Mistaken Identity (Identity 1)

“I’m not sure. Something smaller, more homey for sure? I like your house.”

Kansas snorted. “Next to this place what I have is a shanty. You could fit my entire house into your garage.”

“You’re exaggerating. Plus, your home really feels like you. I see your touches everywhere, and the minute I step inside the door the outside world fades away.”

“And you said Dex Kimber had all the lines.”

“Hmph.” The smile that twitched the corner of his mouth upward belied his amusement.

“It’s your place now, so you can do whatever you want with it.”

He took her hand and led her over to the couch where they collapsed. “It’s ours.”

She squirmed in her seat.

“You aren’t reneging on your promise, are you?” he asked.

“No, Crowley.”

“What?”

“Just a deal-maker from another sitcom.”

“Did you just compare me to a demon?”

“No … maybe.”

He snickered.

“Labels make me …. rashy.”

“Why?”

“Because they always seem to cause problems. Dad said he and Mom were happy until they got married, and I’ve seen the phenomenon happen a million times. Friends who’ve dated forever get married, and a few years later, the big D.”

“There could be a million different reasons. They grew apart, never really knew each other to begin with, or maybe they just didn’t make time for one another.”

“How can you be so confident in the success of marriage when we live in a world that has more broken homes, step-families, and single parents than ever before.”

“Because I was taught anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard enough. I mean look at me. I started out doing local commercials, and now I have a lead role on Paranormal Investigation. If I could do that, I refuse to believe I can’t make a marriage work with the woman I love.”

“You love me now, but what if I change?”

“Change is inevitable. The key is to do it in tandem,” said Jett. “Your eyes say you think I’m full of shit.”

“No, I think you’re incredibly optimistic.”

“The nice way of saying naïve, you think we’re doomed.”

“No, not necessarily.” She sighed. “I’m just … cautious.”

“I can’t blame you with your parents, but it makes me sad. I want you to see the beauty committing yourself to one person and sticking with them through thick and thin can be. I’m not saying it’s easy. My parents have had some knock-down, drag-out fights, not seen eye to eye, and gone through periods where they loved each other but weren’t madly in love the way they had been before.”

“What’s their secret? How did they get through everything?”

“They took their vows seriously, worked through each obstacle in the road, and in their words came out stronger for it.”

She shook her head. What would it have been like to grow up with them for an example?