Page 32 of Perfect Strangers

Unsure of what to say, I just spew out the words. “Look, I know this is bad but I didn’t know how to tell you before and I honestly planned to tell you a few weeks ago, when I showed up at your restaurant and –”

Major interrupts. “Wait, what do you mean a couple weeks ago? What about the past fuckin six years! You didn’t think to tell me during all that time?”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly during that time and honestly, I didn’t even think I would see you again.”

His fist pounds the counter. “Don’t give me that shit Dylan. You knew exactly where my restaurant was. You could have easily dropped by and told me. You could have written a letter, sent an email, social media, anything.”

Feeling his anger build, I can’t stop the tears from falling. “I was scared to tell you!”

“Why? Did you think I’d end up being a terrible person to you or to my son? My son!”

“No! It had nothing to do with you.”

Major’s voice bellows deep. “What are you talking about?”

Hesitating my response, Major notices my unease and ushers out of the kitchen. “This is bullshit Dylan and you know it.”

I follow him toward his bedroom and watch as he puts a shirt on. “Look, I was on the run okay. It’s why I left so abruptly all those years ago.”

His face fills with questions. “On the run? So, you’re a criminal?”

“No, trust me, I’m not. I was involved in this fiasco in Atlantic City. The guy I was dating ended up stealing a shit ton of money from some goons. Anyway, I saw one of them the morning after our night together and I had to get out of here. I left you because I didn’t want them to track you down or get you involved. And after I found out I was pregnant, I was scared for my son’s life so I left Connecticut for years. It wasn’t till recently that I came back because I’m pretty sure no one is after me anymore.”

Major’s voice heats with ferociousness. “But that’s still no excuse to not even tell me about him! You show up after all these years, back into my life and after last night, I’m thinking great things about us and now this?”

“Listen, I did what I had to do to protect him.”

Major growls under his breath. “And you think I couldn’t? You think I wasn’t capable of helping you? What about all those times I missed? His first words, his first step? Does he even know I exist?”

I let out a deep sigh. “He knows of you, but nothing about you.”

Major shakes his head as he hears my answers. He paces the floor back and forth, clearly bothered and upset about this new discovery that I’ve kept hidden for so long.

He stops pacing and stares at me with tears in his eyes. “Just tell me one thing Dylan, and be honest.”

I nod my head, waiting for his question.

He brushes his hand through his hair as he lets out a deep breath. “If you hadn’t run into me at Luce del Sole, would you have ever told me about me having a son?”

His question catches me off guard, knowing I’m going to have to answer honestly. A deep sigh escapes my lungs. “No.”

With a second to hesitate, he responds. “Get out.”

Tears continue to spill. “Major please.”

“I said get the fuck out!”

His anger startles causing me to turn around and run into the hallway. I slip into my shoes and slide my jacket on. I glance around for my purse and find my phone on the counter.

I catch Major watching me as I gather my things. I reach the apartment door, pulling it open. Before I step into the hall, I look back at him.

“I’m not going to force you to do anything but I am not going to shield you away any longer. If you decide you want to be part of his life that’s okay with me. Whenever you’re ready and want to meet him, just call me.”

Before he could respond, I exit the apartment and race outside hailing the nearest cab I could find. As the cab pulls up to the curb, the hairs on the back of my neck stand still. I glance around, feeling eyes on me, watching from a distance.

I can’t take anything worse than what just happened so I quickly jump into the cab and head toward Juliette’s house. I glance back at Major’s apartment building and let the tears spill out as my heart breaks for him. He’ll never forgive me for this.

Never.

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