Page 106 of Perfect Three

“And just exactly how is it different?”

“I ...um ...it just is.”

“Garbage!”

“Well, I don’t like either of them.”

“You haven’t even given them a chance.You decided you didn’t like them.Long before you even arrived, for that matter.You know what, Allison, I don’t give a damn what you like or don’t like.”She pointed out the window.“Those two men out there mean more to me than your prejudice.They treat me with love and respect, and I intend to stay with them as long as they want me to!”

Lucy was furious.She stormed out of the room and upstairs.She was hopping mad and sad, a few tears trickled down her cheeks.Going into the bathroom, she washed her face then went and sat on the bed.A few more tears dribbled down, and she angrily wiped them away with the back of her hand.

Allison walked in.“I’m sorry, Mum.It’s just such a shock.I’ll try and be more accepting.”

“You could start by not being so rude to them.You’ve been snarky in your comments to Jack, and now you’ve been ignoring them, especially Seb.”

“I’ll try.I promise I’ll try.”

Lucy looked at her daughter.She realized it had been a surprise, but it really upset her the way Allison had reacted.

“Please, Mum.”

“Okay, but understand, Allison, this is my life, not yours.I get that this is a shock for you, but your attitude toward the two of them is disgusting.I didn’t expect your approval, but I did expect you to be civil.For the first time in a very long time, I’m really happy.The least you can do is be polite and show some respect to both of them.I’m not asking you to like them, but don’t be so rude.”

Lucy stood and the two went back down into the kitchen.A subdued Allison helped clean up.Lucy put a few bread scraps on a plate to give to the chickens later, then the two of them went outside.

The three men and the twins were laughing and running about.Sebastian had picked up Lizzie and raced after the soccer ball.When they got close, he made her kick it.

Colin tried to tackle him but ended up getting tangled with Jack.The pair of them fell to the ground with Colin sitting on Jack’s back.

Geoffrey picked his son up and spun him around and around.

There was so much laughter, it was hard to tell whose was whose.The five of them finally collapsed on the grass near where Allison and Lucy were sitting.

The remainder of the afternoon passed pleasantly, with Allison at leasttryingto be polite and include the two men in conversation, albeit occasionally.

Sebastian finally opened up and began talking.

At last, around five-thirty, they left.

“Thanks for today, Mum.I’m sorry.I’ll try and be more tolerant, but this is just a weird sort of relationship.It takes a bit of getting used to.”

“I understand that, Allison, I really do.All I ask is that you be respectful.”

Allison actually walked over and said goodbye politely to both men, commenting that she was glad Lucy was happy.It was a strained goodbye, but at least she was courteous.

Jack, Sebastian, and Lucy walked them out to their car.

Lucy handed over the precious balloons as well as the remaining cupcakes, and Sebastian promised he would look after the chickens when Lizzie expressed concern that they’d miss her.

Lucy couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped as they drove off down the cobbled driveway.“Thank goodness that’s over.”

Both men had their arms around her waist.

She leaned against Sebastian.“I’m sorry my daughter was so rude.”

“At least she seemed to thaw out a little after lunch.”

“Yeah.That may have had something to do with the dressing down I gave her.”

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