Page 37 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

Dad and I are as close as any other father and daughter I know. We haven’t talked much about Cooper because I get the impression he thinks I’m too young to date–even though he hasn’t stood in the way of us. Mom is just so easy to talk to. Plus, she asks–she’s invested. But Mom isn’t here right now, and I need to know I’m making the right choice. I sit on the chair, curling my legs under me and flatting my dress against my thighs before leaning into my palm on the table. After a long sigh, I confess. “I think I’m going to break up with Cooper.”

He sits straighter, immediately on defense with a deep, angry tone. “What did he do to you?”

“He didn’t do anything. Yet.” Why did I add the yet? It’s not like I think Cooper would cheat on me or do something at college I’d be uncomfortable with.

“What do you mean yet?”

“I just . . . he’s going to college, you know? And I’m only sixteen. Even if we’re on the same page now, it doesn’t seem likely for us to stay that way, not when we’re in completely different phases of life–different environments. It won’t be the same.”

“That’s very mature of you. You’re way more advanced than I was at your age.”

“I am?” I shift my gaze from where it’s focused on the mahogany table to Dad.

“Absolutely. I didn’t listen to my gut when I was younger, and it came back to bite me. I’m glad you don’t have to learn that lesson.”

“I thought you liked Cooper?”

He hesitates, but his words contradict it. “I do. The Montgomerys are family.”

“But . . .”

“I got married when I shouldn't have. I was so blinded by young love that I confused it with forever love.”

He never talks about his first marriage. Anything I’ve ever heard has only been from Mom. “Your first wife?”

“Yes.” His word is sharp and bitter.

“Not that I know much about it, but I don’t think this is the same.”

“The situations may not be the same but the underlying issues might be.”

“What do you mean?”

“When you’re young, it’s easy to get caught up in the romance of a first serious relationship. Everything is new, exciting–so much so that it can mask any issues.”

“Cooper and I don’t really have any issues.” The statement causes me to re-question my decision yet again. “Maybe it’s the wrong choice.”

“You’re going with your gut. Your gut usually knows best. Sometimes it knows the things you haven’t realized or accepted yet.”

“Like what?”

“Well.” He takes a breath. “Take Mary for example.” I sit up straight, my fingers moving to tug on the end of a curl. I can’t believe I’m going to hear about my dad’s ex-wife first hand. “I met her in high school. Her mom was my history teacher. She encouraged our relationship from the beginning–she made everything easy on us. She even–”

I hardly notice I’m literally on the edge of my seat until he cuts himself off. “She what?”

“Maybe you’re too young to hear this.”

“Tell me, please. I want to know.”

He shifts, like he’s uncomfortable, but continues anyway. “She enabled our relationship physically and emotionally. Her and Mary were planning our wedding before we even graduated. It was so easy, I was certain it had to be right.”

“But it wasn’t?”

He makes one quick shake of his head. “We rushed. But all good things take time, pumpkin. There’s no hurry, especially when you’re young. Time is the best gift because it allows you to see things clearly, from every angle–to make sure you have all the information.”

“Like a hidden gambling addiction?” I ask quietly.

“Amongst other things, yes.”

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