Introduction
“Is this the runaway bride?”
“Runaway fiancée! Get it right. We weren’t married yet,” Chey Rodgers said, snickering at her witty response to her sister’s greeting. Deanna was obviously amused. Chey cut into her fit of giggles. “How’s Mom and Dad, silly?” she said as she folded her legs under her bottom on the loveseat in her tiny living room.
“Dad is Dad. Mom is...Mom. Same snarky old woman!” Deanna laughed but stopped abruptly. “Don’t tell her I said that.” She laughed again. Chey shook her head and smiled. Her sister always managed to lighten her mood.
“I called her, but she didn’t answer.” Sometimes it was a relief when her mother didn’t answer. They were still at odds about Chey’s move.
“She’s probably out with the church ladies.”
Chey looked at the date on her laptop screen next to her on the loveseat. “You’re right. It’s Thursday. I’ll call her in the morning.”
“You know she’s still upset about everything that happened. She can’t seem to understand why you broke off the engagement and ran off to New York so quickly, or ‘that big ole city,’ as she puts it.”
“Deanna, I’ve tried to explain that to her so many times. You guys don’t know the Todd that I know. I couldn’t attach myself to him till death did us part.” Chey twisted her lips, mocking the twisted way people chose to see her big move. “I’ve been planning to go back to school for so long. I know this whole thing seems scary to Mom, but this was my chance and New York is where I need to be for what I want to do.”
“So...” Deanna paused. “How’s the big city treating you?” she said.
“New York has been great so far.”
“Have you heard from him yet?” Deanna asked cautiously.
“No.” Thank God.
“I’m surprised. You left months ago.” She seemed disappointed.
“Our relationship was over way before it was officially over. He’s so self-absorbed. He probably thinks he’s punishing me by staying away.” Chey rolled her eyes as she thought about
