I was fucked up and I knew it. That is why I sought out counseling in the first place. I first met Lori to talk about what had happened in the past, but I had no idea that he future would be even more disturbing. It all began like this:
My daughter Allie was four years older than Jayme. We didn't have the best relationship, but it was much better that night.
When Allie was just 17 years old, I found myself in an interesting predicament. Her boyfriend Joel was 21 years old and despite the age difference, I did approve of him. He was a nice guy, athletic, and very handsome. He lived with his parents during his breaks from college, but he spent a great deal of time at my house. He was happy to find a beautiful girl with an open-minded mother.
I didn't ask any questions, and Allie didn't share much with me. I was okay with that. Jayme would have been 13 at that point and she was having an awful time at school. She took up much of my time and Allie had a lot of freedom. I'll admit I was a bit neglectful and didn't follow her comings and goings much. She was a good girl and I trusted her.
One night, however, she must have fallen asleep early and Joel came downstairs to watch TV with Jayme and I. I don't remember what we were watching because I was focused on some work that I had brought home. Before I knew it, Jayme went back to her bedroom because it was a school night and nearly ten o'clock.
I had the feeling that Joel was watching me type on my computer but I didn't think much of it - I didn't even look up. He asked what I was doing and I told him about my job and all of the work I couldn't finish in a nine hour day. He acted interested - I don't know why. It was boring work and nothing a 21 year old would be interested in.
I closed my laptop after a few more minutes and opened a bottle of beer that he had brought me from the refrigerator. Soon enough, I joined him on the couch and we watched TV. After a half hour, and two bottles of beer, he reached over and touched the back of my hand. I wasn't sure what he was doing. He returned his hand to his lap and the conversation resumed its casual pace.
He reached over again, taking my hand, and placed it in his lap. I pulled away quickly; I had no idea what to say. I sat there, it was awkward, but he talked as if nothing had happened. I can't explain why, but I shrugged it off and went back to my beer.