Page 111 of Home Town Advantage
As I sit, I can see the color coming back into her face. It’s amazing how quickly and visibly the transfusion is working.
“We’re keeping her sedated a little longer. She’ll be asleep through the night,” the doctor interrupts us from behind. “We want her to get a good night’s sleep so her body can heal. You all should head out and get some rest yourselves.”
Maddie shakes her head. “I’m not leaving her. I’ll sleep in the chair.” She points to the extremely small, uncomfortable-looking chair in the corner. “Curtis, please get home to the kids. Vance, you can come back in the morning if you want.”
I want to stay too. I want to sleep in the tiny, uncomfortable chair and watch over her. I want to say a million things to Maddie, like that she’s a fucking idiot for allowing a five-year-old to drive a motorized vehicle. But I don’t. I’m sure it’s been a traumatic day for her. We’ll talk tomorrow.
I kiss Francesca’s forehead and then chat with the doctor in the hallway about her recovery needs and tell him to give her the best of the best and bill me for it. She seems confused, likely due to the revelation that I’m not her father, but acquiesces nonetheless.
My parents invite everyone over to their house so we can all chat about what’s happened. Apparently, MeeMaw is at the house cooking her famous chili for everyone, anticipating a hungry crew and food being her love language.
I’m finally ready to unburden myself by telling Sulley and her parents the whole story. The truth.
Nearly an hour later, we somberly and silently walk into my parents’ house to the loud sounds of a woman moaning in ecstasy. My mom runs toward the living room and yells out, “Mother, turn off the television. Right now!”
MeeMaw doesn’t hear her, and before Mom has the chance to turn it off, we all see what MeeMaw is watching. Porn. Not just regular, run-of-the-mill porn. Double penetration porn. Two men and one woman. The woman is happily taking it in both the front and back entrances. Sulley spits in laughter. My father and Frank share bemused looks. Mom is mortified.
She scrambles for the remote control, fumbling with it. Somehow, she manages to turn up the volume, making the moans that much louder. Despite the situation, I can’t help but smile. Leave it to MeeMaw to add some levity to a tough day.
Mom finally finds the right button and powers it off.MeeMaw turns to her with a scowl. “We were just getting to the good part.”
I bite back my smile. “I think they were already at the good part, MeeMaw.”
She shrugs. “The guy in the rear door is my favorite actor. I watch him all the time. I’m a member of his fan club on Facebook. You should see what he can do with his tongue. He looks just like your grandfather did at that age. Not as well hung, but otherwise very similar.” She has a wistful look on her face. “Boy, did he love it when I’d give him a no-denture adventure.”
“Mother!” my mom shouts. She pinches the bridge of her nose while she grits out, “We need to have a serious conversation with the O’Sheas. I think it’s your nap time. Why don’t you head to your room? I can smell the chili cooking. I’ll keep stirring it and wake you when the timer goes off.”
MeeMaw takes in the situation, realizing something serious is going on. She’s no dummy. I doubt my parents told her exactly what was happening, they don’t like to upset her, but she’s still sharp as a tack. She looks at me and winks. “Sullivan is so beautiful, isn’t she, Fancy Vancy?”
I nod. “The most beautiful woman in the world. Next to you, MeeMaw.”
She smiles and winks again as she makes her way to her bedroom.
My mother invites everyone to sit in the living room, which they do. All eyes are immediately on me, undoubtedly anxiously awaiting an explanation.
I look at my parents, and they both give me a nod of encouragement. They may not visit often enough, and they may not agree with all my decisions, but never for one minute have I ever felt anything other than wholehearted support from them.
I blow out a long breath before beginning. “Before we start,Nancy and Frank, I need you to know that I’m in love with your daughter. I see no reason to pretend otherwise anymore.”
Nancy and my mother squeal in delight. Sulley grits her teeth. “You’re skating on thin ice with me, McCaffrey. I want what I’ve been wanting for a long time. The truth. Why have you been lying to everyone for over six years? I don’t understand. Start talking. Now.”
I shake my head. “I haven’t lied toeveryone. My parents knew.” I turn to the O’Sheas. “Frank and Nancy, please don’t be upset with them. They’ve been respecting my wishes in keeping this secret. They love you two, and your friendship means everything to them.”
Nancy takes my mother’s hand in hers and kisses it. I know they’ll be fine. It’s Sulley I’m worried about.
Sulley’s face falls. “Your parents were treated so poorly by the people in this town. How could you let that happen to them? They didn’t deserve it.”
Dad waves his hand dismissively. “I don’t care what people think of me. My son did an honorable thing, and I support him completely.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I lick my lips nervously before finally saying the words out loud, words that have been on the tip of my tongue to tell her so many times this year. “I have never—nor would I ever in a million years—touched Maddie Wells. To my dying day, I willneverunderstand what Finn saw in her.” I open my mouth but stop myself from elaborating further on my deep disdain for Maddie. “I don’t need to stand here and bash her. I’m pretty sure no one here has any amount of love for her.”
There’s a collective mumbling about that being the truth.
I continue, “Finn and I had a lot of conversations about his mortality. He was steadfast that if something happened to him, I was to take care of Sulley and Maddie. It consumed him. He mentioned it to me no less than a hundred timesduring the eight years of his service. In every single conversation we had, he drove that point home. That’s what I’ve been doing. Honoring his final wishes to take care of his girls.”
Sulley shakes her head. “You paying for Maddie and Francesca’s entire life feels extreme, Vance. I’m sure if he knew she cheated on him, that she was pregnant with another man’s?—”
“He knew,” I interrupt.
