Page 57 of 7 Miles High
I stand and give her a hand up. “Come on, let’s go to the water.”
Making our way to the shore with the sunshine and seabirds as company, we get to a more serious topic.
“So tell me Natalie, what’s Parker like?”
“He’s a good man. He treats me like a woman should be treated. Our relationship seems to grow every time we’re together.”
“I like his resume so far. What about his history? Any wives?”
“No,” I say, making the first steps into the cold water. “He’s really transparent about his prior girlfriends.”
“Well that’s good. I know a man’s honesty and loyalty are critical considerations for you. They should be for all of us. But your marriage made you more aware of how we can be fooled.”
We fall into the breaking waves and paddle past the foamy crests. Then we turn on our backs and float while we talk.
“You’re right. I will never again be the stupid girl who ignores signs. The more I’ve analyzed Alex and my marriage the more signs I could suddenly see. I must have been crazy to look away from the things he let me see. It was ridiculous.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Sister. It’s not a sin to believe what your husband tells you.”
“Not a sin, but blind belief can only hurt you. It’s smart to hold a man to his words.”
“No red flags with Parker? I’ve heard the movie business is notorious for on set affairs.”
I stand and let a small wave roll over me.
“Well then it will be a good test. There’s lots of young, beautiful women around him. I’m going to see if our feelings for each other stand the test.”
“I’m rooting for you, Natalie. You deserve a man who is as good a person as you.”
“If only a woman’s goodness meant she was going to be treated right. I don’t want a man who hides from his sins. I want a man whose sins don’t cost me my happiness.”
