The Wedding Dress--The Conclusion

CHAPTER ONE

It had been over nine months since Adelia Patton’s loving declaration to Elias Walker, so it seemed that their relationship should have taken on a natural, steady progression. Young love would develop into a more solid and mature relationship, bolstered by their ever-growing feelings for each other. But for Adelia, the opposite seemed to have happened. The closer Elias grew to her, the more distant she was becoming towards him. And she felt powerless to change it. So she did the only thing she felt she could do: she ignored it and prayed that her feelings would change.

It didn’t help that they lived several miles from each other, so their relationship was basically a long-distance one. She lived in Holden, MS, while he lived two hours away in a slightly larger town named Monroe. She was a senior set to graduate from high school in four months who had chosen to complete her final year at home.  He worked with his daddy during the day in the sawmill business he owned. During the day, while Elias made deliveries and dealt with customers, Adelia was caring for her ailing grandmother, who was sick with Alzheimer’s Disease. There were doctor’s appointments, trips to the pharmacy, housework, and keeping up with school assignments. Sometimes at night, she would collapse from exhaustion. She and Elias would talk faithfully on the phone at night, but sometimes Adelia would fall asleep in the middle of a conversation. She knew deep down she had too much on her plate right now; she simply didn’t have the time to cultivate a loving and lasting relationship. But because she didn’t want to hurt Elias’ feelings, she put off speaking up. But how much longer could they go on this way? Sooner or later, they would have to confront their steadily-growing issues. They weren’t just magically going to disappear, or magically improve, without some sort of intervention. In her mind, Adelia kept asking herself, How can a relationship possibly survive—much less thrive—on so little?

Elias was a keeper, she knew that. And he tried to make her a priority. Faithfully, he would come over on Saturday night and they would eat picnic style in front of the television after Sydney fell asleep. Sometimes he would bring candles and flowers and would set the table to make it more personal. He wanted this to work...and while Adelia appreciated his loving gestures, sometimes the sight of his canary yellow Dodge pickup coming down the driveway filled her with dread. She felt ashamed for feeling this way. Elias Cole Walker was the kind of rare young man most women prayed for every night, then when they got him, they would spend the rest of their lives thanking God for him. Why couldn’t she do that? He was everything she ever wanted in a potential life mate. Why couldn’t she embrace all he had to offer her?

Was it because forever just seemed so excruciatingly long? Eighteen just seemed too young to settle? Adelia wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, but she felt there should have been plenty of time to figure that out. The relationships should be plentiful while she searched for her perfect guy. She couldn’t have known at that moment how quickly time would pass...and how tragically fast the opportunities to advance her social life would dry up.

As Adelia stood in front of her bathroom mirror, her pick in her hand, struggling to tame her unruly brown curls, she heard a voice call out from the living room, I’m home!, and her brown eyes rolled automatically. Everly was here, no doubt to share more of her unwanted words of wisdom with her identical twin. And Adelia just wasn’t in the mood.

Her eighteenth birthday had been the previous Monday, and due to their busy schedules, Elias had asked if they could celebrate it on Friday night instead. He said he had something very special planned for her. Reluctantly, Adelia had agreed to his request, but inside, she was trembling. She was almost certain she knew exactly what he had planned...

And she wasn’t ready for this step. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Adelia heard Everly greet Sydney, then seconds later, there was a knock on the bathroom door. Adelia? Can I come in?

Silently Adelia opened the bathroom door and Everly came in, pausing to stand behind her as the two girls regarded each other’s faces in the mirror. They were identical twins, but in recent years, they had both taken steps to make themselves not look as alike. Everly now straightened her curls daily and wore makeup. She had graduated high school a year early, and now attended college full time at a school nearly an hour away from Holden. She came home some weekends, though not every one. She was becoming more confident in herself, doing all the things she had missed out on growing up. She went to movies, on dates, she participated in campus activities, she hung out with her friends. She even held down a part-time job at an ice cream and donut shop while maintaining a stellar 3.7 GPA. For the first time in her life, Everly Joan Patton was living life on her own terms...and she wasn’t letting a single opportunity for enjoyment pass her by.

