Chapter 29 #3
“That is understandable, but remind yourself they will not be in your life at all after this case concludes.”
“Hopefully. We don’t know what’s going to happen yet,” I reply.
He nods and takes a seat on the chair outside his room. “I am sorry you must deal with that family again,” he tells me.
“Me too,” I reply. Wanting to change the subject, I ask about Reesa’s sister being a debutante.
“Most families from old money have their daughters take part at age 16. It is their introduction to society. There are classes, a tea, a few luncheons, and a ball.”
“Did you escort Reesa?” I can’t believe things like that occur in real life. I truly thought it was fiction.
“Yes, I did.”
“What is she up to this summer?” I ask, sipping my hot tea.
“Reesa does not work, so she will help her sister, mostly. Her parents are hoping to find a suitable match for her this season.”
“Uh, she gets a say in who she dates, right?” Please tell me there are no forced marriages.
“They will offer her a few choices from suitable families.”
“Uh, what if she doesn’t like any of them?” This all sounds so strange.
“It is not an arranged marriage situation, Summer. She will not be forced to date or marry anyone, but her parents will persist in introducing her to suitable people until they find one she likes.”
“And if she falls for someone who isn’t rich or from a family they don’t like?”
“Knowing her, she will go against her parents’ wishes and do what she wants. That often results in a lost inheritance, but in this case, since she is not a firstborn, they may not do that.”
I’m not sure how to respond to that. It’s the 21st century in a first world country. Do these people not realize that?
“I can see you thinking from here,” Alex says.
“It’s a different lifestyle around here. I’m not sure it'll ever make sense to me,” I reply.
“I suppose it would seem strange to some, but when you grow up surrounded by it, it is normal,” he shrugs.
“Were your parents set up?”
“No, actually, but they met at the debutante ball. My father was escorting another girl, but said as soon as he saw my mother, he went over and introduced himself. She was not my grandparents’ first choice, but was from a wealthy family, so they allowed it. They were very much in love.”
“Don’t you want that?” Surely, having seen a loving relationship while growing up, he would want more than what he seems to have with Reesa?
“What exactly?”
“Love, Alex. There’s no love between you and Reesa. It will make for a very lonely life.”
“Reesa and I will only be together until the end of high school.”
“I don’t understand why you would date anyone you don’t care for,” I say, shaking my head.
“I care for her,” he shrugs again.
“It’s convenient, Alex, nothing more. Are you planning on letting your family determine your next girlfriend for college? Or your wife?”
“You do not understand the pressure and expectations on my shoulders, Summer.”
“Maybe not, but no one would ever tell me who to date or spend time with, no matter what. You should think about where the pressure and expectations are coming from. Has your dad actually demanded anything of you, or is this coming from yourself?” I think this topic should be off-limits for him and me.
Easier said than done, but every time we talk about this, I get upset and frustrated.
Despite still struggling with the two versions of Alex I have in my head, I want to preserve our friendship.
He doesn’t respond, just gets that faraway look again, so I tell him to sleep well and go inside to take my empty mug down to the kitchen.
Looking outside, I notice a light on above the garage.
Squinting, I watch for a minute, then see Nick moving around up there.
Since I’m more agitated than before, I decide to go out and see what he’s up to.
The backyard is well lit as I walk across the grass and find a side door unlocked.
The lights are on inside, and I see a staircase at the back.
Climbing, I knock on the door at the top.
Nick opens the door, stepping aside for me to enter.
It’s a cute little apartment with a blue kitchenette, stools at the peninsula and a well-loved living room. “Does anyone live here?” I ask.
“No, not for a long time,” he replies.
“Can I snoop?” He nods, so I head down a short hallway past the kitchen.
There is a clean white bathroom on the left with a single vanity, toilet, and tub shower combination with penny tile underfoot.
A closet with a washer and dryer is on the right.
Two smaller bedrooms are at the end, both the same size, with double beds.
When I get back to the kitchen, I ask Nick why he’s up here.
“Getting water,” he says, motioning for me to follow him back downstairs. On the other side of the garage area are a treadmill, weights, and a punching bag. Ahh, now it makes sense.
“Mind if I run?”
“No,” he responds before lying on the weight bench.
Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I stretch before getting on the treadmill.
I run until I’m worn out and my emotions are quiet.
When I step off the treadmill, I see Nick at the punching bag.
I thank him and let him know I’m going back to the house.
After showering, I crawl into bed feeling like I can finally sleep.