When dinner and dessert are done, and the kitchen is clean, I decide to get Embyr the hell out of there. If she has to hear how adorable our kids will look anymore I’m sure she will run from the house screaming. We almost make it to the door after our goodbyes when Mrs. Smith grabs a hold of Embyr’s arm.
“I know I’ve been acting weird tonight. It’s just been an off day, but when I heard that you were coming to dinner I wanted to make sure I talked to you. What Ian did, that was wrong. I want you to know that I had spoken to him on more than one occasion about what happened. He told me everything. The bet Reece started and how he didn’t know it was being taped. I just pray he was telling me the truth when he said he didn’t release that video of you.”
Embyr grabs both of her hands. “Mrs. Smith, what happened in the past is in the past. You’re correct, it was so very wrong, but I’m letting it all go. Ian wasn’t lying to you when he said he didn’t send that video out. It wasn’t him, and even if it had been, I’m done letting all of that lead my life. I’m making my parents proud.”
“I was sorry to hear about them,” she sadly tells Embyr.
“Thank you. I know you are still grieving, and my showing up again may have brought back some things you weren’t exactly proud of your son doing, but if you could focus on all the good he did do. The stuff that made you smile. His success. His job. His beautiful place. His love for you all and his sister. That’s what you should be holding onto.”
She hugs Embyr before we leave.
Halfway down the street I look over at Embyr and see tears streaming down her face. I pull over and unlatch her seatbelt. She slides over into my lap, and I hold her until she’s ready to talk.
The windows start to steam up, but I could care less. I just need to comfort her.
“Casen.” She finally starts. “That was rough. I never thought I would have to comfort someone for the shitty things their child did to me, but it was a turning point for me. It was easy for me to tell her to think of all the good of Ian. He may have done some shitty things to me but I would never want my parents to have to apologize for all the crap I did when I was younger. When I sit down and look back, I should have fought. I should have said ‘fuck it’ and stood up for myself.”
“Listen.” I pull her off my chest and look her square in the face. “Don’t you ever apologize for not being stronger back then. What happened was not your fault.”
“It feels that way sometimes. I shouldn’t have slept with Ian. I shouldn’t have let him do that.”
I hold her close because I feel like I don’t have the words to fix this now.
