Why Didn’t You Tell Me?
Chapter 47
Addison’s POV
I knew someone had noticed us from inside the Pearson’s home. I saw the drapes in the front window move. I didn’t know who had seen us yet, but I knew we would get company soon. I had seen Tandy’s SUV and Mr. Russell’s truck in their garage, so I figured they were both home. But I knew it wasn’t Tandy or Russell who saw us, as they would have come over from when they saw Corbin. I knew that it was time to wrap up my goodbyes. We will soon be having visitors.
I didn’t want my grandfather, aunt, uncle, or cousins to cause an issue. It would have been an
issue if Valerie were the one coming over. She didn’t like me, and I didn’t want her to find out
about Corbin, not just yet. I wanted to be the one who told Garrett that he was a father. It
might be a little late to advise him, but he had made his choice. I didn’t want to be a pick–me
girl by using my pregnancy to try to hold onto him. I still stand by the fact that I have made the right choice.
Evan noticed I had looked over at the Pearson’s house and seemed to know what I needed him
to do. He immediately picked Corbin up and secured him in the back seat of my Uncle’s SUV.
He would be staying with them while the renovations here were being made. I knew it would
be easier for the Pearsons, knowing that soon, Corbin would return to stay with me in the
house.
I hadn’t told them yet, but I knew they would be excited. Once we moved into the house, they
would have much more time with Corbin. I knew that Tandy and Russell would be thrilled to
have him over and would probably push for an overnight stay. I hope they will go slowly with it,
like taking him out for ice cream or having him over for dinner. I don’t know if I am ready for
Corbin to be gone overnight yet. It would be hard enough to be away from him during the
renovations. We had never been apart before.
I had enrolled him in the best pre–K school here. I felt sad that only Colton or I would be the
only ones authorized to pick him up. Tandy would probably like to pick him up herself, and I
would feel guilty once she knew. We will see how this first year goes. Maybe when Corbin
starts kindergarten, I will add her to the list to be able to pick him up. I know she loves him,
but he is still young. I can’t help the fact that I want to protect him. I was hugging my grandmother goodbye when I heard a vehicle pass by.
I didn’t recognize the vehicle, but I could feel eyes on me. I knew before the door opened who
VA
+8 Points
Why Didn’t You Tell Me?
was inside the SUV. I felt the fear rise. It was too soon. I wasn’t ready for this. Why is he here? Isn’t his life in North Carolina now? I needed Phillip by my side. He was doing a walk–through with his lead guy and was inside the house, telling him what I wanted to change. I wanted to call out to him, but I couldn’t speak. I almost wished I had Colton drive me, but it was Sunday, and I liked giving him the weekends off.
My uncle and Bryson started walking towards me as they could tell I was getting upset. They knew the reason why as soon as the back door opened. Garrett was injured, but he was moving pretty quickly. He seemed excited to see me. That was confusing as well. He had never chosen me; it was always anyone except me, and I had received that message very well. I could see Evan watching him as Garrett approached me. I wanted him to stay with Corbin, but Evan headed to stand with his brother and parents–showing a united front against
Garrett.
already knew what was going to happen. Corbin had learned to unbuckle himself from his
car seat last year. He only did it when we arrived at our destination. He was going to come over here. Before today, I thought it was cute, but not anymore. I closed my eyes to pray that he would stay put, even knowing he wouldn’t. Too much was going on right now, and he wanted to be a part of it.
Garrett was upset that I stepped back away from him when he walked up to me, which had upset him. He looked sad like I was the one who had rejected him. What did he expect? He had never chosen me. He didn’t have the right to look at me like I had hurt him when it was always the other way around.
“Who are you?” Corbin asked, and I wanted to cry out. I wanted to run over and grab Corbin and carry him away. I made this decision because Garrett was not there and did not anticipate ever returning unless he played for the local NFL team. Everything seemed to go into slow
motion. Corbin innocently looking up at Garrett with a smile on his face would forever be ingrained in my memory.
I was thankful that Tandy and Russell had hurried over to help smooth things out. I noticed
that, like me, Garrett was now unable to speak as well. The shock on his face was obvious. I
knew that they had kept up their part of the deal because Garrett would have tried to confront
me about our baby if he had known about him.
