A few days after the prom, Evan came over and he and Evelyn lounged in the hot tub together.
"I'm glad your parents didn't ground you after being out past curfew."
"I thought I was a goner though when they started yelling about responsibility. But I guess they were mostly just worried," Evan said.
"My Dad was pretty cool about it; although I could tell he was worried too. I guess parents naturally jump to the worst possible conclusion when they see a police car," Evelyn said.
"You can't blame them though as a police car usually means trouble."
"Yeah I guess and they probably have a point about us being more responsible too," Evelyn said as she snuggled closer to Evan.
"Hmm I'm thinking things my Dad would call irresponsible," Evan said cuddling with Evelyn.
Giggling Evelyn said "You better move your hand or you'll see a side of my Dad no one has seen before."
Leaning over, Evan kissed Evelyn and said "It might be worth it." They started to make out and kissing passionately.
"Evan I think it's time you left," William said in a tone that meant business.
Evan reluctantly got out of the tub, kissed Evelyn goodnight and left. Evelyn glared at her Dad and demanded "How could you?"
"Evelyn calm down, you'll see him tomorrow at school."
"That was so embarrassing."
"Things were getting a little to serious between you two."
"We weren't doing anything wrong."
"Thankfully"
"It was just a little cuddling and kissing. Don't be such a prude."
"Evie, I saw where his hands were, so don't hand me that."
Evelyn felt her face flush and knew she had turned a brilliant shade of red. She started to stomp off to change clothes when she heard her Dad call after her. "We need to talk about this. Your way too young to be this serious."
Evelyn slowed her pace and turned to glare at her Dad, then kept going. She threw some shorts on and went outside to shoot some hoops.
It was a cool, clear night and she hoped the exercise would help her calm down. How could her Dad embarrass her like that? Didn't he trust her? It's not like they were going to go all the way in the hot tub; especially not in a hot tub in full view of everyone in the house and on the street.
The more she thought about it, the faster she ran the basketball course. She knew she would have to talk to her Dad sooner or later and to a certain extent she knew he was right. Things were heating up between her and Evan tonight. But the last thing she needed right now is a discussion about the birds and the bees. By the time she tired of shooting hoops it was late and she knew that everyone in the house would be asleep. So she went inside to relax and knew that with luck she would be able to avoid her Dad and 'the talk' until at least tomorrow after school.
Shon called Sydney the following evening and set up a date and decided to meet up at a local club.
"Hey doll face you're lookin beautiful."
"Thank you, you're lookin handsome as ever," Sydney returned the compliment. "So what's on the agenda for tonight."
Shrugging Shon said "A little of this and a little of that."
"In other words, you don't know," Sydney crossed her arms and was on the verge of speaking when Shon interrupted her.
"Baby don't be like that. I'd have fun just lookin at ya. I've heard great things about this place. So let's go in and see what the night brings us."
Sydney looked at Shon then at the building, clearly not liking where the evening was going. She turned her back on Shon, kicked a few rocks around as she thought about what she had expected this night to be like. 'I imagined going out for dinner at a fancy restaurant, maybe a stroll through the park, something romantic. I'm so out of my element here. But I like Shon. Should I do something I don't like to please him?' She smiled faintly as she thought how her family would be in shock that she would even entertain the idea of doing anything to please someone else.
Shon felt queasy as he watched Sydney turn away from him. 'Maybe he should have listened to Casey and taken her out to a fancy restaurant. He felt a trickle of sweat roll down his spine Maybe I should tell her I changed my mind and take her some place else.' He opened his mouth to speak when Sydney turned to him with a smile on her face.
"Well the night's not getting any younger. Let's go check this place out."
They walked inside, the first thing they see is a large crowd of people listening to karaoke. Sydney groaned and stopped dead in her tracks. Shon kept going, tugging on her hand, Sydney reluctantly followed thinking there was no way she was singing karaoke. Shon turned to her smiling widely saying "This is going to be fun."
They found a place to sit and watched a few people on stage. Sydney had to admit a few of them weren't half bad but the majority were just plain awful. In Sydney's opinion there was nothing worse than to have your ears assaulted by someone screeching into a microphone and think they're producing music.
