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“You told him I wanted him back?” I ask, accusingly.
“He needs a reason to live.” Anger consumes me, as I glance away, shaking my head. “He needs you.”
I grind my teeth as I lift my head. “You had no right. As soon as he’s in the clear, you tell him the truth or I will.”
“You can’t do that,” she screeches. “You don’t know how hard it’s been for him. He’s lost without you.”
The guilt she lays on thickly wraps around my conscious, but I remember the words of the man I love, stay strong.
“I care about Wyatt. Hell, I love him, but not in the way he needs me to, and not in the way you or my parents want me to. It isn’t fair to him to make him believe otherwise. I won’t lie to him.”
“You little, bitch,” she snarls. “You don’t deserve my son, and you never did, but he loves you. I feel sorry for you, because if you think that rovin’ cowboy can give you even half the love Wyatt can, then you’re a fool.”
A few months ago, I would have taken every word to heart and believed her. Her one mistake is not knowing Battle like I do. He’s already given me more love than Wyatt ever did. Battle’s love comes in the form of truth. He’s never lied to me. He’s never cheated on me. He’s always been honest in where we stand. Although it may not be what I want to hear at times, I savor his honesty like my last breath of air.
I grow furious staring at her satisfied smile. She thinks she put me in my place, but I’m not finished with her.
“You seriously need to take the nipple out of Wyatt’s mouth already.” Her mouth falls open as she gasps, but I ignore her fake alarm and continue, “He’s a grown man. Quit controllin’ him, give him some room to breathe, and he might actually find someone to make him happy, but I can tell you, it isn’t me. And not simply because of the ‘rovin’ cowboy’. If Wyatt were truly in love with me, he would never have strayed. That’s how real love works. So be angry with me all you want, but you should try lookin’ in the mirror first.”
She scowls and I walk away, leaving her standing with her stupid mouth still open, and palming her heart. With a smirk I glance up. Grammy definitely had a hand in that conversation. I’m more like her than my parents ever wanted me to be, and I’m perfectly content with that knowledge.
Marty joins me in the waiting room chairs, telling me my parents went for coffee. I’m in the mood to deliver a back off message their way as well. I check my phone to see a text from Battle.
B: Good mornin’, sweetheart. How are things? Miss you.
F: He’s awake, and I think he’ll make it. I miss you, too. Thank you for the clothes.
B: That’s good to hear. I’ll be home all day. Call if you need anything.
F: Thank you.
My mother and father return with Starbucks. I’m happy to accept a cup as my stomach can’t tolerate another sip of the tar-like substance the cafeteria offers. Marty leaves me alone when she goes to visit Gunner.
I frown when my parents fill a seat on either side of me. My father sighs as he leans forward on his knees, spinning his paper coffee cup in his hands.
Before he starts in, I say, “I love Battle, Daddy, and if you can’t accept that, then I’m sorry.”
He turns his head, meeting the eyes of my mother. “You’re so much like Grammy, kiddo.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. She was a wonderful woman, and I’m happy I’m like her.”
A grin stretches his face. “Me, too,” he says softly, surprising me. “Bein’ with your granddaddy was hard for her. He was older and left his wife to be with her.” Now he has my attention. I knew Grandpa was older, but I never realized he was married. “People weren’t kind to her, or to me. I guess that’s why I’m so controllin’. I want to save you from judgment. I decided the only way to do that was to plan everything out so you wouldn’t make any mistakes.”
His words settle and I yell, “Battle’s not a mistake!”
“That’s not what I meant,” he defends, but I’m too angry to let him speak.
“All of this is for you. You want the Mayor’s seat, and if I’m not perfect or I’m not with Wyatt, you don’t think you can win.”
“Calm down,” he says, and I try, inhaling slowly through my nose. “I’m ashamed to admit you’re right, but it didn’t start out that way. Wyatt was always a good choice, and when you broke up, I was worried it would affect my chances of winnin’. But I realize now he’s changed and you deserve someone who treats you right. But from what I’ve heard about this man you’re seein’, it isn’t him. He’s been in some trouble, and his Daddy’s covered up his messes. The McCoys are bad people. He isn’t good for you.”
It’s ironic to me that the one thing keeping my father from liking Battle is something they have in common; the McCoys are bad people.
My mother, in her usual place sits quietly, nodding her silent agreement with my father.
“His name is Battle,” I spit with rage, and stand up, not caring if I make a scene. “Makin’ judgments about a man you don’t know, based on town gossip, makes you no better than the people who judged Grammy. You should be ashamed. So keep tellin’ yourself how you’re a good Christian every Sunday when you step into church. I’ll pray for you, Daddy, for your soul, for the day you have to make peace with God. I’m gonna be with Battle, and if you want me in your life, you better find a way to accept him.”
