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Show All the Variables & Other Love Stories 72 Cara felt light as a thousand cliches-air, angels, feathers, whatever. Falling in love with Zach gave her to childhood the way old movies did. A long sleeping joy now ached within her. Her cramped heart stretched and tingled, stirred vivid again. It made more sense than any rational fact, that she should love Zach Hutson. She felt as though she lived a dream and everything was flooded with romance ancient and somehow timeless. It felt right as nothing ever had and the idea that it was too much a fairytale now seemed superstitious, for it was happening. She told him about her failed love affairs, the burden of rejection, her fear of lovelessness. She told him how disappointed with love she felt, how exhausted she was of boys and sex and playing grown-up. She told Zach how she, too, had always loved him, had wanted him to pay attention to her, even when they were young, had felt the innocent unselfish love of children for him. She asked him how he could bear to see her suffer in the halls of Star Valley High, why he never lifted a hand in objection or raised his voice to protect her. He understood. He was sorry. He said there was no excuse, he had been an arrogant kid, he hadn't bothered to notice and that was no good reason. She shook her head, she knew it, she just needed to hear him say it. She remained skeptical to Zach's oaths. He told her he would email her every day and soon as he could he'd come to Salt Lake City and enroll in the community college there; he didn't like the University of Wyoming anyway. Cara told him she might entertain him seriously, she wanted to, but there were things he would have to do. She forbade him broach the topic of sex with her, made him declare his love and intentions to his parents, told him for god's sake you're not a linebacker anymore, cultivate bad habits! |