Page 76 of In It to Win It

When we’re done, Mom and Shirley wave me out of the kitchen while they put away leftovers and clean up. I sit in the living room for a bit, then get up to use the bathroom. I stroll down the hall and peer into the first room I come to—a bedroom, pretty much empty. I keep going, peek into what is clearly the master bedroom, much more lived in, then find the bathroom behind the only other door.

I frown as I use the facilities, then wash my hands. It’s a two-bedroom house and only one bedroom is being used.

My stomach twists up and my body stiffens. I stare at my own image in the mirror over the sink as thoughts whirl through my mind. I feel like the world just shifted.

Absently I keep drying my hands on the small towel, trying to breathe. What am I supposed to do? Ignore what I suspect? Ask my mom outright? Do I ask in front of Shirley or wait until we’re alone? Drop some hints? I don’t know.I don’t know.

It can’t be what I think it is. Mom and Dad have been married for over thirty years.

I close my eyes, a little dizzy. Wow. This is . . . wow.

I hang up the towel and hesitate again before opening the door. I suck in a long breath and blow it out.

Sucking my bottom lip, I make my way back to the living room. I walk over to the couch, but I can’t sit down. I pace, then turn and find my mom there. Our eyes meet.

I stare at her. “Mom . . .”

“Sit down,” she says gently. “I was going to tell you.”

I swallow, my heart lodged in my throat. I slowly lower myself to sit on the edge of the couch, clasping my hands. Mom sits near me.

“You and Shirley . . .” I flick a glance to the kitchen. She’s there and she’s listening, a compassionate expression on her face as she dries a saucepan. “You’re not just . . . friends. Are you?”

“No,” Mom says quietly. “We’re in love.”

15

TAYLOR

It’s exactlywhat I suspected, but hearing Mom say it . . . my heart contracts and my breath quivers as I inhale sharply. I gaze at her. I don’t know what to say. A million questions pile up in my brain, but I can’t put them into words.

She reaches out and takes my hand. “I know this is a shock.” She looks at me searchingly. “All of this has been hard for you. Probably more so than for your sister because you were still living at home with us.”

“Did you cheat on Dad?” I close my eyes. I can’t believe that’s the first question that bursts from my lips.

“No,” she answers immediately, firmly. “I developed feelings for someone else and I told him.”

“It’s true,” Shirley adds softly.

I can’t look at Shirley. I don’t know if I can believe her.

Dad . . . oh my God. Poor Dad. A jagged knife rotates in my heart, thinking of how he must feel.

“I . . . I can’t . . .” I stand, not sure what I’m doing.

“Don’t run away, Tay,” Mom says. “Please. Talk to me. I know this is a shock, and I’m sorry . . . but I’m so very happy . . .”

“You’re happy. Well, that’s good. I guess that’s all that matters.” Her face tightens at my sharp words. “Was it all a lie? Your life before . . . before this? Did you ever love Dad?”

“Yes! Of course I loved him. I married him; we had a family together. I’ll always care for him, as the father of my beautiful girls. But things . . . changed.”

“Changed a hell of a lot, I guess.”

“I’m bisexual, Taylor.” Her bluntness makes me blink. “I’ve always been bi. And it’s true, I loved your father. But we grew apart . . . fell out of love?—”

“Didhe?” I ask. “Because he doesn’t seem very happy about this.”

Her mouth tightens, then droops. “I’m sorry.”

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