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“It was no big deal, Mom. Everyone was dancing.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s the way you looked at me. I asked Kelsey to dance.”

Marti smiled. “You did?”

“Yeah, a pretty song was playing and I felt like dancing. Kelsey was the lucky person.” Isabella smirked.

“She certainly is.” Marti smiled. “I’m proud of you for going on that trip alone. You’ve met someone who’s now a friend and you have these big plans for the rest of the year. This is the woman I raised.”

Isabella gaped at her mom and thought about the last couple of years with the divorce. There had been a lot of changes in her life that had made her less confident. But when she was in the Virgin Islands with Kelsey, she felt more like herself than she had in a long time. She was sure of the decisions she’d made and hopeful about this idea they’d come up with together.

Marti leaned in and quietly asked, “Is Kelsey gay?”

“Does it matter?”

“You were dancing in a bar with a gay woman. It might matter to her,” Marti said.

Isabella scoffed. “It’s not like that. We’re friends.” Her mom’s comment made her wonder though. Kelsey hadn’t done anything to make Isabella think they were anything but friends. After all, Isabella was the one who kissed Kelsey in the airport yesterday.

“Okay, guys. That’s enough screen time for now.” The boys groaned. “Take your gifts to your room and maybe we’ll have another piece of this scrumptious pie Gran made for us.”

That got a cheer.

Once they’d left the room, Marti turned to Isabella. “I wish you could hear how defensive you sound. Let me tell you something, honey. I’m not blind to the pressure you felt growing up. You have done what you thought was expected of you. You went to college, earned good grades, became successful at your profession, married a nice boy, had my beautiful grandsons, and things didn’t work out. It’s time you did something that you want to do. I haven’t heard you talk about anyone the way you have Kelsey. Maybe you should think about a woman.”

“What are you talking about?” Isabella couldn’t believe her ears.

“Don’t think I never looked at another woman twice,” Marti scoffed.

Isabella stared at her mom with her mouth gaping open.

“I know you said Kelsey is your friend, but maybe she’d be more than that if you’d let her.”

“Where is this coming from?” Isabella asked, confused.

“You’ve always been the perfect daughter when it comes to the major parts of your life. Be your spontaneous self and live a little, Isabella.”

Isabella knew her mom was right. When it came to doing what she was supposed to do, Isabella did it. Yes, she could be impulsive and most of her friends would describe her as fun, but those were easy choices at frivolous parties or get-togethers. Thinking of Kelsey as more than a friend wasn’t anything like that.

“What would Dad think?” Isabella said, the idea of doing something for herself swirling around her head.

“It doesn’t matter what he thinks. He died five years ago,” Marti said then smiled.

“Mom, I know that!”

“Well, it’s true. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, but you,” Marti said.

“What about the boys? Have you forgotten about your grandsons? It does matter what they think.”

“No it doesn’t. You’re not going to raise them any differently if you’re by yourself, have a girlfriend, or a boyfriend,” Marti said. “You’re a good mother who teaches them to be open-minded, compassionate, and helpful.”

“You’re forgetting one thing. It makes a difference what Kelsey thinks.”

“You’ll have plenty of time to find that out on your next trip.”

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