âMom, what was that? You think Iâd go for someone like her?â
âWhatâs wrong with her?â Alanaâs eyes sparkled with feigned innocence.
âDidnât meet your standards?â
Bobby scoffed, âShe practically opened with a resume checkâhouses, cars, and then, oh, would the kids get her last name? Am I supposed to beg her to marry me?â
âWhatâs wrong with that?â Alana sat up, suddenly looking anything but feeble.
âWomen these days are just being practical. Better to know whatâs expected from the start than get blindsided down the line. At least sheâs direct, speaks her mindânone of that guessing game nonsense. Honestly, I think sheâs perfect for you!â
âCome on.â
With a dramatic sigh, Alana lay back, aiming one last jab.
Feel the thrill at g aln ov el s . com âYouâre not getting any younger, and neither are we. Someday, your father and I will be gone, and then what? Youâll be alone, just another shadow rattling around in an empty house.â
If not for his frozen accounts, Bobby would have tuned her out by now, letting her talk herself into exhaustion.
He couldnât see what the rush was.
What was wrong with staying single?
Was that such a crime?
Alana wasnât finished, though. In a last-ditch effort, she brandished her trump card.
âAnd if youâre not going to do these blind dates, you can forget about using your bank cards!â
âFine!â
Pleased with his reluctant agreement, Alana triumphantly pulled a stack of photos from behind the sofa cushions.
âAlright, letâs start with some options, shall we? This oneâs from a family of professors; they practically breathe academia. This oneâs grandfather was a diplomat, and she speaks eight languages. And hereâs a doctor, with a PhD!â
Bobbyâs eyes glazed over. It felt more like a hiring process than finding someone he could want to spend his life with.
He was kind of a jerk, and he never really tried to deny it. All he cared about was how women looked and their bodies. Even if he married a wife for no love, she had to be beautiful.
âNone of them hold a candle to Fannie!â
âFannie? You like Fannie?â Alana asked.
Bobby was taken aback by the sudden question, gesturing to himself in surprise.
âWhen did I ever mention liking Fannie?â
âFannie is marvelous!â Alanaâs enthusiasm was palpable as she clapped her hands, her voice strong and clear, betraying no sign of her illness.
âIâve always admired Fannie! You two could have had a wonderful marriage!â
âMom, letâs stay calm. Itâs not healthy to dwell on past relationships. Fannie and I are over. Thereâs nothing left there.â
.
.
.