Jim and Sarah stood in the living room talking about the evening. “I can’t even lie. I like that kid,” Jim admitted when Carissa was out of earshot. “He needs to quit kissing my daughter on the porch, but I like him.”
“Jim,” Sarah admonished, “Carissa likes the kissing. If the kissing stops, we lose the boy. If you like the boy, the kissing stays. Sorry to have to be the one to disappoint you.” She placed a loving hand on his chest.
“Oh, stop. That’s my daughter!” He pulled back playfully.
“I’m just saying.” She wrapped her arm around him. “And, in case you don’t remember, she’s my daughter, too.”
“I know,” he said, pulling her in closer.
“Okay. They aren’t kissing.” Sarah grinned at him a little impishly. “They’re planning to overthrow the government. Is that better?”
“Much,” he conceded, “but what if she falls in love and he realizes the spina bifida and all that comes with it is just too much? It’s too much for us sometimes. I just don’t want to see her get her heart broken. I’d much rather they overthrow the government than have to watch my little girl get hurt.”
“Believe what you have to.” She patted him on the back. “I’m afraid too, but we can’t protect her from everything. Isaac seems like a nice guy, but if you have to tell yourself they’re not kissing out there, go ahead and lie to yourself.” She smiled up at him.
“It’s what I do best.” Jim replied. “But, no, really, I like him. I almost hope he sticks around for a while. Carissa seems happy, in spite of everything she’s facing.”
“What if he sticks around forever?” Sarah raised her eyebrows, the question hanging between them.
“Stop it!” he said one more time.
“I’m just saying.” She shrugged. “A mom knows things.”
“Well, stop knowing,” Jim told her. “My little girl is too young for forever.”
“Okay, Jim. She’s overthrowing the government. That’s all. She’s not in love with him.”
“That’s so much better.”
“Whatever you say, dear.” She slipped her arm through his and pulled him toward the sofa. “ Let’s watch this crazy movie you picked.”
They cozied into each other, both of them falling asleep on the couch.