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“Did I ask you to stop dating Mr Carlton?” she es in a creaky, raspy tone

I look up

“No, but I just thought that’s what you wantedthat you literally keeled over onroom floor I had to call 9-1-1”

She nods and coughs again, her voice still raspy

“But sweetheart, do you love him? Do you love this Xavier Carlton?”

I sniffle a little, trying to think

“I think I do I h the air sometimes when I’m with him I know that he makes me happy, and that –”

My mom waves one frail hand in the air then

“That’s all I need to hear, Katie If he makes you happy and you think you love hiet in your way You should be with your man, sweetheart, and if you like a little roleplay now and then, then so what? Who a as it doesn’t hurt anyone, and only builds your love, then why not?”

I stare at Dinah’s waxen complexion

“What? Are you serious? Are you feeling alright, Mom?”

My h, which brings tears to her eyes and with alarrateful sip before speaking

“I’ okay, sweetheart Well,well, but otherwise, I’m okay I’ I want you to be happy, Katie I want you to meet the man of your dreams, and if Xavier Carlton could be the one, then why not? And if you both like a little roleplay, then why not? It’s not for your old mother to decide”

I stare and then break down and begin to half-laugh and half-cry at the same time

“I had no idea you’d be okay with this,” I say in tears “This is so a”

Dinah es a small smile of her own