"What'd you think of that performance?" Shon asked yelling to be heard above the clapping of the crowd.
Sydney grimaced "That was just awful. Whoever told her she could sing was off their rocker or needs their ears checked."
"Hey be nice. That's my great Aunt Edna."
Sydney felt like she had swallowed both her feet but wouldn't back down as she felt that what she had said was the truth.
"Don't worry babe," Shon said winking at her "Great Aunt Edna knows she can't sing worth a darn but you can't fault her as the old girl knows how to have fun."
The 'old girl' was having so much fun that when she was done she invited Shon and his girlfriend up to sing a duet for the crowd. Sydney shook her head emphatically and crossed her arms as Shon attempted to grab her hand.
"Come on babe it'll be fun," Shon said standing, holding his hand out to her. Sydney glared at him and wouldn't budge. Then the audience started to chant and she wished she could run and hide somewhere.
"Come on I'll be with you. Besides I know you sing better than great Aunt Edna."
She giggled at his comment beginning to relax. She reached over and took Shon's extended hand and let him lead her to the stage. Sydney tried not to look out into the audience, fearing the sea of faces would make her more nervous then she already was. She felt like she was going to fall at any moment, her legs were trembling so much. She looked at Shon, who winked at her and whispered in her ear "You can do this babe."
Robert sat by the campfire lost in thought. His mind kept replaying the past few days, he couldn't help but wish he had never let Evelyn convince him to meet Chris Dowell. Sure she was nice to talk to and a great dancer but she latched onto him and wouldn't let go. How could a girl go from just having met you to thinking you were their boyfriend?
Standing to warm himself at the fire, Roberts thought were still turned inwards wondering how he could get out of the mess he was in. This was the first night that Chris hadn't texted him nonstop so maybe this nightmare would be over soon. So far trying to disentangle himself from Chris was like walking through a briar patch without getting any on you, next to impossible. Chris had started to text him at all hours and when he didn't text back, she would call or ambush him at school with accusations of him cheating on her. Why couldn't she comprehend that he wasn't cheating when they weren't even dating? So far his protests had fallen on deaf ears.
Sitting down again, he decided he was hungry and started to grill the fish he had caught earlier. His mind still working on the problem that was Chris, he knew there was a solution, he just hadn't found it yet. Chris was book smart, that was something he appreciated about her right away. Instead of pretending to understand what he was talking about, like other girls he had met, she could hold an intelligent conversation. But what she lacked was common sense. Watching the fish cook, Robert sighed, vowing to himself that one day he would get even. Evelyn would pay for this. It was her fault for setting him up with Chris, she should have known better.
When the fish was done, Robert slowly munched on it while his thoughts continued to replay what happened earlier that day at school. It had been a daily ritual for him to attempt to hide from Chris; especially during lunch. He had just sat down to enjoy his packed lunch, when he saw Chris. In his haste to leave before she saw him he bumped into someone.
"Excuse me,"
"Look what you've done," a soft musical voice said.
He turned to see a pretty girl wiping liquid from his energy drink from her blouse. Blushing, Robert felt his face flush hot as he realized he ruined her outfit.
"I'm sorry. I didn't see you."
"How could you see me? You were looking behind you," she said still looking down at the stain on her blouse.
"You're right, I should have been paying more attention. I really am sorry," Robert apologized again.
"I know you're sorry but I'm the one who has to walk around with this stain all down the front of her. I so wanted this day to go smoothly too," She said looking up for the first time.
"Um I might be able to help you out with that."
"How? I'm open to any and all suggestions."
"Well my sisters might have something you can wear over your blouse." As he was talking he took his phone out and texted both Evelyn and Sydney. Shortly he had a text back "Great Evelyn has a sweater she can let you borrow. Come on we'll meet her at her locker."
"By the way I'm Patricia Bradford," the girl said as they walked together.
"I'm Robert, Robert Bennett."
