My eyes water immediately. “You do. I won’t let this change anything.”
“I know. But it’ll be different from here on out. I’m just preparing.”
I want to say more, but Dad is bringing in the food and I try to get myself together. Mom follows, and we finish getting everything ready before sitting at the table.
“So, start from the beginning,” Mom says. “I wanna see every photo from the trip.”
“I sent most of them.”
“But not all. And I want details. Such as how you fared near water.”
“Oh, it was something.” Nate laughs. “It was mostly panic at first.”
“I thought you got over your fear of it,” Mom says.
“Not exactly.” I say it slowly. “Rob was the one who wanted a cruise.”
Dad huffs. “Of course he did.”
Mom elbows him. “Jeff. Let’sbe respectful.”
Dad doesn’t seem happy about the order.
“It’s fine,” I say. “But having Nate there helped a lot. I actually got over some of my fear.”
“After you fell off a dock.”
Mom chokes on her food. “What? When did that happen?”
“They could’ve done without that detail,” I hiss.
“Second excursion. Some asshole knocked her in. I pulled her out.”
“It was heroic, apparently.” I elbow him. “And it taught me that I need to face some things. I finally had Nate give me swimming lessons.”
“Really?” Mom leans in. “Did you like them?”
“I don’t think I’m ever gonnalovewater, but I can be convinced to go near it now at least.”
“It’s a win in my book,” Nate adds.
“Did anything else happen on the trip? Or when you got back?” Mom is hedging the news, and I see Dad’s grip on his fork tighten.
Nate and I glance at each other.
“Yes. There’s another thing that happened. It’s big.”
“I have an idea what it is,” Mom says.
“You do?” I ask.
“Yes.” She nods. “You’re back with Rob, aren’t you?”
“No!” Nate and I say at the same time. It comes out with such a ferocity that both of my parents startle.
“That’s some mighty defensiveness there,” Dad says. “From both of you.”
“Let’s just say Rob caused some problems,” I reply. “And that will never be happening again.”
