“I’m sorry about what happened,” the other woman told her. “That you had to go through having a baby on your own. I remember when I was pregnant with Ethan. I was terrified. You were younger and alone. That couldn’t have been easy.”
Liz forced herself to relax. She moved to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair, then waited for Denise to do the same before sitting.
“I had a few difficult moments,” she admitted. “Luckily I found a shelter for pregnant girls. It was nice not to be completely by myself. I saw a doctor, got the right kind of food and vitamins.”
“I wish we’d known,” Denise offered. “I wish you’d come to me.”
Liz stared at her. “I appreciate what you’re saying but that would never have happened.” It wouldn’t have occurred to her. Not ever, but especially not after Ethan had rejected her so publicly.
“I understand. I wish I’d known the two of you were together. Maybe I would have thought to check on you.”
Rather than say something she would regret, Liz pressed her lips together and nodded slightly.
“I knew what they were saying about you, back then,” Denise told her. “I always felt so bad for you. I wish your mother had protected you more.”
“She was the real problem. I wasn’t doing those things. I wasn’t that girl, but no one cared to look beyond the rumors. Well, except for Ethan and then, not so much.”
Denise frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t matter. It was a long time ago.”
“It matters to me.” She leaned toward Liz. “Why did you leave that first time?”
Liz tried to be vague. This was Denise’s son, after all. “We had a fight.”
“I don’t believe that’s the only reason.”
Liz drew in a breath. “You should ask him.”
“I’m asking you.” Denise gave her a faint smile. “Don’t make me use my ‘bad mom’ voice. I have six kids and a lot of practice.”
Fine. If the woman wanted to know, Liz would tell her.
“Ethan and I had been going out for two months. He didn’t want anyone to know. Despite how much he said he loved me, I think he was a little embarrassed by my reputation. I was going to join him at college, where no one would know about me. We were going to be together. I loved him. He was my first boyfriend. My first kiss. My first…” She cleared her throat. “You know.”
“I can imagine. Then what happened?”
“I was working at the diner. Ethan was in with his friends, like always. I used to think it was so romantic that no one knew. It was our secret.” Knowing Ethan loved her had made her feel special.
“Josh mentioned seeing us together. All Ethan’s friends started going after him, wanting to know if he was ‘doing me.’” She laced her fingers together, determined to stay in the moment, to not remember too much. “He said he barely knew who I was. That he would never be interested in someone like me.”
Denise flinched. “Oh, Liz. I’m so sorry.”
She shrugged. “I was humiliated and hurt. I could feel my heart breaking. I dumped a milk shake on his head and walked out. That was the last time we spoke. When I found out I was pregnant, I came back to tell him. I found him in bed with another girl.”
“Oh, God.” Denise touched her arm. “That’s awful. I don’t know what else to say.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. Nothing about the situation is okay.” Denise shook her head. “It’s Ralph, and that damned idea of his that we’re the Hendrixes. The family that founded Fool’s Gold.” She sounded frustrated. “Reputation is everything. Act right, do right, be right. Emotions be damned.”
Denise sighed. “I loved my husband from the moment I first saw him, but he wasn’t easy. And he passed all that righteousness onto Ethan.”
Liz wasn’t surprised. “He was the oldest.”
“Exactly.”
“Being with someone like me violated everything his father had ever said. I get it.” Liz spoke as if the words didn’t hurt her and hoped the other woman couldn’t see the truth.
“For Ralph, the world was black and white. Reality is much more gray. I don’t think Ethan was mature enough to see that.”
Denise sounded sincere and conciliatory, which Liz appreciated, but it also made her uncomfortable.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “The past is over. Tyler and I have been fine. I’ve taken good care of him.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Denise assured her. “But while you’ve been busy taking care of your son, who’s taken care of you?”
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”
Denise smiled gently. “Liz, we all need someone. And now you have us. I hope you’ll accept me and my children into your family. You’re a part of us now.”
It was as if she could hear a door slam somewhere in the distance. No. Not a door—a gate. Denise was Tyler’s grandmother. He had aunts and uncles. However far she might want to run, she was bound to these people forever, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out if that was a good thing or a bad one.