Page 75 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“You’ve saved more than a million dollars?” she asked in disbelief.

“I earn a lot of money, plus hardship bonuses. I’ve invested pretty well, and it just keeps growing.”

She looked at Zack and then gazed around her apartment.

“I can’t believe this,” she murmured.

“Hey, it’s just money.”

“You’re rich.”

“Well-off, I’d say.”

“How well-off?”

“I don’t know offhand. Do you want me to get my financial advisor to fax you a copy of my portfolio?” he asked whimsically.

“I don’t even have a financial advisor. Myles, are you sure about getting married? I’m not bringing much to the union.”

He put down the papers and reached for her hands.

“You are bringing yourself and Zack, both beyond price. Never let money come between us.”

Anna smiled at his reply. Tom had made a good living for them, but it looked as if Myles was in a class by himself. She vowed to do all she could to make sure he was as happy as she was with their marriage.

When the Chinese food arrived, Myles helped Zack wash his hands and soon they were all eating. Mules used chopsticks.

Zack watched, fascinated.

“I want sticks,” he said.

“You won’t be able to eat with them,” his mother said.

“Myles can. I can, too.”

“It takes practice,” Myles said.

He took another set of chopsticks from the pile in the center of the table. Breaking them apart, he rubbed them together to make sure they were smooth for little boy hands.

“This is how you hold them,” he said, patiently showing Zack the way.

Zack dropped everything he tried to pick up. He grew frustrated and before long threw the chopsticks across the room.

“They’re stupid,” he said, his lower lip coming out.

“Go over and pick them up,” Myles said.

Zack glared at him. “No.”

“Zack,” Anna began.

“Please, let me. If he doesn’t recognize my authority in some things, it’ll make for a bumpy road. Zack, we do not throw things in this home. Please go and pick them up, now.” Myles said.

Zack stared at him for a moment longer, then grudgingly got off his chair and went across the room to retrieve the chopsticks.

When he put them on the table and climbed back into his chair, Myles said, “Thank you. If something makes you frustrated, you need to find other ways to display that rather than throwing things. Can you remember that?”

Zack nodded, looking at his mother, his eyes filling with tears.

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