbell says, standing to shake her hand. “If you don’t mind, I think we’d better just sit and talk so we can figure some things out.”
Jackie glances at her husband, and he gives her an encouraging nod. When she glances at Willow, and she still avoids her gaze, Jackie takes a deep breath and straightens her shoulders. “I think you’re right.”
Chapter 24
Campbell
My world is spinning out of control, and I don’t know how to make it stop. The words major depressive disorder are blaring inside my head like a neon sign I can’t look away from, all while I’m sitting in a room full of people—including the woman I’ve let down more times than I can count and my daughter, whom I have no idea how to relate to. Except that’s not true, either, because apparently I do. I’ve never gone to the doctor for my depression, but I know enough about it to know that it can be caused by genetics.
I retake my seat. Ivy tries to get my attention, but I don’t look at her. I don’t want her to see the shame burning in my eyes. It doesn’t stop her from staring at me, though. I can feel her gaze on the side of my face like the warmth of the sun outside.
Jackie sits beside her husband, while Kolton and Willow stay standing, a united force. John and Jackie have their hands full with those two.
Once everyone is in their place, Jackie turns to Willow. “Let’s start with you. I think you should start explaining, young lady.”
Willow crosses her arms over her chest, defensive.
“I saw them,” she says, nodding toward Ivy and me, “The day they were here—I saw them. Kolton and I came home, and Campbell’s truck was sitting in the driveway. We thought it was weird. We know everyone you know because you never branchout of your social circle, so we snooped. We waited for them to walk out of the house, and when they did, I saw her. She looks just like me, and I was curious. I wanted to know more, so I made Kolton follow them home. I’d planned on asking you about them when we got back, but you two were arguing in the kitchen. You’d already decided not to tell me, so I decided not to tell you what I knew. Fair is fair since we’re keeping things from each other and all.”
A bitter hurt coats her words, and I decide to stay quiet for this part of the conversation.
“First, don’t talk to your mother in that tone, Willow. Second, we thought we were doing the right thing for you. We were trying to protect you. I am your father, and that’s what fathers do. They protect their little girls.” John says, and I wonder how many times a man can be stabbed and still survive. “But—” he continues, “sometimes it’s hard to admit that you can’t protect your kids from the world. No matter how much you want to.”
Willow shakes her head. “You weren’t protecting me from the world, Dad. You were coddling me. I’m sixteen, and knowing them was my decision to make.”
“Maybe, but the truth is, we don’t know them, Willow. They are strangers, and even if we had decided to tell you, I wouldn’t have let you just go gallivanting on your own to a stranger’s home. Speaking of, howdidyou get there? Your car is in the garage. Kolton said he dropped you off at a friend’s house.” He stops, giving his son a pointed look.
“I did go to a friend’s house. They are just a good friend and didn’t question when I asked them to drop me off.”
John narrows his eyes. “What friend, Willow?”
Willow’s eyes go wide. She wasn’t expecting him to ask. Her attention jumps to me, begging me to jump in and help her out, but I shake my head. I told her I wouldn’t lie. Her fists clench,and she lifts her chin, her stubbornness setting in. She got that from Ivy.
Jackie must know Willow enough to see that she’s not going to answer that question because she places her hand on her husband’s arm and jumps into the conversation. “John, let’s worry about that later. Right now, let’s focus on what we are going to do moving forward.” Willow shoots her mom a grateful look, and Jackie smiles, pushing forward. “Willow has made it clear what she wants, but I think it’s fair to say we still have concerns.”
Her eyes are apologetic when she looks at Ivy and me, but there’s no reason for her to be. I would also have concerns if the roles were reversed.
“I think that’s fair, ma’am.”
Jackie gives a sharp nod. “Then we need to find a solution for moving forward thateveryonecan agree on.”
Ivy speaks up. “I—um—I might have an idea. If it’s okay.”
I hate the way she questions herself. I place most of the blame for that on her grandparents, but I also can’t help but blame a man I don’t know because if things were different and I were her fiancé, I’d spend every day building her up, making sure she knows she’s the sun.
“Sure,” Jackie concedes, “Let’s hear it.”
“I was thinking maybe we could have dinner at my house in Benton Falls. It would give us a chance to get to know each other. We can tell you our story. You can see where we are from, and maybe after that, if you’re comfortable with it, we can start to get to know Willow a little more.”
As far as solutions go, it’s a pretty good one.
“Please let them agree, God.”
