Page 75 of Surviving Lies

“I hate that you kids warm it up like that. Don’t overheat it. It will burn her.” She shook her head at me as she put mugs and creamer on a platter, and I turned and wrapped my arms around her. “What’s this for?” she asked as she gripped my arm.

“Just a thank-you hug. I don’t think I say thank you to you guys enough for all you do for me, for us.” I kissed the top of her head before letting go.

Her eyes were on me as she started making her way back toward to the den. “Ty, you guys made a mistake. But that mistake gave us that beautiful baby. Whatever decision you would have made, I would have supported, but I do love her.” She smiled before continuing. “You’re a good boy, Ty. I want you to succeed and be happy.”

“There’s something that would make me really happy.”

She stopped her advance to the den and looked my way. “What’s that?”

And then the microwave beeped at the same time Savannah let out a scream.

“Can we talk?” I asked.

She nodded, but concern was in her eyes – I could see it. I had opened the door for the talk; I would have to have it now.

Suddenly, Kelly popped into the kitchen and quickly grabbed the bottle from my hand. “She needs this now,” she said with a smile.

“OK, sorry. I’ll be a sec. I need to talk to my mom,” I told her.

“Of course,” Kelly said. “Take your time, I’ve got Peanut.” She nodded on her way back to the banshee crying in the other room.

I turned my attention to my mom, who decided to stay in the kitchen and work on dinner, but also to hear out what I had to say. As I approached her at the island, her eyes followed me while I took a seat on a stool. She kept peering up from the cucumbers she was butchering with a knife as if they had hurt her best friend or something. Her nerves were rattled by my need to talk.

“Don’t worry, Mom. I haven’t gotten someone else pregnant.”

Her sharp cackle lightened the mood.

“Well, that’s good to know,” she said. “What is it, Ty? You seem really upset about something.” She put the knife and vegetables down, giving me her undivided attention.

“Let me help with that,” I told her, getting up to take the knife from her hand. As I went to grab it, she stilled my hand on the cutting board.

“Put it down, Ty. Let’s talk.” She motioned for me to sit as she sat as well.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Even though I wanted to have this conversation, I didn’t necessarily have the words prepared in my head for it.

“So, I know how me doing well in college is important to you and Dad. It’s important to me as well. And I think I’ve proven I’m capable of it, at least much better than I did in high school.”

Her smile of approval was a good sign.

“I know you think I have a lot on my plate between Savannah, work, school, and travelling back and forth.” I paused. I really didn’t think my parents were going to have a problem with me being with someone; they’d probably be happy for me, for all I knew. “But last year, before I even knew Kelly was pregnant, I met someone. Someone very special.” It’s kind of awkward telling your mom about the person you’re in love with.

She reached out and grabbed my hands. Her eyes stayed glued to mine and were hard to read; she only continued to look at me, waiting for me to continue.

“Do you remember Becca? She was the girl who came home with me when we brought Logan home last year,” I said.

“I do – the pretty brunette with the green eyes,” she responded.

“Yeah, that’s her. Well, we were in a relationship all year last year. I kept everything going on here at home from her, everything. And the two times we came here, she could pick up on how I treated her differently.” I pulled my hands from hers and started wringing them together against the granite counter; I was embarrassed of my own actions. “And then she broke up with me right before Savannah was born. I figured it was for the best, ya know.”

My mom’s sad smile told me she understood my melancholy demeanor.

“But it wasn’t. I never stopped thinking about her all summer. Probably because I’m in love with her, Mom. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” My voice cracked. “But I really fucked everything up, and now I don’t know how to fix it. And I don’t even know if you and Dad would be OK with meeting her, or with me being with someone else going through all of this, and ...”

“Ty,” my mom interrupted me. “Honey, calm down and take a breath. You’ve been through a lot this past year and I’m sorry if you feel we wouldn’t support you being in a relationship.” She came around and pulled me to standing, wrapping her arms around me. With her head still against my chest, she continued talking. “Your father and I are very proud of you and how you’ve handled everything that’s come your way. Most young men wouldn’t do it with as much grace as you have.” She pulled back to look up at me. “We probably should make sure to tell you that more often.” Her warm smile spread across her face, some unshed tears twinkling in her eyes. “Your life can’t come to a screeching halt simply because you have a baby; it doesn’t work that way. Do I want you to be involved with someone so soon, with everything you have going on? Probably not, but love doesn’t work on a schedule.”

I pushed out of her arms, even more frustrated with myself. Why had I waited so long to come to her with this?

“I really messed up, Mom. What am I going to do? How do I get her back? All I’ve done is feed her a bunch of lies.”

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