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“Yeah.” She nodded. “I guess there are those who give and want the world to know just so that they can get the acclaim.”
“Yeah, my dad’s not like that.” I smiled at her. “What made you think about that?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I think about all sorts of things, you know? Inequality, equitable distribution of wealth.” She laughed a little.
“What’s so funny?”
“I don’t know why I care, seeing as I have no wealth.”
“Maybe you care because you just want the best for everyone.”
“I do.” She nodded. “I just think that everyone should have an equal playing field, you know? If we all had the same options in life, the same chances to make it then, well, whoever rises to the top rises to the top, right?”
“Yeah. I got it. You’re right. You’re wise beyond your years, Arya.”
“I don’t know about that. Then I just think about Eloise and…” Her voice trailed off.
“What is it?”
“I want her to have everything in life. I want her to have all the options. I want her to be whatever she wants to be. I want her to dream big, and I don’t want her to feel limited by what I can offer her, which isn’t much. It makes me sad sometimes.”
“Why?” I said softly.
“I feel like she’s already got a bad start in life, you know?”
“What do you mean? She’s such a happy girl.”
“She is, but she’s young. She doesn’t have her mother. She doesn’t have her father. She’s with me, and that’s not saying much.”
“Don’t say that, Arya. You’re wonderful.”
“Thank you, but I don’t have a job. I don’t have any money. I don’t have a home. I don’t have much of an education. Right now, she’s young, and it’s not a big deal, but soon she’ll be going to school, and I just don’t want her to be behind. I just don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t have the same options in life, you know? I want to give her the world, but right now I can’t even give her a crumb.”
“Hey, you’re giving her the world. Your love means so much more than money.”
Her eyes watered and she looked away from me. “I wish that was true,” she said softly.
“Hey, you’re wonderful. You’re worried about so many important things that put my own worries to shame.”
“Oh Chet,” she said. “Don’t say that. I’m sure your worries are also important. I’m sure…”
I shook my head. “No. Today is about you. Let’s have some fun.” I took her hand and squeezed it gently. “I know you’re an independent woman, and I know that you don’t need my help, but anything I can do, absolutely anything, you just let me know.”
Chapter One Hundred One
Arya
“Wow, this log cabin is really beautiful.” I looked around. “Do you stay here often?”
Chet nodded. “I wouldn’t say super often, but I like to stay here as much as I can. In fact, all of my brothers do.”
“I can see why. It’s beautiful.” I looked out the window at the mountains. “The view is magnificent.”
“It is,” he agreed. “We’re hoping to build more cabins like this along the creek for the resort.”
“I think I heard Olivia saying something about that. For tourists?”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “I’m not really cool with it, but what are you going to do?”
