On the other side of the table, Katrina’s mother gave her a wounded look..“I only want you to be happy, dear.I’m simply not sure what to think about the man who is supposed to be your boyfriend leaving in the middle of the wedding without a word.”
Katrina set her avocado toast down on the plate.“He didn’t leave in the middle of the wedding.Khloe and Asher aren’t getting married as we speak, so stop being dramatic.I already knew Darwin had a work commitment that might pull him away this week.He’s a SEAL, not an accountant.When they need him, he has to leave.I understood that when I decided to go out with him, and when I asked him to come to the wedding this week.”
Her mom regarded her in disbelief.“But why would you do that?Why bother with a man who already has other commitments that will always come before you when you could have a man totally committed to you?”
Katrina sat back and forced herself to count to ten.She would have thought the answer to that was obvious.But maybe not to her mother.“When you say a man totally committed to me, I suppose you mean someone like Upton?He’d be your choice, right?A man with a nice stable, respectable job in the financial world?Someone who’d fit the mold of what you and Dad are looking for in a son-in-law?”
Her mother lifted her chin, clearly not liking being called out.“I’d think a man like Upton would make any woman happy.”
Katrina wondered whether her mother would say the same thing if she knew Upton could be a murderer.
“I suppose that means I’m not any woman.Or maybe it’s just that you don’t know anything about me.”When her mother started to argue that point, Katrina held up a hand to stop her.“Mom, if you actually believe Upton is someone I’d be interested in, then truly, you really don’t know me at all.”
“But, I don’t understand what’s wrong with Upton,” her mom said in a voice full of anguish, her expression halfway between hurt and anger.“He’s such a wonderful man.He’s clean-cut, a sharp dresser, and has a tremendously bright future in business.And yes, your father and I approve of him.”
Katrina sighed.“Mom, the person you described sounds like the perfect man–for you.None of those qualities you mentioned is important to me in the least.”
Her mother stared at her, a baffled look on her face.“If those things aren’t important to you, what is?”
Katrina leaned forward to look at her mother earnestly.“A real connection with a man I feel something for, and who feels something for me.A man who makes me feel alive when we’re together.A man who makes me feel safe and cherished.A man who cares about what I want and will do anything to help me achieve it.I know being with a Navy SEAL will be challenging, but I think it will be worth it to be with someone like Darwin.”
“But wouldn’t it be easier to be with someone else?”her mother asked, almost pleading now.“Someone you don’t have to worry about so much?”
“Easier?Yes.But it wouldn’t be as satisfying.And if I’m going to commit myself to someone, I want it to be someone who’s worth it.”
Her mother sat there for a long moment, looking lost in thought, before she finally let out a sigh.“Maybe you’re right, and I really don’t know you at all.But I’ve always wanted what’s best for you, honey.You must believe that.”Her gaze was almost desperate as she met Katrina’s.“But how do I do that, if I don’t know what’s important to you?”
“You start by trusting the choices I make in my life.”Leaning forward, Katrina reached out to take her mother’s hand.“And that includes accepting that I want to be with Darwin and not Upton.”
Her mom squeezed her hand and gave her a smile.“Then I guess that’s what I’ll have to do.I just want you to be happy.I’ve always wanted you to be happy.And if Darwin makes you happy, then I’ll try to see what you see in him.”
Katrina returned her smile.“That’s all I can ask.”
She would have said more, but the server appeared with her mother’s omelet.Silence filled the space as the two of them went back to eating.As she nibbled on her whole wheat toast topped with avocado, Katrina wondered if her mother could really play nice where she and Darwin were concerned.She didn’t doubt her mother wanted her to be happy, but this was a big ask.
“Tell me how you and Darwin met,” her mom said as she sipped her Earl Grey.“It must have been something especially romantic to make you feel the way you do now.”
Katrina hesitated, taking a sip of her coffee as she considered how to answer.Her first instinct was to lie and tell her mother about meeting Darwin in the produce section of the supermarket.Maybe something involving a meet-cute over by the avocado stand?
But as the words started to come out of her mouth, something made her stop.Did she honestly need to hide this from her mother?If her mom was going to accept her being with Darwin, then this was all part of that.
“Well, funny you should mention a romantic way to meet, since I met Darwin in the middle of a gunfight,” she said, setting down her cup.“He picked me up in his arms and whisked me out of danger.I’d say it was definitely romantic.Scary, but romantic.”
Her mother’s eyes went wide.“You’re not serious?”
Katrina nodded, giving her a small smile.“There’s a lot I haven’t told you about recently.But Icantell you about it, if you want?”
It was her mother’s turn to nod.“Please.”
So, Katrina did, not leaving anything out.Her mom listened in awe as she filled in the details of the night Darwin saved her life when they were on that stakeout.
“As scared as I was, I knew Darwin would protect me and keep me safe,” she said.
“Something I’m grateful for,” her mother said.“I just had an idea!Why don’t you and Darwin come to the house for dinner tonight?”
“Um.”
Katrina wasn’t sure she wanted to have dinner with her father, but maybe with her mom now on her and Darwin’s side, hanging out like a normal family might actually work.