"It's nice to meet you Robert. This is my first day and why I had wanted to look nice. But oh well I'll deal with it and if your sister has a sweater I can wear, than it should be ok."
They arrived at Evelyn's locker, where Patricia received the sweater. As she was putting it on, Robert's luck ran out.
Robert grimaced at the memory of how Chris stormed up to them and yelled at him.
"I knew it. I just knew it. This is the girl your cheating on me with," Chris said stabbing a finger at Patricia.
Robert moved to put himself between Patricia and Chris saying "I just met her."
"Oh really? You've been avoiding me for days and now I find you with another woman." She tried to get around Robert but he continued to block her. "Get out of my way."
"Chris be reasonable. You know you and I were never boyfriend and girlfriend."
Chris glared at him, breathing hard. "I hate you. I wouldn't be your girlfriend for all the money in the world." She spun around and slapped Robert as hard as she could, then stomped off. Robert rubbed his face that was beginning to tingle from the slap wondering what just happened.
Evelyn was saying something "Rob I'm sorry for trying to set you up with her. I had no idea she was a psycho."
Robert shrugged still rubbing his cheek. He turned to Patricia "I'm sorry you got caught up in all of this on your first day and everything."
"Well at least I know your not some kind of clutz for spilling your drink all over me. But watch your back that Chris girl is some kind of crazy." Just then the bell rang for class, Patricia turned to Evelyn with a smile "Thank you for the sweater. I'll bring it back tomorrow." Turning to Robert, she took his hand and wrote her number on it "Call me some time." Then she turned and ran to her next class.
Robert didn't know whether he should call her but there was something about her. He couldn't get Patricia out of his thoughts.
A few days later Shon came over to talk to Sydney. He had one objective, to ask Sydney to the prom and he wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Honey Shon's here to see you," William said through her door.
"Tell him I'm not home."
"I'm not lying for you, so come out and see what he wants."
"I can't, I'm not presentable," Sydney called back. She looked around her room wondering if she had time to change and fix her hair.
"Honey you look fine."
"No I don't. I'm all grubby from work."
"You're being silly. Now get out here and greet your visitor." William said walking away.
Sydney stood in her room debating whether she should take the time to change. She dashed to her dresser, grabbed some clothes, thinking Shon could wait since he showed up unannounced. Why couldn't he have called first? Then she would have had time to look nice. She asked herself whether he liked her, if he does than it doesn't matter what she looked like and if he doesn't it still didn't matter. She threw the clothes onto the floor and stormed out of her room.
She heard her Dad and Shon talking in the kitchen. She silently entered and crept up behind Shon and roared loudly behind him and pretended to be a ferocious beast attacking him. Shon turned and jumped bringing his hands to his heart. He scowled at Sydney saying "What's the big idea? You scared me half to death."
Sydney was holding her sides as she was laughing so hard.
"It's not funny," Shon said "I'm leaving."
"No wait," Sydney panted as she tried to catch her breath. "I'm sorry, really. I didn't think you'd scare so easily."
"I wasn't scared."
"You were. The look on your face was priceless. But I am sorry."
"Ok no biggie." Shon said wanting to drop the whole subject. The moment he had turned and seen her reaching out to him and roaring the way she had, brought him back to a time when he was six years old.
He remembered his father had been drinking heavily and his parents had been arguing. His mother had ran out of the house after his father punched her
He had tried to stay out of the way and was playing by the basement stairs. On that particular night there had been a really bad storm, lots of thunder and lightening.
His father had peeled himself off the couch to go into the kitchen for another beer. His father must have seen him playing and decided to take his frustration out by trying to scare him.
There had been a terrible crash outside as lightening struck a nearby street light, sending the house into darkness.
Shon sat in the darkness, heart pounding in sync with the thunder. Then from out of the darkness was a figure lunging at him and growling. He didn't recognize his father from the flashes of lightening coming through the half closed curtains. Shon screamed and jumped backwards, crashing down the basement stairs. He laid there for a couple of hours, until his mother came back to pick up her things. She found him where he had fallen.
She stayed for a few more years, enduring his father's drunken abuse until the night 5 years ago, when Shon was 12 years old.
