dishes up a hefty one for my dad, handing it over to him. Their relationship is flawless and perfect. Everything I’ve always wanted. The very thing Crosby and I had until that night.
“Only for me,” he tells my mom.
She rolls her eyes, plating two more, handing one to me and then Crosby. Crosby and my eyes meet with a sliver of hope.
We’re being served pie. That has to be a good sign.
“Jesus, Katie, do you ever listen to me?” Dad asks. “Did you tell them to come here?”
I look over at my mom, and her eyes are softer now.
“Are you kidding me? Never.” She shakes her head, but there’s a warning in her eyes toward my father in the way he’s talking to her.
“Do you think I hate you, Crosby?” My dad’s question throws us.
“You have every reason to,” Crosby murmurs over a mouthful of pie.
The boy always has a stomach for food, whereas I’m pushing my apples around in the sugary sauce.
“That is exactly why the two of you can’t be together.” My dad stands up, fisting Crosby’s hair in his palm, and he pushes his head over to have Crosby look me in the eyes.
“Dad,” I sigh.
“Mark,” my mom chimes in with her own disapproval.
He tosses Crosby’s head back down, and Crosby’s eyes search for his whereabouts in the room.
“You both harbor tremendous amounts of guilt, and there are people in this town who continue to blame you, Crosby, but that’s their issue. The problem your mother and I have…well, actually”—he looks at my mom, who sheepishly cowers into her shoulders—“maybe it’s just me now, but we worry about the two of you. Love isn’t always enough.”
He grabs his fork, taking a heaping forkful of apple pie, and he piles it into his mouth. Leaning back, he continues to chew.
“We’re better now. Crosby and I talked.” I say, desperate for him to see we can get through this even though I myself had doubts only an hour ago.
“For how long, Ella? You two only remind each other of that night. Neither one of you will ever get the most out of life if you stay together.”
This is why my parent’s were happy to chase Crosby out of town. They believe my happiness and well-being was in jeopardy?
“Don’t you see, I love him,” I beg, but tears trickle down my mom’s face.
“What happens when love isn’t enough. Every time tragedy strikes, you two will be reminded of what happened that night. I don’t want that life for you.” My dad takes a swig of his beer, his fingers tapping against the bottle.
“So, you’d rather me live a life with someone I don’t truly love?”
“Yes.” He deadpans.
“We tried to stay away from one another,” I say.
“And you were successful for two years. You had a boyfriend and a future.” He stares at me, and then his eyes shoot to Crosby.
“You’ve picked yourself up and gotten to Division One again. I wouldn’t be surprised if you made it to the draft. In the pros. Separately, you guys were living life again, but I’m not sure, if you were together, you’d be able to accomplish what you’ve done independent of one another.”
Another forkful goes into his mouth, and he leans back again.
“I called your father, Crosby, but I got no answer. Where are your parents?”
“Haiti, sir. With Spencer graduated and at college, they decided to do missionary work.”
My dad extends a long breath of air. “They were always good people.” He nods. “I don’t dispute that you are too, Crosby.”
I smile from ear to ear with my dad’s compliment to Crosby.
“Thank you, sir.”
“That fact doesn’t change my mind that the two of you shouldn’t be together.” His fork points to each of us, but his anger is diminishing.
“You should be thanking your mother because she hasn’t let this topic go since you girl’s left the other day.”
I spare a look at my mom, who bears a soft smile in the direction of my dad.
“If I put my foot down and told you both to stay away from one another, what would happen?”
“With all due respect—” Crosby starts.
“There’s no respect if you finish that sentence and say that you’d continue to date my daughter.” He eyes Crosby and places his fork down.
“I love her. I’ve lived the last two years wishing I could go back in time to have fought harder to stay with Ella.”
My smile emerges wide. Who couldn’t love a guy who vocalizes his love?