Chapter 5
Abbey's heart sank. They had talked about taking the ring off for the visit, but she had vetoed the idea. She was proud of the ring and the promise it symbolized.
She felt Jed loosen his hold on her hand as they both stood up.
"Son, is there something you need to tell us?" Catherine hoped that it meant what she thought it did.
'Might as well get this over with as well.' Jed sighed. "Yes. I asked Abbey to marry me and she said yes."
"Why? You still have your whole life ahead. What about your plans for graduate school? The rest of your life? This woman will ruin all of that. She has already ruined your life plans once. Is she pregnant, Josiah?"
"John! This is good news." Catherine turned from her husband to her son. "I think its great news. Congratulations to you both." Catherine kissed Jed and hugged Abbey for a second time.
"Josiah, I asked you a question. What's the rush? Did you get her pregnant?"
"No, Dad! Abbey is not pregnant." Jed had had enough. He pulled Abbey toward the door. But he turned one more time toward his father. "I love her, Dad! She gives me the love I never got from you. NEVER! I'm marrying Abbey and you can come if you want to. Otherwise, YOU CAN GO TO HELL!"
As he turned back to the door, he noticed the tears in his mother's eyes.
He hated when he lost his temper because it always disturbed his mother. This is the way it had always been. He would get upset and then the yelling would start. Soon his mother would leave the room to cry in private. Sooner or later, the yelling would stop but the damage would have already been done.
But he never could stop the fighting with his father before it occurred. Verbal fighting that would usually lead to John hitting him and Jed backing down. John had never understood that his oldest son was different, much more sensitive than John Bartlet thought a man should be. This time, however, Jed was tired of it and wasn't going to take it anymore.
But soon, he wouldn't have to deal with him. If his application to the London School of Economics was approved, he would have an ocean between them. Jed only wished it could be a world between, but he would take what he could get.
He gave his mother a quick kiss. "I love you, Mom. Take care of yourself."
Soon the front door slammed behind them. He and Abbey almost ran to the car. The door closed and again Jed was safe.
But this time safe in the knowledge that somebody loved him and he loved somebody.