Settling at a table, Megan listened as her gaze shifted between us.
“Why are you even here, Grayson?” she finally blurted. “Are you trying to play the father figure?”
“No, Megan.
I’m here because I care about you, and you deserve to think about what you truly want without pressure from me or your mom.”
“Well, I already know what I want. I have enough money on your card to get by until I find someone else. Someone younger, this time.”
Frustration bubbled within me, but Grayson’s gentle grip on my arm beneath the table reminded me to remain composed.
“Megan,” I gently said, “we’re here to remind you of who you are—someone brave, smart, and independent.
I don’t want you to give up on your potential.”
After a long silence, she reached across the table, grabbed my coffee cup and took a sip as if to assert her position.
“You know what? I’ll think about it,” she muttered.
Grayson nodded encouragingly. “That’s all we wanted, Megan.”
“Fine, but don’t expect miracles.
I’m not ready to fall in line just because you two showed up.”
***
A few days later, I received a call from Megan.
“Mom… Maybe you were right. I can’t access Grayson’s card anymore, and I can’t find a stable place to stay. None of these guys are serious about us.
I… I miss my old life, my friends, the campus.”
After a pause, she added, “I’m really sorry. I think I want to return to college. I promise to put in effort this time, Mom.”
Hearing those words felt like the real Megan was returning, ready to embrace her future.
Somehow, Grayson’s steady presence had helped connect with her in ways I hadn’t managed before.
As I ended the call, Grayson looked at me with pride in his eyes. “I love you. We’ll figure everything out together.”
And just like that, a comforting calm enveloped me.
For the first time, I felt prepared to relinquish my need for control and trust in the future. Hand in hand, we stood watching the waves crash against the shore, ready to face life’s challenges together.
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