You have the wrong house.

No, I snapped. Hes the man you just walked inside with.

She didnt respond.

The front door opened and my dad looked at me like I was crazy. What are you doing here? How did you even know where I was?

Dad, you shouldnt be with that whore. You should be with Mom.

His eyes widened and he shut the door behind him. Keep your voice down.

No. I was so upset I was shaking. How could you do this to her?

Sean, you dont understand whats going on right now. Ill explain everything later.

Fuck you, Dad.

He stiffened at my words. His entire body tensed and a dark look came into his eyes. He hardly ever got mad, but I knew he was pissed right now. Talk to me like that again, and I will throw your ass to the ground.

Even though I was an adult, I still got scared of him.

Leave her property. Now.

No.

He stepped closer to me, like hed grab me by the neck and strangle me. My dad never hit me, but Ive never pushed him like this. I know youre upset right now. But your behavior is inappropriate. If you knew what was really going on, youd feel like shit. I suggest you have a little faith in me and let me explain myself before jumping to conclusions.

Id seen enough to jump to conclusions, I spat. Mom has cancer.

His body completely changed. It relaxed like hed just lost all ability to move. What?

I was so mad that I didnt care if I was breaking her secret. She has a tumor in her head. Thats why shes been acting so crazy lately. But she finally went to the doctor and got medication for it. Thats why shes been back to normal.

My dads eyes were wide but he was speechless. He held his breath for a full minute before he finally came around. Why didnt you tell me?

She wanted to win you back on her own. But if youre going to screw some woman, I had to stop you before you made the biggest mistake of your life.

His eyes watered but no tears fell. He breathed heavily, like he just ran a marathon. He walked in a circle than came back to me. I have to go He looked lost, like he didnt know which way was up or down. He turned back to the house, but the door was already open. The woman was standing there.

Im sorry. My wife"

I know, she said gently. She touched his shoulder. Its okay. I heard what he said.

Im sorry, he said again. II have to go.

I will keep our agreement.

What agreement?

Bye. My dad turned away and headed back to the car.

I followed him. Dad, what are you doing?

I need to see your mother. He ran his fingers through his hair. I cant believe she didnt tell me.

Since I already explained her secrecy, I didnt say anything more.

Is she going to be okay? He was a wreck at this point. Tears were falling from his eyes. He acted like he lost the whole world.

Its not cancerous"yet.

Fuck. My dad never cursed. He covered his face for a moment while he breathed through his emotions. And I turned my back on her You didnt know, I whispered.

He fumbled with his keys to get the door open.

I snatched them away. I can drive, Dad.

He didnt argue with me.

I got the passenger door open and put him inside. Im going to get Scarlet. Ill be right back.

He wiped his tears away and nodded.

Now I felt like a fucking asshole for dropping a bomb on my dad like that. I walked to the end of the driveway then got my wife out of the car.

Whats going on? she asked.

I threw the cash at the driver. Im driving my dad to my moms.

You told him? She hit me on the shoulder.

I had to. He was going to sleep with that woman.

You dont know that, she hissed.

You didnt see the make out session. I pulled her to the Jeep and put her in the backseat.

My dad pulled himself together but he still looked broken. Wordlessly, I drove to my mothers house a few miles away. My dad had his head pressed to the window the entire time, his eyes closed.

When we reached the house, my dad was the first one out. He rushed to the door then banged his fists against the wood. Diane, its me! Open the door.

I held Scarlets hand while we waited.

My mom opened the door, her glasses on. Whats going on? Is everything okay?

He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. Im sorry, he whispered. Im so sorry.

She rested her head on his shoulder. Whats wrong, Andrew?

He pulled away, tears in his eyes. Why didnt you tell me?

Judging by the recognition in her eyes, she knew what he referred to. I didnt want you to come back to me because of it. I dont want your sympathy.

But this changes everything. Diane, we could have gotten through this together. Its not your fault you behaved that way.

She started to cry. You arent in love with me anymore. You wouldnt have left me if you were.

Thats not true, he said firmly. Of course Im in love with you. I just couldnt handle how much you were hurting mebut if that was why, we can work through it. We need to get you to a specialist so we can treat it.

Its not cancerous.

Maybe now it isnt, he snapped. But that could change. You should have come to me. Tears fell down his face. I dont know what I would do without you She heaved a sob. I justI didnt want you to come back to me this way.

He cupped her face and pressed his head to hers. I love you. I love you with my whole heart and I dont want anyone else for the rest of my life. Marry me again. That is how Im coming back to you.

She wiped her tears way with the back of her hand but more tears fell. Andrew, are you sure?

Of course Im sure. Were in this together. Youve improved so much with your medication. Youre the woman I married. I miss her Her eyes softened.

He reached inside his shirt and pulled out a golden necklace. On the chain was his wedding band. He yanked it off and slid it back onto his finger. Im yours again.

She held his hand and brought it to her face, feeling the metal against her skin. Im so sorry, Andrew.

No, Im sorry. I shouldnt have given up on you. I promised to be by your side no matter what.

I didnt blame you for leaving, Andrew. I was a horrible person.

No, he said gently. You were just lost. He brought her to his chest and let her cry into him.

I tried not to get choked up while I watched them. I wasnt an emotional guy, but their reunion was making me sympathetic. When I looked at Scarlet, tears were falling down her face.

My parents clung to each other like theyd never let go.

Ill bring your car back tomorrow, Dad, I whispered.

He either ignored me or didnt hear me. The only thing in the world that existed was my mom. His face was pressed to hers while they cried together, finally finding their place in each other.

I dont think he minds, Sean. Scarlet pulled me away, wiping her tears on the back of her hand.

We got into the Jeep then pulled away from the house. I knew my parents were going to get nasty and I didnt want to see or hear any of that.

Im glad theyre back together. She finally calmed her emotions and stopped crying.

Me too.

You did good, Sean.

You arent mad at me?

I think youre fucking crazy, but something good came out of it. So its okay.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Dont ever leave me.

She gave me a serious look. Never.

9.

Hazel I changed my outfit five times before I found something decent. But after I made my decision, I realized my hair looked terrible so I had to take care of that. I was a wildfire that couldnt be contained. What would his parents think of me when they saw how untamed I looked?

Flynn waited for me on the couch, playing with his phone. You are making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be.

I just want to make a good impression, I said from the bathroom. I tried to curl my hair, but of course, my hair never did what I wanted it to do. Typical.

Then be yourself.

Easier for you to say I muttered under my breath.

I heard that.

What do I tell them I do for a living? I gave up on my hair and walked into the corner, which was the living room.

The truth? Flynn eyed me like I was crazy.

That Im a poor dancer? Yeah, theyll love that My mom is a dancer.

Oh. She is?

Well, she used to be. Its how my parents met.

Oh. I felt a little better.

Just because they are rich doesnt mean they are snooty.

I didnt assume that Yes, you did. Remember, Sean and Mike are just as loaded and they are some of the humblest people I know.

Yeah So, you ready to do this?

No. Not at all.

Flynn could read my face. Have you never met a guys parents before?

I met Kyles Did that not go well?