Shon thought his father was going to kill her and ran to the neighbors begging them to call the police. That was the night his life was turned upside down. He was sent to foster care until they were able to locate his grandmother and eventually she was given full custody when his mother checked herself out of the hospital and disappeared and his father was sent to prison for aggravated assault with the intent to kill. They had moved to Auora Skies hoping to be able to start over.
"Penny for your thoughts," Sydney said breaking into his troubled thoughts.
"If I told ya, I'd have to kill ya."
Deciding not to pursue it, Sydney asked "Why did you come over?"
"Um no reason," Shon said losing confidence that she would go out with them. He stood shifting his weight from side to side, not able to meet her eyes.
Sydney watched him fidget for a while before asking "What has you so nervous? If you came over just to talk, then talk otherwise I've got better things to do."
Shon thought this wasn't going the way he imagined it would. What went wrong? He felt like he was suffocating with thoughts from the past and self doubts and feelings of being unworthy of someone like Sydney. "I think I'd better go."
Stunned Sydney watched him shuffle towards the door, head down. "Shon don't go. Just tell me why you came."
At the sound of Sydney's voice, Shon stopped with his hand on the door. "What did you just say?" his voice sounding harsher than he intended.
Put off by his harsh tone, Sydney asked to know why he came.
Shon turned from the door and walked towards Sydney, deciding to go through with his plans and put himself out of his misery. "Will you do me the honor of being my date for the prom?" Shon felt awkward using the line that Casey told him to use but judging from the twinkle in Sydney's eyes it was the right thing to say.
Sydney squealed in delight and jumped into Shon's arms in her excitement yelling yes.
"Darn girl that hurts the ears." Shon said grinning.
"Try and make me stop," Sydney challenged.
Shon pulled Sydney to him and kissed her and her squeals were replaced with a soft hum. "That did the trick," he said winking at her.
"Dare you to try that again."
"That's one dare I don't mind doing."
"Hate to break this up but it's time Shon went home."
"Ah Dad, can't he stay a little bit longer. Please." Sydney said turning puppy dog eyes on her Dad.
"It's late and you have school tomorrow. It's time to call it a night."
"Good night sir and I'll see you tomorrow babe," Shon said as he left.
"Hey Robert have you found a date yet for the prom?
"No I don't think I'll go."
"You have to," Evelyn said "I mean it'll be fun." She amended when she realized she was being demanding. Too late she could see she had already roused Roberts suspicions.
"What are you up to?" Robert asked crossing his arms and tapping his toes.
"Nothing, really," Evelyn said unable to look him in the eyes.
"You're not setting me up with the new girl."
"What if I am? She's pretty, she's nice and she doesn't know you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you can be a real jerk sometimes."
"I'm not a ... well ok sometimes. But most of the girls in our class are dumber than rocks."
"Hey I resent that."
"I didn't mean you. But you know what I mean. I want someone I can talk to not down to."
"That's why you need to give the new girl a chance. She might surprise you and be smart as well as pretty. Come on say yes. I know you want to."
"Alright, alright anything to get you off my back." Robert said giving in to Evelyn. She was one person he could never say no to. He just hoped she was right about this girl.
The night of the prom arrived and the boys were ready in half the time it took the girls. Neither Casey or Robert had dates; although Evelyn was going to introduce Robert to the new girl at the dance. His stomach was tied up in knots and he thought butterflies were fighting to escape. He hoped this girl was everything Evelyn made her out to be and that he didn't make a fool of himself on the dance floor. Maybe he should have asked Casey to teach him a few dance moves.
Casey was anticipating the dance and was undaunted by the fact he didn't have a date. He knew there were going to be plenty of girls there without dates that would jump at a chance to dance with him. Why settle for just one girl, when there were so many?
While the boys were waiting for the girls they heard raised voices coming from Sydney's room.
"Mom my hair... it's just awful." Sydney said as she threw her brush across the room.
"Well what do you expect me to do about it?" Jessica said retrieving the brush in a vain attempt to remain calm.
