“Nah, I'm really excited about that. I finished the prototype, and the graphics are amazing.”
“So you were able to get the storyline worked out with my sister?”
My mouth became dry at the mere mention of Natalie. “Uh, yeah. With the completed story, the game became ten times better. She was a big help, and I owe her a thank you.”
“Mhm. So why don't you go to the shop and tell her that? I mean, she has been worried and asking about you.”
“She was?”
“Yeah, I mean one of her employees disappeared without a word. I would be worried too.”
My shoulders slumped as I rubbed the back of my neck. “Right, right. Shit, I've been fucking up.”
“Look, I know there's more going on with you, and I'll be here whenever you're ready to talk. Remember that you are my right-hand man, and I don't judge. Whatever you got yourself into, it'll get better.”
My chest tightened, and I could feel the tears brimming on the edge of my eyes. “I appreciate that, man, and I promise I'll tell you everything. I need some time to fully understand it myself.”
A knock came at my door, and I told Key that I'd hit him up later. Standing up from my bed, I opened it expecting to see Marla, but it was my mom.
“Mom! Hey, I thought you and Dad were out of town until next week.”
“We were but our meetings ended early and we came home. Can you come downstairs to the family room? Your dad and I want to talk to you about something.”
I nodded and told her I’d be down once I got dressed. As I scrambled to get out of my pajamas, my heart began racing. Did she seem upset? What was happening? Oh no, what if they found out the truth? They were going to kick me out, weren’t they? Question after question flooded my thoughts, and panic crept up my spine. It was becoming hard to breathe as I gasped with quick breaths. My vision became blurry, and it felt like the room was spinning.
I stopped moving and placed my hands on top of my head as I stood up tall. Natalie’s calm face flashed through my mind as she instructed me to take slow breaths. I focused on the low hum of my fan and blocked out any other noises. Inhaling, I heldmy breath for ten seconds before exhaling.I remembered the delicate circular rubs on my back as Natalie held me in her arms.
“Everything's going to be alright,” I whispered to myself. “Breathe.”
Once I felt my heart return to normal, I left my room and headed downstairs. Stepping into the living room; I saw my dad sitting back in his recliner while my mom was next to him on the love seat. She waved her hand and patted the seat next to her. Sitting in this massive room with my parents brought me back to my childhood. My dad was sitting in that same recliner, reading the paper while my mom read from her book. I would be on the floor between them, either playing with my toys or reading, too. While my parents weren't the most talkative, they were always there for me. I didn't mind sitting with them in silence sometimes because I could still feel their love surrounding me.
“How's everything going, son?” my dad asked. “I apologize for not being around as much, but your mother and I have been traveling to check on our other departments.”
I shook my head. “No need to apologize, Dad. I know how hard you and Mom work.” Bile bubbled in my throat. I really did know how hard they worked, and here I was taking advantage of them.
“Son,” my mother called, placing her hand on my shoulder. “It's okay.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I looked between her and my dad. “W-what do you mean?”
“George told us you never worked in the IT department,” my dad spoke up.
The muthafucka! My nose flared as anger boiled through me. After all that talk about having my back, his ass goes and blabs to my parents. I said I was going to tell them the truth about everything, but I didn't need that tattle-tale ass nigga snitching on me.
“I'm going to beat his ass,” I murmured under my breath.
My dad snorted out a laugh as he took a sip of his coffee. “Calm down, Dex. He didn't want to tell us.”
“How did y'all find out that I wasn't working there then?”
“I stopped in to see my son, hoping to bring you to a couple of board meetings,” my mom chimed in. “I meant to let George know ahead of time, but since we got back early, I wanted to tell you in person. Imagine my surprise when I got down to the IT department, and no one knew who you were.”
“I damn near had to threaten George to tell me where you were. That's what I like about the boy; he's loyal.” My dad huffed.
“Mom, Dad, I am sorry for lying to you both, but I couldn't muster up the strength to tell you both the truth. About everything.”
“Dexter, baby, no matter what, your father and I love you very much. We want you to come and talk to us about anything.”
I looked over at my dad, who nodded his head in agreement. Taking a deep breath, I bore my sin to my parents. With each truth that spilled from my lips, a chunk of relief lifted from my shoulders until there was nothing left. Years of holding on to that burden, and I was finally free from it. As much as I was afraid to come clean, I was happy I did. I hated that I had lied to my parents this whole time after everything that I had done for myself.