As Everly was thriving, Adelia felt stuck in her daily routine. Sure, she loved Sydney and would never regret the sacrifices she made for her, but her life revolved around being a full-time caregiver. When she wasn’t doing housework or schoolwork, she was tending to whatever Sydney needed. She made the grocery store runs and tended to maintenance on the car. She made sure the bills were paid. These were exactly the kinds of things she and Everly had done while growing up. They had tended to their little sister, Jocelyn, while missing out on a large part of their childhoods, due to their parents’ neglect and their father’s alcoholism. Now Everly had managed to leave the world of responsibility, if only for a little while, and simply enjoyed being free. She only came home to help with Sydney occasionally, and Adelia was basically left to shoulder the responsibility on her own. She wasn’t sure that Everly knew—or even cared—that she cried herself to sleep so many nights because it was just too hard doing it alone.

For a while, Adelia had attempted to change her look, ditching the sweaters and skirts for jeans and tee shirts, but now most of the time, she didn’t care. Sweats and a loose ponytail had become her style of choice. Some days she only left the house when it was absolutely necessary. If something could wait till tomorrow, it usually did. Most of the time, she couldn’t even muster up the emotional strength to care. What was supposed to be a new chapter in her life had turned out to be anything but.

Why do you look so mopey? Everly demanded. Smile! This is a big night for you.

Says who? Adelia demanded grudgingly.

Elias asked me to come home tonight and look after Nonna so you two could have some time alone, Everly pointed out. I’m keeping my end of the bargain; what’s with you?

Adelia turned around and faced her with angry eyes. And when do you ever help with Nonna otherwise? I’m here alone all week by myself!

And I’m in school and I have a job, Everly reminded her. I’m not just sitting around twiddling my thumbs, Adelia. Nonna wanted me to go to school and have a life, and I’m doing that. She wanted you to have a life, too, but the only difference is you don’t seem interested in having one. You just sit around here and mope and complain and blame everyone else for your problems. She sighed as she demanded, When are you going to grow up? You have so much going for you, and you don’t care! Tonight could change your entire life! I wish I had a guy who would love me as much as Elias loves you. She shook her head in frustration. Just forget it. Do what you want, but leave me out of it, okay? I’m going to see if Nonna needs anything.

Everly left the bathroom while Adelia went back to furiously fussing with her hair. As she had predicted, it had only taken a few seconds for Everly to get under her skin with her comments. Though Adelia was the older twin by 28 minutes, Everly had always been the more logical and levelheaded of the girls. She could handle most situations with relative ease. Her emotional maturity was something that Adelia seemed to lack. But Adelia didn’t know the stress Everly was under since the two rarely had heart to hearts. They had always been distant, but the past year had only made things worse. Now whenever Everly was around, the civil conversations between the twins seemed to be fewer and fewer, replaced with near-constant arguments. Adelia wasn’t certain they would ever truly be friends—or sisters.

While Adelia and Everly lived separate lives, little Jocelyn, who would be ten the following month, seemed to be faring better than them. She now lived in Texas with her mother Amy, stepfather Brent, and baby half-brother Brentley. During every phone call, Jocelyn expressed how happy she was with her new life and how she never wanted for anything. In Brent McCabe, she finally had the loving father she had needed and deserved. As happy as Adelia was for Jocelyn, she couldn’t help feeling twinges of sadness at the same time. Jocelyn didn’t need her or Everly anymore, when they had once been everything to her. Since getting remarried to Brent, Amy now appeared to be a more loving and attentive mother to her youngest daughter. It made Adelia angry that Amy hadn’t attempted to establish any sort of relationship with her twin daughters. No calls, or birthday cards, or Christmas presents. No indication that she thought of them at all. As much as Adelia tried to pretend it didn’t hurt—it did. And she feared it always would. She wondered why did she have to spend so much of her precious time giving thought to someone who had never given any thought to her. It was so troubling. Then again, there was clearly a very fine line between love and hate.

While Amy had been cold and distant towards her children when they growing up, her husband, Nick—the girls’ father—had been verbally and physically abusive to them. Adelia painfully recalled the nights of terror after Nick had been gone three or four days, when the silence would be abruptly shattered by the sounds of his heavy footsteps marching into the house. The smell of liquor hung heavily in the air as he ordered them to get his belt and stand against the wall. On more than one occasion, Adelia had taken two beatings just so she could spare Jocelyn from having to take any. Some days she could barely walk, the pain was so intense, and she would have to miss school so no one would know. But she knew she could never reveal what happened at home. She was afraid of being separated from Jocelyn, who she worried would be alone and scared without her. But it was ironic to know that Jocelyn truly didn’t need her anymore. She finally had the loving and safe home that her older sisters could only dream of. They talked on occasion, but Adelia feared that the loving and close bond that had once had was now gone forever.

