| Part Two/chapter Twenty “Look, I know you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth. I do love you. I have since we first met. I’ve spent the last eight months thinking about you. I’ve wondered how you were doing, if you were okay, if you thought about me, missed me. There was never a day that passed that I didn’t think about you.” “Then why, for the love of God, didn’t you call me?” I asked. “I was right where you left me Kevin.” “I know, but I knew I hadn’t been up front with you and I wasn’t sure how to set that straight. I didn’t want things to change between us because of my career. And it’s been my experience, that things always change when my career comes to light.” I just sat there. I wasn’t sure what to do or say. I wanted to shout with joy. He loved me and I knew I loved him. I wanted to cry with anger and rage that he hadn’t trusted me with the knowledge of his career. I wanted to cry because he had thought that I would care more about the money he made than I cared about him. It felt like a sharp, red-hot knife being plunged into my chest and the pain was unbearable. “So what changed? Why come to me now?” “I came because I couldn’t stay away any longer and I wanted to clear the air. Then when we talked that first night, you told me that you knew about my career.” “So because I already knew, you felt I wouldn’t be after your money, that whatever I felt for you was real?” “Yes…no. Oh geez Cassie. It’s not like you’re making it sound.” “Really? Well let me tell you how it sounds to me. You didn’t tell me what you did for a living because you thought I’d only like you for your money. You didn’t trust me or my feelings for you. You didn’t stop to think that I make very good money on my own and that I didn’t need or want your money. I didn’t then and I don’t now. I may not make the kind of money you do, but I make enough. You didn’t stop to think that I cared for you as a person. I wouldn’t have loved you the way I did that night if I didn’t.” I paused to catch my breath and to still the tears welling in my eyes. “Cassie, it’s not like that. I swear…” “Take me home,” I whispered, cutting him off. “What?” “Take me home Kevin,” I repeated. He stared at me for a few moments before turning in his seat and starting the car. He pulled back onto the road and we rode in silence until we came to the long drive that led to the house. “I’m not giving up on us Cassie. I know you love me. It’s in your eyes when you look at me. I went about things the wrong way and I made some mistakes, but that doesn’t change the fact that I love you. I’ll always love you,” he repeated as he pulled the car to a stop on the side of the house. I released the catch on the seat belt and I opened the door. Before he could move to get out of the car, I ran up the porch steps and disappeared into the house. CCC Index Chapter Twenty-One Main Page |