Cursive - By Phoebe Lane Page 0,82

Jace, but come on—you guys just met. There's no guarantee that you will…make it as a couple," she said and turned back to her daughter. "Aislynn, you of all people should know that men—that relationships end, and that you can't risk it all like this. I mean, look at what happened with Christopher. Didn't you learn your lesson then?"

Aislynn closed her eyes, wishing she wasn't the kind of person who cried when enraged, but she was. Hot tears formed in her eyes, and she prayed to the God above to dry them up and allow her to say what she needed to say while still keeping her dignity.

"Why do you hate me?" Aislynn finally asked, feeling frustrated that her voice wavered.

"What?" Pam asked, sitting back in her chair, seemingly surprised by Aislynn's question.

"What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much, besides being born, that is?"

"Aislynn, please," she said, waving her off in a dismissive fashion. "Enough with the theatrics. I'm just trying to ask you a very valid question here. You don't need to go off the deep end every time I try to push you about something. You know, I'm starting to think you may have an anger problem."

Aislynn was floored by her statement. "Are you kidding me?"

"You should really get some professional help for that, but make sure you go see a real doctor," Pam said while swirling her glass of wine like it was the most important thing in the world for her to focus on at that moment. "Just make sure you don't go see a psychiatrist. I don't think they really know how to treat that."

The other important thing Jim had taught Aislynn about fire is that it can spread quickly, especially when supplied with fuel.

She wasn't sure if Jace was really whispering in her ear at this point, but she could hear his voice repeating the word "breathe" in her head over and over again.

"Have you ever heard of a man called Donald Winnicott?" Aislynn asked her, the tone of her voice now steady, her eyes bone dry and focused directly on Pam's. She didn't really give Pam a chance to answer before she continued, "He was a British pediatrician and psychoanalyst who created object-relations theory. He was the first one to pen the term 'good enough mother.' I really won't try to explain it to you in detail because I'm sure it will go way over your head. His theory basically proves that a mother doesn't have to be perfect to do a good job and have well rounded, confident children. She just needs to be good enough. All a child really needs is love, comfort, and a mother who can adapt to her child's needs and knows when to back off.

"Most women figure out a way to be good enough mothers. You didn't. I don't care anymore that this is the only way you're capable of relating with me," Aislynn said, waving her hand between them. "If this is all I can get from you, then I don't want it anymore.

"I told you the first day that I expected you to respect Jace and respect me while you were in town. You haven't done that, so I'm done with you. I'm sure you remember the name of your hotel, so find a way to get yourself back there."

And with that, Aislynn stood up and left the table.

Jace quickly followed Aislynn out of the restaurant, stopping by the maître d' first to take care of the bill and request a cab for Pam. He helped Aislynn into his car and just let her be. It broke his heart to see the sadness in her face, but he somehow knew that she needed the time to sort through everything that had happened in her head. He held her hand the whole way home and tried to soothe her as much as he could with his touch.

"I'm sorry, Jace," Aislynn finally said, still looking out her window. They were now parked in his driveway, but she hadn't moved and he didn't want to rush her.

"What are you sorry about?" he asked.

"I shouldn't have done that in front of you, but I just couldn't…I couldn't let it go on," Aislynn said, and took a deep breath.

"You did so great, babydoc. I'm so proud of you," he said, bringing her hand up to his lips. He had been elated to witness Aislynn being so direct and honest with Pam. By the