Page 50 of Third and Ten

I eye her suspiciously. She has that “about to butt into your love life” gleam in her eyes. “I suppose I have to hear you out now, don’t I?”

“I know you’ve vowed not to date or get romantically involved since you’ve moved home, but—”

Yep, there it is.

I shake my head quickly. “Mama, I’m not wearing that tight shirt you had made for me again. And I’m not going to throw myself at JD.”

“Who said anything about JD?” she retorts with a sassy hand on her hip.

I feel my face flush a little. I’d be lying if I said he hasn’t been on my mind since our talk on the porch swing the week before, but it’s not like I can admit that without having to make some pretty meaningful declarations.

“I was only going to suggest that you reconsider your no-dating policy in general. I’d like Ethan to continue to have a father figure or a male role model in his life. I’m not saying you should go out and get married or shack up with the first guy who asks, but I think seeing you happy and settled would be good for him. It’s important for a young man to be exposed to a firsthand example of a good marriage.”

“But he’s had that for the first sixteen years of his life, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, I’d like to think he has. But he’s still a kid, and he’s going to need that kind of guidance, now more than ever.”

I look away, exhaling loudly. “Okay. I’ll think about it.” If only she knew that even considering the idea of dating someone with the intention of settling down is like opening a big, scary can of worms.

“That’s all I’m asking,” she says, as if my agreeing to reevaluate my entire life plan is no big deal. “And for the record, I was absolutely talking about JD,” she adds with a smirk. “He’d fit the bill, don’t you think?”

I clear my throat and will my face not to get any redder. “I suppose he will make a fine husband one day, for the right person.”

“Very fine,” she repeats.

“Mom.”

“Tenley.”

I press my lips together, trying not to give anything away. “What is it with you people and your obsession with JD Bourgeois?”

“Oh, I don’t know. He’s gorgeous and generous and adores both you and Ethan…”

I groan. “He’s great, okay? But—”

“But what? Your only objection is that he lives in Camellia? Mais, so do you,” she fires back, using her hands for emphasis. “Why are you so intent on leaving again?”

I shrug thoughtfully. “Because things are harder out here. My life was much simpler back in Texas.”

She huffs. “That’s a load of crap.”

“Maybe I just don’t want to get stuck like you did, okay?” I blurt out, cringing as soon as the words leave my mouth. “It seems like all you’ve ever done is make sacrifices for us, and you never really got to live your own life.”

She shakes her head, her expression softening. “Then you misunderstood. Taking care of you all has been a gift, not a burden. Serving others is the only way to fulfill our greatest purpose. It’s why we were created. What good are any of our gifts and talents if we can’t use them to love and serve one another, whether we do it at home or at work?”

I blink, trying to digest what she’s saying. My mom has always been a faithful woman and has done her best to instill those qualities in her family, but she’s never been one to rattle off Scripture verses. She’s probably been doing a better job of living her faith all this time, leading by example, and I haven’t paid enough attention to notice her piety before now.

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t a very nice thing for me to say. I didn’t really mean it, anyway,” I offer after a while. She nods in acceptance of my apology, so I continue. “I honestly don’t mind the service part. I guess after seeing everything you’ve been through, I just figured having a family would be more complicated than focusing on a career.”

“Of course it is, but it’s also more rewarding. And although the two are not mutually exclusive, one is more important and more precious than the other. Do you think your dad cares much about missing out on a guys’ night or having a fancy job title right about now? And the chance to spend this time with him, and the time I got to raise your sister while she was still here, I wouldn’t trade any of that.”

“Okay, I get it. And I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. I just can’t picture myself getting married or having kids,” I admit, crossing my arms to ease the dull ache in my chest.

Her eyes water as she glances at my dad, watching as he rests peacefully in his recliner. “Well, baby, it breaks my heart to hear you say that.” She stands abruptly and walks into the kitchen, leaving me both relieved and disappointed about not having to delve any deeper into my confession.

I sigh and rub the back of my neck, jumping when I hear my dad cough. “Hey, there, Tenley-girl,” he says, his voice rough with sleep.

“Hey, Daddy. How was your nap?” I ask as I move to check his oxygen levels.

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