Page 52 of Reckless Curves
“Kicking out a pregnant daughter with no money or support—I’d like to have a talk with your father one day,” said Tom shaking his head angrily.
She shrugged. “At least we know hownotto treat our son. We have to listen, support and guide him. But we also have to make sure we don’t hurt him. Promise me that whatever happens in our relationship, we won’t let it affect how we both parent Connor?”
He watched her face but she betrayed nothing of what she was feeling. Did she think this relationship would fail? He put his fork down and reached across the table for her hand. “I would never let Connor suffer the way we suffered. That, I swear. But I’m not starting this relationship thinking it will fail. I’m hoping you’re not either.”
He felt her reassuring squeeze before she withdrew her hand. “Good point. How did you get to be a mechanic? Someone must have helped you because I doubt your father did.”
Tom half-smiled at her quick return to their original discussion. “You’re right. Living with dear old Dad was no picnic, but there was one bright spot from being in juvey. There was this balsy lady named Clem who taught auto mechanics. She took a shine to me and started teaching me about fixing cars. And that was that. I knew right then tinkering with cars was what I wanted to do.”
“I started studying books, watching videos, and working on any car I could get my hands on to gain experience. Once I got out, Sam had me take my GED and sent me to auto mechanic school. That’s where I started working on racing cars and streetcars. My teachers rode my ass hard, but only because they saw that I had real talent.”
Kendra said proudly, “And that’s why Marcus hired you. He’s always said you were the best in the business.”
“I used to hang at the local amateur racing track to help with the cars. That’s where I met Marcus. We became best friends right away. We just ‘clicked’, you know? He’s right; we’re like brothers, which is why the way he acted today really upset me.”
“Me, too.” Kendra sighed. “This is why I never revealed who Connor’s father was. I knew the pregnancy would tear you two apart. Gosh, just the idea of us dating has him all riled up. I’m dreading what might happen when he learns about Connor.”
“You of all people should know Marcus’s all full of piss and wind. He’ll come around once he sees how committed I am to you and Connor.”
Kendra shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s not talk about him, okay? Let’s enjoy our night. Tell me about your Dad’s condition.”
Tom looked down absently at the table. “Okay. He’s pretty ill. His body is rejecting the liver transplant. So Sam wants me tested to see if I’m a match. If I am a match, I’m supposed to give a piece of my liver to the man who made my life hell.” Lifting his head to look in her eyes, Tom whispered, “Sam’s right, though. At least he stuck around. Mom left when I was twelve.”
Kendra’s heart hurt for him as she replied quietly, “I still can’t believe that she left you both behind. Have you never wanted to find her and ask why?”
He swallowed against his gut burning desire to confess to her he was too scared to. What if she said it was because that she left, did he really want to know that? “I thought if she wanted me, she’d find me. I’m not chasing after a ghost.”
Even he could hear his pain in those words.
“I can relate. Parents aren’t supposed to cut their children out of their lives. I know how much that hurts,” exclaimed Kendra, nodding sternly.
“I know you do,” Tom said. “I still can’t believe you wouldn’t tell anyone that I was Connor’s dad. That was brave and also stupid.”
Kendra twirled some spaghetti around her fork. “There were several reasons I stayed silent. As I said before, I was afraid that if Marcus knew about us, it would mess up his racing career and then also your business. But most of all, I was afraid it would mean I’d never see you again.”
“What?” Tom uttered, his heart beating like a drum in shock.
Kendra couldn’t look at him, as she twined her sweat-dampened hands together in her lap. “Since you never answered my emails, I assumed you wanted nothing to do with me and Connor. If you and Marcus had stopped being friends, I’d never have had the chance to confront you. You might’ve skipped town and never looked back.” She shrugged hesitantly. “It happens.” She raised her eyes to his. “And I wanted you to be the first to know that Connor was yours. Okay, well, Stella knew, but only because I needed someone to talk to about it all.”
Tom released his breath harshly after hearing the pain in Kendra’s voice, and though he had no right to be mad that Stella knew about Connor before him, he couldn’t help feeling angry, anyway. He’d missed out on so much of Connor’s life already. He gave a wobbly smile and said, “I’m glad she was there to help you. You needed someone.” He pounded a fist on the table. “Damn it! I should’ve read—”
“Tom, stop!” Kendra interjected sharply. “We can’t go back and undo it all. We just have to move forward. Both of us need to stop feeling guilty about it. It’s not doing us any good and it won’t do Connor any good, either.”
Tom acknowledged the wisdom in her words, quietly saying, “You’re right. I am trying. I just feel robbed because I’ve missed so much.”
Kendra smiled with her eyes bright and whispered, “But now you can make up for lost time.”
Tom smiled lovingly back. “Damn straight. By the way, I told Sam about Connor when he was here earlier tonight. Don’t worry, he won’t tell anyone.”
Fear gripped Kendra. “Are you sure? If Marcus finds out from someone other than me and you… it won’t be pretty.”
“I know and I won’t tell anyone else, but Sam’s my brother and I trust him,” Tom responded calmly. “Besides, you have one person you can talk to about it, so I should get one person to confide in, too.”
“You’re right. It’s only fair,” Kendra said.
Tom laid his silverware down and wiped his mouth. “Kendra, there’s only one reason I don’t tell people I’m Connor’s dad.”
“What’s that?”
