“He doesn’t mind being bothered,” Louise said easily. “He likes feeling useful.”
“Heisuseful,” Zona said. “And he’s a nice man.”
Louise nodded. “He’s a dear friend.”
“You ought to give him a chance,” Zona said. It was a waste of breath, but she couldn’t help herself. “You could whip him into shape, get him a gym membership. I bet if he got more fit you’d get more excited about him.”
“Honestly, Zona. How superficial do you think I am?” Louise demanded.
“What else is keeping you from getting serious? You are looking.”
Louise shrugged. “I think I need someone with a... stronger personality.”
Zona thought of their neighbor. There was a strong personality, and it wasn’t a good thing.
“A gentle man beats a beast any day,” she said.
“That is true,” Louise agreed. “I certainly don’t want a beast. But I would like a man who is a little more... take-charge.”
“Alpha male,” Zona said, mildly disgusted. “They’re great in a novel, not so much in real life.”
“Maybe,” said Louise. “Anyway, I’ll call Martin and see if he can come over.”
“I may have to use your car tonight,” said Zona. She’d have to go online and quickly get the license on file.
“That’s fine. So,” said Louise, “other than a fussy car and an unhappy daughter, how was the rest of your first night as a HopIn driver?”
Zona sighed. “Piece of cake. Too bad it had to end with my daughter telling me how I’ve ruined her life,” Zona said and glared at the dark brew in her cup. “She’s right, of course. I have.”
“You have not,” Louise said firmly. “You need to stop this self-flagellation. Maybe she won’t make the same mistakes you have, but she’ll make her share. Count on it.”
“She hates Fen for dumping her. Although I don’t blame him.”
“Thanks, Mom,” said Bree from the kitchen doorway, startling Zona and making her feel a little ill herself.
Bree was still in Zona’s sleep tee, so Zona went to the laundry room and fetched her clothes. It made a handy escape.
She returned to hear her mother saying, “You can’t keep blaming your guy for pulling away. He’s protecting his heart, just like you want to protect yours.”
Bree yanked on her jeans with quick, sharp movements, as if she were pulling on armor, getting ready for battle. “No, he’s giving himself permission to find someone else.” She frowned and pulled on her blouse and jacket.
Zona said nothing as she set a mug of coffee on the table for her, along with a bottle of classic caramel coffee syrup.
“Why do you keep blaming him when you’re not interested?” Louise argued. “He’s looking ahead to the future and wants a family.”
Bree plopped onto a chair and glared at her coffee mug. “No way am I going to be another Mom,” she said, delivering a fresh knife prick to Zona’s heart.
Louise stepped in before Zona could say anything. “All right, now. That is enough piling guilt on your mother’s shoulders. She thought she was choosing well when she married, but Gary changed. His actions aren’t her fault. She took a chance and trusted.”
“Twice,” sneered Bree.
“One of those chances I took gave me you,” said Zona, unable to keep her mouth shut any longer.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t ask to be born,” Bree retorted.
“You didn’t ask to be loved either, but you are, even though right now you’re making it hard,” Zona shot back.
“And you’re making choices that could turn out just as badly,” said Louise. Bree opened her mouth to speak, and Louise silenced her with a pointing finger. “And don’t you dare start squawking about the evil patriarchy and how bad men are and how they can’t be trusted. There are women out there who are just as bad. People are people. Some are selfish and some are kind. Some have been raised with principles and some haven’t. Some walk in light, others walk in darkness, and it has nothing to do with what sex they are. You don’t have to rush into any kind of commitment, but you’d better knock that chip off your shoulder before it makes you lopsided.”
