Serious talk
A smile lit Dillon’s face when he saw Evie’s car in his driveway. He opened the front door to the wonderful smell of food. “Hello beautiful.” He wrapped her up in a hug.
“Hello handsome.”
“A man could get used to this.”
“Can we have a serious conversation about that?”
They worked together to set the table. “Shore.”
“Tell me what you want?”
“Point blank.” They sat down.
“I’m sorry. It’s a flaw I know. I function better with straight, honest, to the point information.”
“What do you want?” He asked her back.
“I’ve never been good at reading the room, so here goes.” She sighed, “the short answer, you.”
It was all he could do not to jump out of his skin with joy. He held out his hand for her. She accepted, “you’re all I ever wanted.”
“Dillon, I’m scared. Not of you. Doug is the only man I’ve ever been with. And I’m not saying you’re Doug. I can’t say that,” she paused. Her thoughts were running wild. Images flashed across her mind of all the e.r. visits, the bruises, the total blackness of being locked in the closet.
“That bitter liquid, is that what Doug fed you to keep you alive?”
She looked up from their hands, “more or less. It worked. It was one of the few good things I got from him.”
“Come with me.” He led her upstairs. The upstairs part of the house was completely empty. It contained 3 rooms and a bathroom. “When we get married, I want you to do whatever you want to up here.”
She asked with a sheepish whisper, “when we get married?”
“In 10 days or 10 years. I don’t care. Evie, all I know is that I want you in my life. The months since you’ve been home, they have been the most enjoyable,” he stopped. “Since dad’s funeral. We can work out all of our issues together. I work ungodly hours. That’s not going to be easy to adjust to.” They went back downstairs to eat. “What do you plan to do about church?”
“Mrs. Ledbetter can have it. I might find me a new one.”
“What about all your friends that go there?”
“Will it hurt your reelection chances if I stop? Or move?”
He dropped his fork, “what?”
“These are things you (we), she corrected, “need to think about. Everyone has an opinion about everything. Some people are more vocal about theirs. Your position is an elected one. Up until now, have you had the added stress of a female thrown into the mix?”
“No.”
“I don’t know if it’s a true depiction but when I go out, I feel like everyone is talking about me behind my back. Whispers in the aisle. Between the lettuce and tomatoes.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way. Honestly, I don’t give a damn. Let them talk.”
“But I do. What have you done other than try to be an upstanding human?”
“Evelyn, you and I know the truth.”
“For a moment, I forgot how hard small town life could be.”
“Don’t let them steal your joy or your peace. You are giving them power that they don’t deserve. Take it away from them.”
He was right. She was letting them live rent free in her mind. She was the one in agony while they flitted around on top of their pedestal. “I will try.”
He kissed the top of her hand.
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