Page 53 of Wild Dreams

I knew we were supposed to be putting on an act, pretending that nothing was going on. But it still hurt to hear him admit that out loud in front of his family and friends.

"You never know," Scarlett purred as she went back to her meal, and Eli muttered under his breath, "It'll happen when you're least expecting it."

Talk turned to the upcoming holidays and plans at the ski resort to expand with luxurious cabins. I loved skiing and the idea of renting a cabin, but with my salary, I didn't go often.

When we were cleaning up, my phone rang. I was surprised to see it was my parents. "Excuse me. I'll just be a minute."

"You can take it in my office," Bart said, and I hurried to the room and closed the glass-paned door before I hit Accept.

It was a video call, so I sat at the desk. "Mom. Dad. How are you?"

"Good," Mom said. "Just wanted to check in. I know you like to talk to us on the holidays."

I hated how she'd worded that. They called because I needed it. I decided to sidestep her comment. "I'm at the St. Claires' for dinner, and then we're going to the Wildes' Ski Resort for their celebration." For some reason, I needed them to see that I was busy and my life full. I wasn't sure why it mattered, because they never seemed to care what I was doing.

"It's nice to see you getting out, dear," Mom said.

Dad merely sat next to her with a small smile on his face. He was probably counting down the minutes until he could do whatever it was they were doing before Mom insisted they call me.

Then Mom continued. "I won't keep you."

Normally, I would have said they weren't bothering me, holding onto some ideal where parents called and spent time with you on holidays. But I was over that.

"I hope you have a good Thanksgiving."

"You as well," Mom said and then clicked off.

My shoulders slumped. I wasn't sure why we kept up the farce of a family. We'd never been there for each other, and it wasn't for my lack of trying. It was time for me to create my own family.

14

CHANCE

Iwas concerned when I saw the wordMomon Marigold's cell phone screen. I wasn't so sure that contact with her parents was a positive experience.

When she didn't return in a few minutes, I put the last dish in the dishwasher and headed toward the closed door of the office. I didn't hear any conversation, so I knocked lightly.

Marigold had been sitting at the desk, slightly slumped. But when I knocked, she perked up and a smile spread over her face.

I opened the door. "Are you off the phone?"

Marigold stood. "They wanted to wish me a happy Thanksgiving."

I scanned her face searching for any sign of distress. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Marigold dipped her head slightly, and her hair covered her expression.

"You have a complicated relationship with your parents."

She walked around the desk. "You could say that."

"It's okay to have mixed feelings about someone who's never really been there for you. It's also okay to let go of the idea that they weren't the parents you wanted."

Marigold let out a shaky breath. "That's for sure."

"But you can move on and create a family for yourself."

Marigold paused in front of me. "That's what I was just thinking. I don't need them."

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