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nbsp; “I’e,” I add when she winks at me like I’m dessert

The door opens and the blue-haired one—Doris, I think—ushersI hadfor you to git your ass in here” She chuffs, looping her ar into the kitchen

I’reeted by Bea’s entire fa the countertop), and her father, who see me like this

“Mr Brennan” I reach for his hand

He tentatively shakes it, eyeing hter ca with the first sht curious what the Sa under ry—but in that protective way because he can’t figure out what, if anything, I’ve actually done wrong He’s partially right I neveraccountability, but also pro her forever Heavy things to weigh before 9 am

My face burns with a blush I haven’t experienced since grade school Mr Brennan isn’t pulling any punches with me, and backed up by all the fe Beatrice If I don’t convince her family I’m done for, a broken heart or not

I steelthe of the summer, I knew she was special When I left at the end of the suoals that sadly I didn’t understand where Beatrice fell in that hierarchy”

The aunts push a coffee ar, from the sweet smell

“Keep groveling, boy My brother-in-law ot thirty years of hard labor under his belt,” one of the aunts co

I hope the coffee isn’t poisoned and take a sip of the offered brew I prepare to get my ass beat by a two-by-four and three ornery women

“Being away these thirteen weeks solidified any doubts I had for , but I want to do this the right way”

“Oh, he’s hankering for a beating, Hank” The aunt with glasses nudges Mr Brennan

“Shush, Elise” Mrs Brennan shoos at her sister “Let hihter My very heartbroken daughter,” she emphasizes

Her reminder isn’t necessary I knohat I did was shitty, and this is clearly my one chance to make it up

“I knoe haven’t had a chance to et to know each other the proper e should I’d like to ood career lined up, and housing that’s co my way, but I have to marry her first before she can live with me on base”