Chapter 8
Simon needed to get out of the house. Ever since the night that Sandy had came over to talk to him, his family had been walking on egg shells around him. Deep down her knew that they were itching to find out what happened between him and Sandy that night but at the same time they wanted to give him his space. They would stare at him and throw cold glances at him. He just couldn't take it any longer. He just wanted to scream.
Simon walked aimlessly around Matt and Sarah's nieghborhood. As he walked around he thought about how his life had changed that night. At the time, everything seemed like a blur, but now it was crystal clear. He had made the mistake of sleeping with Sandy and now he was paying the price. He had mixed emotions. Simon liked Sandy and respected her as a person but he never thought of her as that special someone. Sure, he would be there for her and his son, but that was the best he could do for right now.
He slowly made his way back to the house. As he approached the front door, he took a deep breath. The moment that he walked through the door, he would have to face his family and tell them the truth. Simon walked inside and spotted his parents in the kitchen.
Reverend Camden and Mrs. Camden looked at their son. They could tell something was wrong.
"What's wrong?" Mrs. Camden asked him.
"I want to call a family meeting. Can you get everyone in the living room please?" Simon asked.
"Sure," Mrs. Camden said.
Within minutes, everyone was gathered in the living room. They all looked at Simon with sad eyes.
"All of you can just stop with the pity look because you are all here because I have something to tell you," Simon said.
"What is it?" Reverend Camden asked his son.
"Before I say, I just what to make one thing clear. All of you have to promise to quit acting like you are walking on egg shells around me. I can't take it any longer," Simon told them.
Everyone shook their heads. "Okay good," Simon said, taking a deep breath.
"Simon, what's going on?" Matt asked his brother.
"Well, the baby isn't Martin's…I'm the father," Simon blurted out. Everyone starred at Simon in shock. "Sandy thought that Martin was the father but it turns out she was wrong…way wrong," Simon continued. Simon looked around the room at everyone's face. When he got to Ruthie, he could tell that she knew. He decided that he would deal with it later.
"Everyone please leave, we need to talk to Simon," Mrs. Camden told them. With that, everyone scattered past Simon and out of the room. Reverend and Mrs. Camden starred at Simon.
"How could you sleep with Sandy?" Mrs. Camden asked her son.
"I don't know. It was stupid," Simon said.
"Since when did sex before marriage become an acceptable thing?" Reverend Camden asked.
Simon shrugged. "I know that it was wrong and there's nothing that I can do about it now," Simon said.
"But…" Reverend Camden started.
Simon jumped in. "Dad, I'm 20 years old and I don't need you to tell me what to do. I know that I made a mistake and I am going to take responsibility for it. I am going to be involved with Sandy and the baby and do my part," Simon said.
"Are you going to marry her?" Mrs. Camden chimed in.
"At the moment, I am just going to be there for Sandy and the baby," Simon told her.
"Simon…," Mrs. Camden urged.
"I'm sorry, but that's the best I can do for now," Simon said, walking out of the room.
"I wish he would do the right thing and marry Sandy," Reverend Camden sighed.
"I know, but I think being there for Sandy and the baby is enough for now," Mrs. Camden told her husband, giving him a kiss.
Simon walked up the stairs. He was searching for Ruthie. He spotted her in her room, reading a magazine.
"You know don't you?" Simon said, walking into the room.
"What can I say, it's a curse," Ruthie replied.
"Who told you?" Simon asked.
"Martin. We got into this huge fight and it sort of just happened," Ruthie said.
"I see," Simon said, softly.
"What are you going to do?" Ruthie asked Simon.
"I am going to be there for Sandy and the baby…I have to be," Simon told her.
"I'm sorry Simon, I wish all of this was a bad dream," Ruthie told her brother, pulling him into a tight hug.
"Me to Ruthie, me too," Simon said.
"Are you mad at me?" Ruthie said, starring at her hands.
"No, I'm not mad…I mean, you would have found out sooner or later," Simon told her.
"But really, I truly am sorry," Ruthie told him.
"Thanks. I feel better," Simon told her.
"I'm glad," Ruthie said.
"I love you Ruthie," Simon said, hugging his sister once again.
"I love you too," Ruthie replied.
Simon felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulder. He had finally told his family what they were all dying to know and it felt good. They were no longer acting shy around him. Simon's life had changed dramatically, but he was ready to take charge. He would be there for Sandy and Aaron and be the best person he could be.