Page 117 of Love Unavoidable
“Sadie Ann, I just want what’s best for you.”
“And you think that’s Aaron?”
“He’s sure close, yes.”
“Why, Mama? Why do you think Aaron is such a good choice for me?”
“Because he’ssafe, Sadie.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Relationships need to be predictable to be successful.”
I look at her, waiting for her to explain.
“Sadie Ann, lie down here a second with me.”
I lie down on the other side of the bed, turning on my side to look at her, she turns and does the same. Her face settles into grooves and creases making her appear older than she is. Makes me wonder why she decided on a tummy tuck and not a face lift. Not that she needed either, just if she was going to do one . . .
She starts talking, her voice a raspy whisper. “When I was a girl, younger than you are now, there was a boy. I loved him more than life itself.”
“Daddy?”
“God, no. Another boy. He was different from your father and me.”
“Different how?” I look at her, lying here in her custom-made bed, large enough for four but only needing to sleep two. Surrounded by pillows, draped in silk pajamas, covered by one thousand thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Is she talking about money?
“He came from a family that didn’t have the same principles and values. He was risky. Both emotionally and financially.”
Of course, she’s talking about money.
“His family was blue-collar—”
“Isn’t ranching kind of blue-collar?”
“Not when you own the ranch. Just listen, please.”
I nod, not saying anything.
“With this boy, I would not have had any security for my future and I would always have risked a broken heart if he left me. He was unpredictable, which made him unsafe.”
“But, I thought daddy was your soul-mate? Your lightning bolt?”
“In a way, he is.”
“Do you lovehimmore than life itself?”
“Sadie Ann, you aren’t listening.”
“Yes, I am.”
“You can’t be with someone you love more than they love you. You shouldn’t even be with someone you love just as much as they love you.”
“What does that even mean?”
She sighs and clears her throat. “Let me put it this way, do you like Aaron?”
“Like, as a friend?”
