Mom
I’d feel better if I could hear your voice
I sigh and dial her number.
“Hey Mom!”
“You fell for her, didn’t you?”
“No mom.”
“Then why is Lucinda telling me you’re having second thoughts about selling the cottage?”
“Because I am. Have you been there? Mom, it’s incredible!”
“I spent three summers there as a little girl. Great Aunt Norland made me pull a grocery bag of weeds each morning before I could eat breakfast. I hate the place.”
“I think if you visited again, you’d understand where I’m coming from.”
“I know where you’re coming from. You are too big of a softie to kick a single mom and her daughters out of their home. But think of your own single mother. Lucinda called to tell me that she won’t buy the park if you don’t sell the cottage.” I can’t believe my mom is comparing her situation to the Greenwood’s, but I’m not going to pick a fight.
“She’s bluffing, Mom.”
“Lucinda never bluffs.”
“How did your tournament go?”
“Fabulous! But don’t change the conversation. I want to know which one you fell for.”
“I didn’t fall for anyone. How could I? I was only there for a day.”
“Because you’re your grandfather’s boy. I’ve always known you’d do something foolish like this.” I hate how right my mom is. I mean, I didn’t do anythingtoofoolish. Though promising Elinor that I wouldn’t kick her out of Bumble Cottage was a little rash.
“What exactly are you accusing me of?”
“Iamyour mother. I can always tell when you’re hiding something. I bet it’s the older daughter. After your call the other day, I remembered that Dad told me you had a huge crush on the oldest Greenwood girl.”
“Is that why we never went back?”
“No, of course not. It’s because staying at Norland Park—even in the hotel—is a little too much like camping for my tastes. I don’t require much: just A/C, room service, and a sauna.”
“So the basics.”
“Exactly! Edward... please tell me you haven’t fallen for a Greenwood.” I consider telling my mom the same thing I told Lucinda—that she doesn’t need to worry because I have a girlfriend, and I have no interest in Elinor. But I’ve already told enough lies for one phone call.
“I don’t know. Maybe. It hardly matters. She’s not interested.”
“Not interested inyou—what’s wrong with her? I told you the Greenwoods were trouble.”
Elinor should not be exposed to... such insinuations. —Sense and Sensibility
17
Elinor
Melancholy music drifts into my office. Annie has been in a sad song phase ever since Hunter, her park ranger boyfriend, told her two days ago that he’s taking a job at Glacier National Park in September. They’ve been casually dating since June, but I don’t think Annie cares that much for the guy. She just enjoys the drama.
I, on the other hand, am allergic to it, despite the current drama playing between my head and my heart. My head is trying to forget all about Edward, but my heart can’t let go.
