Free Passion Projected by Jennifer Salaiz Page A

Marley’s heart. Whose side was she on, anyway? Hello! She should be pissed her daughter had run off across the country with some guy she had never heard of and taken without an option. Her mother should be calling the cops!
    “Yeah, well, the day has come. I’m glad you’re happy. I have to go,” Marley snapped, the anger giving her the bravery she needed.
    “Wait, aren’t you going to tell me anything about how this came about? Who is the father, and why in the world do you have to move to Virginia?”
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    Now she wanted to ask questions. It seemed a little late for that.
    Hadn’t she basically already admitted to being happy I had found someone regardless of whether I wanted it or not ?
    “The father’s name is Zachary. He lives in Virginia.”
    “How long have you known each other? What’s his last name?”
    her mother asked curiously.
    Marley started laughing. She couldn’t help it. The betrayal still stung. It was either laugh or cry, and she wasn’t going to cry yet. The need to upset her mother as she had upset Marley taunted at her.
    Marley wondered why her mother always reacted angrily to the length of time she had taken to find someone. She thought of the meanest thing she could say and braced herself to say it. Being bullied around today left a mean streak in Marley, making her want to hurt her mother. The only way she could think to do that meant crushing her mother’s dreams of pawning her off on someone.
    “I’ve only just met him, so to speak. And truthfully, I have no idea what his last name is, nor do I care, really..I don’t need a man to take care of me!”
    Regret nearly made Marley cry. She hated arguing with her mother. Zachary didn’t seem too happy at the moment either, which pulled at her heart heavily even though she tried to ignore it. She still felt pissed that he neglected to warn her to begin with. She should’ve had the option to choose for herself instead of having all of this forced on her.
    What was the matter with everyone? Was she the only sane person alive these days?
    “Marley, are you telling me you’re moving all the way there with a complete stranger?” Her tone softened slightly, making tears nearly spill over.
    “Yes, Mother, that’s exactly what I am saying.” She felt her throat close. It seemed like maybe she was starting to understand the significance of the situation.
    Once again, silence. “When’s the wedding?”
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    Passion Projected
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    Nausea nearly crippled Marley. She couldn’t be serious. Hadn’t Marley just made it clear Zachary was a stranger? How could her mother be all right with that? Rage overpowered sadness. This wasn’t fair. Everyone accepted this with open arms but her.
    No doubt with Zachary’s supersonic hearing, he eavesdropped on their whole conversation. Marley glanced his way and then looked out of the window.
    “There is not going to be a wedding. I don’t want to get married,”
    Marley said, trying to control her rising voice.
    “Now, wait one minute.” Zachary turned toward her.
    The phone disappeared from Marley’s hand before she even noticed it missing. She could hear her mother booming on the other end. No doubt she had unleashed her wrath. Zachary was even smiling at her rant which had Marley rolling her eyes.
    “Mrs. Hart, hello, my name is Zachary Zevgolis. No ma’am, it’s Greek. I just wanted to tell you that I have every intention of marrying your daughter, and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for her to change her mind.
    “It’s true we haven’t known each other very long. Three months is hardly a dent in time compared to how long most people know each other. But I plan on getting to know her for the rest of my life, so don’t worry. She’s in good hands.”
    It