"You're hopeless. This is exactly why I wanted to have my hair done at the salon."
"And I told you we couldn't afford it."
"We could have if you weren't some sort of baby making machine."
"Don't blame this on your brothers and sisters."
"Then why don't you get a job."
"You have a job. Why didn't you use your money to get your hair done?"
"I shouldn't have to you use my money to cover your inadequacies. Besides I got these shoes to go with my dress."
"If you had been willing to get a less expensive dress we may have had the money to get your hair done."
"Don't blame me because you can't provide the things I need."
"Your not the only person in this house."
"Don't remind me. It's their fault I look awful."
Jessica flung her hands up in defeat and stormed out of the room. Sydney was sobbing as her Mom left. She felt like screaming and kicking at the unfairness of it all. Why couldn't her mother understand she needed to look perfect? There was a soft knock on her door "Go away," she yelled.
Instead, Evelyn came into the room and quietly shut the door behind her.
"What do you want?"
"I want to help. Have you tried putting your hair up?"
Sniffling, Sydney shook her head.
"Let's give that a try. I bet you'll look beautiful," Evelyn said as she picked up the curling iron and started to curl Sydney's hair. She worked at it until it was all up and passed Sydney's inspection.
"Thank you, Evie. I don't know what I would have done without you," Sydney said smiling at her sister.
"You would have come up with something but your welcome."
"The limo's here," the boys called to them "let's go or we'll be late."
With the kids all growing up, Jessica was feeling nostalgic for babies. She knew intellectually six kids were more than enough but with them becoming teenagers she feared they would no longer need her. It was a bitter sweet day when William convinced her to let them have a teen party.
"Let's go out, just the two of us. Let the kids have run of the house," William suggested.
"I'd love to," she began "but what if something happens or things get out of hand and_"
"Honey we have good kids. They'll be ok."
"I know but_"
"We can trust them."
Looking into Williams eyes, she knew they needed time alone together. With all the stress they've been under and Williams fears, this was a big step for him. Now she's the one not wanting to go out.
"You're right. Let's go and if the kids burn the house down while we're gone we'll roast marsh mellows."
Laughing at her lame attempt at a joke, William kissed her and told her they had nothing to worry about. The thought of a house fire had started a warning bells going off in his head. No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, it kept getting louder.
Sydney was looking forward to the party and had given Gene and Beverly strict orders not to bother anyone. She had begged her parents to take them but they refused. You'd think they were going on a date or something. Just as long as they didn't come back pregnant. The last thing they needed around here was another baby. Sydney loved that her parents obviously loved each other unlike the majority of her friends parents, who were either separated or divorced. One day she hoped to find her soul mate but babies, she could do without.
Robert could care less about having a bunch of kids over for a party. He just wanted to be left alone. It seemed that every person he met wanted to know about his accident. He was tired of being asked 'how did it feel to be hit by a car?' Well duh, it hurt! What a stupid question! He had very little tolerance for stupidity and didn't feel like being nice to idiots either. As soon as the first person arrived, Robert went to his room, put his headset on and thought about moving some place where they didn't know him. He wanted to be where people talked to him because they liked him and not because he had the unfortunate luck of being hit by a car.
Evelyn loved being the center of attention. She couldn't wait to show off her dance moves. She was surprised that she managed to attract the attention of one of the cutest boys in school, Evan Clark. Every girl wanted him, including Sydney. Evelyn never thought she'd have a chance but she watched him turn down Sydney for a dance. Evelyn could tell she was fuming from the public humiliation and she was staring daggers at her when Evan approached her.
"Hey Evelyn, want to dance?"
"Love to," Evelyn said deciding to ignore her sister who was motioning for her to say no.
"You're looking good tonight."
"Why thank you kind sir"
Evan laughed saying "You're so strange. I never know what you're going to say and that was just so prim and proper."
"Would you rather I'd have said, so does that mean I look lousy any other time, except for today?"
"No that's ok, I'll take the thank you. Put your way, it sounds like an insult."
"So it was a compliment," Evelyn said teasing him a little.
