“In a way,” I began, pushing the coffee table back so there were a few more inches between us. “About a week ago, I got a concussion, not to mention some nasty bruising, and I’ve been recovering. I’m sure you recall naps are a big part of the process.”
My mother shook her head rapidly, like a cartoon animal. “What? You got a concussion? How?”
“When I was in Coleman Creek last weekend. For James’s engagement party. I slipped on some ice and hit my head, plus banged up my hip.”
“And you’re just telling us this now?” my father asked sharply.
“So you wouldn’t worry. I got scans there, and I was in and out of the hospital in a day. I thought you might try to bring me back to Seattle or get really worked up.”
“You’re damn right we would have!” This time, he couldn’t stop the explosion. “You’re telling us you were in the hospital, and you didn’t bother telling your mother and me? Of course we would want you to have the best care. You’re our child!”
“I had great care in Coleman Creek—”
“There is no way you had the best care in that little town,” my mother practically cried. “Did they even know about your accident? All the trauma you went through? Have you seen a specialist in Seattle since you got back?”
“For goodness’ sakes, Mother, this is exactly what I was trying to avoid. The worst effects of the concussion only lasted a few days. And Seattle doesn’t have the market on competent doctors. I’ll check in with my regular MD this week. But I’ve had two scans and everything is fine. For the record, I was perfectly capable of giving the doctors there my medical history.” Ipaused, resting my elbows on my knees. “It wasn’t like eleven years ago.”
She would not be easily placated. “And you’re saying this happened last weekend? Who’s been looking after you since then?”
“James and Marley, and their family. I stayed in Coleman Creek until yesterday. James’s sister-in-law drove me back.”
My mother dropped her head into her hands, and my father appeared equally stricken.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she whispered.
“I’m fine, Mother, I promise. But that’s why Rosalyn noticed my words seemed off. And why I was limping.”
“I can’t believe you were in the hospital and didn’t tell us.”
I steepled my fingers beneath my chin. “Rosalyn told you my speech was off, and the first place your mind went was that I’m on drugs. That right there is why I didn’t tell you.”
They looked at one another in silent conversation. Finally, my father cleared his throat. “I’m sorry we assumed. I see now it was premature and presumptuous.”
“You think?”
“And I know you want us to accept all these changes you’re making.” His knees bobbed beneath his hands. “Your mother and I aren’t as oblivious as you seem to believe. We realize Wallingford was never your dream.”
I blanched at his unexpected admission. “Then why did you push it on me?”
He hesitated before replying. “We wanted to keep you safe.”
I sat back on the table, gripping the edge. “And I’ll be forever grateful for everything you did. But you need to stop over-correcting now. I’m good. I don’t need you to protect me from myself. From every mistake I’m going to make.”
His fingers dug into his legs, veins popping from the back of his hands. “I understand, son. But you need to realize, it’s hardfor us…to let go. And maybe we overdid it, but we don’t want you to feel you can’t tell us things.”
I leaned back, looking him in the eye.
“Then we have some work to do,” I replied carefully.
My father nodded resignedly. “It’s…disconcerting…to imagine you’re hiding things from us. We’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you.”
The expression on his face dissolved some of my anger.
“I know. But you need to let me decide what that is. Sometimes a parents’ job is to sit on the sidelines, right?”
“We did that,” my mother interjected, voice shaking. “When you were in high school. We knew those kids were being awful to you, and we pretended, watched from the edge, and worried and worried. And all that happened was we ended up next to your hospital bed praying.”
I knew my parents also had scars from my accident. But for the first time, it didn’t fill me with guilt. Watching my parents comfort one another, I discovered instead a sense of empathy.
