Page 17 of Perfect Strangers

He grabs our check from the table. “This one’s on the house.”

I rush, holding his hand with the check. “No! You don’t have to do that.”

Major sends me a reassuring smile, filled with joy and a hint of longing. “Trust me Dylan. It’s the least I can do.”

He stands upright with honor. “It was nice meeting you Juliette.”

“Same as you, Major. I’m sure my husband and I will be back soon.”

“I sure hope so.”

Major turns to face me. His hand twitches by his side. “It was nice to see you again Dylan.”

I nod, not knowing what to say. Before I muster up the courage, he turns and heads back toward the kitchen.

As soon as he clears the distance, Juliette grabs her stuff. I follow hastily, wondering what the rush is. She quickens the pace, heading for the exit. The waitress thanks us for coming and I glance toward the back before I exit, hoping I get to see him one last time.

Just as I step out of the door, I catch a glimpse of Major in the back hallway and our eyes meet for one split second, before he turns out of my view.

We rush outside, taking steps away from the restaurant. Juliette stops and spins to face me, her face filled with concern. “He’s Crew’s father, isn’t he?”

Her question catches me off guard. “What? Why would you think that?”

She huffs. “Don’t bullshit me Dylan. He looks just like him.”

Tears well up as I break down and spill the secrets I’ve been hiding for so long. I take a couple steps toward Juliette.

“Okay, fine. Yes, he is.”

Juliette sighs. “Does he know?”

I shake my head. “No, he doesn’t.”

Her face screams with disappointment. “Shit, Dylan. I thought you said Crew’s father was some one night stand and that he left when he found out.”

“What, I panicked. And besides, it’s complicated. A small portion of that story is true, though. We did have one night together.”

With a stern look, she sets me straight. “You need to tell him.”

I exclaim. “What! How? What am I supposed to do? Hey guess what, you have a five-year-old son? How do you think he’s going to react to that?”

“How will he handle knowing that you hid that from him. Dylan, the man has a child. He deserves to know.”

I shake my head as tears spill. “It’s crazy Juliette. You don’t know the whole story. There’s a reason why I didn’t tell him.”

“So, you’re telling me you knew where he was this whole time. You knew how to find him?”

“Well, I know about the other restaurant. That’s how we met.”

Juliette’s heats with anger. “This is all so fucked up, Dylan. You need to tell him or I will.”

I give her quick look. “You wouldn’t dare.”

She sighs deep, pulling me into a hug. “Look, I know there’s things that happened to you which is why you disappeared for all those years, but you’re back now. Now’s your chance to come clean. If not for Major, then do it for your son. Don’t you think he’ll want to meet his father?”

The thought of Crew growing up without a father haunts me every day and I know it upsets him. He’s asked about his father’s absence multiple times and maybe Juliette’s right. I haven’t been in any danger for all these years.

The money sharks have obviously disappeared. I need to stop running.

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