Page 203 of Small Town Firsts

A heavy silencesettles over the room after Jenny and Tatum leave. Nate tries to follow, but Mom stops him. “You should stay too.”

Looking resigned, my brother nods.

I’m a yo-yo of emotions right now: Elated to learn that Alden returns my feelings; he wouldn’t love me if he hadn’t let go of my transgressions, right? Sad and confused over the way my dad is behaving. And nervous for whatever bomb he’s about to drop.

Alden places his hand on the small of my back, rubbing his thumb in soft, soothing circles. “Let me turn off the grill and then we can head into the living room to talk.”

“I’ve got it, man. You stay with her,” Nate says, clapping Alden on the back as he walks past us.

The four of us go ahead and get settled in the living room. I’m so thankful to have Alden at my side. I know with him I can face whatever is about to come our way.

My parents snag the club chairs, and when Nate joins us, he lowers himself down to the floor and leans back against the far side of the couch.

When neither of my parents make a move to talk, I lose the little bit of patience I have left. “Are we just going to sit around and stare at each other? If so, I’m gonna pass.”

“Just give your dad a second, this is hard for him,” Mom says, her voice as calm and even as ever.

I stifle the urge to roll my eyes, but just barely.

“Your aunt Linda…” Dad starts, and I can’t help but wonder what my deceased aunt, whom I’ve never even met, could possibly have to do with anything.

He seems to get choked up over the mere mention of her name, and Mom reaches over and clasps his hand in a show of support. He clears his throat and continues. “Your aunt Linda and I were really close growing up, kind of the way you and Nate are. She always wanted to tag along with me and my friends.”

Nate and I exchange baffled glances but keep quiet.

“When she was a senior in high school, I brought her with me to a college party and—” His words break off again, and I swear he has tears gathering. “I didn’t want her to hover like a shadow all night, so I grabbed her a beer and sent her on her way...a few of her friends were there.”

When his tears actually fall, I know this story doesn’t have a happy ending. Dad drops his head to his hands and sobs openly while my mother soothingly rubs his back, murmuring words of comfort.

“Sh-she was a-a-assaulted. Raped. By the man I called my closest friend.” He pauses again, and my heart aches for him. Alden reaches an arm around me and pulls me into him, silently giving me the comfort I desperately need.

“She didn’t tell anyone what happened that night. Not until about eight weeks later, when she found out she was pregnant. She ended up losing the baby, and she blamed herself. She never was right after that. And Natalie, oh my sweet Nat Bug…everything with you was so reminiscent of her. Then we findout Alden is theresponsibleparty, and all of a sudden it’s like history’s repeating itself right before my very eyes.”

“But Dad, Alden didn’t?—”

He waves me off. “I know.I know. But I couldn’t help but draw parallels. Every parent wants the best for their child, and I couldn’t help but feel I had somehow failed you the same way I failed her. You got pregnant. As a minor. Under my roof. How can I not hold myself responsible?”

I rush off the couch and throw myself into my dad’s arms. “Oh, Dad. No. You’ve always been such a good father. You’ve always been there for me. And Nate. And even Alden. We’re all so lucky to have you.” His large frame shakes as he continues to cry.

I ramble on, trying my best to give him peace. “Alden would never hurt me, Dad. He’s a good man, and what happened between us was consensual, even if we were under the influence. I knew what I was doing, and as much as you don’t want to hear this, I initiated it. I had this…this plan. Over the years, my feelings morphed from a childhood crush to more. So much more. I knew even then that I loved him, Dad. And I thought that if we…you know…that he would see we were meant to be together. Obviously, things backfired a little. But, I got my sweet Tatum and now…now things with Alden are falling into place. I’m so sorry this brought back all of those memories, but I promise you, it wasnotthe same thing.”

Nate stands and joins us, wrapping the both of us in a hug. “What happened with Aunt Linda wasn’t your fault, Dad.”

“No,” Dad argues. “If I hadn’t?—”

Alden speaks up, cutting him off. “Luke, you’ve always been like a second father to me. Thanks to your influence in my life, I know I’ll be the best dad to Tatum possible. Throughout my childhood, you taught us through your actions that fatherhood is a privilege and not a right. You’re a good man who hassuffered through unspeakable loss, and I hate that. But, sir, I can guarantee you, I love your daughter, and I wouldnever, everhurt her in any way or take advantage of her in any way. She’s precious to me.” Alden’s feelings for me, and our daughter, are clearly on display for the entire room to see—and when his eyes also cloud over with emotion, I know bone deep he means every word.

By this point, there’s not a dry eye in the room. “I know, son. I know.”

Nate gives us one last squeeze before returning to his spot on the floor, but I stay with my dad, hugging him tight for a few more minutes. “I’m so sorry, Nat Bug,” he whispers gruffly into my hair.

“It’s okay?—”

“No, it’s not. I…I think maybe I need to talk to someone about this. Your mom has been begging me to for years. I think now it’s time.”

I pull back from our embrace and look him in the eye. “I think that’s a really good idea, Dad. And I…I’m proud of you.” I kiss his forehead and move back to Alden’s side.

For a few minutes, we all sit in silence, absorbing the reality of all of the truths that just came to light. That is, until we hear the sound of little feet running across the hardwood accompanied by Tatum yelling, “I know, Miss Jenny. But I gots to potty now!”

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