“Don’t interrupt. I’m being emotional.”
I held up both hands.
He looked at Karen.
“Mom, I need you to know that none of this changes the fact that you’re my mother. You’re not replacing Dad. You’re not betraying me by wanting to be happy.”
Karen reached across the table.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
He took her hand.
“But I need time. I might say the wrong thing sometimes. I might need to ask questions that make both of you uncomfortable.”
“You can ask,” Karen said gently.
“And if I need a little space, I need you not to assume I’m rejecting either of you.”
I nodded.
“That’s fair.”
Daniel looked at me.
“And I need you to promise that if things ever become difficult between you two, you won’t make me choose sides.”
I took a breath.
“I promise.”
He studied my face.
“Do you love her?”
“Yes.”
“Do you intend to marry her?”
