" jesse, i told you not to come
here. "
it hurt to say the words, hurt to
have to have the presence of
mind to keep him away when
he was such a constant part
of her life ---- part of h e r.
" can't you just respect that? and
if you're really here because you
don't know why i asked you to
stay away, then you don't know
me as well as i thought. but if you
want the short version, i'm in love
with you,"
she paused briefly, the confession
projecting like word vomit.
" i've always loved you. and it hurts
too much. this isn't high school, i'm
not a hormonal teenage girl swooning
over you, i'm a mature adult that
understands your daughter is your
first priority and i respect the hell out
of that. i don't expect anything. i just
need some time, as lame as it sounds.
okay? "