Page 82 of Memories By the Shore
“Of course.” He runs his fingertips along the dusty counter.
“You’re acting a little strange,” I say. “Is it everything going on with Avery?”
“Well, yes and no.” He sighs. “How areyoufeeling?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I’m nervous and a little scared, obviously, but like I said at breakfast and I can do this.”
“Okay, I guess I just wanted to speak with you away from Helen and Avery because I’m worried you really don’t understand the gravity of what’s about to happen.”
I rub the back of my neck, slightly annoyed but also with a level of understanding for where my dad is coming from. “I get it, Dad, trust me.”
“Sit down.” He gestures to the old wicker chairs by the wall.
I blow out an audible breath, not purposely trying to have him hear me but also not caring if he does. “Sure.”
He follows me over, taking the chair to my side. “When your mother and I had you, we were already married, had been together for years, and were much older.”
“I understand that,” I say. “It’s not like we planned this.”
My dad shakes his head. “You didn’t, which makes this situation trickier,” he says. “Being a father is one thing, but being a partner is very different. Avery will need you more than you realize for the next eight months.” He pauses. “Let alone for the next eighteen years.”
His words carry weight, and even though I feel the impact of how my life will change, I don’t fully understand to what extent.
My dad takes my silence as the okay to continue. “She’s lost both of her parents. You, me, and Helen.” His voice is empathetic, a tone I don’t hear often from him. “We’re all she’s got.”
Ilean against the back of the chair, wiping my hands up and down my pants. “I know.” Taking a more serious approach this time, I nod in agreement. “I love her, and I will do anything I can for her.”
My dad pats my knee. “I know you will, Jasper. And I know how much you love her. I’ve never seen you like this with any girl.” He smiles. “I knew she was special right from the start.”
But then his expression suddenly hardens. “For the sake of Avery and the new baby, please continue to monitor your mental health.”
I clear my throat, not expecting our joyous moment to take a turn. “Look, I got it. I’m doing fine.”
“You won’t be living with me, and this will be something you’ll have to manage on your own, including the baby,” he points out. “She needs to be assured that you won’t leave her to handle things by herself.”
I stand. “That won’t happen. She means too much to me.”
My dad rests his chin in the palm of his hand. His eyes glossed over and focused on the ground, looking deep in thought.Did he hear me?
“Dad?”
A subtle pull at the corner of his mouth. “I remember when me and your mom found out we were having you.” The quirk turns into a full smile. “I was scared out of my damn mind.” He chuckles. “Your mom wasn’t, though. She was calm and reminded me that it would all be okay—we’d figure it out.”
He doesn’t tell stories of my mother often, but when he does, I feel much closer to her. “I wish I’d have known her better.”
“You were so youngwhen she died,” he adds.
I bend, returning to the chair next to his. I take his hand in mind. “I promise I will do whatever I can to support Avery and be the best dad I can be for this baby.”
He smiles. “I know you will.”
“How could I not when I had an incredible dad like you?”
He scoffs at my compliment. “Now you’re just trying to flatter me.”
I laugh, but I sense there’s still more he wants to talk about.
“You know I’m not good at these types of things.” He rubs his chin.
