“Offense taken. I’m notthatold, Jessica Rose. And I don’t know if you have a choice. Your father thinks it’s a good solution to your problem. No man your age is going to marry you.”
The fact that my dad considered Ruthie myprobleminfuriated me. And now he wanted to marry me off to some old man from the church because of it.
“Why do I need to be married anyway? I’ve got a job now. I can support myself.”
We’d be living lean, but I’d take that alternative over marrying Mr. Roberts any day.
Mama’s voice got softer when she replied, “Because your father says so. And I don’t want to lose another daughter. Or my granddaughter.”
~~~~
I’d gotten the impression yesterday that maybe Alan was interested in me.
Possibly.
I thought he’d been flirty when I’d texted him last night to tell him I didn’t need a ride in the morning, although I’d decidedto wait until today to tell him about Kevin coming to pick me up after work.
Me: Hi! It’s Jessica. I hope you’re having a nice night with your family! I just wanted to let you know that I don’t need a ride in the morning. My mom has to come into town anyway.
Alan: I am having a nice night, but it’d be better if you and Ruthie were here, too. And thank you for letting me know—if things should change in the morning, don’t hesitate to text me for a ride.
I wasn’t sure what to say next, and as I contemplated how to reply, another text came in.
Alan: How was your night? Did you have to make dinner?
Me: No, Mama made it. I just had to look pretty and try not to roll my eyes.
Alan: Well, the first part (looking pretty) shouldn’t be too hard. Not sure about the eyerolling, though. I suspect that might have been more difficult, given the company.
Me: You have no idea.
Alan: I want to hear all about it tomorrow.
Me: Okay. I’ll see you then.
Alan: Sweet dreams, Jess.
That was flirting, right?
I wasn’t entirely sure. I didn’t have a lot of experience to draw from.
But while lying in bed last night, I’d allowed myself to daydream about what going out with him would be like. He wasn’t a college boy who laughed at other college boys’ stupid jokes. He’d been kind; helpful even. Plus, he’d seemed interestedin Ruthie—it hadn’t felt like he viewed her as a problem. Or judged me because I was a single mom.
And I doubted he’d mind that I wasn’t a virgin and no longer pure.
I knew it’d been just a fantasy, but I’d fallen asleep with a smile at the possibilities, and I woke up excited to see him again today, even if he wasn’t going to drive me home.
Now it just seemed like another cruel joke the Universe was playing on me.
As depressing as the idea of marrying Mr. Roberts—I guess I needed to start thinking of him as “Kevin”—was, the thought of not seeing my parents, especially my mom, was more than I could bear.
Ruthie only had one set of grandparents as it was.
Defying my father would mean I’d be on my own. I know Mary had done it and seemed happy, but she also had a college degree that had resulted in a good job. And she didn’t have a newborn baby.
I’d still try to get my father to reconsider, but in my heart, I knew I was going to be the next Mrs. Kevin Roberts.
I could either curl up in a ball or make the best of it.
