Page 57 of Tangled Trust

“That’s wonderful, Ella. I’m so glad.”

“Moving to the States was the best thing I could have done. I feel free for the first time in years.”

“Ah, pet. You deserve it.”

“I miss you terribly, though.”

“I miss you more. How’s little Jagger?”

“As busy as he is adorable. The little man has crawled into my heart. I must say, it’s extraordinary how one can become so attached to the little ones.”

“How’s the little one’s father?”

“Carter is something else.”

“You don’t say? I sense you have something to tell me.”

“You know me too well,” I chuckle.

“Spill it, dear.”

“I’m in love, Aunt Sue. Truly in love. Am I crazy or what?”

“That depends. As long as your boss isn’t taking advantage of in-house nookie, I’d say you deserve some happiness.”

“Give it to me straight, why don’t you?” I laugh. “I guess, with my record, I’m open to a bit of scrutiny when it comes to the fellas.”

“Just a bit.”

“Speaking of bad choices. When last did you see Sebastian?”

“I bumped into his mother a few weeks ago. Horribly stuck up woman. No wonder her son has a screw loose. But, apart from that, I haven’t seen hide nor hair of the little shit.”

“Good. With a bit of luck, he’ll forget about me and get over himself.”

“So, you say you and Carter are an item now?”

“Yes. We’re keeping it low-key for now. His ex is a bit of a dragon.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Absolutely. I know what you’re thinking, Aunt Sue. But, you’ll see what I mean when you meet Carter. He and Sebastian couldn’t be more different.”

“I just don’t want to see you get hurt again, my sweet girl.”

“I know, and I love you for it.”

“Alright, then. Tell me more about Carter.”

“He’s very handsome. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met a more attractive man.”

“Well, to be fair, you are in love with him, darling, but go on,” Sue giggles.

My aunt listens while I share with her my experiences with the man with whom I’ve fallen head over heels in love. She comments intermittently and I laugh at her quirky views. This is what I miss most about her. She’s been my go-to person since she took me in as a young girl.

It’s an interesting dynamic. I suppose I tell her things that I wouldn’t necessarily have shared with my mother. The relationship between an aunt and a niece is different from that of a mother and her daughter.

Even as a child, I felt free to discuss anything with her. Sadly, that changed when I met Sebastian. He manipulated me into keeping secrets from the one woman who had always been there for me. So much so that there came a time when I had little communication with Sue. I'm furious about that. More with myself than with Sebastian. I’ll never keep things from Sue again. She’s too important to me. Sue is the only family I have.

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