Sometimes, even after all these months later, Adelia still woke up in an icy-cold sweat, clutching the bed sheets, convinced she was hearing her father’s footsteps marching down the hall again. She had to remind herself that Nick was gone and would never be able to hurt her again. At least not in the physical sense. When he left, Nick had left for good—but his imprint was still very much felt in all of his children’s lives. Everly didn’t speak about it and Jocelyn was in therapy for her issues, but Adelia dealt with it by sabotaging the first—and as it would turn out—the best relationship she had ever had. She just didn’t know it yet.

After a few more minutes of fussing with her hair, Adelia finally had it adequately moussed and the curls tamed sufficiently, and she went into the living room to wait for Elias. She was sitting in the living room 12 minutes later when the doorbell rang. She quickly forced a smile on her face as she got up and went to let him in.

Hi, he said cheerfully as he gave her a quick kiss in greeting. How are you? You look pretty.

Adelia had chosen a pretty floral and white skirt and matching sweater in an attempt to ward off the January chill. She was slim, a size six, so it was not difficult to find lots of cuter clothing options; the trouble was, she rarely found anything she liked; to be honest, she wasn’t even sure what she liked. She had yet to determine a sense of style that was just her, that made her feel good about herself.

Of course, as far as her 21-year-old boyfriend was concerned, it was about being comfortable in his own skin. On nights out, he could be found in khakis and nice dress shirts, with his shoulder-length black hair pulled out of his face. But he was most comfortable working alongside his daddy, Jack Walker, in the lumber business that would someday belong to him and his two younger brothers. He drew great satisfaction in working with his hands, building things from wood. On the side, he had already built and sold two tables and rocking chairs. His work was so sturdy and meticulous, the orders had begun steadily growing. He wanted furniture that would truly last a lifetime, going through generations of the same family. Adelia admired his dedication, even though she didn’t fully understand it. Why did a table have to last over a hundred years, anyway? It was an object! It wasn’t as if it had a soul or anything of value.

In Adelia’s opinion, one of the most memorable things about Elias Cole Walker, other than his huge heart, was his eyes. They were a rich shade of blue called cornflower. He had inherited those from his mother, and Adelia thought the color was the prettiest shade she had ever seen. Despite herself, she had pictured a little girl with those eyes and her heart had instantly melted. Any child of Elias’ would surely be a treasure in this world, she thought. He needed a house full of children to carry on his family. It would be a shame for his family to die out. They were unlike any family she had ever known: loving, kind, respectful towards each other. Every member simply wanted the very  best for the others.

Are you ready? Elias asked. I have big plans for us tonight.

Yes, Adelia said softly. Just let me get my purse. Won’t you come in?

Thank you, he said. He smiled warmly at Everly and Sydney, who had come into the living room. Hi, there. Everly, I want to thank you for all your help in making this night possible. And Miss Sydney, I promise not to have Delia out too late.

Sydney Cullen stared at Elias for several seconds, as if she were frantically trying to place him. Finally, she said, You know, of all my grandsons, you’ve always been my favorite, but don’t tell your brothers. I don’t want to them to be jealous.

Everly quickly corrected her grandmother’s mistake once again. Oh, Nonna, Elias isn’t your grandson. He’s dating your granddaughter Adelia, remember?

Sydney’s blue eyes became fearful as she said quickly, Oh, right. I’m sorry.

It is okay, Elias assured her as he reached out and warmly squeezed her cold hand in reassurance. As far as I’m concerned, if you need a grandson, I’ll be more than happy to fill that role for you.

Both Adelia and Everly recognized how sad Sydney’s decline truly was. One moment she was so mentally sharp, then the next, she would have trouble remembering her name—or the names of those she loved.  This was not the first time she had referred to Elias as her grandson, and within a day or two, she would remember him for exactly who he was. Then just as quickly, she would switch and not remember him again. Elias was more than patient, perhaps thinking of his own parents in the same state, since they were close in age to Sydney. Alzheimer’s was such a diabolical disease. It not only robbed you of your memories, it played with your mind so much, you had trouble remembering even the most minute details so you could never really be sure of anything after a while. Sydney’s mind had always been so keen, and this illness truly seemed to have come out of nowhere. Making it even more tragic was the fact that she had just turned fifty-six only a couple of months prior. Surely she should have had a lot more time to enjoy her life.

