Secrets in the Attic (Secrets 1)

"How's my roast? Did you get it started in time?"

"Yes," I said. "Daddy might not make dinner. He called a little while ago. He said he'll let us know." "He's working harder than ever. Did you find the corn on the cob?"

"Peeled and ready. The water is in the pot. The string beans are set. I put the bread in the warmer." "Good. How was your day?"

"Okay," I said, without any enthusiasm.

"It'll get better," she promised. I thought she was just going to turn and go upstairs to shower and change out of her uniform without noticing anything. She actually started away from the dining room and then stopped and slowly turned back. "Why are there four plates?" she asked. "Who's coming to dinner?"

The expression on her face told me she didn't think of Jesse. She was thinking of Karen. It made my heart stop and start, and for a moment, I couldn't respond. Then, Jesse called out to her from the stairway.

"Jesse! What are you doing here?"

"I found out I live here," he said.

"Where's your car?"

"Hidden. I wanted to surprise you and Dad." "You did that, you little devil."

I stepped up to the doorway and watched them hug and kiss. He explained again why he felt more comfortable coming back early, and she smiled at him and looked at me with an expression that clearly told me how much she loved him Jesse was always perfect in my mother's eyes. I used to be jealous, but now, I thought he deserved being loved more. After all, he wasn't hiding anything as terrible as I was. He was being a good son. When would I be a good daughter again?

We had to start dinner without Daddy, but Jesse kept us so entertained by his stories about his college experiences that we didn't realize how much time had gone by until we heard the garage door opening.

"I'll start warming everything up;' Mama said, rising from the table.

Jesse sat back, a wide smile of anticipation on his face.

"Sony," we heard Daddy sing out as he came in from the garage.

"You should be," Jesse called back.

Daddy said nothing. He just walked into the dining room.

"What the . . . why are you here?"

"Everyone asks me the same question. I'm beginning to feel unwanted."

Daddy smiled. "So? What happened? You told me you were coming home on Sunday."

"I figured you needed professional help back here," Jesse said.

"Yeah, right. You just wanted a good homecooked meal, I bet."

"That, too," Jesse said, and they hugged.

"Hey, where's your car?"

"Behind the garage."

"You little sneak," Daddy said, but he smiled.

Tears came to my eyes. Daddy needed Jesse more, I thought, more than ever. He, too, needed the good son. Jesse had gotten into what I called boys' trouble from time to time, but it was all Huckleberry Finn trouble, pranks and silliness. Nothing he ever did and no one he ever had as a friend ever brought the sort of darkness I had brought into our home.

"Everything's getting warmed up for you, Michael," Mama told him

"I'll be right down," he said. "I hope, there's something left," he added, winking at Jesse.

"He looks tired," Jesse said as soon as Daddy left the room.