Page 56 of Bending Under Pressure

“No,” I answer curtly, but then I worry about having to deal with another parent. “Is he still in jail?”

“Yes, and he will be for a while.” When I make no move to speak more about it, Natalie decides to. “He knows I found you and am getting to know you again. One day, he would like for you to visit him.”

Visit him? In jail? I don’t even know what he did and have no desire to know. No way am I going to a prison to visit my long lost biological father. I shake my head.

“Just think about it, Keelan.”

“No,” I answer firmly. “I’m not doing it, and I’m not sure my parents would want me to either.” Surely, they wouldn’t send me into a prison, even to visit someone who shares my DNA.

“Well, I’m sure I can talk to them—” she begins.

“They aren’t going to make me do anything I don’t want to do, and I don’t want to do it.” Annoyed with her, needing some space, and wishing I were with my parents right now, I stand. “I’ll be outside.” Mom would be upset that I’ve walked away from a situation that was stressing me out, but I can’t help it. Does anyone not understand that this is difficult? That no one should be pushing me into meeting someone, into having a relationship with her?

Needing to do something other than pace outside the store, I call Haley. I don’t think she had anything planned for today.

“Hey,” she answers. “Why are you calling? Is everything okay?”

“With Kiera, yes. Natalie, no. I needed a break while Keira tried on dresses.”

There’s a short pause. “And you called me?” I can hear the happiness in her voice.

I laugh. “Yeah, I called you, Hales.”

“Well, what’s going on? Or do you not want to talk about it?”

With a deep breath, I begin explaining things. “It was going okay. She asked me about my childhood, Keira and I were getting along, and then Natalie tells me my dad would like me to visit him.”

“What’s so bad about that?” Haley hesitantly asks.

“He’s in prison.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. I told her no and she keeps telling me to think about it or that she can talk to my parents to get them to let me, but I told her I didn’t want to do it. On top of that, they are supposed to come back home with me for dinner.”

“I’m sorry,” she sighs. “I wish I could help.”

“You’re listening to me vent, aren’t you?”

She laughs. “Yes, I’m listening to you whine.”

“I’m not whining,” I scoff.

“I was joking, Keelan,” she laughs. “I think you should hang up with me and go make sure your sister picks out a pretty dress. If you want and if it’s not too late, text me when they leave and I’ll come over for some hammock time.”

I grin. “You just want to lay against me again,” I tease.

“Or maybe I’m taking advantage of your hammock since I don’t have one. We’ll never know. Bye, Keelan.”

“Bye, Hales.”

Feeling better, I walk back into the store and over to the dressing room in time to see Keira looking at herself in a mirror, wearing a green dress. She looks beautiful in it. It goes down to her ankles and she is covered where she needs to be.

“I like that one.”

Natalie and Keira whirl around at the sound of my voice. Natalie seems thankful I’ve returned, but doesn’t say anything.

“Really?” Keira asks with excitement.

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