Page 91 of Black Flag

I couldn’t really laughat that. Jameson and I had no business having children and here we were, havingone in five months. Jameson had the maturity of a seven year old. Put us togetherand we’remaybesixteen.

“Roger never talked tome again after we got married but your Grandma; she came by to see you everyday.”

“What was it like foryou when mom died?”

Charlie got this faraway look in his eyes and took a deep breath. “I don’t even know how todescribe the feeling. I knew she was sick. I found out when she started goingthrough treatments in July of ‘85. She kept it from me for a long time but whenshe started losing her hair and puking all the time, she couldn’t hide it anylonger. It was hard, especially saying goodbye.” He offered an uneasy smile.“It was easier having you around. You were such a carefree child that it madeit hard to be depressed. I felt like I needed to be strong for you. Or maybe itwas you being strong for me?”

I wanted to lighten themood so I changed the subject quickly on him.

“Grandpa didn’t approveof you eh?” I laughed remembering the hard proper man I called grandpa when Iwas younger. Though I don’t remember him well, I remember he was always to thepoint.

“Nope,” Charlie shookhis head. “He thought I was some kind of asshole for taking his daughter awayfrom him.”

“Sounds familiar,”

“I never thoughtJameson was an asshole. I do question that kids’ sanity at times but I justwanted him to come to his senses and realize you two were meant for each other.He looks at you the same way I looked at Rachel. He loves you.”

“I should hope so, heknocked me up.”

Charlie scowled with asettled frown. “Anyway, I hope that I’m here to see the little one born. It’llbe interestingwatchin’ you two as parents.”

“You will be dad.” Itold him with confidence I didn’t know I had.

For a moment, he wasquiet until a heavy sigh filled the air. “I uh...there are some things we need to talk about with my will.”

“Oh,” I sat up in mychair knowing this was important to him. “What?”

“Well, the track istaken care of. The title is in Jameson’s name now. He will remain the owner andyou will remain the General Manger and Director of Operations. Mark is named asthe Track Facilitator. The house is in your name but I’d like it if you wouldlet Andrea continue to live there.”

“Dad...I’ve uh never asked this in the twoyears I’ve known Andrea but uh...whoare the twins’ father?”

Charlie looked down athis feet quickly shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

“DAD!”I yelled entirely tooloud and then slapped my hand over my mouth.

“What?” He respondedglaring at me for causing a few bystanders to take notice.

“Are you...?” I pictured the twins in my headtrying to find any resemblance. They were identical twins, sometimes youcouldn’t tell them apart but Logan was about three inches shorter than Lucaswas, so that’s how I could tell. They had brown hair that Andrea kept entirelytoo long, brown chocolate...oh my god!“DAD!”

“Jesus, stop sayingthat Sway!” his eyes scanned the café.

“Well, answer thequestion then.”

“I uh...I’m not exactly sure.” His gaze movedfrom me to his feet again.

I giggled. This wasreallyfunny to me. “What do you mean you’re not exactly sure?”

“I’ve never asked her.”

“What do you meanyou’ve never asked?”

“Will you stoprepeating my questions...?” he glared. “Yourjunior year...when you flew to Mexicowith Jameson and his family, do you remember that?”

“Yes.” I smiled. I knewwhere this was going. “Keep talking...”

“Well I...umm...well...” his brow furrowed as though he wasconcentrating. “I...”

“Spit out dad.” Ilaughed. “You had a one night stand, didn’t you?”

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