Keeping it secret

‘I know mom, but she’s got no other place to go.’

You push your ear against the door. Mom had almost passed out after seeing you, and now Gwenn was trying to calm her.

‘But why a nudist? It’s nothing like John. I just don’t understand.’ Mom was crying now.

You grab a towel from your chair and push open the door a bit. She would never believe you were her son. It was too absurd.

‘Mrs. Jones?’

Your mother looks up at you.

‘What do you want, Lauren?’ Gwenn grinned at you. She was the only one who knew who you really were.

‘I’m sorry, I just...’ you stumble over your words as you see your father step out of the bathroom. He shook his head firmly as if to say ‘not a word’.

‘John just left.’ Gwenn breaks the awkward silence. ‘And Lauren just talked with dad about coming to live here, right dad?’

‘Uhm yeah, that’s right.’ Dad lets his armrest on your mother's shoulder. ‘The girl is staying.’