"Well I meant it to be one."
They continued dancing and enjoying each others company.
When the music stopped Evan took the opportunity to ask "Do you have a date yet for the prom?"
Evelyn shook her head but couldn't stop the smile that threatened to surface in anticipation.
"Well, would you like to go with me?"
"Yes," she said and in her excitement she kissed Evan.
Sydney couldn't decide who she hated more, Evelyn or Evan.
"Whoa if looks could kill, someone would be dead."
"Uh what?" Sydney said turning towards the voice and saw a pleasant looking boy grinning at her.
"Hi I'm Shon Olivia."
"I'm Sydney."
"Nice to meet ya. I'm new but I was told anyone could come. So here I am."
Sydney eyed him for a moment before looking back at Evan and her sister.
"So who's the green chick?"
"My evil sister," Sydney stated through clenched teeth.
"What'd she do? Steal your man."
Smiling a little she said "No not really. It's just maddening that he turned me down and asked her."
"Want me to beat him up for ya?"
Laughing Sydney shook her head no. Cocking his head to the side Shon looked inquiringly at her. "If I can't beat up pretty boy for ya. Can I at least get a dance?"
Sydney nodded agreement, enjoying his flip comments and bad boy attitude.
Casey was flying high and dancing to every song, whether with someone or by himself. There were to many girls to choose from. Some were hot and some not so much but he could've cared less, as long as he was dancing. He could dance all night if given half a chance. Casey found himself a hot commodity being one of the only available guy to dance with. The girls all swooned when he approached them to dance. When the dance was done he would kiss their hand. It was a bit old fashioned but the girls seemed to like it.
A few days later Evan called to see if Evelyn wanted to go on a date. They arranged to meet in the park, where they gazed into each others eyes. They lost all track of time.
"Ok kids it's time to go home." a gruff voice broke into their romantic haze.
"What's wrong officer?" Evan asked politely.
"Son look at the time, it's past curfew."
"My parents are going to kill me," Evelyn said.
"So's mine," Evan agreed.
They followed the officer to his cruiser. They went to Evan's house first. Evelyn sat in the front seat and watched Evan trudge behind the officer who knocked on the front door. His parents started yelling at him and the last words she heard were need to be more responsible before the door shut. She dreaded confronting her parents. She hoped they wouldn't ground her, that would be the absolute worst as she would miss the prom. She sighed deeply as they stopped in front of her house.
Her Dad opened the door before the officer had a chance to knock.
"Oh my god. Are you alright?" William asked as soon as he saw Evelyn. She nodded her head. "Officer what happened?"
"Sir your daughter was out past curfew. I brought her and her boyfriend home. My opinion sir, they lost track of time."
"Thank you officer for bringing her home."
"No problem sir," the officer turned to Evelyn and said "Young lady I would suggest you set an alarm on your cell so that it goes off an hour before curfew. Then we can avoid any future meetings like this."
"I'll do that," Evelyn said.
The officer smiled and turned to William "She's a good kid. Have a good night."
After the officer left they went into the kitchen where William gave Evelyn a quick hug saying "you had me so worried."
"I'm really sorry. It won't happen again. I promise."
"You'll do what the officer suggested?"
"Yes"
"Good," William smiled "Did you have a good time?"
"Oh yes, I had the best time."
William chuckled seeing the dreamy look in Evelyn's eyes. "Evelyn, I know you didn't mean to be out past curfew. So I'm not going to ground you this time."
"Thank you," Evelyn said clasping her hands together.
"But I do expect you to be more responsible and be home on time. No more being driven home by the police and worrying me and your mother, ok?"
"Ok Dad. I'm setting the alarm now."
"Good because next time you're grounded. Got it?"
"There won't be a next time," Evelyn said "Good night Dad, I love you."
"Love you too. Good night sweetheart."
The following day after school Casey was invited over to Shon Olivia's house. Casey thought Shon would be fun to hangout with. Shon was the type of guy to make wise cracks from the back of class. He kept the class in stiches with his antics. There wasn't a day that he wasn't sent to the principles office because of disrupting class. Casey found himself drawn to him, thinking he'd be great to party with but his manners left something to be desired. Shon rubbed Casey's sense of propriety the wrong way.
