Tacoma Falls: Home and Heart

Words

Mary

I didn't trust Beau as far as I could throw him. Hearing what he said to Dixie and not pushing her away when she kissed him cut me deep to my soul. It was like someone took a knife, shoved it into my heart, and twisted it.

If Beau didn't want anything other than sex, he should have told me, not led me on with sweet words. People don't understand how words can affect someone. Oh, sure, they think they mean well, but they don't. Not really.

You should lose a few pounds. Maybe a different outfit would fit you better. Have you considered studying more? Oh, it's that time of the month. She's just being moody. Let a man do it.

Every woman has encountered someone trying to be "helpful." How about people just shut their mouths and let us be? Is it so hard to let someone be happy?

Beau and I would sit on his couch and talk about different things. We would commiserate over our exes. We talked about our families and fears. Then, one night, Beau proved words don't mean anything. How do you come back from that? I didn't know.

Morgan and I sat on her porch swing, drinking iced tea.

"What do you mean you dropped your classes?" Morgan asked me.

"I met with my advisor and dropped my classes for the semester. I was already struggling with the work."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I told Beau." I looked at Morgan.

Morgan knitted her brows in confusion.

"Beau said to give it time. If I were still struggling, he would help me." I looked forward. "He never helped me."

"That doesn't sound like Beau."

"Things change when Dixie shows up. She becomes more important than other people."

"Hank said Beau hasn't been with Dixie for two years. Dixie keeps showing up when Beau doesn't want her to."

"That's hard to believe since they showed up at Grady's bar together."

"Not by choice. Beau was coming to see Hank challenge Rodney. Dixie latched onto Beau like a damn leech."

"Then why hasn't Beau said anything?"

"You won't let him."

I cocked my head and raised my brow at Morgan.

"Mary, I love you like a sister. But you're a stubborn mule. When you get something stuck in your crow, you dig your heels in. It's not bad, but it stops you from being happy."

I glanced at Morgan, knowing she was right. My stubbornness prevented me from being happy.

"I know you're scared Beau will hurt you again. But take it from me. The second time around is so much better."

I nodded, knowing Morgan was talking about Hank.

A truck drove up the driveway and stopped.

Beau got out, closed the door, and strode toward me. "Mary Ember Fuller! Why do I need to hear from the gossip squad you dropped your classes?" He stood with one foot perched on a step and supported himself on a handrail.

I stood up, walked to the top step, and folded my arms. "Why does it matter? I told you I was struggling. You were too busy with Dixie Cooper."

Beau walked up the steps slowly. "You were too busy bolting like a wild horse to see everything. I told you the truth about that night and the other times, too." Beau stood in front of me and looked down at me.