I shake my head and swallow my bite of food. “Not exactly.”
Dad clears his throat, and I brace myself. I know what my father’s throat-clearing means. It means he’s about to launch into some sort of lecture meant to educate and guide me down the right path. Sheldon used to leave the room as soon as Dad cleared his throat; that way, he’d be long gone before Dad really got going.
I don’t have anywhere to go other than back to the bank, and I have a nearly untouched burrito sitting in front of me, so I stay where I am but squirm uncomfortably.
“One’s work is a wonderful thing,” Dad begins. “Loving what you do and being inspired by it. Your mother and I are thrilled you love your job, honey.”
I furrow my brow. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Loving your home life is just as important,” he continues.
Here it comes.
“Mom told me you may be feeling a little lonely since your divorce. And with Sheldon getting married…”
“Dad. I’m happy for Sheldon. Really I am. And…”
“I know you’re happy for him,” Dad says. “That’s not what this is about.”
“What is it about then?”
Dad puts up his hand. “I understand this is none of my business. But Mom said Will’s a very nice man and very successful, and…”
“Dad, I’m not going out with Will, and that’s final.”
“That’s fine. But maybe you and I can go over your options and plan this out. Two heads are sometimes better than one, you know.”
“You want to sit down and plan out my love life?” I say to him. “Make a list of men, cross certain ones off, and move others to the top?”
“Now that’s an interesting idea,” Dad says.
Despite myself, I smile weakly at my father’s well-meaning efforts. “Dad, no. That’s a terrible idea. I was kidding!”
“Honey, I’m just worried about you.” He drags a chip through the salsa bowl while he talks. “I want you to feel what true love is like. Obviously, your previous marriage isn’t something to shoot for again. It takes longer for some people than others; I was older myself before I found real love with your mother.”
I’m so tired of looking at his pitying eyes. “I do know what love is like. I’ve been in love. Deeply, crazily in love. Okay?”
Dad’s bushy eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. “You have?”
I nod. “Yes. And that’s all I’m going to say about it. But don’t worry, please. I’ll be okay.”
Dad picks up his burrito. “It’s a relief for me to hear you speak this way, Olivia,” he admits. “I was worried you’d put so much of your attention on your work that you’d left your heart behind somewhere.”
I force a smile at how accurate he really is. I did leave my heart behind somewhere, with a man I never forgot. I’m just lucky that we’ve got a second chance.
* * *
I walk through the nursing home and knock on Auntie Sue’s open door before stepping inside her room.
She’s napping, and the way the sun’s rays are coming through her window and landing on her face—she looks like an angel lying there.
I take a seat in the empty chair next to her bed. First, I chat awkwardly about the weather. Then, I talk about the mayoral dinner tonight. But I feel like sharing my heart with someone in my family. And maybe telling somebody who can’t say anything back, especially someone I’ve always looked up to, will help.
Holding her hand in mine, I start confessing.
I tell her about Jenson and me. Not every detail. Just enough that she gets the idea.
“He’s the most important person in my life,” I say. “And you’re the first person in my family that I’m telling. I guess I needed to get it off my chest.”
