Anything but Normal - Melody Carlson [67]
“It’s okay,” he said gruffly. “I’m a big guy, I can take it.”
As they got out of the car, he put an arm around Sophie’s shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. “I’m sure it’s not easy for you either.”
Sophie tried not to look too shocked at this unexpected show of affection. “Let’s just get it over with,” she told him. “In and out.”
He nodded. “Works for me.”
“You two coming?”
Sophie’s heart was beginning to pound as they entered the building. With each step toward the conference room where they were meeting, it pounded harder. Finally she had to stop in the hallway just to catch her breath.
“Are you okay?” Mom asked.
“I think I’m having a panic attack.” Sophie leaned over and clutched her middle. “Or else going into labor.”
“Just breathe,” Mom said.
“We should go home, Barb.” Dad’s voice softened. “Why should Sophie be tortured like this?”
Mom didn’t respond, and Sophie slowly stood up. “No, it’s okay. I’m okay. Let’s just do this and get out of here.”
But when they were seated across the long table from the Morrises, with Pastor Vincent at the head, Sophie was afraid she was about to lose her lunch. Her head knew that she was done with morning sickness, but her stomach wasn’t convinced.
“We all know why we’re here today,” Pastor Vincent began. “I’d like to start this meeting with a prayer.”
Dad grunted ever so slightly, but he at least bowed his head. Sophie was thankful for this moment. Not only for the prayer’s sake but also so she could gather her wits. She had barely glanced at Dylan when she came in and had been relieved to see that his head was hanging down. Was it possible that he was ashamed? She hoped so.
Pastor Vincent finished his prayer, then turned to the Morrises. “Let’s begin with this side of the table. Jeff, would you like to speak?”
Mr. Morris cleared his throat. “As head of this household, I would like to be the first one to offer my sincere apology.” He looked directly at Sophie’s dad. “I can’t even imagine how your family is suffering thanks to my son’s irresponsible behavior, and I am deeply sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him—and us—someday.”
Dad looked surprised but nodded.
“And Sophie.” Mr. Morris looked at her now. “I understand that you had made a purity pledge to God and that you had kept and had intended to keep that pledge. But I also understand that my son pressured you to break this promise . . . and I cannot even tell you how much that shames me. This is not how we raised our son.”
“That’s right,” Mrs. Morris chimed in. “We taught Dylan right from wrong. He grew up in the church. He knows what the Bible says. He had made a purity pledge too. But it’s harder for a young man. Girls pursue him relentlessly and—”
“Lynn,” her husband interrupted sternly. “Do not defend Dylan.”
“That’s right,” Pastor Vincent said. “Dylan has confessed to his sin. For you to rationalize or excuse his behavior will only set him back.”
“But he’s a good boy,” she protested.
“And Sophie is a good girl,” her dad shot back. “She’s an honor student. She’s the editor of her school paper. She’s never given us a moment of grief . . . until this.”
“That’s right,” her mom agreed. “She’s on the yearbook staff. She was probably going to get lots of academic scholarships for college. She’s been a good Christian and gone faithfully to church for years now.”
“Even though her parents are heathens,” Dad said.
“I am not a heathen,” Mom retorted.
“I think what we are saying,” Pastor Vincent interjected, “is that Sophie is a good girl who had her whole life ahead of her. But she made a mistake. And Dylan is a good guy who also made a mistake. In all fairness, Dylan instigated the mistake.”
“And his mistake is what got my daughter pregnant!” Dad slammed his fist on the table. “We can all sit here until the cows come home yapping about forgiveness and goodness, but it ain’t gonna change a flipping thing. My daughter will still be pregnant. Her life will still be ruined.” He pointed his finger at Dylan. “I hope you know, boy, that it’s taking every ounce of my self-control not to