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“I wanted to tell you, honey, there’s a pretty new face at church. Her name is Michal. She’s the sweetest thing. She’s only sixteen, but she looks older. Her family moved down here from Missouri.”
I still at her words, gripping my fork a little tighter as she continues, “I invited their family to the reunion tomorrow. She’s very sweet but a little shy. I think you’ll like her.”
She pats my shoulder again, and I swallow the tasteless bite in my mouth.
“Uh, well, I don’t know if that’s the best idea. I’m…”
I want to tell her I’m dating Harley, but I actually don’t know if I am at this point. She hasn’t returned any of my texts or calls in four days. After the last few weeks, I’m going insane, trying to figure out what’s going on with her.
“Oh, I know, you’re off at college, but it’s only two hours away. You can easily start visiting home on the weekends and take her to church. Her mother, Abigail, has already said they’d love to see you for dinner this Sunday.”
Her smile is even brighter now as she takes my empty plate to the sink. My father has meandered into the kitchen to hear her last statement.
“That’s wonderful, honey. Michal sure is a sweet girl. You’ll like her, Adam. Her father has been very involved in the church since they moved here.”
I feel bloated with shame as they chat among themselves about the new family with eight kids, another on the way. Michal is the oldest, already primed and ready to start her own journey of eternal reproduction.
“She loves the farm life too. She and Eden have been out at your grandmother’s orchard all week long, picking fresh apples for the pies tomorrow,” my mother continues on as she starts washing dishes.
I get up and excuse myself, saying I want to check on the baby goats that were born before I moved away. My parents don’t say anything, glancing at each other with that silent communication only a concerned husband and wife can interpret.
The ringing in my ear is echoing from the phone pressed against it.
Please answer.
“Hello?” Her voice is raspy when she finally picks up.
“Hi,” I say, a little surprised she answered. My heart rate speeds up.
“I can’t talk for long.”
I hear a door closing on her end. I’m walking out into a field, aimlessly wandering around the grassy pasture.
“How…how’s it going there?” I ask like a coward, avoiding what really needs to be said.
“It’s good. They’re great people. They like me.” Her voice holds a hint of defensiveness that I barely pick up on.
“Are you…” I trail off, blowing out a breath. This can’t happen over the phone. “Are you doing anything fun tonight?”
“Yes. Kenna got us tickets to a concert.”
“Oh, okay. Glad you’re having fun,” I force out over the mass in my throat.
She’s silent for a minute.
“Thanks. I gotta get ready.”
“Okay, well...bye,” I reply, and the line cuts off.
I survey the luscious expanse of green stretching as far as my eye can see. My family owns hundreds of acres in every direction from where I’m standing. I know that if I’d never gone to Ole Tex and met an inked goddess, I’d be perfectly content to stay here and marry a sweet girl, never venturing from the place of my birth.
37
Harley
If he doesn’t break up with me soon, I’ll lose my ability to be cold toward him. He’s been home for four days, but I’m guessing my name hasn’t come up yet. If it had, he’d either be breaking up with me or leaving home. I can’t imagine that a conversation about me would go well—unless he agrees with them and is waiting to do it in person like a gentleman.
My belly is tight as I stand up from the side of the tub in Kenna’s enormous house. I’m staying in one of four guest suites on the third floor. It’s decorated in a modern style with neutral accents.
