Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

a child to think about, but as Tony and I drew closer

and closer, all restraint weakened until I could deny

what was happening no longer.

"It happened one night after I had finished

working and had cleaned up to go home. It was a

warm day, a warm late afternoon. He asked me to take

a walk with him to look at the ocean. I hesitated, but

he pleaded, promising to bring me right back: l-

relented and we walked to a small hill and looked out

over the sea. The sun was red and low, the bottom of

it just touching the ocean. The sight was breathtaking.

Suddenly, I felt his hand in mine, and when we touched, my heart cried . . . no . . . demanded to be

heard.

"I confessed my unhappiness to him, but I told

him I couldn't just rush into anything. He was very

understanding, but determined.

"I tried on three or four occasions to explain

things to your father, but he either ignored it or didn't

really listen. His mind's always on his business.

Finally, at the Bon Voyage Ball, I made Tony a

promise. Even so, I tried to break it. I suffered so on

that trip to Jamaica, but love will not be denied, when

it is as real and sincere as it is between Tony and

myself, and I knew at the end that I had to do

something dramatic or I would pine away in the

darkness like a flower.

"Will you try to understand? Will you, Leigh?

It could happen to you someday and you might need

someone, someone you love and who loves you, to

understand." She squeezed my hand and pleaded with