The Wright One

JUSTIN

I haven’t been this nervous since prom. I didn’t even care about my date. It was some cheerleader that seemed like she would be a good choice. But my parents wanted to meet her. I had to meet her parents too, it was a big deal. Not one that I would ever care to repeat.

But this is an even bigger deal. They all know Hannah, but they haven’t met Caden yet. I want them to feel comfortable with my family. I want to feel like they are a part of the family. Hannah as well as Caden. I know it seems ridiculous, Hannah and I are not together. But the more time we spend together the more I want us to be. Not just because of Caden, but for me. I am a selfish asshole and I have always wanted Hannah, but knowing that she is the mother of my child makes me want her more.

I pulled in front of their house at a quarter to five. I felt like my palms were sweaty. I tried to mentally slap myself. This is Hannah, Caden loves me, it’s going to be fine.

Getting out of my truck, I feel like my legs are shaky. I don’t even make it all the way to the door when Caden comes running out, he launches himself at me. I am pretty sure that Hannah picked out his clothes because he is a t-shirt and jeans kid. Right now he is wearing khakis and a button up blue shirt.

I hug him close. “Hey buddy, is your mom ready?”

“No, she said she still needs to get her shoes on.”

But when I turn towards the house I see Hannah standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame, she has one leg up in the air behind her as she slips on her pump. She looks beautiful. Her hair is up in a twisted bun. Her dress is a classic black one that flares at the waist and molds to her upper body. She’s missing her glasses though. I don’t like that. “Where are your glasses?”

She looks confused. “I’m wearing contacts. I don’t like them, but I figured it would be good to dress up. This is our first family dinner.”

“You didn’t have to get all dressed up.”

Caden looks at his mom full of hope. “Does that mean I can change?”

She gives him that stern mother look. “No, we don’t have time for that.”

I don’t want to go against what she said, but I want them both to be comfortable. “Hannah, there is enough time. I mean you look great, but I think you need to be comfortable. I know my brothers are going to want to play ball with Caden. I am sure you don’t want him in his good clothes when he is rolling around in the grass.”

She sighs in defeat. “Alright, Caden, go change. Not the new school clothes.” Caden runs past us and back into the house.

“I would like it if you took those contacts out. You should be comfortable too.”

She rolls her eyes. “I look like a nerd with my glasses. I am trying to make a good impression here. All that your parents are going to remember of me is that I got pregnant and took off with their grandkid.”

I chuckle. “No, they remember you a lot better than that. Please.”

She throws her hands up in the air. “Fine, Come sit on the couch, we will be ready in a minute.”

Entering this house always feels like I am invading enemy territory. I know her mom is around here somewhere. I bought the house so there is no risk of her losing it anymore. It was a big risk for me to put out that much money right now, but I can’t have Hannah leaving town again.

I take a seat in the sitting room. I am sitting there for only a couple of minutes when someone else enters. She is a grumpy looking woman. A little older than my mom. She looks like she eats lemons for breakfast just to keep that look on her face. “So, you are the one that knocked up my daughter?”

Well, two can play at that game. “And you are the one that kicked her out of the house with nowhere to go.”

She huffs. “That was my husband, not me.”

“But you stood by and did nothing while he did.”

She nods. “I guess you’re right.” She takes a seat across from me. “So, what are you doing here?”

“I’m taking Hannah and Caden to our family dinner.”

She rolls her eyes. “Now you want them to be a part of the family.”

“I never knew. If I did, then she would have been a part of the family a long time ago.” I stand my ground. I will be damned if this woman is going to put me down over something I didn’t have any control over. Yes, I got Hannah pregnant, but I would have manned up. I know I would have. I was raised that way.

She looks at me shocked. “You never knew.”

“No, Hannah never told me. Hell, when I found out she still didn’t exactly tell me. I saw a boy that looked exactly like me. I put two and two together.”

She leans back in her chair. “I’m Lisa by the way.”

“I’m Justin.” I put out my hand for her to shake. She takes it gently.

“I’m sorry I made an assumption and it was the wrong one.”

“I was shit to your daughter. I’m not surprised that she didn’t tell me.”

Behind us I hear a different voice. “That isn’t why I didn’t tell you.”

We turn and see Hannah in her glasses. “What?” She looks even more beautiful now. I am completely confused about what we are talking about now.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want your life to be changed by a baby. So, I took it on myself. I wasn’t able to go to college, so I decided it was best that I raised him. I wasn’t being vindictive. I swear.”

I shake my head. Chuckling a little. “I know that. You don’t have a vindictive bone in your body.”

She just nods. “Alright. I think Caden should be ready in a minute. We will be back around nine mom.”

Lisa nods her head. “Have fun.”

Hannah stops and looks at her mom confused. “Um, alright.”

Caden comes running down the hall. “I’m ready to go.” Now he looks like my son.

Standing up I take Hannah’s hand while she looks at me in shock. This is a night for her I guess. I tug her out the door. “It was nice to meet you Lisa.” I shout back as we leave. I don’t want Hannah changing her mind.

Lisa hollers back. “You too.”

Putting them both in my truck I finally sigh in relief. There is no way she is backing out now.