Stepping to a New Day Read Free Page A

I’m being selfish, or keeping him at arm’s length because I’m scared.”
    â€œOf?” she asked easily.
    â€œHonestly? That he’ll wake up one day wondering what in the world he’s doing with somebody as screwed-up as I am and leave.”
    Paula smiled. “You know he loves you, right?”
    â€œI do, or at least I think I do, but I still can’t figure out why.”
    â€œHave you asked him?”
    She gave a tiny shrug. “I have, and he’s so kind and considerate, and puts up with my crazy moods. I suppose I’m still waiting for the gotcha.”
    â€œLike your other relationships?”
    â€œYeah. Hard to be trusting when you find the man you married prancing in front of the window wearing your underwear.”
    â€œBut what does that issue with your first husband have to do with Jack?”
    She sighed audibly. “I don’t know, Rev. Nothing, really. Guess I’m still trying to wrap my mind around Jack being so good to me.”
    â€œFeel you don’t deserve it?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œBut you do, you know. We all deserve love and peace and safety in our lives.”
    â€œI guess.”
    â€œNo guess, Rock. We do.”
    Rocky stared off for a minute. “I know this is a decision I have to make for myself, but I needed to bounce it off of you, too.”
    â€œAlways available.”
    â€œI know. You’re the best. You can have your couch back. I have to get to work. Thanks.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    Paula shook her head after the town’s resident bombshell left her office. In spite of all the toughness on the outside, a scared and scarred woman lived inside. Paula was convinced Rocky being the beneficiary of Jack’s unconditional love would go a long way in helping her heal, but convincing Rocky of that might take some time. Paula puttered around for another few minutes just in case someone else showed up at her door. When no one did, she picked up her coat, keys, and purse and went outside to her truck to head for home.
    Eli came home to the smell of burgers frying and his eighteen-and-a-half-year-old stomach sat up and took notice. His dad was in the kitchen, and the skillets on the stove were sizzling. “Hey, Dad. Smells awesome.”
    â€œGood to know. How are you?”
    Eli sat at the barlike counter and shrugged. “Okay, I guess.” He wasn’t ready to talk about his visit with Reverend Paula yet and was glad his dad seemed to know that. “You teaching GED class tonight?”
    â€œNo. New term starts in two weeks. Do you have to work next weekend?”
    Eli had a part-time job as a member of the wait crew at theDog, the town diner managed by his dad’s girlfriend, Rocky Dancer. “Yeah. Saturday morning. Why?”
    â€œApparently your grandparents are flying in that Friday.”
    â€œYour set or Mom’s?”
    â€œMine.”
    â€œWhen did this happen?”
    â€œMy mother called about an hour ago. She never bothers to check if other people have plans. Her plans are always your plans whether you want them to be or not.”
    Eli loved his grandparents but sometimes his grandmother Stella acted like she was the Queen of England the way she ordered people around. His grandfather Jack Sr. was really the only person who could make her take a seat. “So I assume they’ll be staying with us?”
    â€œYep.” He took the now-done burgers from the skillet and put them on a plate. Eli could tell he wasn’t happy.
    â€œHow long are they staying?”
    â€œJust for the weekend supposedly, but who really knows.” He sighed and looked over at Eli. “Go wash your hands. These sweet potato fries will be done by the time you get back.”
    â€œAye, aye.”
    When he returned everything was ready. He sat at the table and after adding his preferred condiments to the burger and dousing his fries with ketchup began eating.