She couldn’t deny my words.

“Fine. I’m sorry I came over,” she pouted turning to leave.

“Wait, Evan, wait,” I grabbed her by the arm.

“What?”

“I want to be with you. Know that. But I can’t lose the friendship. If we do this, I want to succeed in all areas. Not just being your love, but being the complete person in your life.”

I held her close like we were earlier but she turned her head.

“And I don’t want to be the reason you are no longer close to your mother. That relationship is the most important. Keep that,” I instructed trying to look into her eyes.

I captured her chin.

“Keep that,” I repeated.

There were tears in her eyes. I didn’t want to see her cry. I couldn’t handle seeing her cry.

“I gotta go,” she muttered pulling away.

“One more kiss?” I asked.

She gave me a quick peck. It felt like an end.

*****

I hated doing that. But it had to be done.

‘Evan will hate me now,’ I thought, ‘ but she will love me later.’

I can only hope.

*****

I tried not to cry but failed. I ran past them in the kitchen and into my room slamming the door. I curled up on the bed and buried my head in the pillow I held to my chest.

“Evan? Sweetie?”

I knew she would come.

I stayed quiet and counted the seconds until I heard my door open. 15…16…17…

“Baby?”

A record. I felt her hand on my leg. I cried harder. My mom climbed over me and settled herself behind me. She wrapped her arm around my waist.

“What’s wrong?” I heard my mother ask.

I didn’t think she would come.

“You saw Serena, didn’t you? What did she do?”

I could hear her voice becoming peppered with anger.

“Bette, don’t.”

“Don’t what, Tina? She broke her heart, Tina. I told you this would happen.”

“She didn’t do anything,” I cried sitting up.

I threw the pillow to the floor.

“She doesn’t want to be the reason for you and me not being the way we are,” I cried harder.

My mother didn’t get it.

“Serena won’t date me unless you’re okay with it,” I screamed swiping at my tears.

They were both silent.

“Well say something. Aren’t you happy now?” I accused.

“Not when you’re hurting,” she replied.

She sat on the bed. My mom was still behind me.

“I never want to see you hurt, Evan.”

She pulled me into a hug. I automatically rested my head on her shoulder. A pain in my face drew me back.

“Your face bothering you?” Mom asked seeing my discomfort.

I nodded.

“Come eat and then you can take a pill,” she said standing and offering her hand.

I followed.

*****

I was dressed and heading out for another drive to clear my mind when I snatched open the door to find Bette standing there.

“Uh, hi…Bette.”

“Can we talk?”

Even though it was posed as a question, I knew not to say no.

“Uh, yeah. Come in.”

She strode into my house and over to the couch.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked

“Did you really tell Evan that you couldn’t see her if I wasn’t okay with it?”

“It really doesn’t matter if you’re okay with it or not but I know your opinion means everything to her. And I don’t want to be the reason for the deterioration of your relationship. A mother/daughter relationship is to precious to come in between.”

“Wow,” she sighed, “I didn’t think of it that way.”

“Yes you did. Subconsciously you did. I would give anything to have what you have with Evan. My mother and I don’t speak to each other. I miss her but no matter how many times I reach out, she just ignores me,” I took a breathe, ” I don’t want to break your daughter’s heart but… I will if it will salvage your relationship.”

We sat there a little bit longer in silence.

“I’m sorry to throw you out but I really have to go,” I said standing.

“Thank you for talking to me,” she said.

I walked with her out the door. As we trotted down the few steps, with the morning sun shining in my eyes, I stopped and called out Bette’s name.

“Tell Evan… tell Evan that I wished it could have worked.”

*****