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I shouldn’t have mentioned Sophie at all. I didn’t want to imply there was something there.
“Are you seeing her again?” Dad asked, his tone deceptively even.
Kendall’s concerned gaze shot to mine, reminding me why I couldn’t pursue my attraction to Sophie.
“I’m just reacquainting myself with an old friend,” I said carefully.
Kendall’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
“An old friend you used to date,” Mom repeated with a knowing smile.
Kendall looked from Mom to me.
“Mom.” I gestured toward Kendall. Sometimes my parents forget they had a grandchild, one who was listening to everything going on around her, searching for any reason to worry about her future. I wanted her to feel secure. And if she thought I was adding a woman to the mix, it would make her feel unsettled.
“I’m just saying.” Mom’s lips twisted.
I gave her a pointed look. “Sophie turned me down.”
“What are you talking about?” Kendall asked.
I sighed as I sifted through how much I should tell her. “Sophie and I were high school sweethearts. When I enlisted, I asked her to marry me, and she said no. There’s no hope for a future with Sophie. I’m not what she wants.” I emphasized the last few words so my parents understood where I was coming from.
Mom waved a hand. “That was ten years ago. You were babies back then. And I haven’t heard that she’s dating anyone recently.”
“She was seeing that guy at the bank for a long time,” Dad added, and I wanted to ask which guy at the bank.
What did he look like? Did she prefer men in suits who worked a nine-to-five in an office? Had she changed so much from high school? Maybe I didn’t know her at all anymore.
“They weren’t a good match. She never looked happy with him,” Mom said.
“You guys aren’t listening.” I waited until all eyes were on me. “I’m obviously not who she wants. We’ve both moved on. We’re friends.”
Her friendship was important to me. I didn’t like the idea of hurting her when I got Melanie pregnant.
I hoped they understood this topic was closed. “Sophie’s helping Kendall out, teaching her how to bake.”
“I didn’t know you enjoyed baking,” Mom said to Kendall.
Kendall nodded eagerly. “I’ve been interested in it but haven’t had an opportunity to try it until now.”
“Your mom didn’t bake?” Mom asked, her tone slightly disapproving.
“She said she was too tired when she got home from work.”
It was an honest statement, but I hated that I wasn’t there to help Melanie and pick up the slack. Sending money was something, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t need much to live on because I always took advantage of living and eating on base. I sent as much as I could home, saving the rest for Kendall’s college tuition. Melanie didn’t seem like the type of person to plan that far ahead, and I wanted Kendall to have every advantage that I hadn’t. I never wanted her to have to choose like I did. I wanted her to have choices. Opportunities.
I wanted her to be free to go wherever and do whatever she wanted, and I’d be there to help her every step of the way.
“I could have taught you,” Mom said, her voice tinged with hurt.
“I didn’t know you enjoyed baking.” She wasn’t the kind of mom who baked cookies when I came home from school. Birthday cakes and pies were always store-bought.
“I can do it.”
“Thanks, Grandma, but I really like learning from Miss Sophie. Plus, she owns a bakery.”
“Who better to teach her than a baker?” I added.
