Every Man I Liked Was You

gh-she had decided not to go back to her job until she felt better. For the first time in her life, she was even defying her mother-something she'd never done befo

h she tried to open her up, Edna always closed herself off again-tighter than be

ed her away," Lily thought,

attered across the floor, and her boxes stood open, spilling their contents. In the corner of the room, Edna

Edna could remember, she didn't have enough peo

called everyone she could think of to tell them her situation, but their responses

etting up?" a

Her face stretched into a forced smile-one just good enough

hes, folding them neatly back into the boxes. She helped Edna to her feet, to

oes this lady want from me? She remembered calling Lily

t out after all," she sa

idn't trust Lily enough yet

he front yard. The image reminded Edna of her grandfather's place. The surrounding houses

noticing Edna's puzzled look. "Th

open. "Get in,"

too much. Edna sank into the living room co

cooked macaroni and cheese

ily said, calling from the kitchen

her, a strange silence hanging between the

eave," Edna

hy

. I'll figure this

ik

ere bu

eing dr

pretending," Edn

not yet. She had found it hard to trust since her parents' divorce. And now, s

" a voice call

Lucy's expression twisted in d

d coldly as she

oom. When she came out, she fou

It was her favorite dish. She decided to eat, e

e," Lucy said suddenly a

um

You

hy

she added, "Baby, be who I'm molding you to be. That's the only way to be better. A

amed down

at feels like it's breaking me, and all you care about is what Frida would say, and whether Grandpa will still pass the inheritance to me?What of me? Why can't you

ned with a pile of certificates.

-for winning the pageant. And here-for going to b

d so you'd be more sensible. But it seems you've finally lost it. You've gone 'daddy' ov

box and all, and slamm

hought as she walked with no destination in mind. Her feet carr

d Lily immediately pull

ey returned to Edna's old apartment and packed the rest of he

between them held more meaning than any words could. Edna began to share her story-and as s

story, and they looked at each

na realized somethi

found