Page 8 of I Love You Again
Shocked was the only way Brad could describe how he felt. Shocked, andnumb.
"Trina doesn't know,” Jimdeclared.
Brad stared at him more intensely, unable to believe that Jim hadn't told Trina something soimportant.
"Why wouldn't you tell her? She needs toknow."
"No." Jim held up his hand. "She's going to Stanford, and she is so happy about that. She's going to be a doctor Brad. That's her dream, and she's going to work hard to make her dreams come true. I want her to be able to enjoy the happiness she feels now. I barely finished school, and no one in our family ever went to college. She's the first. She deserves everything good this world has to offer, and that's why she deserves more than you can give her. Promise me you won't ask her to marry you. Promise me that you'll leave her alone to pursue her dream and find happiness. Promise me you won't see heragain."
Brad stared at him, feeling like his soul had been stripped from his body. How was he supposed to promisethat?
What would his life be like withouther?
HisTrina?
She'd been in his life from as far back as he remembered and he didn't know if he could live withouther.
"Please, Brad. This is my dying wish." Jim pleaded, his sad eyes held Bradstill.
Brad hadn't cried much in his life. He'd had a tough upbringing, and a rough life but this, all of it made the backs of his eyes sting and a tear run down his cheek. It was the first time he’d felt sorrow andloss.
He thought of Trina, with her magical smile and beauty. His girl who was like an angel, did indeed deserve the best this world had to offer. He agreed with Jim, she deserved happiness. True happiness. If he loved her, how could he deny her ofthat?
"Alright," he agreed. He couldn't believe it. He actually agreed. Anguish stabbed him like a knife and twisted and turned inside him. He loved her so much. So, so much, but... Jim wasright.
He thought Jim would look happy, but he actually didn't. Jim lookedsad.
"Alright," Jimnodded.
Brad was supposed to see Trina tomorrow. He was going to ask her to marry him tomorrow. He had everything arranged to do it. He was going to take her to that new classy Italian restaurant she was completely taken with, and he was going to get the waiters to put the ring in her dessert. Like something from one of those girly films she watched all thetime.
But Brad could see the truth of it all. The gesture was a good idea, but he planned to do all that with a stolen ring. Trina deserved more than that. She deserved better, and she deserved to be with someone who could give herbetter.
Nothim.
"I don't know what to do." Brad's voiceshook.
"You have to leave," Jim said barely meeting Brad'seyes.
Yes…Leave.
It was the only logical thing to do. There was no way he could stay in town after he broke up with her, or even go back to the farm. Leaving was the best thing for both of them. Bradnodded.
"Thank you for everything. Thank you for being like a father to me." As Brad turned to go Jim stoppedhim.
"Wait, I'm not going to let you leave withnothing."
Jim opened the door to his truck and took out an envelope. He handed it toBrad.
"There's ten grand in there. Enough to keep you going. Have this too." He tossed him the keys to the truck. "Take the truck and head to Missouri. I have a cousin there who will put you up for as long as youneed."
Brad was grateful for the kindness but didn't feel comfortableaccepting.
"I can't take all this Jim. I'll find away."
"Take it, please. Please." Jim nodded. "I want to make sure you can take care of yourself. Think of it as anadvance."
Brad looked at the envelope, still not wanting to accept but decided he would. He figured maybe it would make Jim feelbetter.
"Thankyou."
Jim nodded and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry things couldn't be different son. Take care of yourself, and stay out oftrouble."
"I will," he replied numbly, giving an answer toboth.
Brad got in the truck and drove away. As he went past the farm house, he looked at Trina's room, knowing she'd be inside. His soul screamed at him, willing him to say goodbye at the veryleast.
But hecouldn’t.
He justleft.
