Once Upon A Half-Time 2(73)

“It’s not a scandal. It’s 2016. People get knocked—” I hated to say it. “These things happen.”

“Not to Kensingtons.”

“Even to us, Dad. We’re not untouchable.”

“No thanks to you. I’ve dealt with your misbehavior and foolishness long enough, Nathan. You’ve brought nothing but shame upon this family, and now you’ve caused more. Have you any idea what people will say about this? My own son, getting a woman into trouble? A Prescott?”

I stiffened. “What’s her family got to do with it? They’re members of your church.”

“It’s not her family, son. Use your head. She’s a…and your…”

I knew my father, and I expected that, but it still pissed me off. “That’s my child you’re talking about.”

“Don’t pretend to be attached to something you didn’t know existed an hour ago.”

“Who cares how long I’ve known?” I stood. “Since when does it matter what color my baby is?”

“Do you care nothing for the reputation of this family?”

I might have breathed fire. Every breath strained my lungs. “I care about Mandy. I care about my baby. And if you were a real father, you’d understand.”

“Sit down before you wake the neighborhood…or perhaps we should. Does her mother know?”

“No.”

“Well, I should be delighted that I’m the first to hear of this wonderful blessing.” He frowned. “You have ruined yourself and that girl. You must make it right, Nathan. Marry her.”

“I tried,” I said. “She doesn’t want to marry me.”

Dad snorted. “And why would she? Not like your reputation has been anything but disgraceful. I’ve known Amanda Prescott for some time, Nathan, and she is not a girl who would throw her future away on someone undeserving. And you have proven that you are a man who only seeks sinful pleasure. You’ve refused to take responsibility for anything in your life.”

I gritted my teeth. “What are you talking about? I left home at eighteen and started a business. No college. No help from you. I’m goddamned responsible. And successful. I pay my bills, my employees, and I could open a new location if I wanted.”

“There’s more to becoming a man than generating wealth,” Dad said. “You’ve created a life, but you’ve shown absolutely no maturity or responsibility towards the woman who carries it. You’re right. In this day and age, it is not uncommon for people to find themselves in these troubles, just as it is not necessary for a woman to wed because of pregnancy.”

“You said I had to marry her.”

“She as a right to refuse you, as well she should. You’ve never given her proof that you’d make a good father or husband.” Dad looked away. “It is a quality women want, and it’s the true mark of a man. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

Dad said nothing else on the subject, and I doubted he ever would.

“Mandy’s afraid of marriage and relationships now,” I said. “Everyone’s divorcing or unhappy, and she has no faith in it anymore.”

“Perhaps it’s time for you to become a man and show her how a true marriage could last. Do you care for her?”

No reason to lie. “Yes.”

“Then why are you here in the middle of the night talking to me?”

I looked up. Dad folded his hands, not to pray, but to act. Kensington men never shied from a fight.

“You have a chance to fix this, Nathan. Not only for yourself, but so you don’t ruin the good name of both our families.”

“Believe me. I’m not doing it for this family.”

“Then whose are you helping?” Dad asked.

“My own.”





20





Mandy





Taking the flowers from Great Aunt Mildred’s funeral wasn’t stealing.

Was it?

Technically, I planned to borrow them. The family knew she loved white flowers, and the funeral parlor crammed was full of lilies and orchids and roses and everything else that, quite frankly, was a little depressing.

Great Aunt Mildred didn’t need the flowers anymore, and our florist didn’t have enough time to deliver anything but red carnations. Lindsey hated red carnations.

So, for what I hoped would be the first, last, and only time in my life, I went grave-robbing. I borrowed the flowers from a dead woman and snuck out of the back of the funeral parlor with baskets, bouquets, and wreaths.

I might have felt bad, but it wasn’t possible to think of myself as anything lower than the scum of the earth.

Because I was pretty sure that’s what Nate thought of me too.