Page 94 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
Yes, she had. “I forgot about that. I read about that happening in Sudan inU.S. News & World Report.At first, I didn’t even know that was anatomically possible. Then I couldn’t believe it was happening. I mean, who would hurt women and girls like that?”
“Bastards,” he said, gazing at her seriously. “I could name other protests you organized. What about that film from France?—?”
“On human trafficking in Russia,” she said, nodding. Goodness, she’d forgotten about these moments.
“Lucy, you were always trying to change the world for the better, even when you were living here in Dare Valley.”
“My mother didn’t like it then,” she said, putting the final pieces of the memories together. Arthur had alwaysencouraged her to pursue her interests, especially after her fights with her mom.
“And yet, your mother organized a breastfeeding fair because she was angry that women needed to hide a natural function in public.”
She gave him a look. “Are you trying to say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?”
He returned the look.
“You’re pissing me off,” she said without heat. “I want to be right here. Dammit! I want my mother to be wrong. Oh God, I’m a terrible person.”
“No, you’re not,” he said, tapping her on the nose. “You’re human. I want my dad to be wrong. I want to say he’s the biggest jerk out there for not loving my mother enough and for not fighting for her when she asked for more. I want to punch him and tell him he’s not a man for letting her walk out without a word.”
“Now who’s angry?” she asked, blinking at the force in his voice.
He blew out a breath. “I don’t want to believe my mother did anything wrong. She’s one of the most amazing women alive.”
“But it takes two to tango, as Arthur Hale always says.”
“Yeah.” Now he sounded as down in the dumps as she did.
She curled up against his chest again. “I don’t know what to do. My mom won’t listen to me. I’ve never seen her this mad before. And it doesn’t change the fact that she hates the three photos I’ve selected for the calendar so far.”
“I happen to like the ones you’ve taken so far,” he said. “In fact, I’d like you to send me the photo you took of me when I was thinking of Kim. It’s…I want Danny to see it when he’s older. I was scared to have him see it before, but now…I think it’s the kind of thing he’d love to see.”
“I’ll send it. Andy, when it comes down to it, I think my mom’s right. Someone else should take the photos instead, someone who understands their importance. What about your sister?”
“Moira?”
“Yeah,” she said, mulling over the idea. “Her questions might have freaked me out at Jill’s photo shoot, but she does know her stuff. Plus, she’s here right now, waiting to hear about the job at the Artemis Institute. Maybe I can help her touch up the photos behind the scenes or something.”
“It’s a reasonable idea, but it won’t solve the overall problem between you and your mother,” Andy said quietly.
“I’ve tried to talk to her before,” Lucy said, feeling defensive. “Why do you think I finally blew my top today? All the pressure of not being listened to reached its max. I felt like I’d turned into a volcano.”
“I could make a joke about being familiar with your molten heat, but I’ll refrain.”
She punched him, making him grunt. “You know what I mean.”
“I do,” he said, kissing her on the check. “Let it settle a bit more. Maybe my mom will help Ellen see some reason.”
“Somebody needs to,” she said, “because not even my father has been able to all these years. He called me this afternoon, and he sounded more worried about us than ever before. Not that I can blame him. But my dad accepts and loves my mom as she is, flaws and all. What am I missing here? Am I letting my hurt feelings color everything?”
“Big questions. Ones for you to sit with.” He made a face. “But if it makes you feel any better, I love you andI see you.”
Crap. How had she gotten so lucky? “I know you do. You always have, and I’m grateful for that. Andy…” Her heart was growing again, and she took a big breath to grow with it. “I love you to pieces, but somehow, the words never seem big enough for what I feel.”
Oh, the smile that spread across his face: a touch of heat mixed with an extra measure of love. She was a goner.
“How about we leave this for now, and you let me love you to pieces again?”
She climbed on top of him and smiled down. “How about you let me love you to pieces back?”
