AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know you do. But finding out someone paid Zachary to ask me out hurt. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I thought it was all a big joke and everyone was laughing at me behind my back. I missed the prom anyway. And while that didn’t hurt me, thinking Zachary had played a mean prank on me for so many years did.”
His expression fell. “Flower, I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I just wish you would have told me. No, first, I wish you hadn’t done it. But since you did, I wish you would have told me the truth. I spent so many years thinking Zachary hated me because of this.”
He nodded slowly.
“I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate that you want to help. You and Mom do a lot for me. But when you step in without asking, whether it’s to get me a prom date or to replace appliances in my house or anything in between, it makes me feel like you don’t think I’m a capable person. At least ask me if I need help instead of assuming. I’m a grown woman with a house and a business. I’m doing okay for myself and I wish you could see that.”
“We do,” Mom said. “We’re nothing but proud of you.”
“No, she’s right.” Dad shook his head. “I’m always trying to smooth out the road for you. You’re my little girl, it’s hard to see you struggle.”
“I know, Dad. But struggle is a part of life.”
“Don’t I know it.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry if I’ve been a little overbearing. And I’m sorry about the prom. That was a mistake and I knew it back then. I just hoped everyone would forget and we could move on.”
I stepped in and gave him a hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Don’t be too hard on Zachary about it,” Mom said. “He was practically a kid himself.”
“I know he was. He’s sorry for his part in it and I can accept his apology. This whole thing just stirred up a lot of big feelings.” I dabbed the tears at the corners of my eyes.
“Oh, flower, you get those big feelings from me, I’m afraid,” Mom said. “It’s why I paint. I don’t have anywhere else to keep them.”
I gave my mom a hug, careful to stay out of the way of her wet paintbrush.
“Speaking of Zachary, I left pretty abruptly. I should get back.”
“Are we okay?” Dad asked, his brow furrowed with concern. “I don’t know if I can change overnight, but I’ll try not to butt in so much.”
“Yes, we’re okay,” I said. “And that’s a good start.”
“Bring Zachary by for dinner soon,” Mom said. “We need to let your dad interrogate him as to his intent with his daughter.”
I laughed. That conversation didn’t scare me in the least. I knew Zachary’s intent, and I had no doubt he’d be forthright with my dad.
In fact, I was looking forward to hearing Zachary tell my parents he was planning on making me a Haven. That was better than any dance could have been.
After another round of hugs, I said goodbye to my parents, feeling freer than I had in a long time. A weight had been lifted from my shoulders and an invisible but very real boundary between me and Zachary was gone. Now that the truth was in the open, we were free of the hurts of the past—free to move on with our future.
The wind howled outside. It blew my hair around my face as soon as I stepped out the front door. I hurried to my car as the rain pelted me. It was shaping up to be quite a storm.
I got in and left, anxious to get home to Zachary. I wanted to change out of my wet clothes and crawl into his arms. He’d keep me safe and warm.
The windshield wipers could hardly keep up. It was difficult to see, so I slowed down. Another car passed me, going in the opposite direction, their headlights reflecting off all the water.
A car was stopped in the road up ahead, yellow hazard lights flashing. I wondered if something had blown into the road or if a tree had fallen. Sometimes the wind blew hard enough to knock trees down.
I pulled closer to see if I could tell who it was. There wasn’t much I could do—especially since I’d thoughtlessly put on heels as I walked out the door—but I could at least call for help if they needed it.
I slowed to a stop behind them. Sure enough, there was a tree lying across the road.
A man got out and put up his hood as he ran back to my car. I rolled down the window.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, fine,” he said. “It was already down. I called it in.”