“Mimi, Papa?” Corbin asked as they approached him. He raised his arms, and Tandy picked him up. I felt the tears sliding down my face. I hadn’t anticipated having to do this today, but
there was no getting out of it.
Garrett looked like he was about to explode in anger, but for the moment, it was directed at his parents, not me. I am sure he would aim it at me soon enough, as soon as the shock wore off.
2/4
+8 Point
Why Didn’t You Tell Me?
He reached out with his uninjured hand to stroke Corbin’s cheek. He seemed amazed to see him in front of him. His following words surprised me, “I knew it. I knew she was going to get pregnant. I told you she would remember because the condoms in her mother’s room were expired. Why would you do that? You knew I wanted Addison. You knew I was worried about her being a single mother without me? Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you make me worry about how she was doing all these years?” Garret asked. His voice got louder with each question he asked before he turned to me.
“Why Addison? Why didn’t you tell me? You knew I loved you, and you left. You never reached out to me? Why? What could I have possibly done for you to keep my son from me?” Garrett snapped out even louder.
I heard the front door open behind me, and Phillip ran down the steps to stand in front of me to keep Garrett from being able to see me anymore. I still couldn’t speak, but the sob that
came out got everyone’s attention.
“It was me. I am the reason. Well, that is incorrect. You are the reason, Garrett. You cut
Addison out of your life for three years. Never telling her what she did for that to happen. I suggested the same three–year punishment for you. That way, you would know how it felt to be shut out without explanation. You were doing so well, literally two weeks away from our telling you, and you started sleeping around again. You started with a real bang, too, didn’t
you, Garrett? Your actions are what brought us here, Garrett. You hurt my niece very badly. You
never apologized for it. As far as Addison could tell, you chose another and turned your back
on her again. She is just now getting over the pain you caused her. You need to calm down,
and we can go inside and discuss it like rational adults,” my aunt told him.
He was looking at her like she had done something wrong. I would not allow my aunt to be
punished when I agreed to do it. I could tell he was going to argue with her, and I saw with my
own eyes that he was a lying piece of crap. I would not allow him to disrespect any of my family members.
“You lied to me, Garrett. You said that you would claim me, that I would be yours, but it was all
a lie. I saw you with Tammy the next day. You lied to me to sleep with me, and then you went
right back to her. So don’t act like you were the one who suffered. Keeping your hands off other girls was so hard, right? So hard that you couldn’t do it? Let me guess… because I wasn’t
worth it? You just needed to make it two more weeks. Well, message received, Garrett. But it
would be best if you were clear about this part. You weren’t the one who suffered. I was. I was
the one humiliated and shamed, assaulted by your so–called friends. So don’t come at me for
this. If you had spent one minute to come and speak to me, this would never have happened,” I
cried out.
3/4
8 Point
Why Didn’t You Tell Me?
I felt Corbin against my legs. He always comes to comfort me–my sweet boy. I picked him up and buried my head against him. I would not let Garrett see my cry, although everyone here knew I was.
“I was waiting for you, Addison. I wanted to tell you what I was doing, but I couldn’t let Tammy
catch on to what I was trying to do. I am sorry. I was trying to help you, Addison. I was trying
to get Tammy to admit that she was the one who had taken the video. I was trying to help you,
not hurt you. You left here so fast, and then I couldn’t find you. You could have reached out. I
kept the same number, just for you. You could have texted me that you were safe. You dropped
off the face of the earth. I didn’t see you again until I saw you with this jerk,” Garrett said as he
motioned toward Evan.
“He is not a jerk. He is like a brother to me. How did you see me with Evan if you couldn’t find
me? That doesn’t even make sense,” I replied, heavy with emotion.
“I saw you on the cover of a gossip rag with him and MY son,” Garrett stopped to point at Evan
again. “You had my son’s head covered, or I would have known from that moment that he was
mine. You deliberately hide him from me, Addison. Don’t act like you are blameless here. You
could have reached out to me at any time. I was showing you that I wanted you for years. I
was suffering, too. I missed you so much. I was waiting for you to come back to me. My
parents knew how much I wanted to be with you. They were fully supporting us being together.
Why didn’t you ever reach out to tell me?” Garrett asked.
