Page 109 of Changing Lanes

“Why didn’t you?” His face is distorted, he looks angry.

“Why didn’t I? You hate Brannon, and you don’t like me; why would I tell you anything?” Jumping from my seat, I fist my hands.

“It would have been the responsible thing to do,” he throws in my face.

“Are you kidding me with this shit?” I’m appalled.

“How dare you take that tone with me, young lady.” He stands to face me, his face growing red.

“What?” I ask bewildered.

“You will not speak to me like that. I did what I felt was best for you. I was only trying to help you.”

Rage fills me, I can’t stop my tears long enough to form an articulate argument. Shaking, I unload on him.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? Tell me, please? You’ve taken everything from me. The love of my life. Do you understand? I have never loved another person the way I love him. Not despite you, by God, but because of him. He gave me everything you wouldn’t and didn’t even know he was doing it. That’s the kind of man he is. If he never did another thing in life, he would still be a better man than you have ever been.

“Do you understand what you’ve done to me? What you’ve cost me and how it’s changed the course of my life? I’m sure you think it’s for the best but I’ll be damned if losing Brannon’s son was for any good. He deserved a chance at life. Instead, he lays in a rotten hole in the county cemetery and not in my arms. You wanted to break me, well, you did. And I’ll be damned if I allow you to do it again.

“Because you did the things you felt was right and just, I lost my child. My child, Father. A boy. I held his tiny body in my arms, alone. Brannon could have been there, but because of what you did, he wasn’t. Adan very well may have still been here, had you just let me be happy.

“What did I ever do for you to hate me so much? Because I wasn’t a boy? How completely ludicrous. Too bad I didn’t end up like Adan, huh, Dad? All I’ve ever wanted was for you to love me. I didn’t need your damn company. I don’t even want it. I only tried because I thought it might make you proud of me. What’s worse? All of this had to happen for me to see that I belong by Brannon’s side. I deserve to have his love which he gives me so freely. I’ve spent too long being angry at the wrong damn person.” I’m so angry, I’m having a horrible finding the right words to combat him.

“You should have told us,” my father says. All of that and he responds like this?

“Why? You would’ve responded the same way. Just like you did, paying off Ava.” He glares at me. “Yes, I know. Once again, you aspired to keep us apart. Do you realize I came back here, not because of you, but for me? I thought I was going to kill another child.” I drop my head as I shake it.

“Because you’re our child, Torrie.” I jerk my head up, staring at him. His face is pale, and I’m not sure what’s happening. Did he call me Torrie?

“So, you’ve never acted like it.” I shrug. “I didn’t want to live at that time. I was denied Brannon and was unfit as a mother, I killed the child I was carrying. The one thing I just knew you could never take from me. A child made from my love for Brannon and his for me, one that has lasted all these years, even with us apart.” I’m exhausted by the time I finish.

“Why would you put him in that terrible county cemetery? That’s no place for my grandson, for heaven’s sake, Torrence.” He smacks his lips in distaste.

“I was afraid if you found out, you would destroy any evidence of him before Brannon got to see him.” I’m full on crying again as my mother wraps her arm around me.

“I’m sorry, Torrie. You and your mother are right, I’ve been such a monster as a father. To deny my only child the love she wanted most.” I’m speechless, I can’t believe this is my father. “I think it’s time for a change. I also think it’s time you get the love you’ve always deserved but never had. Brannon is a better man than I will ever be. But if doing this one thing will help you begin to forgive me, I say do it. I want you happy.” I stare at him. This isn’t my father.

“I hate to tell you but I was going back anyway. I love him, and I don’t want anything if it’s not with him,” I declare.

“Do you want to go tonight? The plane is on standby.” My mother pulls me into a hug then releases me to my father.

“If you can ever forgive me, we would love to have you visit or even come to visit.” My father’s face is wet. “I’ll need to apologize to Brannon, also.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” I nod. He steps closer to me, and I stand frozen as my father hugs me for the first time in my life.

I wave when I see them, breaking into a full run. Hardy opens his arms, and I hug him. One smiles as I turn to him, hugging him tightly. “So, Joyce is ready?” I ask as we get into the SUV.

“She is, are you?” One leans forward to ask.

“I’ve never been more ready in my life. Where is he?” I want to make sure it’s all in place.

“Waiting for me to get to the office, once you’re in place, I’m calling to tell him everything is okay and he can go home. He’s still learning, he has no clue if this happens or not in business.” One laughs making me giggle.

“I can’t wait to see him. I’m not sure what he said to my father, but I love him for it. Now, if I can just not hurt Andi, I’ll be happy.” Praying is more like what I’m doing as we drive onto the farm.

I open my door to find Joyce coming to meet me. “There’s my girl.” She hugs me so tight. “Thank you.”

“For all the mess, I’ve caused?” I laugh nervously.

“Hush, you know why. Now, go. Everything’s ready except for your part. One and Hardy will help with your luggage.” She swats me when I turn to the barn.