He finally closed his book and stood from the couch. It had been nearly a week. He learned from their last breakup that giving her space was not the answer. He needed go over and talk to her. He would make the effort. She had a habit of getting in her head over things, and he couldn’t let their second chance come to an end if it was something he could take care of. Afterpulling on a sweatshirt, he stepped into his shoes, and headed out the door.
He tried to use the short drive to come up with a plan, but with no idea what he wanted to say to her, he didn’t get very far. He just knew he needed to see her if he was going to make things right. Maybe he should have told his mom to leave. His only goal had been to smooth things over and cause as little turmoil as possible.
He pulled into her driveway only to notice her car wasn’t there. He was torn between waiting for her like a stalker or going back home without getting anything worked out. He had just decided waiting for her might be enough to scare her off when he saw headlights in the rearview mirror. He stepped out of his truck and waited for her to come his way.
“Hey,” he greeted once she was within earshot.
“Hey, yourself.”
“I promise I just got here,” Andy said quickly. “I’m not stalking you.”
Samira chuckled and took another few steps closer. “Want to come in?”
Andy nodded his head and followed her. He considered it a good sign that she seemed okay with him being there. He expected hostility, or at least the cold shoulder, considering she’d been ignoring him all week. He stood back a few extra feet while she unlocked the door and ushered him in.
He stepped into the living room and hesitated a moment. “I’m not really sure what I planned to say. I didn’t think I’d make it this far.”
Samira laughed again. “I’m sorry. I’m actually glad you showed up. I just now figured out that I’ve been a jackass. Maybe we can talk?”
“Talking would be nice.”
Samira led the way to the sofa and sat down. Andy followed and sat next to her but was careful not to sit too close. He wasn’t sure where he stood, and he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. He watched her in silence until she finally looked up and met his gaze.
“I was going to give you space,” Andy said finally, “but I remembered how well that worked last time.”
Samira gave him a shy smile. “There’s space, and then there’s complete silence. And that’s not good when we both are using that tactic.”
“True. I made it a point not to do that this time. I should get bonus points or something,” Andy joked. “Seriously, though, will you tell me what’s wrong? I’ve been trying to figure it out, but considering you won’t tell me everything about our first breakup, I’m at a total loss.”
Samira pressed her lips together and avoided eye contact. She cracked her knuckles, which was something he hadn’t seen her do since high school. She was nervous. He hated to see her like that. They knew each other more intimately than they had before. The nerves should have been gone.
“Whatever you tell me won’t change anything,” Andy said softly.
“I know. That’s why I know I’ve been a jackass. I realize that if I’m with you, I’m with you. I’m not with your parents, so whatever they think about me doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter. But it’s hard,” Samira anxiously tried to explain.
Andy felt his heart rate accelerate. “What do you mean by that? What they think of you?”
Samira’s expression went from anxious to annoyed. She sighed and repositioned herself on the sofa. Sitting up straight, she cocked her head to the side, and crossed her arms.
“I heard your mother. She has a problem with me. I didn’t want to believe it when we broke up all those years ago, butthis time I heard it with my own ears, so what choice do I have? I’m supposed to believe her problem isn’t our interracial relationship.”
Andy got to his feet. “What? What are you talking about? Did she say something to you?”
“I heard the two of you talking. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about,” Samira answered.
“I’m not sure what you heard, but ifthat’sthe problem she has with you, it’s news to me. Start from the beginning. Is that what you were told when we broke up after high school?”
Samira took a deep breath. “My parents told me, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. Well, not in so many words, but I know what they meant. I told them I didn’t believe them, and that I needed to talk to you. That started a huge fight. Between your parents and my parents, I just had to get away. Andrea’s job offer was perfect for what I needed. I never thought I would be back here, and I definitely never saw myself back with you.”
Andy walked over to the window and looked out while he tried to get his bearings. It was dark out, but he hoped to see some answers beyond the shadows. That was why she left? How could both families have had this discussion without him knowing anything about it? His parents were set in their ways, but it was his turn to not accept it. He recalled something Samira said.
“I swear to you, if those are their feelings, I never had a clue,” he said, walking back to his seat next to Samira. “I tried to have a conversation with my dad a little while ago that was a complete disaster. I was so confused. But after speaking to my mom, I understand what he was trying to say. They do have a problem with us, but I think you have this all wrong. It’s not what you think.”
She stiffened. “This is why I never talked to you about it. I knew you would take their side.”
Andy’s muscles tensed, as he felt a rush of several emotions at once. He was disappointed in her for doubting him. He had always been honest with her, and she had no reason to doubt him. He also felt angry at the way she dismissed him. After taking a moment to reign in his emotions, he finally spoke.
“The reason they don’t think you’re good enough is because you didn’t spend summers fishing up in a crab house while the flies tried to eat you alive. You didn’t help your mom take care of everything while your dad got up before the crack of dawn and didn’t come home until he’d caught his limit. If they have any other problems with you, I promise I don’t know about it.”
