I nod. “But I did it, because I didn’t want to cause a scene. Then we go to this tavern. He hits on the waitress the entire time, and barely pays any attention to me. Doesn’t even pay for my food.” I don’t mention the beers.
“Gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find Prince Charming,” Beth says. She rubs my arm soothingly.
“That’s the thing,” I say as I sniffle. “He tried to kiss me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He pinned me against the wall and groped me.”
“Thea,” she says as eyes search mine. A tenderness falls over her face as she looks at me. “Honey, I’m so sorry.”
“I just,” I say, my breath shaky, “feel so stupid. I just wanted him to like me.” Hot tears spill down my cheeks as I put my head in my hands.
Aunt Beth scoots closer on the couch and wraps her arms around me as I cry.
“Oh, Thea,” she murmurs, “I’m sorry. Sounds like he doesn’t deserve to even know you. He’s an idiot and don’t let him break your confidence. You’re a great girl and you deserve someone who treats you like the gold you are.”
I don’t respond.
“I slapped him when he touched me,” I say, pulling away to look at her with tearful eyes. “And then took off. I ran into Graham and he brought me here on his golf cart.”
Beth nods. “What did you say his last name is?” she asks after a moment.
I pull away and wipe at my face again. “Osborne.”
She stiffens. “Listen to me,” she says in all seriousness. “I never want you to see him again.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I huff. I don’t want to re-live this night.
“Seriously, Thea, Osborne boys are no good for you.”
“I just feel…” I trail off as I look around the living room, “used.”
“I know,” she says. “If Jake is anything like his father, and it sounds like he is, he’s an ass and a heartbreaker.”
“You know his dad?”
“You could…say that.”
“How?” I ask.
Beth smiles weakly. “That,” she says as she stands up, “is a story for another time. Now, why don’t you go put on your pajamas? I’ll make you some tea.”
I nod as I stand up and sniffle. Beth always seems to know what I need.
She walks into the kitchen, flipping the light on as I pad down the hall to my room. I quickly change into my favorite pajamas, one of Mom’s old long sleeve T-shirts and leggings.
Beth is placing a cup of tea on the table just as I walk back into the kitchen.
“Would you…want to bake with me?” I ask as I pick up the warm cup.
She turns around and a smile slowly spreads across her face.
“I’d like that,” she says before reaching into the fridge and pulling out the butter. “What do you want to bake?”
“Teach me how to make your cinnamon roll snickerdoodles,” I say, “please.”
“Your mom always loved those.”
“I know. Makes me feel closer to her.”
Beth smiles as she pulls the cinnamon from the cabinet.