"Hi I'm Casey, one of Shon's classmates," Casey introduced himself to whom he assumed was Shon's mom.
"Nice to meet ya young man. I'm Shon's Gramma. I'm raising that young whelp while his Dad's in prison for beaten his mama. His mama done ran off and left him."
"Shut up Gramma. He doesn't need to know all that," Shon said embarrassed. He didn't want everyone knowing about his parents.
"Boy don't you tell me to shut up."
"Sorry Gramma."
"That's better. Now you boys have fun while I fix us up a snack." Shon's Gramma shuffled off to the kitchen.
Shon eyed Casey for a moment then said "Don't you dare tell anyone bout my Dad being in prison."
"Don't worry I won't," Casey said wondering why he would want to. It would be awful to have one's dad in prison. He couldn't imagine watching his dad hit his mom. He felt sorry for Shon but figured he'd keep that to himself as he didn't think Shon would appreciate the sentiment.
"So Casey, do you know if your sister has a date for the prom?"
"Which one?"
"What do you mean? Does she have more than one date?" Shon asked.
"No, which sister? I have 3; although one is too young for the prom."
"Oh, sorry I forgot the green chick's your sister."
"No Sydney doesn't have a date."
"Do you think she'd go with me?"
"How would I know? Have you tried asking her?"
"Do you think I should? Do you think she likes me?"
"Again I don't know. Ask her. Don't get me involved. She's difficult on good days" Casey said.
"That's what I like about her, she's prickly and hot."
"Dude I'm pretending I didn't hear that," Casey said sitting down to eat the snack that Shon's Gramma had fixed them.
"Dad do you think I could learn to drive?" Evelyn asked one evening.
"I suppose so, I taught Sydney how to drive and in the process of teaching Robert. As soon as Robert passes his driver's test we'll start your lessons."
"That's great. I can't wait. But can't Mom teach me?"
"Fraid not. She doesn't like driving at the best of times and she'd be a basket case teaching you kids how to drive. So that privilege is all mine."
"That's ok Dad, I just didn't want her to feel bad if she wanted to teach us how to drive."
"I'll let her know that, she'll appreciate the sentiment."
"Um Dad can I ask you a question?"
"Sure honey. You can ask me anything"
"Well, you might not want to answer once you know the question."
"Your boyfriend isn't pressuring you to do anything your not comfortable with, is he?" William asked in concern.
"No, no we're not ready for that yet."
William sighed in relief "So what's on your mind?"
"Well I'm wondering if you ever regretted me being born. I mean what you must have experienced must have been traumatic and I wouldn't hold it against you if you did. But I really want to know where I came from but I don't want to put you through any more pain because of me." Evelyn rambled on not sure if she was making any sense as her thoughts and feelings were becoming confused.
"Honey, I'm not going to lie to you and say it wasn't traumatic but I've loved you since the day you were born. I'm kind of infamous being the first male to give birth, well at least in Aurora Skies. I don't know about any place else."
"Is your anxiety a result of being abducted? How can you love someone that is a constant reminder of something terrible?"
William's heart sank, he knew this day would come. When Evelyn would want to know where she came from and details surrounding her birth. He had hoped for more time to figure out how best to answer her questions both honestly and reassure her of his love.
"Dad, you don't have to answer. I mean I want to know but not if you don't want to."
"Honey, I knew one day you would want to know and yes it will be difficult for me to talk about it. But I want you to know that I love you very much and I never want you to doubt that love," William said giving her a hug. "Let's go into the living room where we can get comfortable and I'll tell you everything you want to know."
So they spent several hours sitting side by side talking and crying in each other's arms. Evelyn knew she would always have questions but she would never doubt her father's love and her love and respect for him grew. She hoped one day to find someone just like her Dad to marry and live happily ever after. Although she didn't mention it, she hoped one day to find the aliens who did this to them. Then she'd have the answers to the other half of her questions.
