"My parents' house. Lunch. Just come with me tomorrow," he said. "You and Lu."
"I'm not saying this because I'm coming. I’m just wondering, what time is it?"
"Mom said we'd eat lunch right at noon, but everyone's getting there early. My cousins are coming. Mom said people are showing up at ten. My dad got a half cow from Henry's ranch, so there's going to be enough barbecue for everyone."
"Is he cooking half a cow?"
"No, that lasts for a while. But there's going to be plenty of food. Believe me. You and Luna should come."
She sighed and let her shoulders slump. "We can't do stuff like that yet."
"Why not? Who's making these rules?" He looked around as if looking for the person responsible.
"No, it's just that, you know, our families… Luna and your family. If they get to know each other, then… other people's feelings are involved. I'm just trying to be smart. You know that. Plus, we've got church in the morning. Lu's in the little Easter show, and they're practicing for that."
"What time are you done with that?"
"Noon."
"Can you come after church?"
"Church was only part of the problem, remember?"
"I just don't see Luna getting to know my family as a problem."
"It will be if we break up, Ash."
"Why would we break up?"
She looked downward in such a way that Ash knew something heavy was on her mind. When her words came out, her voice was timid and soft. "Don't you know I'm still scared of myself?" she asked, completely serious and shy. She was looking away from him, and he tilted her face with a finger on her chin until she made eye contact with him. "What are you scared of?"
"You know."
"I know, but I want you to say it."
"No."
"No, really, say it," he urged. "I think it'll help to say it out loud."
"No."
"Say it, Audrey," he said softly.
"I'm scared that I'll make you kill yourself," she said, staring at him with her eyes full of tears.
"I'm not scared of that. I’m not scared of you. I’m a strong person. If you treat me bad, I'll leave you. If you make me sad, I'll go away from you. I'm not going to do that, no matter what mycircumstances are. And quite frankly, I like my circumstances a lot better with you in them. You don't make me sad. You make me the opposite of sad. I'm notably sadder when I'm not with you."
Audrey closed her eyes, and tears fell onto her cheeks. She took a slow, deep breath and sank into his arms. She went limp, leaning into him, and he held her tightly, supporting her, holding her. They stood there and embraced for at least two full minutes, maybe it was as long as five. It was long enough that Ash got startled when he felt a small hand on the back of his leg.
The television was on a music channel, playing in the other room, but otherwise it was quiet. That's why she surprised him so much.
"What happened?" Audrey asked when she felt him stiffen. She was making eye contact with him when he moved out of the way. Her gaze fell onto her daughter, who was standing right behind Ash.
"Oh, hey, baby. What's the matter? Are you okay?" Audrey tapped Ash on the arm, in a hurry for him to move and let her jump down. He shifted out of the way, and within a second, Audrey had jumped off the counter and was down by her daughter.
"I was scared."
"You were scared of what?" Audrey asked.
