Page 42 of The Homecoming

“He knew.” Jason pointed at her. “He knew I didn’t want him anywhere near you. And that asshole went and took advantage of you the minute I was gone.”

“Took advantage of me,” she scoffed. “What am I, twelve? I was the one who went and climbed in bed with him of my own free will.”

Shirley groaned and laid her head on the table. “You’re killing me.”

“Really? ‘Cause you were the one encouraging me to date him when he started coming over for dinner.”

“I said to date him, not sleep with him.” Shirley huffed before moving to the coffee pot and refilling her cup.

“You said if a boy like that were courting you, you’d jump on him,” Autumn said.

“Mom,” Jason cried.

“I meant in a nice-girl kind of way.” Shirley returned to the chair across from Autumn and sat with a thud. Lines had deepened on her face at the corners of her mouth.

“This is bad all the way around,” Jason said, shaking his head as he paced the floor.

“How?” Autumn asked. “He’s your best friend.”

“Yeah, that’s how I know. I’ve spent years seeing how he is with women. Autumn, he’s charming, and he sleeps with girls, and then he’s done with them. I told him to leave you alone.”

“Okay, so what? That was then,” Autumn said. “He was with me until he deployed again and he asked me to wait for him to come back.”

“What does he say about the baby?” Jason continued to pace the room.

“I haven’t been able to tell him yet,” she said. “And I’m no longer fourteen.”

He nodded. “I know that. But he’s not the kind of man you need.”

Autumn sighed. “I don’t care. I’m having a baby, and that’s what I gotta worry about.”

“You can’t do this on your own,” Shirley said. “You need a husband.”

“Not Madera, she doesn’t.”

“You didn’t see it,” Shirley said. “The way they looked at each other. He’s crazy about her.”

“Not him,” Jason replied.

“But what will people say?”

Autumn emitted a frustrated growl, pushing to her feet. “I don’t give a shit what people say.”

“Autumn, language,” Shirley admonished.

“But he’s been swearing,” she yelled, pointing at her brother.

“Well, it’s not ladylike to swear.”

Autumn rolled her eyes, slapping the table with her palms. “I’m done. This is why I didn’t tell any of you earlier. There’s a baby on the way that I have to prepare for. So regardless of what either of you think, it’s happening. Yes, Dan’s the father. And no, we’re not married. Neither of those facts is changing. It’s my life, so be supportive or don’t. I don’t care.” She stomped out of the room, up the stairs, and slammed her bedroom door.

Autumn lay on her bed, irritated that she’d turned into the most clichéd teenager of all time with that move. She stared at the ceiling and rubbed her belly, wondering how on earth could she do this. She knew next to nothing about babies. But there was one in there, she’d seen it on the monitor, though she hadn’t felt it. And it was going to come out one way or another, the mechanics of which she chose to ignore for the time being. What she’d worried about with Jason had come about almost exactly as she thought it would, being correct didn’t make her feel any better. She’d wanted him to surprise her with his support.

A soft tap came at the door. She didn’t respond and it opened anyway. “Can I come in?” her dad, Walter, asked as he stepped inside.

She sighed. “I screwed up.”

He sat at the foot of her little twin bed, placing a hand on her foot. “Well, it happens.”

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