Free When You Fall... by Ruthie Robinson Page A

said.
    “Carl,” Gloria said, laying a hand on his arm.
    “What he means to say is that there must be something seriously wrong if you are resorting to breaking up weddings. We just want to help you to be happy, like your sisters. We’ve always only wanted you to be happy,” she said.
    Carter was quiet.
    “What are you going to do now?” her father asked, looking at her. “And please give me the dignity of hearing a response from you,” he said.
    “I thought I might stick around here. I could continue to look after the horse and the house. I’ve already started a list of things to do. You know, to get it in shape to sell. I could start my job search from here, too.”
    He sighed and sat back down, like a balloon losing the last of its air; deflated was the best word to describe him.
    “Why do you make your life so hard?” he said, concerned, but a little more bewildered.
    “I don’t know, Dad. I don’t intend to,” she said.
    “We only want what’s best for you,” Gloria said.
    “I know,” she said. She wished she could give them what they wanted. She’d been trying to for so long. The last half of her life had been one big attempt to make them proud of her.
    They all sat in silence for a few minutes more, privately mulling over their thoughts.
    “I’ll check into the property manager situation and call you later on in the week. In the meantime, I guess it wouldn’t hurt for you to start working around here. You of all people should remember what it looked like in its glory days. I didn’t realize it had fallen into such a state,” her father said, uncomfortable with her. Nothing new there.
    Her dad was not one for drama. He’d reminded her and her stepsisters of that fact often enough growing up. Quiet and dignified was his personal creed. He put his jacket over his arm and stood, waiting for Gloria.
    “We are going to try and make dinner this afternoon, so we can’t stay any longer. It’s Samantha’s turn,” Gloria said.
    “Sure, I understand,” Carter said, standing up with them.
    “Sorry you won’t be with us, but you know what? I’m going to get your sisters together next week, for an intervention,” she said, looking over at her husband, proud of her new plan to bring Carter into her successful sibling fold.
    “An intervention?” both Carter and her dad said in unison.
    “Yes, saw one on TV on the Oprah show or maybe it was Dr. Phil, or maybe it was Dr. Drew… doesn’t matter. It’s where the family members get together to talk sense into the family member that is having trouble with their life; usually it’s some type of addiction. But aren’t we lucky it’s not an addiction with you,” she said, looking at Carter, pleasure in her gaze.
    “I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Carter said.
    “No, it’s okay. Your sisters will make time. I’ve already spoken to Savannah and Madison. They had no idea that you’d gotten this desperate. Maybe they can give you some tips on how to proceed. Yes, that’s it, that’s what we’ll do. You stay safe, baby,” she said, looking at Carter with sympathy.
    Her dad was quiet. His eyes were still filled with disappointment, and no amount of a new plan could erase it.
    Carter followed them to the door, lifting her face for Gloria’s kiss. Her dad didn’t try to kiss her, but squeezed her arm instead. It would take him a while to get past this. It always did. Carter locked the door behind them, watching the car’s taillights until they disappeared from view.
    #

Five
    Sunday evening
    Rafael pulled up to the Woodson home around dusk. Why was he here again? Her in her short-shorts with a hint of something peeking out underneath provided some of his motivation, if he were being honest with himself; which he tried to do. Mostly though, he was here to check on the horse; short-shorts was just the icing on the cake. He wanted to make sure she hadn’t killed him. Horses were work, especially for the novice.
    Honestly, he was