183 Making Strides

(Winona)

Jayden shifts in his chair. “It hurts hearing you say that. But I accept your feelings. Thank you for being honest.”

I smile. Wow. He is really real about all of this. About us. A surge of love and respect for Jayden engulfs me. He’s been to hell and back too.

Just because he’s done it with billions of dollars doesn’t make it hurt any less for him.

Barnaby leans back in his seat and grins. “You two are really making strides. I’ll be eating at the soup kitchen soon because I’m out of a job.”

I laugh. “Don’t think you’ll be lining up anytime soon, doc. But I do feel that was a major shift for us. To be honest like that and not have Jayden get angry is amazing.”

“I can tell you’re both serious and you are putting each other first. Well done.”

“I did feel angry, and I felt hurt because it wasn’t what I wanted you to say. But being told what I want to hear and being pandered to all my life is what got me here. So, I’m trying to change that.”

“Thinking outside yourself. Brilliant.