Page 10 of Redemption

He smiles as I hand him the cash. “Have a good night.”

“Thank you. Drive safe.” I take a deep breath and get out of the cab.

As the taxi pulls around to head back down the long drive, its headlights flash right at my parents’ bedroom window. It’s just after ten, which in New York, the night’s just getting started, but on a ranch, it might as well be last call. For as long as I can remember, my parents were up before sunrise, getting a head start on the day. I suppose it doesn’t matter if the car’s bright lights woke them because I don’t have a key to get inside, so I’d have to wake them anyway.

Right before my foot hits the first step, the porch light flicks on. I freeze, mentally preparing myself for what’s about to happen. Too bad no amount of preparation could control the flood of emotions that hit me the second I see my father’s face through the screen door. God, he looks so much older.

“Can I help you, miss? If you’re lookin’ for Clayton, I’m sorry to say, you’ve got the wrong driveway. It’s the next one over.”

For a split second, I feel like I’m sixteen again, repulsed by the fact that my father assumes I’m one of my brother’s many girlfriends. I swear, that boy will never settle down.

Here we go.

“No, Daddy, it’s me.” I make my way up the stairs to the front porch.

“Presley?” He quickly pushes the screen door open and steps outside. “What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell us you were comin’?” He looks over his shoulder. “Annie, get out here! Presley’s here.”

My mother arrives just as I’m removing my hat. She slams a hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp as I turn my face into the light. My eyes move over to my dad, where equal parts rage and confusion twist his features.

“Presley Anne, what on God’s green earth happened to you? Did you get in some sort of accident?” My father steps forward and reaches for my hand. Out of habit, I instantly recoil, taking a step back. I don’t miss the hurt and disbelief in his eyes when I do.

I hang my head in shame. I hate that I’m so jumpy around men—I’ve been this way for years—but ever since Sebastian first... well, let’s just say I’ve learned to shy away from the opposite sex. Especially men who are as imposing as my father is.

“I’m sorry... I... uh... I didn’t mean to—”

“Honey, come inside,” my mom insists. “I’ll make some herbal tea, and you can tell us all about it.”

I nod once, following behind them into the house.

My dad pulls out a chair at the same kitchen table where I ate thousands of breakfasts. “Sit.”

Nostalgia slams into me as I look around and realize nothing has changed. Not one. Damn. Thing. The black and white checkered valance still hangs above the big window over the sink. My mother’s bright red KitchenAid mixer sits on a little rolling cart in the corner. The wooden plaque I made for Mother’s Day in the fifth grade is proudly displayed on the wall, declaring Anna James “The Best Mom Ever.” A giant Thermos sits on the butcher block countertop next to the coffeemaker, ready to be filled to the brim with French Roast right before my dad gets to work on the ranch. I don’t even realize I’m crying until the first drop hits my hand.

I dab at my eyes, hissing when I touch a sore spot. Thankfully, I can open the lid fully now, but the discoloration is so severe, it’s not much of an improvement.

My dad runs a hand through his salt and pepper hair. “Presley, honey, I’m trying to be patient here, but I need you to start speaking before I lose my damn mind.”

My mom sits in the chair next to mine and gently reaches her hand out. She’s eyeing me like a cornered animal, going nice and slow, telegraphing her intentions. When her delicate fingers finally wrap around mine, I hiccup a sob which, unfortunately, seems to release the floodgates. I start crying uncontrollably, weeping for I don’t even know what at this point, but I can’t seem to stop. I’m not sure how long I sit there bawling. At the same time, my mom whispers words of assurance in my ear before my tears are all dried out. My eyes are even more swollen, making it increasingly difficult to keep them open.

“Please,” I sniff. “I’m just so tired. God, so, so tired. I promise I’ll tell you everything, but I really need some sleep.”

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had a restful night, and it feels like it’s all catching up with me at once.

“Of course, honey.” My mom stands. “I’ll just go put some fresh sheets on your bed real quick, and you can get some rest. We kept your room for you, Pres. Just in case you ever decided to visit.”

I shake my head, guilt nagging at my conscience. “Don’t worry about changing the sheets, Mom. I’ll be fine.”

She nods. “Okay, sweetheart. Whatever you want. There should be some of your old clothes in the dresser if you’d like to make yourself more comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

I duck my head and slowly make my way up the long staircase. I can hear my parents talking, but they’re so quiet, I can’t make out what they’re saying to each other. I probably don’t want to know right now anyway. My entire body aches, so every step is daunting. When I finally reach my old bedroom, I turn the knob and step inside. I don’t bother turning on the lamp. There’s enough moonlight filtering through the sheer curtains to see the bed, and even if there wasn’t, I have every inch of this room memorized. From the little bit I can see, nothing’s changed in here either. I step out of my jeans and crawl under the covers, sighing in relief as I hit the soft mattress. It takes me a minute to find a comfortable position with my shoulder, but once I do, I fall asleep so fast, I don’t even remember closing my eyes.

* * *

After only a few hours of restless slumber, I woke up. My physical discomfort caused me to wake, but my brain’s inability to shut down is what’s keeping me that way. Damn, I really should’ve filled that prescription before leaving the hospital, but it’s too late now. I couldn’t stand tossing and turning in bed any longer, so I made my way down to the old swing on the front porch, wrapped in a big blanket to ward off the early morning chill. I had hoped the repetitious motion would make me sleepy, but so far, it hasn’t helped. My parents should be up soon anyway, looking for answers, so it’s probably a lost cause.

I stare at my phone for what feels like the thousandth time this morning. I know I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. Shocked is more like it. Sebastian has put me through so much over the years—more than I would ever wish on my worst enemy—but I never, and I do mean never, thought he’d cheat. There’s too much at stake if he were caught. He’s up for reelection soon, and if this got out, it would create a massive scandal. One that could significantly tarnish his precious image.

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