Anything but Normal - Melody Carlson [66]
He laughed. “At least you still have your sense of humor.” “I try.”
“I miss you.”
“Really?”
“Really. I wish I were with you right now. I’d give you a big hug and tell you that everything’s going to be okay.”
“I could use that.”
“Then consider yourself hugged.”
“Thanks.”
“I just want you to know that when we’re back in school, I am totally there for you. If people want to think I’m the father of your baby, I’m cool with that.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. And I plan to lobby for you to remain chief editor, Sophie. Unless you really don’t want me to.”
“I don’t really know what I want.”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about it. A lot. I think you have as much right to continue in that role as I would have to take it. I mean, for all everyone knows, I am the father of the baby. Why should you lose everything while the dad gets the ‘get out of jail free’ card?”
She groaned.
“Have you heard from him? From Dylan?”
Sophie told him about her talk with Carrie Anne’s dad. “So my guess is he knows by now.”
“What do you think he’ll do?”
“Hopefully nothing.”
“If he’s the jerk I think he is.”
“Thanks.” She smiled, then told him about Carrie Anne’s reaction. Well, everything but her lame suggestion that Sophie and Dylan should get married. And that was out of respect for her ex–best friend because no one should be that clueless.
Wes turned the subject to lighter things, and they talked for about an hour. When she finally hung up, she realized she actually felt better.
On the Saturday morning after Christmas, Pastor Vincent called Sophie’s cell phone. Her heart pounded as she answered. After a brief greeting, he got right to it. “Dylan and his parents want to meet with you and your parents, Sophie.”
“All of us?” Her voice was tight and high-pitched. “In the same room?”
“I know it won’t be easy, Sophie, but it might be necessary.” “My dad . . . I mean, he’s kind of unpredictable. What if he says something terrible to them?”
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t.”
“Really?”
“I’d do the same thing myself if Carrie Anne was in your position. I’d probably knock Dylan’s block off . . . in love, of course.” He chuckled.
She found this surprisingly comforting. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Just so you know, I didn’t spare his feelings when I confronted him.”
“He didn’t deny it?” It had occurred to her that he might take that escape route.
“To be honest, he did.”
Her heart sank. “Really?”
“Until I reminded him that a simple DNA test could prove him a liar. And then I told him that, as a Christian, he had a responsibility to own up to his mistake. His dad backed me on that.”
“And his mom?”
“Naturally she’s upset and disappointed . . . and hurt.”
“I can imagine.” Sophie wanted to add that, although it wasn’t easy, it couldn’t be nearly as tough as it was for the family of the pregnant girl. Dylan didn’t have to go around wearing his bulging belly as a badge of dishonor. He could return to his school, slip under the radar, and pretend that nothing had changed.
Sometimes it was hard not to be bitter.
20
“I don’t see what good can come of this stupid meeting,” Dad grumbled as he drove them over to the church. Pastor Vincent had recommended they meet on neutral turf, and although Dad had reluctantly agreed, Sophie knew he was miffed to be torn from his big screen, brewskies, and football games.
“It might help to get things out in the open,” Mom said.
“Who wants things out in the open?” Dad said as he turned into the parking lot. “Back in my day, they used to just sweep this kind of thing under the rug.”
“Times have changed, Bud. Besides, our family isn’t the only one affected by this.”
“You really think this is going to rock the Morrises’ boat?” Dad pulled into a spot and turned off the car.
“Probably more than you know.” Mom got out of the car. He grunted. “I doubt that it’s even a blip on their radar scale. You ask me, they just want us here for some public humiliation, so they can look down their pious noses at us.”
“Dad, I’m really sorry to drag you through this,” Sophie said quietly from the backseat.