Mason realizing, he can’t keep things from Clara for long, then agreed, “Okay Clara…I’ll tell you.”
Mason took a deep breath, “Things are going well but I’m just still having a hard time getting over the loss of your mom….”
Clara understood the pain that Mason—the single father who had raised her since Bree’s passing—felt, yet she knew that it just wasn’t healthy. He had to find a way to somehow move on.
And she told him as much, “Dad—it’s nice the way that you respect mom’s memory but she’s gone. It’s not like you’re cheating on her or betraying her honor. And I know that if she could speak to us right now, she would tell you the very same thing.”
Clara paused a moment before continuing thoughtfully, “Wherever she is right now, I bet she’s looking down on you and cheering you on. She wants the best for you dad, and that means while you are still down here on this earth you need good relationships to help sustain you through this life. She would want that for you.”
Mason was stunned, his daughter was at times so shockingly profound it took his breath away.
He asked, “You think so?”
Clara nodded, “I know so.”
Raina then added, “If you are falling in love with Raina dad, just go for it. Don’t hide. Don’t be afraid. Just tell her how you feel and let it happen. There is nothing wrong with it.”
The way that Clara spoke, so loving yet so direct, instantly put him in the mind of Bree—she really was starting to turn into a little version of her mother. Mason was always proud that a little piece of his wife would live on in this way. Feeling both the pride and the tears welling up inside of him he told her, “I love you Clara.”
Clara reciprocated, “Love you too dad—now go call Raina!”
Mason laughed slightly, “Okay…”
Clara insisted, “You promise?”
Mason smiled, “I promise.”
Clara giggled, “Yes! I got first dibs as bride’s maid!”
Mason nervously chuckled, “Woah—hold your horses’ kid! Nobody’s talking about any weddings yet!”
Clara laughed into the receiver, as Mason added, “And wait a minute—how in the world can my daughter be my wife’s bride’s maid? Is that even allowed?”
Clara giggled, “Bye dad!” Mason laughed, “Bye…”
Mason stared at his phone as Clara’s call disconnected and he was amazed. Before calling Clara, he was at the end of his rope, feeling as if he couldn’t go on. But then after he had called Clara, he was happier than he had been in a long time. He really didn’t know what he would do without her.
He sometimes felt a twinge of guilt that his daughter often had to play such a mature role—almost as a nurturer when it came to helping him sort through some of his problems. But yet at the same time, she was so good at it, it only seemed to come naturally.
At any rate, Mason knew a promise was a promise so he picked his phone back up and dialed Raina’s number. After a couple rings she picked up. Mason didn’t pull any punches as he asked, “Hey Raina, could you come over to my place. I think we need to talk.”
ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AT MASON’s HOUSE. Mason thought Raina was really taking her time to come over, it should have only been a 15-minute drive. But he figured maybe she was just taking time to get ready. In reality Raina had broke into tears as soon as Mason hung up the phone. The way he coldly told her, “we need to talk” she was certain that he was going to break it off with her completely and tell her that he doesn’t want to see her anymore.
Raina knew she had to face her fears however, so she finally got it together enough to get in her car and drive to Mason’s house. A part of her was really annoyed too. She thought to herself, ‘Okay, he wants to break up with me and he doesn’t even have the decency to come to me? I have to come to him. That figures...”
She then felt herself sliding into even further resentment as she considered all the times that she did indeed have to come to him—she had been chasing after him for practically all of the time she was with him.
Mulling it over in her mind, a part of her felt that maybe it was for the better. She couldn’t chase after someone who doesn’t want to commit forever—could she? This was the tempest that swirled through Raina’s mind as she rang Mason’s doorbell.
Mason promptly opened the door and told her, “Thanks for coming. Please come in.”
Raina was struck with how formal Mason was. Cold and formal’ she thought to herself. She dreaded what might come next. She felt like a lamb being led to the emotional slaughter as Mason led her into the living room and had her sit with him on the couch. She couldn’t help thinking, ‘Why did I ever get involved with this man? Why am I always such a sucker for these dark horse guys?’
Raina was indeed always drawn to men of sorrow and deep inner turmoil; she couldn’t quite explain it but all of her boyfriends in the past were all of this so-called “dark horse” type. For some reason she just couldn’t seem to help herself. Like someone seeking out birds with injured wings so that she could help them learn to fly once again, she was forever seeking out emotionally injured guys in the hope of rehabilitating them. But that wasn’t all there was to it was there?
Mason struggled to start the conversation, asking her, “So how have you been?”
Raina felt like getting right to the point as she directed, “Well—you can cut the small talk Mason. If you’ve asked me over here to break up with me just get on with it.”
Raina was surprised by the
