“Yes, she does.”
“When she offers a suggestion... It’s just her way.”
“I know. It always has been, and mostly it’s fine.” But when it wasn’t, it was very bad, she thought glumly. How many times had she heard the frustrated, you’re-getting-on-my-last-nervetone from Ava who told her that she “would never understand how you make decisions”? How many fights had been followed by the quiet but deadly “I can’t deal with you right now”?
When that happened, Ava would slip into her bedroom and close the door, leaving Victoria standing in the hallway, not sure how mad her mother was or how long she would be upset. The house would be very still until Milton came home. He always held her tight and promised everything would be fine. Only it wasn’t. And on the very bad days, he would look at her for a long time and say, “I wish you two could get along better.”
“Dad, it’s really okay. Mom’s used to me disappointing her, and I’m used to her being disappointed. It’s kind of our thing.”
“It doesn’t have to be. You’re older now.”
“So I should suck it up and do what she says?”
He smiled. “No one expects that.”
She knew better than to ask about her mother’s responsibility in the relationship. Milton was firmly Team Ava. “But you’re saying I should be nicer.”
“I’m saying I’m glad you’re here, and I want you to focus on getting better. I hate seeing you in pain.”
A not-so-subtle change in subject. “I appreciate that.”
“And if you got serious about someone, that would be nice, too.”
“Dad! Don’t you get on me about being in a relationship. I meant what I said. It’s too soon. I’m not going to feel any biological pressure to connect to anyone for years.” If ever, she added silently. “I like my life. I don’t need to be married to be happy.”
“I’m not suggesting marriage, but I would like to see you with more emotional support. I don’t think you like being alone as much as you pretend you do.”
Ouch with the insight. “I’m very independent. It’s one of the things you like best about me.”
“Too much of a good thing, maybe.”
She smiled rather than laughed, then carefully rose to her feet. “I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.”
“Love you, too, baby girl.”
Once she managed the death ride to the second floor and had hobbled into her bedroom and shut the door, she allowed herself to admit that maybe, just maybe, her dad was right. It was possible that being alone wasn’t the greatest thing ever. But as the alternative was, you know, letting people into her life, she honestly didn’t see how she had much of a choice.
4
Shannon walked through the front door. “I saw your car in the driveway. You’re home!”
“I am.”
She followed Javiar’s voice to the kitchen and found him pulling out fixings for salad while a couple of very nice-looking steaks sat on a plate.
He grinned at her. “Don’t sound surprised I’m here. You’re the one who hasn’t been home in days. Getting in a little Aaron time?”
“I was.”
He pointed at the second raw steak. “Hungry? I can grill that up for you.”
“Sounds perfect. Thank you. Let me go get changed, then I can help.”
She started to turn away, but Javiar called her back.
“What?” she asked easily.
“I don’t know.” He studied her. “There’s something.”
