One day, I got a little tired of always dealing with Rachel and Dave, so I went over to my grandparents' house for some relief.
"Hey, Kait. What's new?" My grandpa said when I walked into their garage.
"Not too much. You remember how I caught Deb cheating, right?" I said.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, now Dave and Deb are getting divorced and Dave is living with me."
"Oh?"
"Yep. Rachel has taken a strong liking to him. Don't get me wrong, I like that they've bonded, but its gotten a little out of hand."
"I can understand that. Where has he been sleeping?"
"It varies. Somedays he sleeps on the couch, others in my bed, etc. I really need to get a guest room set up."
"I would recommend that."
"I just can't afford it right now."
"I can understand that. How about a trip to Jolly Roger's with your grandma and I?"
"That sounds amazing right about now." I said.
"I'll get the truck fired up." He said as I went to walk into the house.
"Kait!" My grandma said getting up to give me a hug.
"Hi, grandma." I said.
"How's Rachel?"
"She's fine. She's at home with Dave. He's living with me now since he's getting divorced."
"Oh, no! What happened?"
"I caught his wife cheating on him. They argued, she asked for a divorce and wanted him out of the house. He saw nowhere else to stay but with me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind having him there. It's just that Rachel took a strong liking to him and now I need a small break from the two."
"Things will come around eventually. You'll see." She replied
"Yeah, I hope so."
"Why did grandpa turn the truck on?"
"We're going to Jolly Roger's." I said.
"Oh boy! That should be fun!"
"Yes it should be."
"Why don't you ask Rachel and Dave if they want to go?"
"I suppose I could. We could pick them up on the way." I said, calling Dave's cell.
It rang three times before he answered.
"Hello?" He said.
"Hey, it's me." I stated.
"What's up?"
"Would and you and Rachel like to go to Jolly Rogers?" I asked.
"Sure! When?" Dave answered.
"We're leaving now. We'll pick you up."
"Ok, I'll see you in a few."
"Bye." I said, hanging up the phone.
"Well, are we ready?" My grandpa said, walking into the house.
"Yep. Head toward Oregon first."
"Why?"
"Rachel and Dave want to come, if that's ok."
"No, that's fine. We'll go get them." He said, as we walked out the door.
When we got to my house, Dave and Rachel were sitting in the driveway playing with sidewalk chalk. Rachel was a very talented kid. She was making all these intricate, eye catching designs in the chalk while Dave just drew patterns. She ran up to me and hugged my legs when I walked up.
"Mommy!" She yelled.
"Hey, Rach! Are you having fun?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to go up for some fish?"
"Where?"
"Jolly Roger"
"Ok! Can Dave come?"
"If he wants." I said, looking at Dave.
"Sure, I'll go." Dave said.
"Well, come on then. We're leaving now." I said, climbing into the truck.
It was a little cramped in that truck on the way to Port Clinton, but it was somewhat comfortable. Me, being the tallest, got the front seat with my grandpa. We got a pound of fried perch, an order of fries, hush puppies, onion rings, and fried mushrooms, ending up with no leftovers. We did our usual routine, driving down Sand Road and getting ice cream at McDonalds, then going through East Harbor State Park to see how many people were there. I almost wanted to tell my grandparents that Dave was Rachel's dad, but I knew that would create drama and it was drama that I didn't need. Rachel knew to call him Dave when anyone who I didn't want to know was around. We walked the beach a little bit, Rachel walked in the water with my grandma, looking for shells. My grandpa, Dave, and I talked with the occasional interjection from my grandma. It was going really well until Rachel slipped up and called Dave 'Daddy'.
"Rachel, does Dave feel like a daddy to you?" My grandma asked her.
"Shit" I mumbled with a terrified look, Dave caught my face and came over to give a small hug.
"Everything will be alright." He whispered into my ear.
"She doesn't know any better." I whispered, "She forgot. I just hope I can create a play on words to buy us some time."
I completely didn't notice Rachel's answer to my grandma's question until my grandma began questioning me.
"Kait, is this true?" My grandma said.
"Damn." I said.
"I'm not mad." She hissed.
"Yes you are! I'm not that stupid!"
"I just want to know if it's true."
"This is a very important answer, Kait." My grandpa interjected.
"I know! I know! Yes, it is true! Dave is Rachel's true father, she's not a rape baby. I knew what the consequences to my actions were, and now I'm paying them! It was as much my fault as it was Dave's." I yelled and burst into tears.
"That's why Rachel has taken such a liking to him." My grandma realized.
"You two aren't, together, are you?" My grandpa asked us.
"We've thought about it, but no." I said.
"Well, I have to ask. Who's brilliant plan was this?" My grandpa said.
"It was... I, I mean, I... it was hers, it was his, we don't know." Dave and I stuttered out in unison.
"Well, who first brought up the idea?" My grandma asked.
Dave and I looked at each other for a second.
"Well, he first began all of this by kissing me one night." I said. "
I immediately took full responsibility for my actions and tried to leave. Kait, being faster than me, ran into my car before I could even turn it on and asked for my motives." Dave explained.
"He tried to explain, but I cut him short by kissing him again." I said.
"And the one thing led to another, and you can predict the rest." We said in unison again.
"I'm not sure what to think of that." My grandma said.
"Never thought you'd be asking questions about your granddaughter's sex life did you?" I said, forcing a half smile.
"No. It... it never crossed my mind." She said.
"And obviously protection didn't cross their minds." My grandpa interjected
"What do you think of all this?" Dave asked.
"Well, I'm not happy about it, but it explains a lot about Rachel." She said.
"I figured this much." I said.
"You two don't look bad together." My grandpa added.
"What did either of you gain from this?" My grandma asked.
"Rachel." Dave and I said at the same time.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"Nothing, honey." I said, grabbing her hand.
"She has Dave's eyes, hair color, and general shape of face, but other than that she looks like you, Kait." My grandma noticed.
"That's really how we kept it a secret for so long." Dave said, "because of how much she resembles Kait."
"Does Deb know?" My grandpa asked.
"Not that I know of." Dave said.
"Have you two ever seriously considered dating?" My grandma asked.
"Well, we are now. The truth behind Rachel is uncovered." I said.
"I tried to tell you that it would be a good idea." Dave said.
"I know, I didn't listen at the time."
"Kait, would you go on a date with me Wednesday after work?" Dave asked me.
"I'd love to." I said, smiling at him.
