Free Savage Love by Jodi Woody Page A

could pay them enough to put up with me. I am just used to people wanting something from me, or sticking around for the benefits. I guess I forget that all people aren’t ‘users’. That’s one reason it has been so refreshing to have you and Seanna around. You aren’t here to get something from me.”
         “Well…I think that’s very nice of you, but we are getting a great deal from you. You’ve wined and dined us since we’ve been here. And now you’ve included us in your Fourth of July fun.”
         “But you didn’t come looking for it. It was all by a freak chance. You didn’t come here with any expectations. I can just relax and be myself,” Daffyd explained.
         “You know I was just thinking the same thing this morning! I don’t have to be ‘fake’ around you all,” said Samantha.
         “You don’t seem the fakey type.”
         “That’s because you haven’t seen the fake me. At home I am the teacher, the good wife, the perfect mother. Before that I was the straight ‘A’ student and the perfect daughter. I was never given a chance to make mistakes or just to be human. Then when I did make a mistake all hell broke loose. I decided this morning that no matter what happens, I am going to be real. The good, the bad and the ugly!” Samantha explained.
         “So we are more alike than we thought,” said Daffyd.
         “I guess so…”
         “Are you excited about finishing the rest of your trip home?” he asked.
         “To be honest, only a little. I am not in a big hurry to get home. Seanna and I were just talking about that. If we had just went straight home we would be in the empty house and reminded of Richard. Not that we have forgotten him or anything, but at least we are occupied with other things. And since I am not being fake anymore…I am not looking forward to teaching this year.”
         “Why’s that?”
         “I think that I never really loved it. I just picked a major in college. I was so young and was trying to raise Seanna by myself and was thinking of summers and holidays off with her. Don’t get me wrong, it is rewarding and the kids are great…but I don’t think it’s what I am really meant to do.”
         “Then don’t,” said Daffyd.
         “It’s not that simple. I have to support myself somehow, and now Seanna is going to college. She plans on working, even with the scholarship and grant, it will still be pretty tough. Plus, it would take a while for them to find someone to replace me. I work for a small Christian school. Funding isn’t huge and they can’t pay a lot. I have debated over the years about going to work for the public school system, but that’s almost scary these days. If I have to work at teaching at least I’d like to be where the kids are better behaved and the parent’s are on the same page we are,” she said.
         “I guess I have gotten used to having my own way so often that I forget everyone doesn’t have as many options as I do.”
         “Can I ask you something personal?” asked Samantha.
         “Is it a religious question?”
         “No,” said Samantha laughing.
         “Since you’re being open and honest I guess I can to. What do you want to know?” asked Daffyd.
         “Obviously you have money…and I was wondering …how…”
         “How I got it? I guess you could say I marketed an idea and some talent and got rich off of it,” he answered.
         “Do you have to work at it anymore, or are you retired?” she continued.
         “Well I guess you could say I am in a forced retirement until my health improves, but I am still making money off of my venture. You look like you don’t like my answer,” David said with a frown.
         “I guess what I really wanted to know is if you came into it all legitimately and honestly. Sorry that sounds so rude.”
         Daffyd just laughed and said, “A lot of