Life Is a Soap Opera
Copyright© 2008 by HLD
Chapter 21
"Gabe, we have to talk," Bailey said, setting their plates down on the table.
Both were wearing their bathrobes to ward off the evening chill.
"About what, honey?" he poured two glasses of filtered water. They sat at the table and started their meal.
Bailey only picked at her food. "About next year ... about me moving to New York with you."
His head shot up, his eyes wide.
She took a deep breath. "Gabe ... you know I love you."
He frowned. "But..."
"I can't move," she said softly, hoping he wouldn't be angry. "I'm not ready."
"Bailey ... I—"
"No, wait," she held up her hand. "A part of me wants to. You have swept me off of my feet and you're the perfect gentleman. But I'm a small town girl. It's been hard enough moving to the city to go to college. I don't know that I'm ready for New York. And I don't know if I can leave April and my folks."
He didn't say anything for several long moments. He didn't look angry, which was good.
"I also ... I mean," Bailey paused to gather her thoughts. Even though she had rehearsed this conversation over and over in her mind, she was drawing a blank. "I know you and I have a lot going against us. There's the age and the distance thing ... but I want to make 'us' work and I know you do, too."
She fidgeted for a second.
"However ... if we don't work out ... if something happens, I need to know that I can make it on my own," she didn't dare look him in the eyes. "I at least want to finish at BCC. If I moved to New York with you, what would I do? I'm sure I can't afford college there. And I don't want you supporting me, either."
"I understand," he said quietly, and she got the feeling that he did. "Bailey, I miss you ... you can't know how much I wish you were with me all the time. But I don't want to rush you or rush us. At the same time, I wonder if you'll still want me in four years when you graduate."
"Oh, Gabe..."
"People do a lot of growing up from the age of eighteen to twenty-one," Gabe said, his voice even. "What if you decide you want someone else? I wouldn't blame you. I can't leave my life behind. And I know I can't ask you to give up who you are or leave your family."
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