“Justin’s family never approved of me. Honestly, I don’t even think they liked me a little,” she stated. Her revelation vibrated in the space between them. The sting of rejection was a fresh wound even now. “That’s why I’m worried. Parents usually don’t like me.” Tears tickled the corners of her eyes. She blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. Her gaze focused at the mile markers drifting on by.
Logan squeezed her forearm. “Hey, I’m sorry to hear that.” He squeezed one more time before letting go and repositioning his hand on the steering wheel. “How could anyone not like you?”
Brooke shifted back to face him. “I know, right?” she joked.
The car grew silent. She leaned her head back against the head rest. Logan didn’t speak, which she appreciated.
“Justin’s family was old money, like his ancestors came over on the Mayflower. His mom was part of some group… what wasit called?” She tried to think of the name. Then she snapped, “Daughters of the American Revolution.”
“Ahh,” Logan nodded.
“I clearly did not come from the same stock. They didn’t approve.”
He raised an eyebrow. “But you’re a pediatrician for crying out loud.” He shook his head and merged over a lane. “What did they expect? A Rockefeller?”
She laughed, loosening the tension in her chest. “Probably.” She ran a finger over the console between them. “I, certainly, didn’t fit the bill.”
Logan scratched his jaw. “You’d fit my bill.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks reddened. She continued on, “Justin’s mom took one look at me and managed to make me feel like complete trash. Her dismissal of me was painful. She often made loud sighs and critical remarks which didn’t help either. All I’ve ever wanted was a family, and I had been hopeful to join his and make them my own. I was wrong about that, too.” Brooke stared out the window again.
“I think you could still find that,” Logan interjected. “Not every family is like that. I think normal families would be thrilled if their son came home with you.”
She wondered if his words were true. What she came from clearly wasn’t functional, but what was normal? Would she even recognize when she saw it?
“I hope you’re right,” Brooke offered.
“Me too.”
The car grew quiet again. Sounds from the radio whirled around them. They continued in comfortable silence for a few minutes.
Brooke scrunched up her nose. “I’m sorry I just unloaded on you. You didn’t need to know all that information about me.”
“Hey, we’re friends.” He shot her a smile as he changed lanes. “You can tell me anything.”
The words vibrated through her.
She believed him.
Friends.
His words managed to loosen the knot in her stomach. Soon, Logan merged over and exited. After the exit, the landscape changed. They weaved down a nice and well-kept neighborhood with large oak trees lining both sides of the street. Snow from their large storm two nights earlier still dotted the front yards of the houses. Yards displayed handmade snowmen and made her smile. She imagined the families outside at the first sign of snow, the children squealing with delight as they rolled the big balls to make them. Maybe some people were normal. Maybe some people did have it all. But would she ever be one of them? Doubtful.
Minutes later, he parked his car in front of a stately brick house with a massive front yard and white shutters. The house had a long walkway which led up to it. Despite its regal appearance it somehow still looked cozy and welcoming.
Brooke peered out the windshield. “You grew up here?”
“No.” Logan unbuckled his seatbelt. “My parents bought this place after I went to college. They wanted to be part of the local country club. They’ve become golfers in their later years.”
“Gotcha.” She unbuckled her own seatbelt and sat back in no move to leave. “And your sister, she lives in this neighborhood too?”
“She does. I should’ve mentioned that before. Danielle moved here with her husband after they married. My parents bought in the neighborhood to be close to her. But I grew up across town.”
“I see.”
She wondered if this home was an upgrade or a sensible downgrade but either way it intimidated her. Sure, someday she hoped to own her own home, but with her heavy student loans she knew it was far off from becoming a reality.
“Come on.” Logan opened his door and climbed out. “Let’s get this over with.”
