Page 18 of Clint & Ivy

I couldn’t start over when I hadn’t even acknowledged what I lost. However, ignoring the obvious was what my family tended to do.

When Grandmother Abigail died, my mom and uncles closed off her wing of the mansion and then turned to their vices for solace. They didn’t mourn her openly, and I was expected to grieve alone.

When Geraldine died in our backyard pool, Dwight went on a bender while Linus was gone for days at the casinos. My uncles locked up my mom’s bedroom and emptied the pool. Then, we stopped talking about my mom.

I had a short bout of wildness after Geraldine’s death. A girl I met online invited me to party with her. Without my mom’s controlling nature around to stop me, I sneaked off the property. I couldn’t hold my booze and ended up with a tattoo. My attempt at a wild life ended quickly when the girl decided I was lame and ghosted me.

Now, I worried I’d end up blowing my chance with Clint.

Patiently waiting for me to calm down, Elle said, “I’m sorry you went through that experience. I admit I don’t understand the life you led. But we just met, and you have time to help me picture your old life.”

I looked into Elle’s stormy gray eyes. “I don’t want to be like my family. I want to learn how the world works. I want to accomplish stuff. I just don’t know where to start.”

“We’re going to keep things simple tonight. Order a meal and do online shopping. Clint mentioned you need a new phone. That can all happen with you doing nothing more than sharing your opinions about things.”

“What if I pick the wrong stuff? I usually only wear clothes my mom chose for me.”

“If you pick an ugly shirt, you can just get another shirt later. No big deal.”

“What about tomorrow?”

Elle cocked an eyebrow and asked, “You’re a worrywart, aren’t you?”

“I’m out of my comfort zone. I can’t express to you how little I understand about the world outside of my TV and books.”

“Okay, well, tomorrow, Clint wants to bring you to my parents’ house for dinner. You’ll meet my son and the rest of our family. Our uncle and aunt live next door. Their adult kids will show up. It’ll be a little overwhelming, but you should simply smile and nod a lot.”

Elle’s words instantly calmed me. I wanted details about the future. Back at the mansion, I woke up knowing what my day would involve. I needed that predictability now to keep from crying and hiding.

The new Ivy couldn’t avoid the world anymore. I had a chance to date a man like Clint and call a woman like Elle my friend. But only if I changed twenty-three years of programming in a single day.

CLINT

Hanzee watched thebedroom door, curious about where Ivy went. I understood how he felt. Missing Ivy, too, I was a little jealous when Elle kept her holed up in the bedroom.

Eventually, my sister returned with Ivy close behind. I knew instantly how Elle had a new fangirl. Ivy almost bounced as she followed my sister to the family room.

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