Page 93 of Rebound

Oh shit. Her sarcasm would be amusing if I wasn’t on the receiving end.

“That’s not entirely true,” I argue and my mother hushes me, but I hear my father do his best to calm her down. “Okay, I did knock someone up, but we’re not getting married.”

“And why not! Someone needs to make an honest man out of you.”

I smile at the idea of Tamara making an honest man of anyone. I’m glad my parents don’t know all of the things we’ve been doing the last two days. Or how naughty the mother of my child is. These pants are not good for boners and I’m in public.

“Pat, start from the beginning.”

My dad is always the calmer of my parents. He’s the steady rock in our family and I’m grateful for him. I watch the team practice for a minute before turning away to fix my gaze on the bright blue sky.

“Her name is Tamara Chandy. She’s Vera’s first cousin and I’m in love with her. Yes, I do want to marry her one day, but we’re not rushing. Right now, we’re navigating being together and bringing this kid into the world.” I pause and blow out a breath. “I really am sorry for not telling you guys. I found out while I was in Paris and I’ve been processing it since then. Being in Chennai keeps me close to her, but it’s been a lot.”

They know I struggle with my mental health, but there’s a limit to what I share with them. After my first breakdown, I keep them in the dark. They know about Dominic and our regular therapy sessions. It’s hard for my mother to accept that her children are having a tough time. But she understands not being in our business all the time. At least I think she does. Thing is, I’ve never liked worrying the people I love and I definitely don’t want my mother hovering over me for the rest of my life.

“Patrick,” my mother starts and I hear the concern in her voice. “Are you all right?”

“I wasn’t, but I am now. It comes and goes. Dominic’s helping and even without knowing everything, so is Tamara.”

“You love her?”

I nod slowly and blink back tears. “Since I was thirteen.”

“What?” my parents say at once and I laugh.

“She’s the reason I kept wanting to go back to summer camp.”

“Oh my goodness. Your Ammachi told us you had someone special waiting for you,” my mother says and I wipe away a tear that slips out. “How far along is she?”

“Almost six months.”

“How are you feeling about this?”

Here’s the thing about my mother—she’ll get mad at us for keeping secrets and finding out the wrong way, but she’ll put all her issues aside to focus on us. I’ve never understood why she does that, but I’m starting to get it now. The people you love always come first and you ignore what hurts you to help everyone else.

“I was terrified at first. I’m much better now. Being here with her and sorting through all of our shit has helped.”

“She’s very pretty,” my mother adds and I hear the smile in her voice.

“That’s an understatement. I really hope our kid looks like her.”

My father scoffs. “You’re a handsome fellow too. After all, you take after me.”

I laugh and my parents tease each other. I press a hand to my chest and breathe out slowly. “I meant to tell you, but time got away from me and I’m sorry. I would love for you to meet Tamara, whenever you’ve got the time.”

“We’ll be on the first flight out,” my father says and I hear Amma agree. “What about her parents?”

“Lost them when she was a kid. But Vera’s parents are her family.”

“Have you met them?”

“Not yet. We haven’t actually talked about it, but I intend to bring it up soon.”

“I adore the family and if they helped raise Tamara, I can imagine she’s a wonderful woman.” Earlier this year, my parents met Vera’s family during the ICL Championship weekend and I know it meant a lot to Elias.

She’s the best. I swallow my tears and blow out a breath. There’s some loud chatter and clacking, a ping and then my mother says, “Okay, we’ll be there at the end of the week. I’ll speak to Tessa and maybe we can organise a baby shower?”

“You don’t have to do that, Amma.”