23. MJ
MJ
I nstead of trying to catch the Movie in the Park, I ask Blake if he can give me a ride home.
I feel bad interrupting his Friday night, but he didn’t seem too into the movie anyway.
Austin and Beck were laughing and throwing popcorn at him, calling him a party pooper when I approached, so maybe I was saving him.
I use the keypad out front to open the garage door and it hums open.
I cringe, knowing that I just notified my parents of my arrival.
It’s a Friday night, so they’re likely enjoying a movie in the living room.
I push the door open, and I’m greeted by my mom standing over the sink in khaki capris and a flowy tank top.
Her eyes land on me, and she quickly turns the water off, drying her hands on her pants as she walks toward me. I can’t help the tears welling in my eyes as she pulls me in for a hug.
“Emmalynn, I’m so glad you’re home.”
“I just wasn’t ready to talk things out. Where’s Dad?” I ask. She tucks my hair behind my ears and strokes my cheeks softly and nods.
“I understand. He’s in the library but I’m not sure how much reading he’s doing.” I look at her, confused. “He’s torn up about how he left things with you but hasn’t been su re how to reach out.”
“He could’ve called or texted like you did.”
“Your father doesn’t think like that. But you’re here now. Do you want me to go get him?”
I shake my head, still needing a moment. Mom nods and returns to the dishes. Taking a seat on the bar stool across from her, I take a calming breath.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” she asks gently.
“I don’t know, Mom. Are you going to berate me for wanting to be with Mac too? You didn’t really have my back at Hal’s.” I see her wince and immediately feel bad. “Sorry, that wasn’t fair.”
“No, it was fair, Emmalynn,” she says. “You’re right, I didn’t have your back, and I’m sorry for that.
Truth is, I’m a romantic at heart, you know that.
While you and Mac may have only figured out that you wanted to be together, Nancy and I have known since you were just kids.
” I scoff and shake my head. “Mothers know these things, Peanut.”
“But if you saw it then why doesn’t Dad?” I ask, frustration raising my voice. I cringe, hoping he didn’t hear from down the hall.
“Peanut, he’s a man. They don’t pick up on things like that. Trust me. I don’t think he would have asked me out all those years ago if I hadn’t dropped hint after hint after hint.” She gives me a soft smile and I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips.
“That’s fair. But he used to like Mac, is he always going to hate him now that he’s a criminal?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“It’s not my story to tell. I really should go get your father.” Lookin g over my shoulder, she moves to head out of the kitchen.
“Please, mom. Not just yet,” I plead. She stops and leans against the counter.
“Your dad has his own experiences with criminals, not as a lawyer, but with people who were close to him. It’s really for him to tell you, but trust me when I say he only wants what’s best for you.”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. I’m about to argue with her but a baritone voice stops me.
“It’s true, Emmalynn. I only want what’s best for you.” I turn to see my father entering the kitchen. My eyes follow him as he walks around the island to stand beside my mom. His eyes are soft, like he’s open to hearing me out.
“Your father may be a little misguided, based on his previous experiences, but he loves you.” My dad nods in agreement.
“I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes that I did. I . . .” he trails off and sighs, running his hand down his face. “I don’t know if I have the heart to get into it right now, but I promise one day I’ll tell you the story, okay?”
“Okay,” I say, confusion laces my voice.
“I get that you guys want to protect me but . . .” I hesitate and contemplate my next words.
Dad is keeping his story close to his heart, and I feel like I owe it to Mac to keep his secret.
But I also think maybe it’s time the truth comes out.
The case is already closed, there’s no going back now.
“Mac isn’t even a criminal,” I say, barely above a whisper.
“He was just convicted on Monday, Emm alynn. I know it’s hard to accept, but he is.”
“Peanut, I know you want—”
“No, guys. He may be a criminal on paper, but he didn’t actually rob Henry’s. His brother did.”
The kitchen is suddenly silent except for my mom inhaling deeply.
“Emmalynn, that—”
“Changes things,” my dad finishes for her.
“Does it?” I ask.
“Why didn’t he say anything?” Dad asks.
