Page 38 of Pieces of Us

“Can I tell you a story?”

She nodded.

“There was this young girl who attended Churchill Academy for her freshman year of high school. She was quiet and didn’tsay much, but she was new, so that made her shy and quiet. However, she made friends with this girl named Chelsea that first day. Chelsea was pretty, vibrant, and popular. The new girl didn’t understand why she wanted to be friends with her of all people, but she was grateful for her because she felt her good energy. Anyhoo, Chelsea had a brother, and goodness…he was so fine!”

We both giggled.

“The new girl used to watch him on the football field every time they had practice because she became a part of the track team. She was literally a schoolgirl with a huge crush. She never said anything to him, and every time he’d look her way, she’d look away from him and her cheeks would heat up.”

“Why didn’t she just talk to him? It’s what I would have done.”

“Oh really?” I asked, looking at her skeptically.

“Mom…focus.” I smiled and held up my palms. “You always tell me to go for what I want. It’s clear the girl wanted him, so why didn’t she just talk to him?”

I chuckled. “Well, back in my day, us girls didn’t approach the boys. Your papa always said, ‘A man who findeth a wife, findeth a good thing,’ so we stood on that. Now, back to the story. One day, he approached her, and she almost fainted! The first thing he said to her made her heart do backflips.”

“What did he say?”

My baby was invested. I was hoping this story would end with her understanding the dynamic in which she came about. I didn’t want to hurt my baby. She was the best thing to ever happen to me.

“He said, ‘My girl doesn’t have to stare at me. She can always talk to me, and I’ll be there to listen.’”

“So lame!” She giggled.

“Hey! Back then, those words were swoon-worthy, okay? Especially with her crush saying those words to her.”

“Ugh, I guess. So, let me guess…they end up dating?”

“They absolutely do. They dated for the three years he had left because he was a sophomore when they met. Now, the girl’s father was very strict. She wasn’t supposed to be dating, but the boy made her feel so safe, secure, and beautiful.”

And gosh did he make me feel beautiful.

“He didn’t pressure her to do anything she didn’t want to do, and he always bought her things… like thoughtful gifts and gave her money. Their young love was so precious that when the haters started to take notice of their magical chemistry, even they couldn’t penetrate their bubble…” My voice trailed off just thinking about those precious moments that we spent together.

“Mom,” Megan called out, snapping me back to reality.

“Sorry, baby.” I looked at the time on my phone. “It’s late. You should get to bed.”

“Aww, Mom! You can’t stop the story when it’s getting good. I want to know what happens next. I’m not even sleepy. Besides, I know there’s a point you’re trying to make.”

“You’re right, but the story gets crazy after that. The girl’s father found them in an uncompromising way, and he forbade them from seeing each other again. He was going off to college, and her plan was to follow him once she graduated, but the girl’s father wasn’t having it.

“The boy’s father was into some illegal things, but the boy wasn’t. He was smart and very ambitious. But the girl’s father was afraid that she’d get hurt, so he restricted her from all communication with the outside world for a whole year. The girl found out she was pregnant within that year. She wanted so desperately to tell the boy about the baby, but her father threatened that if she told, he would get the boy and his father locked away for life.”

“Wow! What a douchebag. Every child deserves a father.”

My eyes stung as I willed my tears away.

“Exactly…”

“So then what happened?”

“The girl had no choice but to follow her father’s rules. She became deeply depressed and almost lost the baby. The baby’s father went off to college, and she never saw him again. Then she went off to college, met a nice guy who agreed to marry her. Of course, the girl’s father set everything up. The girl really did like the new guy, but she wasn’t in love with him. She did love him, though. Eventually, they got married and started a family.”

“So, the girl’s father approved of this guy, but not her first love?”

I nodded.

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