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“I don’t know.”
Adelia sighed. “I’m sorry you’re going through all this right now, Dad.”
“Thanks, sweetie. I’m so sorry you’re in the middle of this. Iris let me know that you’re staying with the Schultz’s right now. That’s good. Good to stay out of California for a while. That’s what I’m doing.”
“I’m planning to stay at least a couple weeks. Hopefully, that’s enough time for things to die down with the paparazzi a little.”
“Good idea. You could always come here if you want.”
“Maybe I’ll fly over on a weekend soon and see you.”
“I would love that.”
“I’ll text you with my plans.”
“Sounds good.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, baby girl.”
The moment they hung up, tears sprung to her eyes. She could almost feel her father’s pain through his words, and it broke her heart. Her thoughts whirled, picturing different times in the past when her parents had been fighting but clammed up when she came into the room, acting as if it was just a little squabble. What if it hadn’t been? She could remember those “squabbles” happening when she was as young as ten. Had they really been fighting to stay together for twenty years?
She stood by the window, staring out across Lake Michigan, wondering what it was that had attracted her parents to each other to begin with. And why hadn’t it lasted? Was it just physical attraction? Because she knew that was something that could fade away. There had to be more to their relationship. What were the things he had mentioned that they kept fighting about over and over? Was it career-related? Was it about … her? Could she be a reason for their problems?
She’d never felt anything but loved, but now she was second-guessing it all. And she was questioning her feelings about marriage. Was it really worth it? So many people got together and married only to divorce when they realized they weren’t as compatible as they thought. Why put yourself through that? Did anybody stay together for a lifetime anymore? And those old couples she’d seen on the streets, strolling hand in hand, were they truly happy together, or were they only together out of convenience and comfort?
The questions didn’t stop all day long, and neither did the tears. The more she thought about it, the more she didn’t think she wanted to marry and risk that kind of pain.