Everly smiled in relief at Elias’ gentle patience as Adelia came back in the room after grabbing her purse from her bedroom. Have fun, Everly said. And don’t feel you have to rush back. This is your night.

She cast Adelia a warning glance that basically said, "Don’t screw this up. If you do, you’re a fool." Adelia ignored her as she quickly grabbed her coat off the rack, then followed her boyfriend out the door. She was caught off guard when he gave her a big hug. What’s that for? she asked with a laugh.

I just miss not seeing you all week, he explained. It’s tough having to just rely on phone calls all the time when you want to see someone and talk to them face to face.

Hopefully I’m worth the sacrifice, she said dryly.

You are, he assured her as he led her to his yellow truck. He opened her door for her, and once they were both settled in, she attempted to shake off some of the seriousness. So...where are we going tonight? You said it was a surprise.

I thought we’d go to McArthur’s, he said as he started the truck.

McArthur’s? The new steak restaurant they just built on Highway 16? Adelia asked in surprise. But I hear the food is so expensive, plus there’s at least a two-hour wait to get a table.

Yes, that’s why I called ahead and reserved a table, he said. "And don’t worry about how expensive the food is. Tonight, Adelia Rose Patton, we are going to celebrate you, so no complaints, okay? You only have your eighteenth birthday once; it should be a special occasion."

But you’re not into all this fancy stuff, Adelia pointed out.

Would you just relax and not worry about it? he almost pleaded. You’re going to have a good time tonight. You’re free to just enjoy the evening, just you and me. You work so hard, and you deserve a night out.

His consideration of her was always so touching, Adelia thought. To Elias, it was just second nature, but no man had ever treated her so well. He genuinely wanted her to be happy and feel good about herself. Noticing the sudden silence, he asked curiously, What are you thinking about?

Just you...and how truly grateful I am for you, she replied.

He took one hand off the steering wheel and grabbed her small hand, kissing it quickly before releasing it. Same here.

She smiled briefly as she leaned back in her seat. Elias tried so hard to make her completely comfortable in his presence, but the displays of physical affection still took some getting used to. Sydney had once told her her late husband never treated her that way, and she knew her father had never been that way towards her mother. Being loved and shown it was truly something to appreciate, Sydney had added. Elias had no problems showing her how much he loved her. He was proud of her. And all Adelia could do was pray that his feelings for her could in time be reciprocated.

CHAPTER TWO

The drive to McArthur’s took about half an hour, and during the drive, the young couple had a chance to catch up on everything that had happened the past week. Nothing too eventful for either of them; Elias’ father’s truck had broken down while Elias was making deliveries so the lumber had arrived late. Adelia had made an A on a History report she’d been working on for three weeks and she now had an English midterm to study for that was a third of her final grade and she had to take the test in person so she would have to get someone to stay with Sydney on that day. Everything was routine, not much was exciting. But that was all part of it. Having someone be there to listen—and be interested while doing it—was a blessing that Adelia hadn’t always had. And sometimes the silence worked just as well. Sometimes they would simply curl up together and enjoy just being together, particularly after a difficult day. No words had to be spoken, but they both knew they had each other to lean on for support and comfort.

When the couple arrived at McArthur’s, they were seated immediately. Adelia took note of the linen tablecloths, the overhead crystal chandeliers, and the fancy wine goblets that sat on some of the surrounding tables. Nice place, Adelia murmured as she gazed around. Are you sure this is okay?

Delia, stop it, he said softly, but firmly.

Can I get you something to drink? the male waiter asked.

I’d like an iced tea, please, Elias said.

What about you, Miss? the waiter asked Adelia.

Just a water, please, Adelia said. The waiter wrote down their orders, then promised he would be right back before leaving. Adelia noticed that Elias looked less than thrilled when she ordered water, but he didn’t protest her choice. She grabbed her menu and began scanning it carefully. It took several minutes before she finally decided on an entrée of Chicken Marsala, while he ordered an eight-ounce steak and a green salad. The waiter took their menus, and again promised to be back shortly before he disappeared again.

