“If that’s what you want, yes! Is it what you want?”

“Of course! But when the time is right. Not when I’m only seven months out of a nightmare.”

“Okay. What is enough time? A year? Three? Ten? How much more time do you want to waste because of Glenn Diller?”

That hurt. She felt it like a wound on her already dented heart.

“This isn’t because of Glenn, Mama! Yes, I’m being more cautious now because of the lessons I learned. Isn’t that what being an adult is? Learning from your mistakes? Doing better?” It was suddenly imperative to Gloria that she make her mother understand.

“So, what then? Do you wait to find a partner until you are perfect?”

“Of course not, Mama.” Broken people were never perfect.

“No. You choose a man—or woman—who will grow and change with you. Who will support you as you grow and change, not force you to stay the same.”

They squared off on opposite sides of the peninsula. The blender of frozen happiness between them had lost its cheer.

“I don’t know if I can be what he needs me to be, okay?” Gloria snapped.

“What does he want you to be other than happy?”

“Who spends ten years in a relationship where they’re treated like garbage? Who stays? I’m damaged, Mama. I’m walking around with an entire set of baggage!”

Sara blinked at her coolly. Empathy had never been her mother’s strong suit.

“That is a steaming load of bullshit,” Sara finally commented. “You’re not damaged. You’re scared. You are acting like a coward.”

“I’m being cautious, not cowardly!”

“Do you know how many people would do anything for a love like this? For even an ounce of what you two found in each other? Do you know how many would fight and claw and beg for this? And you throw it away like it’s replaceable?”

“I didn’t throw it away!” She didn’t. She had respectfully announced her need for time and space…and then insinuated that if Aldo didn’t give her both that he never cared about her in the first place. This wasn’t making her feel more confident in her decision. She was heading for a tailspin now, doubting her motives. She might as well be back in the trailer, laying on the threadbare carpet after another fight.

“Are you still dating?” Sara demanded.

“Not at the moment,” Gloria said, grudgingly.

Her mother threw her hands up in the air. Sara Parker was born without a poker face and launched into some very colorful Spanish.

“I thought you’d be proud of me. You never made the same mistake after Dad left. You never jumped into another relationship—”