Yes, he had kept some serious stuff from me. But did I blame him for that? I had essentially shamed him for his choices. I didn’t like the idea of him dancing for other women. It made me sick to my stomach. But I had checked the website and he had been truthful when he said he shut it down.
He had done that for me. He had been trying to make it right.
And I kicked him out of my house and my life.
“I’ll never forgive him, Skylar,” Mom repeated, her hand gripping the coffee mug hard enough to break.
“You’re being stupid, Mom,” I said, surprising both of us. I didn’t usually stand up to my parents. I usually kept my mouth shut and made a quick escape.
“Excuse me?” she gasped. “Don’t talk to your mother that way.”
“You and Dad should have gotten a divorce a long time ago. Your relationship is toxic but not because Dad lied to you about some silly high school relationship he had a million years ago. All you do is fight and make each other feel like crap. So end it. Or don’t. Whatever. But I’m done standing around watching it.”
I got to my feet and headed for the door.
“Where are you going, Skylar? I need your help with all this,” Mom called out, indicating the piles of clothes on the floor.
I stopped and turned to face her. “You need to learn forgiveness, Mom. You have to figure out how to share your life with people in a healthy way. You’ve messed me up big time and you don’t even realize it.”
“What are you talking about? You’re just fine.” Mom put her hands on her hips.
“I’m not fine, Mom. I’m terrified of opening myself to a man I truly love for fear of being hurt. After a lifetime of watching you and Dad yo-yo between breaking up and getting back together, I didn’t know what it was like to have a functional relationship. And when I found a man who would literally do anything in the world for me I ended it the first time I heard something I didn’t like. I wouldn’t hear him out. I wouldn't give him a chance. All because I was scared to death of ending up like you.” It was my turn to raise my voice and I could tell my mother didn’t know what to do.
“That’s ridiculous—” she started to say but I cut her off.
“Is it? Are you going to stand here and tell me that you and Dad have been the picture of a healthy marriage?” I threw back at her.
When she didn’t say anything, I sighed. “I love you, Mom, but I can’t be around this anymore. You and Dad figure it out on your own. Leave me out of it.” I opened the door to see Dad standing there looking sheepish.
“Skylar, what are you doing here? I hope you’re not leaving. We could really use your sage advice,” Dad said, looking over my shoulder to where Mom was standing.
“This is all up to you guys this time. Good luck.” I squeezed past my dad and headed for my car.
It was time for me to forge a different path for myself. And I knew what I had to do.
**
It was well past dark when I pulled into my driveway. I had debated calling Rob on my way home. I was desperate to talk to him. But I also needed to get back and tend to Edgar. I needed to get my thoughts in order before I spoke with him.
Because I had some groveling to do.
I was so deep into my thoughts that I didn’t notice the car parked to the side of my driveway. I was shocked though when Edgar jumped off the porch and ran to me.
“Edgar, what in the world are you doing out here?” I looked around for Mr. Sheehan, knowing he would never leave my dog out here by himself.
“He’s been hanging out with me,” a voice said, coming from the dark shadows of the porch. Robert stood up and came down the steps toward me.
“Rob,” I breathed his name a whisper in my mouth.
“Hey,” he said softly, his hair falling into his eyes. “Everything okay with your parents?”
I frowned. “How did you know—?”
“Mr. Sheehan mentioned your mom had called and that’s why you dropped Edgar off,” he explained.
“So how did you end up with my dog?” I asked in confusion.
“He was walking Edgar when I showed up and knocked on your door. He told me then that you had gone over there. I offered to watch the big guy since I planned to stick around until you got home.” He held out his hand. “So here we are.”
“How long have you been out here? It’s cold.”
Robert checked his phone. “I don’t know, three hours I guess.”