So what’s going on? Adelia asked, trying desperately to be casual as she grabbed her glass and took a sip of her water. Why did you want to bring me here tonight? I have a pretty strong suspicion it’s about more than celebrating my birthday and wanting me to have a night out of the house.

Very astute observation, he remarked with a chuckle. Just as fast, his expression turned serious. Yes, I did bring you here for a reason. I was hoping we could talk later after we get out of here.

Well, why can’t we talk here? Adelia asked as she gazed around. I mean, this is a lovely place.

Well, I was hoping for a little more privacy, he explained sheepishly. What I wanted to talk to you about...well, it just seems better if we talked without a lot of people around. I have so many things I want to say to you, and this...this is really hard. I’ve been going over and over it in my head all week trying to figure out the right things to say.

What things? Adelia asked as she felt her anxiety about to overwhelm her. Lowering her voice, she asked in shock, Elias, are you breaking up with me? That’s why you brought me to such a fancy place, so you wouldn’t feel so guilty when you dumped me?

He looked stunned by her assumption, and it took a few seconds before he could reply. No, he said quickly as he automatically lowered his own voice. Delia, I brought you here because I wanted to... He sighed, then went on, Meeting you and getting to know you has brought such joy to my life, and I really can’t picture my life without you in it. I was hoping you might...uh...be around with me for the next 40 or 50 years. He shook his head awkwardly. This is really not coming out the way I had planned. Everything was supposed to be so perfect. He reached into his coat pocket and produced a small black velvet box and Adelia gasped at the sight of it. She began to instinctively tremble as he opened the box and revealed the most beautiful ring she had ever laid eyes on. The diamond was small, but it was exquisite. Tasteful. He swallowed as he asked softly, Adelia Rose Patton, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?

He was surprised by the tears that suddenly fell from her eyes. But how are we going to do this? she replied. I mean, what about my grandmother? I can’t just marry you and leave her alone. She needs me. And where will we live? You live in the rental house with Brandon and Blake, and how—

He immediately put up a hand to stop her and her voice trailed off. Slow down, he said quickly. I have given a lot of time and thought and prayer to this. I was thinking we’d stay engaged for at least a year and a half while my dad and I work on building the house on the land he left me. That will give me time to work and save, and you can finish high school. You might want to take some college courses or get a job or something. We can both make plans. As for Miss Sydney, do you really think I’d let her be alone? My parents would never hear of it. I plan to build her a room in our house so she can live with us. My parents are adamant that she’ll always be looked after, and they said they’d help, too. You’re not alone, Delia, and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you were. You don’t have to face anything alone. You have a whole family who loves you and wants to be there for you. If you’ll have me, I will happily spend the rest of my life trying to make yours better. He paused as he asked with some trepidation, So what do you say? Will you marry me?

Yes, she said as her arms went around his neck. She felt him relax as she held him, because he’d been so certain she would decline his proposal. This is perfect. I always wanted a family to love me and now that I have one...I just can’t believe it. I feel like I’ll never want for anything ever again.

You won’t, he promised as he wiped her tears away with a napkin. I love you.

Adelia had actually forgotten they were around people until she heard polite clapping coming from a nearby table. Elias blushed in embarrassment as he cleared his throat. We can get through anything as long as we face it together, right? he added.

Right, she whispered as he took her left hand and gently slipped the ring on her finger. He looked so happy that Adelia immediately pushed down all her fears and vowed she would not ruin his excitement. But she knew deep down that she was not ready for such a serious commitment. Why was she pretending she was?

She knew she wasn’t the only one who would be hurt by her dishonesty. Elias genuinely loved her. His family loved her and had taken her in as one of their own. How could she do this to them? her mind cried. They didn’t deserve this. Yet, she remained silent and chose to cling to the only thing she had left—and that was hope.

***

After dinner, the couple rode around for a while, and ended up at a lake where they often went. Being a man who enjoyed the outdoors, Elias enjoyed picnics and going fishing. Adelia had grown up having Sunday picnics after church with her grandmother and these outings with Elias brought back pleasant memories. Much of her childhood had been spent in genuine terror, so it was nice to have something wonderful to cling to. Sydney had offered her something money couldn’t buy, and that was security. To her, that was priceless.

