Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“I’m not intentionally trying to lose weight. I’m not very hungry right now. I had some pasta salad for lunch that was pretty filling.”
“You’re thinking about that boy aren’t you?”
I knew it would only be a matter of time before my father brought this subject up. “Jackson is hardly a boy, Dad.” I break off a piece of salmon and pop it in my mouth more to stall this conversation.
“At my age, you’re all kids to me. Look, when you told me about what you had to do to save this house and to bail me out of my mess I was angry. Pissed that some punk had pushed my little girl into such a desperate situation. But most of all, I felt shame. I’m the one who’s supposed to protect you. I’ve failed you Zora. I’ve failed you and your brother but mostly you.”
I shake my head vehemently. “No you haven’t, Dad. You’ve been an awesome parent and I love you so much.”
“You’re 30 and you should be out there enjoying your life and not taking care of me. And I don’t approve of what that boy did to you but I think people do dumb things when they’re in love.”
I chew slowly before answering. There goes that love word again. So far, he’s been true to his word about turning the deed to the house over to me and my father. He even sent paperwork from his lawyer stating that all financial obligations to him have been satisfied.
He hasn’t been in contact with me and this is what I thought I wanted but I’m not sure why I can’t stop thinking about him. Does he really love me? Everything I believed about my high school experience wasn’t what I thought they’d been and deep down I knew Jackson was telling the truth.
So why was I so scared to accept that he could really love me?
“Dad, I don’t know about all that.”
“Oh, I think you do. I remember when you would come home from school and yell for the heavens to hear, how much you hated Jackson Champion. And I get it. I hated him to for messing with my baby girl. But back then if I would have gone to the school to complain about it, nothing would have happened. You know how much influence that ole’ bitch Katherine Champion had over this town.”
“Dad!” I’d never heard my father speak so disparagingly about anyone before, even people he didn’t like.”
“Well it’s the truth. She walked about like her stuff don’t stink when everyone knows she married her husband for money. They say her people are from the mountains but you’d think she was descended from royalty the way she acts. I’m not happy with all the new changes in this town but I’m glad no one gives a damn about her anymore.”
Being raised by a woman like that, I can see why Jackson had so many issues. “I’ve had a run in with her and I can’t say it’s pleasant. I always wondered why she never remarried. She probably could have found another rich husband.”
“Who knows? Maybe one old man was enough for her. He did leave her a wealthy woman.”
“I guess.”
“Zora, I never told you this because I thought it was for the best, seeing you like this…I think it’s time you know.”
“What?”
“Did you know that boy used to hang around the diner? He’d stand on the hill just watching. He probably didn’t think I noticed. One day, when you weren’t there, I called him in. I fed him and we talked.”
This was news to me. I didn’t realize my father interacted with Jackson at all. Why didn’t Jackson say anything about this?
“What did you two talk about?”
“I basically told him off for bothering you. He apologized and explained to me that he had no ill will against you and was sorry for any trouble he caused. He claimed he’d make it right one day. I didn’t understand it then but I do now. And if what you told me about his mother is true, I understand. After that conversation, I never saw him again. But a guy doesn’t hang out in random spots just to catch glimpses of a girl for no reason.”
Wow. Even my father suspected Jackson’s feelings toward me.
“Dad, I don’t know what to do. Are you saying I should give him a chance? So much time has passed and even if it wasn’t intentional he has caused me harm. It’s going to take some time to get past that.”
“I’m not saying you should automatically jump into a relationship with this man. But clearly you have some feelings for him or else you wouldn’t be so torn up about this.”
Did I? The Jackson I thought I knew was a completely different person. I’ve seen glimpses of his true self but was that worth risking my heart.