“He didn’t want the truth out there or for Jake to get in trouble. He said he had to take the fall. I wanted him to tell the truth, told him we could get the charges dropped or something, but he didn’t want Jake going to prison,” the words rush out of me.
“So, he committed a crime to protect his brother who committed a more serious crime?” My dad asks, and it takes me a minute to understand.
As if he can see my wheels turning, he gives me a soft smile and explains.
“He perjured himself. Admitted to committing a crime, which was untrue, while under oath.”
My eyes go wide and my dad nods at my realization.
“I didn’t even think of that,” I whisper. “Please don’t say anything, Daddy!”
He takes a moment of silence, not reassuring me at all. I look at my mom who has a mischievous smile on her face. What the fuck ? I look over at my dad, and he also smiles at me.
“I won’t say anything. It seems Mac has been misjudged, and misjudged harshly at that.”
“By the whole town too. I know!” I agree wholeheartedly. Both of my parents laugh softly at my outburst.
“It seems we owe the boy an apology,” Dad says, looking over at Mom.
“I think you do, Bill,” Mom agrees.
Dad opens his mouth, likely to point out that Mom only said he owed the apology.
As if knowing what he was going to say, she continues, “I have been nothing but nice to that boy. A little wary, because that’s our little girl but he’s always been a good kid.
You, on the other hand, have been very hard on him. ”
Dad sighs and looks down at the island. Mom nudges her shoulder against his, and she whispers, “You’ve been hard on our girl over there too, ya know?”
I pretend I didn’t hear but Dad looks up, catching my eye and immediately moves around the island to where I’m sitting.
“I’m sorry, Emmalynn. I can see now that you have feelings for this boy, and while your mom’s right, we will always be wary and protective, Alexander—Mac has always been a good kid. Forgive me for being too harsh?”
My nose stings, and tears blur my vision. I nod and lean into the hug my father offers me. I hear footsteps and then feel Mom’s arms wrap around both of us, squeezing tight.
Releasing each other, Mom and Dad return to the other side of the island, Dad stands behind her with his arms around her waist.
“Now that that’s all out in the open, anything else you’ve been keeping from us?” Mom asks with a knowing look. Well, shit .
Not ready to open that can of worms just yet, I start to shake my head but then think better of it. “There is, but—”
Mom whispers, “I knew it,” to Dad, who smiles.
“I’m not quite ready to talk about it just yet. Soon though, okay?” They both nod and then Dad returns to the library. Mom fixes me up with a plate of leftovers and sits with me at the island, asking me to fill her in on all the things that have been happening between me and Mac.
July 20
I wake before the sun, my body feeling rested and relaxed after an emotional night with my parents.
A weight has been lifted off my chest, but I know I still have some more work to do to feel completely free.
I scroll through my phone, checking my messages and almost drop it when it starts ringing in my hand.
Mac’s picture fills the screen, and I swipe to answer the call.
I’m greeted by a tired-looking Mac. “Hey, did I wake you?” he asks.
“No, I was up,” I mumble through a yawn.
He chuckles and I look him over through the screen. The bags under his eyes are almost purple and his dark hair is sticking up at all angles, like he’s been running his fingers through it.
“Are you home?” he asks.
“Yeah, I talke d with my parents last night.”
“Oh,” he sounds defeated.
“It was good, honey. I promise. How’s Jake?”
“He’s okay. He thinks someone set him up or something.
But he didn’t get arrested or anything, just might have lost his job.
And then the halfway house has a no tolerance policy.
Didn’t even give him time to explain. I’m trying to see if I can help him keep the job or get him set up somewhere else.
I just—” he hesitates and sighs, running his fingers through his hair.
“He’s been doing so good, and I don’t want this to be a setback for him, you know? ”
“Of course. I’m so sorry. Do you need me to do anything? Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”
“Nah, hopefully just another day or so. I closed the shop since I won’t be around.
You can see if Beck will give you the spare key so you can come and go at the shop if you want.
I don’t mind at all.” I smile softly and he looks off the screen, nodding.
“I gotta go, but I’ll text you and try to keep you updated. ”
“Okay, I—” the call disconnects before I have time to tell him I love him. I stretch my legs in the soft sheets and groan. I should probably take a shower and start the day.