Page 17 of Dominated By Love

“I’m not talking about that now or ever. As far as the foreclosure goes, you can stay here or finally come live with your husband. Actually, it’s long overdue.”

“KD, I’m not your responsibility. I keep trying to tell you that.”

“How the fuck not? We’ve been married for ten years. I’m more than responsible for you.”

“I’m trying to set you free. I don’t understand why you won’t just let me.”

“And I’m trying to show you how happy we could be if you would just stop fighting me, baby. All this time I’ve been waiting for you to realize what your life is supposed to be, and you rather settle for less.”

“I don’t wanna . . . I can’t.” Her shoulders rose and fell as she dug into her omelet.

“Can’t what, baby doll?”

“I can’t handle you looking at me differently, K. I can’t handle you deciding that I’m not what you expected. Icannothandle you leaving me too. I rather set you free before you hate me.”

“I would never leave you, Sage.”

Her eyes were fixed on her food as she spoke. “K, everybody leaves eventually. I know I’m a lot. I understand that not everyone can handle me. I don’t want you to get tired of me like everyone else. I don’t think I could live with that.”

“Baby.”

“It’s fine. Hmph, do you know the last time I saw my mom? I don’t. I realized that I have to learn to stop depending on other people. I care about you enough to know that I don’t ever want to reach a point when I can’t remember the last time I saw you. I don’t want a life that doesn’t involve you loving me, Klever.”

“Look at me,” I said, waiting for her to lift those big pretty eyes before I continued. Once I got my fix, I continued. “I will never ever stop loving you. The problem is you have to learn to love you too.”

“I love myself, but I also know I’m fucked up.”

“What about me?”

She smirked. “You’re fucked up too.”

I chuckled as I pushed to stand on my feet. “You know that’s not what I meant, but I’ll take it.”

“This is really good, by the way. I thought you didn’t eat meat. Please, don’t tell me you bought these for me. I feel guilty enough for dumping my shit in your lap once again.”

“I’m vegetarian. I eat eggs, just not meat.”

She frowned at my response. “Isn’t chicken considered poultry?”

“Technically, but many vegetarians eat eggs and dairy.”

“Oh, you’re just a part-time vegetarian.”

“I guess you can say that.” I laughed.

“Thank you either way. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say that enough.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me, Sage.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Well let me let you finish eating. I’m going for a run. I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

“OK. I should be going with you, but I’m not even in the mood.”

“Running actually helps clear my head, but I agree; you’re probably not in any shape to run. You just went to bed,” I said, turning to leave the room.

“KD?”