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“It’s good that you found that balance. My sister-in-law was on too high of a dose of an antidepressant after their adoption was finalized, and she said she felt numb. She was much more like herself when she lowered it.”
“I didn’t know you knew much about medication, but it’s good you’re so understanding.” Her mom looked at Amelia with an arched brow.
See? her mother seemed to be saying. Nothing to worry about.
“I don’t know the details, but I know it helps her, and that’s what matters.”
“What a great way to look at it.” Her mom’s eyes were still on Amelia, whose body felt like it was on fire.
So, Daniel was okay with medication. He was okay with . . . a lot. Slowly, all of her reasons for not wanting a relationship were being disproven.
Yet, she was still terrified to ever bring it up herself. If it was right, shouldn’t she not be scared? Her radar had gotten much better over the years, and this fear had to be a bad feeling about him manifesting.
He probably wouldn’t like it if his girlfriend had it. That was it. A sister-in-law was a much more distant connection.
“They have banana split waffles, Amelia,” Daniel said. “That might be up your alley.”
“Uh . . . yeah,” she said, shaking herself out of her thoughts. “Maybe.”
The waitress interrupted to ask for their food order, and Amelia got Daniel’s suggestion. Once she left, her mom and Daniel talked for the whole breakfast. She seemed to be dying to know anything and everything about him, and he seemed willing to share it. She was over the moon when they discovered they liked the same book series and spent half an hour dissecting it like an English teacher with Shakespeare.
Amelia could only sit back and watch. Andrew and her mom had never gotten along like this.
They got back to the condo around midday, and they were still talking. Amelia didn’t mind—she was glad not to have to field conversations between the two of them. Eventually, her mom went to spend some time with her dad, and John mentioned he was going to be hanging out with someone, which just left Daniel and Amelia.
“Looks like you and my mom hit it off,” she said after everyone had left.
“We did,” he said with a smile. “She’s a great mom. She reminds me of mine.”
“You reacted really well about the medication talk too.”
“Did I?” he asked. “I was just being a decent person. Needing medication for mental illness isn’t the end of the world.”
“Well . . . to some people it is.”
“Not to me. Lots of people under me have asked for accommodations and I always give them what I can. People are people, even if they need help.”
That was a good response.
It would be so easy to tell him then. She could just let it slip out and say that she had something too. Then it would be over and she would be free.
But she couldn’t. No matter how hard she tried. The words wouldn’t come out. All she could hear was Andrew’s mocking laugh.
“So, do you have any ideas on what to do today?” she asked instead. Instantly, her cheeks heated with shame. Why couldn’t she do this?
“How do you feel about being out in the heat?”
“I can tolerate it if I’m having fun. Why?”
“This is going to sound so lame, but there are so many mini golf courses around here.”
Her eyes lit up. “And you want to go?”
“I do.”
“Yes! No one ever wants to go with me around here. Plus, it’s a bit of a drive to the nearest one.”
“I don’t mind a drive. Why don’t the others want to go with you?” he asked.
