“I’m glad you find my concern so funny,” I say, irritation clear in my tone.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to make light. For the record, I’m perfectly healthy. Better than ever, actually.” He clears his throat. “I’m in love.”
I pause, a fork full of crab-stuffed mushroom halfway to my mouth. “You’re what?”
He smiles, his cheeks turning pink. My dad’s a handsome man, I guess. If you’re into bald men of average height and build. But right now, he looks happier than I’ve ever seen him. And it’s a good look.
“I met someone.”
“Ok...Dad, I’m going to need you to pick up the pace here, or else we’ll be here to close the place down.”
He takes a deep breath and fiddles with the stem of his wine glass. “Her name is Kristy. She’s beautiful,” he blushes. “Far too pretty for the likes of me, but she’s as kind as she is gorgeous. She’s going to love you; I know it already. We met at a charity function over the summer. She’s an active volunteer, and we know dozens of the same people, but we’d never met, as crazy as that seems. What’s crazier is that she’s as head over heels for me as I am for her.”
“Dad, that’s great. Seriously. I’m really happy for you.” And I am. My dad has never dated, that I know of. I guess he’s hooked up now and again over the years, but that’s something I’d rather not think about.
I smile at him, and then take a sip of my wine, just as he blurts out, “I’m going to marry her.”
I manage not to choke, which I’m taking as a win. Did he actually say he’s going to marry this woman he just met? “Wow. You guys have known each other, what? A couple of months and you’re thinking of proposing?” I try to keep the judgment and surprise out of my voice, but I’m not sure I succeed.
My dad blushes, and I swear I’m in a parallel universe. “I already did. She said yes. We both know it’s quick, but I’m not getting any younger, and Kristy...well, she’s had a lot of heartache, let’s put it that way. We figured, why wait?”
My dad has had his own share of heartache. “You know what? You’re right. I’m sorry if I seemed a little shocked, I just—”
“It’s fine,” my dad says, smiling as our main course is delivered. “I knew it would be a surprise, but I hope it’s a happy one.”
“It is,” I assure him. Granted, I can’t say I’ve totally warmed up to the idea, but who am I to judge? I’m basically out of the house, and if this is my dad’s chance at happiness, I’d never stand in his way. I just hope this Kristy chick is worthy of him.
“So, her name’s Kristy?” I ask, eager for more info. Like, if she’s twenty-three and has a mountain of college debt…
“Yes, Kristy Whitman. She has a son about your age, I think,” dad says, as though this isn’t earth-shattering information.
“Caleb?” My voice is hoarse.
“Yes, Caleb. I haven’t met him yet, but if he’s anything like his mother, I know I’ll adore him. Is the name familiar to you?”
I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. I can almost see myself sitting at the table, linen cloth in my lap, telling my dad that I met Caleb at camp when we were younger. He nods and the conversation moves on to hospital news and an update on my grandparents down in Palm Beach.
But I’m still stuck right in the moment that my dad said he’s marrying Kristy Whitman. Caleb’s mother.
Caleb Whitman is going to be my stepbrother.
I can’t make sense of it. It feels like the universe is playing a joke, and I’m the punchline. But by the time my tiramisu hits the table, I’ve made my peace. I have to.
Is it unreal that I’ll have to see him during the holidays? Yes. Will he no doubt wear ugly Christmas sweaters and one of those turkey leg hats? Yes. Will I inevitably be introduced to his future wife one day? Probably. Will I want to scream,he saw me naked first!Yes. But there’s no time to focus on that. I have to finish dinner with my dad and then hit the books. I have a 4.0 to keep and an internship to secure.
But I know this: what happened at the party can't happen again. Ever. We just have to pretend it was a dream. An alternate reality. Have I maybe used my boyfriend BOB every night this week and thought of Caleb while making myself lose control? Sure. But I have no doubt he's starred in many a fantasy for half the girls in the state of Maryland, so I’m going to forgive myself and move on.
Yep. Moving on. Any minute now...
* * *
Whit
It’s been a decent week. Don’t get me wrong—I’d rather chill than go to class, but my professors all seem nice, and my schedule is sweet—I’ve got Fridays off. So, I can’t complain.
I’m walking through campus on my way back to The Chapel to make some lunch. That’s another bonus of my schedule—on Mondays and Wednesdays, I’m done by one.
I key in the code and wash up, then open the fridge door to see what calls to me. I could grill some chicken. Maybe some veggies, too, I think as my phone starts singing on the counter.
