“I do, too. He didn’t have to tell me what he did, but he said it wouldn’t be fair not to.”
“Charlie said something like that to me, too.”
“Charlie was in prison for something he didn’t do, though. Jace was there for something he did do.”
“Yes, that’s true, although he wasn’t the one who had the gun, and he could’ve possibly saved his own skin by taking off after his brother was shot but didn’t.”
“I thought the same thing and feared I was trying to justify it all in my mind to make it work because I like him so much.”
“It matters that he told you the truth and didn’t let you hear it from someone else.”
“I think I’m going to give him a chance as a roommate and friend.”
“The ultimate irony is that my ex-con husband is a million times the man my decorated military officer husband was.”
“Right?” The day Mark Lawry was sentenced to jail for abusing Sarah had been one of the best days of all their lives.
“It’s funny that before Charlie, I would’ve freaked out about you living with an ex-con and recovering addict. But being with Charlie has taught me so much about grace and compassion and that everyone struggles in one way or another.”
“That’s so true. When I look at Jace, I see a sweet, kind, caring, sexy man who makes me feel things. I have no idea if he feels the same way, but he tends to give me extra attention at the bar, even when I’m only drinking water.”
“I love that for you, sweetheart.”
“But then there’s this other part of me that worries about making a bad decision and bringing drama into my life.”
“I get that. I was the same way when I first started to realize Charlie was interested in me as more than a friend. I wanted nothing to do with him. I’d been there, done that, and there was no way I was going down that road again.”
“What changed?” Cindy asked.
“He kept showing up and was the same from one day to the next, no explosions of anger or temper tantrums when he didn’t get his way. He was kind, loyal, funny, gruff, sexy… After a few months of seeing him every day and getting to know him, I could no longer think of a single reason to keep my distance from him—and that was the last thing I wanted to do anyway.”
“I love that, Mom. It’s such a great story.”
Sarah shrugged. “It’s hard to trust new people when you come from what we do.”
“That’s exactly it.”
“If you like this man, if you trust him, then that’s what matters.”
Cindy leaned in to hug her mother. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I do. Better than anyone. I worried so much what you kids would say about me dating Charlie because of his past. I hoped you’d take the time to get to know him before you judged him.”
“He’s wonderful. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have a father.”
“Oh honey, that’s a lovely thing to say. Do you mind if I tell him that?”
“Of course not. It’s true. We all feel that way.”
“I’ll always be sorry I didn’t choose a better man to father my children, but I’m forever thankful to your father for my seven marvelous kids.”
They hugged again at the door. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you more, sweet girl. Keep me posted about your new friend.”
“I will.”
Cindy waved her off and then locked the door. She swept up the hair and ran a Swiffer over the floor. On Tuesdays, she also cleaned the mirrors and windows as well as the tiny bathroom in the back. She could’ve saved those chores for the next day, but the work kept her from watching the clock and thinking too hard about seeing Jace.