Free Love Is Patient and A Heart's Refuge by Carolyne Aarsen

quietly, giving him the few crumbs she dared. Then she dared a little more. “I know you have.”
    Dylan rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. “What do you mean?”
    Lisa had gotten too far to quit now. “Your father. You. Ted. Today I saw a family that has solidity. Harmony. Except for a few harsh notes.”
    He turned back to her and gave her a careful smile. “And you care because…?” He angled his head to one side.
    “Because I don’t have a family,” she said quietly, her defenses worn down by the ceremony she had just witnessed. By Dylan’s nearness. “Because I would give all Ihave for even a small part of what you have in your family.”
    “That’s important to you?”
    “What is rare becomes precious.” Lisa stopped the words flowing out of the lonely place.
    “I think people in your life have let you down, too.” He caught her hand, tugging on it.
    She couldn’t allow this to happen, she warned herself. She couldn’t start allowing him in. Because what would she have when they went their separate ways? What she had before. Only Gabe.
    “Actually, there have been a lot of people in my life. A superb and varied cast.” She pulled away from him with a light laugh. “Too bad I haven’t quite figured out the plot.” With a twist of her wrist she had the door open and she was outside. Two quick breaths and equilibrium was restored.
    She closed her eyes, pressed her lips together as she pulled into herself and the secret place she retreated to when her life was being taken apart by psychiatrists and social workers.
    Take care of yourself. Take care of Gabe, she repeated as she mentally wrapped her layers of protection around herself.
    You and me against the world.
     
    The photographs took longer than the hour Dylan had promised and Lisa had to endure the subtle torment of seeing Dylan under selected lighting posing with his family, his sister. With each flash of the photographer’s bulb, each new pose, she found herself watching him more and more.
    It’s just the tuxedo, she thought. It gave him a distinguished air that showed her a man who was at ease with himself no matter the circumstances. A man who could smile away the teasing of his family, who could give as good as he got without any rancor or anger.
    Finally the last pose was held, the last photo snapped. Lisa slipped on her sandals and stood, brushing her dress down in anticipation of leaving.
    “Wait a minute.” Chelsea motioned to Lisa and her heart sank. Surely Chelsea didn’t want her in the family picture? “I think Dylan and Lisa should get their picture taken. We’ve never had one of Dylan and a girlfriend.” Chelsea caught Dylan by the arm, bringing him to the center of the studio with a swish of her taffeta dress. “C’mon, Lisa.”
    Lisa held back, her eyes darting to Dylan, pleading with him silently. They couldn’t do this. It was a farce.
    Dylan tried to talk his way out of it, but soon the other sisters joined the chorus. He turned to Lisa and with a shrug held out his hand to her.
    She had no choice but to join him.
    “That looks great,” the photographer enthused. “The colors of that dress with the tux. Superb.” He walked over to them and pushed them closer together. “Put your hand on her shoulder, the other on her waist.” Dylan obliged and Lisa fought the urge to push it off. She felt exposed, standing here with him in the circle of light, surrounded by his family.
    “Okay…Lisa, is it?”
    Lisa felt Dylan’s hand squeeze her shoulder and she looked up, realizing she hadn’t paid attention.
    “Lisa, put your opposite hand on Dylan’s hand at your waist. Now lean back, just a bit. Dylan, you come forward.”
    Lisa could feel Dylan’s breath teasing the hair at her temple, could feel the heaviness of his hands on her shoulder and waist.
    “Smile for the camera, Lisa,” Dylan whispered in her ear.
    “This is silly,” she whispered back.
    “Just play along,” he replied, the hand at her