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“No, I don’t think that anymore, Johnny. I may one day have to face facts and find something I can take for the pain I’m in, but I know you’ll be there to make sure it doesn’t become the problem that it once was.” I paused, knowing my parents had been too busy working to notice how addicted I’d become to the pills. It wasn’t their fault, they had to work to support us all. It was just a fact of life.
“Do you want to call your parents?” he asked, turning to bring me closer to his body.
“Soon, maybe. They deserve to know I’m okay. They may be done with me, but I’d like them to know I’m alright, even if they’d rather not have me in their lives again.” I stopped, wondering if they would want me back. “Would you want your daughter back in your life?”
“If she came to me one day and asked me to get to know her, I’d like it. But if they’re happy with their life the way it is, I’m not going to change things for them. I don’t have a degree hanging on the wall and I’m no angel. I don’t expect a whole lot to happen.” He kissed the top of my head and inhaled the scent of my hair.
“Maybe that’s all we can expect,” I said, a little sad for him.
“It’ll be alright. After all, I’m the only man you’ve ever given a rose to.” He reached over my to put the empty box on the bed. “And that’s all I want out of life right now. To be yours, Tara.”
“Awesome,” I said, then burst out laughing. “I’ve never heard more beautiful words.”
“Well, how about if I wrap them in I love you?” He sounded hesitant, so I didn’t linger over an answer.
“Now, that does beat the other words. I love you too, Johnny. More than you’ll ever know.” And I meant it. “Now, go to sleep. I’ve got to take you in and show you off to Ginger with that rose around your neck, tomorrow.”
And the dancer that thought she’d never give a man a rose, that thought I was a complete failure, went to sleep knowing that I had everything I didn’t know I wanted, then some.
