Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 125117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Did they mind?”
“Oh yes. My mother told me I was selfish to leave. Who would take care of them when they were older? That’s why you had children, to depend on in your twilight years.”
Greta cringed. “Yikes, that’s grim.” They shared a conspiratorial eye raise.
“And your father…you know him. He likes everyone to get along. Likes people to be happy.”
“Like Tillie.”
“Yes. His father wanted him to take over the sandwich shop and be the next generation in the business, but your dad hated it.”
“Yeah, I’m imagining him making sandwiches with about the same dexterity he brings to crafting.”
“Yes, I’d say that’s accurate. God save anyone who ordered a meatball sub.”
They chuckled together and Nell reached for Greta’s hand.
“I’m sorry,” she said simply. “I’m sorry I overreacted earlier. I was upset. But if moving to New Orleans is really what you want, then…you have my blessing.”
Greta threw her arms around her mother’s neck, tears threatening. She hadn’t realized how much it would mean to her to have her mother’s support—her mother, whom she’d thought of so often lately, and critically—and something occurred to her for the first time.
Maybe it wasn’t that she didn’t respect her mother. Maybe it was that she saw her mother’s life as a failure because she didn’t see that it was a result of her choices. For Greta, this life was, but for her mother? Nell had chosen this life, had built it into what she wanted, just as Greta would do.
“I think once I start doing things I like more, I’ll want to tell you about them more,” Greta said.
Her mother’s face went soft. “I really hope you do. I miss our talks.”
Once, she had cherished the moments she found herself alone with her mom, the only child in the room for a few moments, and the way they’d talked. It was only with dissatisfaction that true resentment had set in.
“I miss them too, Mom,” she said, voice shaky.
Her first alarm went off then, and they both jumped.
“Hey, I don’t suppose you wanna drive me to the airport and I’ll tell you all about New Orleans?”
Her mother leaned in, conspiratorial. “Only if you’ll also tell me about this Carys you’re in love with.”
Greta smiled, the word Carys enough to lift her heart like a balloon.
“I think I could probably handle that.”
Chapter 30
Greta
Three weeks ago, when Greta had stepped out of the car on Royal Street in the Marigny, she’d been running away. She’d thought she was running away from her family, and it had been the catalyst. But she had really been running away from the feeling that she felt powerless to decide the course of her life.
Now, she was running toward something.
Toward the place she wanted. The life she wanted. The person she wanted to share it with.
After a quick shower and a walk with Horse, Greta headed over to Carys’ and found her in the backyard, feeding Teacup mini carrots and familiar pink sugar cubes.
The scene was magical and absurd and so beautiful that Greta felt her heart swell. “You’re so lovely and amazing,” she said to Carys.
At least that was what she began to say. She only got out “You’re” before Carys shrieked and spun around, clutching her chest. Greta had not only startled Carys, she’d also startled Teacup, who let out what Greta had heard described in books as a whinny but sounded more like the baleful shriek of some creature Carys would describe on her haunted tours.
“Aw, baby, I’m so sorry,” Greta said when Carys and Teacup were no longer in fear for their lives. “I missed you.”
She wrapped Carys in her arms and felt instantly at home. Carys’ body, her smell, her very being made everything in Greta feel at peace.
“I missed you too.” Carys sounded almost surprised to hear herself say it.
Greta had talked with Carys at the airport about everything that had happened with her family, but she’d wanted to see her in person when she told her the rest.
“Can we go inside?”
They gave Teacup the last carrot and many caresses and scratches, then settled on Carys’ bed beneath the painting of Carys riding Teacup. It looked so much like the scene she’d walked in on earlier that Greta grinned.
“Okay,” Greta said. “I know that this is still really new, and I don’t want you to feel like you owe me anything. I know you’re a lot more experienced than me, and we haven’t really talked about monogamy or…well, or a lot of things.”
Carys was looking at her with such fondness that it emboldened her. She grabbed Carys’ hand. This time, her rehearsing what she wanted to say during the flight paid off.
“I want to move here. Not for a month but permanently. I’m not saying this because of our relationship, I swear. Though I really love our relationship, and I hope it can continue. But I just need you to know that it’s not because of you. You know?”