Forgiveness and Second Chances by Ancelli Read Free Book Online

chest, she headed to her bedroom, lay down on her bed, and eventually fell asleep.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    The next morning Alanie and Jeremy began the five-hour drive to his parents’ house. He’d asked Carolyn not to mention all that had happened. He wanted to be the one to tell his parents the news.
    Alanie sat in the back seat playing her video game. When she looked up at the rear view mirror, she saw him watching her. “Daddy, my mom is beautiful. I can’t wait until Friday to spend time with her.”
    “Play nice. Your grandmother will be there and she’s not too friendly.”
    “But I’m cute!” She giggled, pausing her game.
    “If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you call me, okay?”
    “Yes, daddy.” She continued playing.
    “Let me tell grandpa and grandma about your mom.”
    “Okay.”
    A few hours later, he pulled up to his parents’ ranch style home and parked. He thought of knocking, but decided against it and used his key. He opened the door, and Alanie strolled in before he did.
    “Mom, Dad?” He knew they were there, because both their cars were parked in the front. “Alanie, go find your grandparents.”
    “Grandpa, Grandma, we’re here!”
    He shook his head. “I could’ve done that myself. I meant go look around.”
    She giggled.
    “Not funny.”
    “Hold on, son…we’re coming!” his dad yelled.
    His mom came in to the room, fixing her hair. “Son, what are you doing here?” She took Alanie in her arms. “Princess, I’ve missed you.”
    “Jeremy, we weren’t expecting you,” his father said, catching his breath, fixing his shirt.
    Jeremy gawked at his parents. His mom was sweaty, and his dad looked flushed. I just interrupted my parents having sex.
    “Jeremy!” His dad raised his voice, getting his attention. “Is it true, what Alanie just said?
    He arched his brow, not knowing what his dad was asking.
    “You found Malanie.”
    He must have been so distracted by the sight of his parents, he hadn’t heard his daughter tell them the news. “Yes, its true,” he answered, giving Alanie the eye.
    His mother’s mouth dropped in surprise, and her face started to turn red, signaling she was about to blow.
    “Ms. Malanie is very nice,” Alanie said, excitedly.
    “Is she?” his dad asked.
    “Yes, Grandpa. She promised me she would never leave me again.” Her eyes lit up like stars every time she spoke about her mother.
    “We will see about that.” His mom had to add her two cents.
    “Alanie, go out back and say hi to Buddy,” Jeremy said in a stern voice so she knew he wasn’t asking.
    She skipped away toward the back yard to play with the golden retriever. He waited for the door to open and close before he continued.
    “Mom, I won’t let you talk ill about Malanie in front of my child.”
    His mother glared at him, putting her hands on her hips. “Excuse me? Your child? I was the one that took care of her when you went to high school, boot camp, training, overseas, and you have the nerve to tell me what I can and can’t do because of that trash.”
    Jeremy just glared back at his mother, feeling the vein in his neck throbbing. He’d never disrespected his parents, and wouldn’t start now.
    “Carol, calm down. She is the girl’s mother. Every little girl needs a mother.”
    “Where was she all those years, when she got sick, her first day of school? Not being her mother.”
    “Dad, may I please speak to you alone?”
    His dad put his arms around his shoulders and they headed to the den, ignoring his mother.
    “We searched for her. Where did you find her?” his dad asked, sitting.
    “It was a coincidence.” He paused. “Some jerk was beating on her. That’s how we finally found her.” In the moment, he decided not to tell his parents about her baby.
    “Is she okay?”
    “Yes, she was at the hospital for three days, and I dropped her home yesterday. Her witch of a mother is with her. I can’t believe she still puts up with that woman after