Page 114 of Theodore

Mom winced before moving around the counter to me. She opened her arms out, pulling me close as she let out a little sob.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I was on the pill—”

“Hannah.Don’tbe sorry! It’s pointless worrying about that now. Are you keeping the baby?” Her voice trembled, and I swallowed as I nodded, letting her hold me in her arms.

“When I got pregnant with Zane, your grandfather threw me out,” she confessed, sweeping my hair to one side. “Your father and I, we got a little apartment. But Daddy never spoke to me again. I always swore I’dneverdo that to you.”

I chewed on my lip as I considered Zane’s reaction.

“Momma, youmarriedDad. Why is Zane so angry?” I whispered as she stroked my back softly.

“Because he left me when I was pregnant with you for another woman. He didn’t find me attractive anymore,” Mom admitted, and suddenly it all made sense.

“I’m never gonna leave Hannah. I don’t care if she has fifty kids and gains a hundred pounds. I love her, Mrs. Phillips.”

We both turn to see Theo gazing at me with a determined look in his eyes.

Mom nodded before pulling him into her arms.

“Iknowyou do, Theodore. I can see it in your eyes. Zane doesn’t mean to react this way...he just worries about you, Hannah.”

In a kitchen full of confessions and secrets, we stood there, and I realized that I was lucky. I had my family and the best boyfriend anyone could ever ask for.

“Thank you,” I whispered, as Mom searched my eyes with confusion.

“Forwhat?”

“For not losing your shit.”

“Hannah!” she scolded me, and we all laughed simultaneously. “I will support youforever. I’m your mother, that’s my job. Have you told your parents?” She turns to Theo, who shrugs.

“No, they are on the list, though. We need to tell Ryan.”

“I’ll tell Ryan.” Mom scoffed, giving me a small squeeze on the arm. “Butyourparents need to know, Theodore.”

I fell back into my mother’s arms, and she kissed me on the head.

“You stay here. I’ll do this myself,” Theo declared.

I whirled around in confusion to Theo, who reached out for me, his hand trailing down my back as he nodded at me.

“Don’t argue. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“But we said we would tell everyonetogether!”

Theo winked at me before he left, and I sighed dejectedly.

Mom walked back around to resume her position at the mixing bowl, and I gazed at her with interest.

“Mom, do you miss Dad?”

She considered the question before she cracked an egg, dropping the contents into the basin.

“I miss who hewas, not who heis.”

“Why doesn’t he have anything to do with any of us?” I whispered, years of curiosity taking over.

It must be hormones.