That insecurity followed me even after Luke told me he loved me.
It followed me when he introduced me to his friends.
It followed me when he held my hand in public.
And it became impossible to ignore when I met his parents.
His mother, Diane, looked me up and down during our first dinner.
I tried to pretend I hadn’t noticed.
Later, while I was helping Luke’s father carry plates into the kitchen, I heard Diane talking to Luke in the hallway.
“Are you sure about this relationship?”
There was a pause.
“Sure about what?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, Mom. I don’t.”
I walked into the kitchen before I could hear more.
But the damage was already done.
On the drive home, I stared out the window.
Finally, Luke asked what was wrong.
“Maybe they’re right.”
“Who?”
“Your parents.”
He frowned.
“About what?”
I swallowed.
“You could be with anyone.”
Luke immediately pulled the car over.
“What?”
“You don’t have to say it just because you don’t want to hurt me.”
He reached for my hand.
“No. I’m saying it because it’s true.”
Then he looked directly at me.
“Mia, I want you.”
And he kept proving it.
When I lost my job, he stayed.
When my savings started disappearing, he never made me feel like a burden.
And then my sister died.
That was when I discovered just how much a person could love someone who wasn’t even strong enough to love herself.
