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“What’s a Rumspringa?” Cassie asked, frowning. She’d told Gemma everything and her friend had listened to every word, her face full of compassion.
“It’s an Amish term,” Gemma told her. “When the children are in their late teenage years, they’re given some leeway to get all those urges and behaviors out of their systems. It’s like ‘go do what you need to do, kid, and if you want, come back and we’ll be waiting for you’.”
“I’m not exactly a kid,” Cassie pointed out.
“No, but it’s the same idea. Through experience they probably learned that it was better than the kids rebelling and leaving the faith forever. This way when they come back they really know that they want this life.”
Cassie blew out a mouthful of air. She’d spent most of the night crying after Presley had left. Mostly because she hated the way he’d spoken, the things he’d said.
Maybe even part of her hated that he made some kind of warped sense.
“I love him.”
“I know you do.”
“He told me he loved me last night.” And that made her want to start crying again. It was so bittersweet, hearing him say those words, then urging her to leave him.
“I think it’s romantic,” Gemma said, shrugging her shoulders. “He’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”
“He didn’t say as long as it takes.”
“But I bet that’s what he meant. The man has it bad for you. You only have to see him looking at you to know it. Every time you’re on the stage together it’s like nobody else there.”
“I don’t want to sing with anybody else,” Cassie said. “I don’t want to go back to New York.”
Gemma gave her the softest of smiles. “I know.”
“But if I don’t go will he keep wondering? Thinking that I might be settling for him?”
“Maybe,” Gemma said. “I guess that’s the risk you take.”
“You’re not helping.” Cassie screwed up her face. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“You could make a pros and cons list,” Gemma suggested.
“That’s so clinical. Pros – I make Presley happy. Cons – I break my own heart.”
“Oh sweetie.” Gemma reached for her hand, just as the diner door opened.
Cassie’s heart dropped when she saw Maddie walk in. As much as she admired the woman, she didn’t need Presley’s mom to see her upset like this.
“Hi,” Maddie said, smiling as she walked over to them. The smile slipped when she saw the expression on Cassie’s face. “Is everything okay?”
Cassie swallowed hard. “Everything is fine.”
Maddie looked at her again, pulling her lip between her teeth. “I’ll leave you to it.”
And now Cassie felt worse. “Sorry. Sit down. We’re not staying long. I have a class at ten.”
“You sure? I only popped in to get a coffee myself,” Maddie told them.
“Of course. Sit.” Cassie pointed at the leather covered bench seat next to her. “It’s lovely to see you.”
“Okay then.” She sat and looked at Cassie. “Is it something with Presley? Because he looked like hell yesterday.”
Cassie winced. She hated that.
“Want me to tell her?” Gemma asked. Cassie nodded, mostly because she wasn’t sure she could say it all again.
