Page 30 of Christmas Rings

“How is it a leap? Losing people happened to both of us. You know how it can happen in a split second.”

Mom took in a deep breath, clearly gathering her thoughts. “All right, let’s run through this. Mrs. Marsh is a heinous woman, and she did a bad thing.”

“A horrible thing. She’s cost me my dream job.”

“Put a pin in that for a moment. We’ll circle back to that in a second.”

“Fine,” Alissa said, feeling like a petulant child. Why wasn’t Mom on her side?

“Jed’s in a real tough spot, and I see that frown—don’t think that I’m defending him or that I’m okay with how he’s handled this, but I am asking you to see things from hisperspective. He’s being forced to choose between the woman he wants to marry and the woman who gave him life. No matter how horrible his mother is, she is still his mother, and it would be very hard for him to turn his back on her, even for the woman he loves. And yet, from what you’re telling me, he’s willing to do just that. To walk away from his family and give up the job he loves and, from what I gather, a ton of money. And on top of everything, he’s convinced himself that this is all his fault?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you think this is all Jed’s fault?”

“I can’t marry into a family that hates me,” Alissa said. Even as she said it, she wasn’t sure that it was true.

“Be careful of the lines you draw in the sand, sweetie. Life and love sometimes make them blurry. Look, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that it wouldn’t be difficult. People say you marry the person and not their family, but the fact of the matter is, his family is important to him, and it’s not realistic to think that he won’t ever want them in his life. I think the more important issue is, how do you and Jed learn to stand together and face difficulties, rather than either blaming each other or giving up when it gets tough? You both made choices that brought you here. Now, how do you get through it together?”

Alissa tried to keep up with what Mom was saying, but a ringing in her ears was making it nearly impossible to do so. “I didn’t say it was rational, but somehow I feel like he should’ve protected me.”

“I agree. That’s not rational. You made the choice to waitress in a club where women dance in front of men for money. It was your decision to risk your reputation by working there.” She raised a hand. “I’m not judging you or the women who dance there. People have to make hard choices for survival or to meet life goals. But your error is in thinking that your actions might not have consequences. You weighedthe risks and decided that helping your friend and paying off your debts were worth it, right?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re a survivor, Alissa. Just like your sisters. You don’t need help from anyone, and you sure as heck don’t need a man to protect you.”

“I’m not sure I’m following.”

“Your decision may have cost you your job, but you don’t answer to anyone but God,” Mom said. “If you believed in your heart it was the right thing to do, then I support you one hundred percent. Mrs. Marsh’s actions may have hurt you, but you chose to work there. Thus, you have to own that. I didn’t teach you to be ashamed, did I?”

“No.”

“Then, it’s pretty simple. If the school fires you because of something you do outside of their property, then so be it. You’ll get another job. You’re a wonderful teacher and any school would be lucky to have you.”

“I guess so.” Was Mom right? Could she get another job?

“As far as Jed goes, only he can set the boundaries for his relationship with his mother and decide what influence he’ll allow her to have over him. It sounds like he’s trying to do that, but it also sounds like he’s taking responsibility for her actions, and in letting him do so, you’ve done him an injustice.”

“I have?” Her voice trembled. Mom had always been firm but compassionate when she or her sisters had made mistakes. But this felt different. Like she’d let her down in a way that couldn’t be forgiven.

“I’m sorry, but I think so. He came to you and offered to walk away, not knowing what else he could do. Instead of meeting him with love and assurances that you could weather any storm together, you confirmed his worst fears.”

Alissa looked down at her lap, twisting her fingers.

“Sweetie, what you and Jed have is rare. Does yourrelationship have challenges? Yes. Whenever family doesn’t support a marriage, the union is harder to preserve. But you two have to fight for each other.”

“What do I do?”

“Do you want to be his wife?” Mom asked.

“Yes.” She did. Of course she did. A weight lifted from her shoulders. What was she doing? Mom was right. This wasn’t Jed’s fault. He’d sacrificed everything for her, and she’d treated him terribly.

“You talk to him. You share what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling. You encourage him to do the same. And you both have to listen to each other. Really listen! If the two of you are committed to your love, then you have to move forward unified together. You can’t let outside forces tear you apart, and you can’t just walk away or let him walk away when it gets hard. You have to dig in and stick it out until you find a way. Love will always find a way, sweetie, but you have to be willing to fight for it.”

Chapter 8

The next morning, Alissa woke late. She went to the window and looked out at the snowy landscape, thinking through her next move. After the talk with her mother, she knew it was up to her to reach out to Jed and apologize for the way she’d reacted. Would he even want to talk to her? Regardless, she had to try.

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