American Honey

I rest my forehead against hers trying to slow my breathing down. Rhea runs her fingernails up and down my back.

I slip out and pull Rhea into my arms. “Happy birthday, Rhea.” I kiss the top of her head.

She rests her chin on my chest, “Happy birthday, Tanner.”

Exactly two weeks after the best night of my life, the worst day of my life happens. I didn’t want this to happen but I couldn’t keep quiet any longer about my dad and Daisy.

My dad and I were at it again when my mama came home early from work the day before I was to leave for college and she overheard our fight.

“How could you fucking do this to her?” I slam my glass of water on the table as some spills over the side. “And with Daisy of all people? Do you feel better, Dad,” I turn my back to him. “Knowing you not only ripped this family apart but you’re about to rip your best friend’s family ap

art too?”

“What I do is none of your business, Tanner, so keep your mouth shut.” Dad slams the fridge door.

“Screwing Daisy in our house is my business, Dad.” I yell.

There is a gasp behind me and then a thump. I turn to watch as Mama hits the floor in hysterics.

“See what you’ve done, Tanner.” Dad yells as he rushes to Mama.

“No.” She screams. “Stay the hell away from me.”

I pull a kitchen chair out and sit down. I thought she had some kind of an idea that he was cheating, that something was wrong. My God, how can this situation get even more fucked up?

“Darlin’, I can explain.” Dad tries to assure her.

Yeah, good luck with that, asshole. Try to come up with a feasible explanation that will make all the sense in the world as to why you have been balls deep in your best friend’s wife. I can’t wait for this explanation. If he pulls this off, I’ve got to find out how to nominate this bastard for an Oscar, I’m thinking.

“Get out!” Mama yells. “Get out of my fucking house, Josh and don’t ever come back again!”

“Darlin’” Dad tries again.

“Don’t you fucking call me darlin’ you son of a bitch. Get out now!” Mama screams.

Dad’s head falls forward as he stalks off towards the front door. I can’t even remotely feel anything for him. He caused this and he has to deal with the consequences, the fallout from his selfish choices.

I get up from the chair and walk over towards Mama who is still sobbing on the floor. I reach down and pick her up. “Come on, Mama. I’ll help you get upstairs.”

She cries harder as I cradle her frail body against my chest. “Oh, sweet boy, what am I gonna do?”

“Shh, we’ll figure it out Mama. Don’t worry about that right now.” I push her bedroom door open with my foot. “Why don’t you get changed and then we can talk.”

She takes a shaky breath, “Okay.”

My text message dings as I set Mama on her bed. “Come down when you’re ready.”

She crawls into the middle of the bed in a fetal position and cries. As I walk out I reach into my pocket for my phone.

Honey Bee 6:04 pm: What the hell is going on, Tan?

Me 6:08 pm: WW3 just started. Stay strong, baby. I love you.

Honey Bee 6:09 pm: I’m scared, Tanner.

Me 6:10 pm: Don’t be. We’ll figure it out.

Over the next week everything went to hell. Both sets of parents aren’t talking to each other and they are forbidding Rhea and me to talk to or see each other. I have yet to let that happen and it will be a cold day in hell when I do. They are all so oblivious as to what’s going on as they wallow in their misery that what Rhea and I do are the farthest things from their minds. How did this happen to our families?