As they sat on a blanket looking out over the water, Elias made an observation. You’re awfully quiet. What are you thinking about?

Nothing, she said softly.

Come on, he pleaded as he sat up and met her eyes. You just agreed to be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me. Surely you can share what’s on your mind?

She sighed, then uttered a single word. Children.

Children? he echoed in surprise.

Yes, we’ve never really talked about that, she admitted. Do you want a family?

She saw his eyes soften, and once again, she could see the joy in their vivid blue depths. Very much, he admitted. I think I’d like to have four kids, two of each, so they’ll always have a friend in life. But I know I’d like to have a girl first.

Most guys want a boy first, Adelia commented.

Girls don’t run in my family, Elias explained. My mom was pregnant with a little girl before she had me, but she lost her in her fifth month. I know my parents would be thrilled to have a granddaughter. I’d like them to have that. My mom says it would make her life come full circle.

My family is the opposite, Adelia admitted. My parents had three girls. My mom had a boy and she’s crazy about him, apparently. Sometimes I think if my dad had had a boy, maybe he’d have been happier and wouldn’t have been an alcoholic.

You can’t really believe that, Elias replied. Your dad had three lovely daughters. It’s his fault if he chose not to see that. It doesn’t make you or Everly or Jocelyn one bit less valuable because he didn’t.

What about your parents? Adelia asked curiously. Did they have a preference?

Elias chuckled. They were married 15 years when I was born. They never really expected to have kids at all because it was not an easy road to parenthood for them. I don’t think things like gender means that much when you just want a baby in your arms.

I’m sorry. That was silly of me, Adelia muttered.

No, it’s not, he assured her as he gently brushed a stray curl away from her cheek. One thing I’m certain is our kids will always be loved. It runs in the family, you know? No kids will be wanted or loved more. He sensed something else was troubling her, and he prodded, What is it? I know something is really bothering you. Why are you asking about having kids now?

Because I’m not entirely sure I want them, she admitted.

He looked surprised as he let out a slow breath. His hand slowly left her face and settled on his lap as he tried to process what she was saying. It was only the beginning of the conflicts they would face. You have to understand something, Adelia went on somberly. When Jocelyn was born, it was up to Everly and me to take care of her. My parents barely paid anything to her at all. I love her, but babies are a ton of work. I don’t know if I’m really the maternal type, anyway. Besides...

Besides what? he asked with sudden interest. What were you going to say?

Kids deserve to be protected, she blurted out. I don’t know if I could protect mine.

He narrowed his eyes at her in suspicion. What are you getting at, Delia? Protect them from what?

She knew she was risking his wrath, but she also knew there was one question that had to be asked now, rather than later. Where do you stand on discipline?

Discipline?

Yes, discipline, she said firmly. How do you plan to discipline your future children when they act out? Elias, I swear, I won’t allow them to be hit with anything!

He looked horrified. Are you implying that you think I’m some monster who would beat my kids? Delia, how could you ever even think such an awful thing? I was raised by older parents who instilled a lot of things in me. Yes, my dad spanked us—and my mother, did too, at times—but we learned early on to respect them. We learned there were consequences when we misbehaved. And it wasn’t always physical. I remember when I was about 14, I had a pretty smart mouth and thought I knew everything. This one time, I was set to go on a camping trip with some friends, but my dad said I could only go if I got a B in Geometry. I figured he wouldn’t take it away from me, knowing how much it meant to me, so I didn’t try that hard in school that semester. I ended up with a C, only two points from a B. My dad was adamant I was not going! I yelled, I stomped, called him the worst parent alive...but he wasn’t phased in the slightest. He said I wasn’t going and that was that, and he didn’t change his mind, and I spent that weekend pulling weeds and raking leaves and washing the car and doing any other chore my dad could think of because of my bad attitude and disrespect. And guess what? I never forgot it. How are kids ever going to learn the right way if someone doesn’t take the time to correct them?

Yeah, well, I was corrected even when I didn’t do anything wrong, Adelia shot back angrily. There was no love there. I just don’t see how you can equate hitting a child with loving them.

Elias sighed before he asked a personal question. Delia...are you afraid I’ll hit you like your dad did? Do you think that’s what all husbands and fathers do?

What am I supposed to think?