I watch, my heart swelling in my chest. This is what I’ve hoped for—his family to love and accept him for who he is.
Looking at James and Shelly, it’s clear they’re fully supportive, but Luke’s expression is unreadable.
For the next hour, Susan provides a vague timeline of Reg’s betrayals. She’s editing details for her sons’ sake, leaving out the ugliest parts. But it’s still enough to paint a damning picture.
The first confirmed affair came to light when she discovered a pair of women’s underwear in the pocket of his suit jacket after another conference. When she confronted him, he told her he was a man with needs she couldn’t meet. That, as a pastor’s wife, she needed to be submissive in her role and stay pure and blameless.
The second affair was a bit more public when a church member caught him with a young woman who worked in the children’s ministry. The church board quietly swept the whole thing under the rug, paid the woman to go away, and no one was the wiser.
After that, she had suspicions—more hints in receipts, strange items, and unexplained late nights—but she stopped questioning him, and she didn’t have anyone to talk to. My heart breaks for her, with how much she had to endure completely alone.
The most recent came a year ago. Another young woman in the church accused him of sexual harassment. That led to another payoff, and another cover-up.
For the first time, Luke speaks, his voice trembling. “Wait, Dad said she was an addict, and he’d been counseling her. That she was trying to get money for drugs. Idefendedhim. Are you telling me it’s true?”
Susan looks heartbroken. “I’m sorry, Luke. I thought I was protecting you.”
Luke’s on his feet in a flash. He walks out without a word, the door to the back patio slamming shut behind him.
Shelly leans over and whispers something to James, who nods. She quietly slips outside after Luke. I have no idea what the dynamic is there.
James looks prepared to fight. “Mom, you need to take him for everything he’s worth and end this. He’s been spewing bullshit our whole lives and—“
Susan snaps upright, her voice cutting through the room.
“James Henry Amato. Stop right there.” She fixes him with the look only a mother can give, her finger raised in warning. “You will be respectful. I’m fully aware I need to do something, but you won’t speak to me like that.”
James visibly shrinks in his seat. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.”
Aiden looks amused as he watches his little brother being put in his place.
Shifting gears, he gently takes her hand. “Mom, what do you need?”
She exhales, long and shaky. “I need some time and space. Ronda has graciously opened her home to me and has offered a listening ear. I haven’t had that in a very long time. I need to sit with this, just to breathe and figure out what’s next.”
“Then that’s what we’ll give you,” Aiden says. “I think it’s time we head out, anyway.”
“Thank you,” she replies, sweetly palming his cheek. “I want to spend some time with you while we’re here. If it works for Ronda, maybe we can visit you in a couple of days?”
“That works great; I’d love that. We’ll take care of the boys until then.”
She smiles weakly, weariness brimming in her eyes.
Once James rounds up Luke and Shelly from the backyard, we say our goodbyes and head to the car.
During the drive to Astoria, the conversation stays light and safe, covering Aiden’s business, James’ school program, and Shelly’splans after college. Luke barely speaks; his responses are brief and only when asked a direct question or prompted by James.
We pretend, for those couple of hours, that things are light, but the truth hangs heavy in the air. Everyone knows that once we’re home, the hard conversations really start.
Chapter 27
Aiden
When we get home, I help my brothers and Shelly settle into the apartment next door. I give them a quick tour of where things are and make sure they have what they need before telling them they can come to our place for dinner whenever they’re ready. They seem grateful for the space to breathe and relax.
Jay is waiting for me in our kitchen with a cold beer in hand and a gentle kiss on my lips. It’s the first time we’ve been alone together since the drive to the airport.
“You doing okay?” he asks, watching me closely.
