See endnote.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Reid was waiting patiently at the kitchen table when Jenna burst through the door.
"You lied!" she shouted. "You said there was no other woman!"
"Take a seat Jenna," Reid said calmly.
Jenna dropped her backpack. "No! I can't believe you cheated on Felicia! She and Aria were best thing to happen to this family."
"There was no other woman. When I was with Felicia, I committed myself to developing a relationship with her. My relationship with Addison ended when my date with Felicia ended."
"Why her of all people? Really dad?"
"Because our paths crossed a couple times and found we had a few things in common like too very strong daughters."
"Was there sex involved when I wasn't around?"
Reid nodded. "There was some intimacy but it was about companionship more than anything."
Jenna paced around the kitchen. "I can't believe this. That is just so wrong. What is wrong with you?"
"I thought by telling Felicia we could move forward with our relationship without any secrets."
Jenna burst into tears. "But you ruined everything!"
Reid beckoned her forward. "Jenna please come and sit down."
"Why?"
"Just humor me please," he said.
She pulled out a seat loudly and sat with a huff.
"Do you know what causes wrinkles?"
"I don't know and I don't care!" she shouted.
Reid gently took ahold of her right hand. "Fibers in places such as our hands reconnect improperly with time forming wrinkles. See how many more wrinkles I have already."
"I don't care—"Jenna said as she tried to pull her hand away but Reid held firm.
"In the years to come Jenna your hands will start to wrinkle and mind will wrinkle even more. During that time we will break apart briefly and come together in a new bond slightly different than the original. Jenna this disconnect between us right now is an early metaphorical wrinkle in life."
Jenna stood up and pulled away from Reid. "Whatever dad. This little 'wrinkle' is a big one and I'm not sure I can forgive you for it."
"You will eventually," he said in the calm even tone.
Jenna just looked at him and shook her head. "Just stay the heck away from me."
She slammed her door shut. Reid sighed and pulled out his phone.
…
Rayburn was putting the finishing touches on the new recruitment video. She was extremely anxious about presenting it to the director. It was so different and she hoped this level of different was good.
Her phone rang as Stephanie and entered.
"Hi Addison," Reid said nervously.
"Hey Spencer," she said equally nervous.
To Rayburn's annoyance Stephanie took a seat in front of her with a grin on her face.
"J.J. tells me you've been working on a new recruitment video."
"Yes it's different and I think it relates to students better. I hope to present it in a few weeks pending the director's approval."
"From what I've gotten to know about you, I'm sure it will."
"Thank you Spencer."
"J.J. also tells me that you still have feelings for me."
Rayburn gulped. "Yes I do," she admitted.
"I think I do too but I don't want to pursue them yet. Felicia just broke up with me after I admitted we had a relationship and Jenna isn't taking it well. Give it a couple weeks and I'll call you back okay?"
"That sounds great Spencer, really great."
"Good-bye Addison," he said confidently.
"Bye Spencer," Rayburn said and hung up. She stared at her daughter's grinning face.
"I could hear both ends of that conversation."
"Your hearing is too good."
"So Jen might deck me once she finds out you and Spencer plan on reconnecting."
"Spencer would never let that happen."
Stephanie got up and went to the fridge. "I wouldn't blame her mom."
Rayburn went back to her work.
"I wouldn't either."
End Note:
At the risk of making this negative review proof: The chapter is dedicated to my Father who passed away suddenly last Monday. We had lots of wrinkles in our lives but our relationship remained strong. You never knew this is how I spent my time late at night and during the day sometimes. Now you do Dad. I love you.