(ZEV)
I watched Asa leave the dining room, feeling frustrated.
I was furious with Mrs. Gentry. I wanted to call her in and sack her on the spot, but knew I shouldn't make that decision while angry. She'd hugely overstepped. I knew she'd done it out of concern for my family, but how the hell dare she? Even if I had wanted Asa to take the damn morning-after pill, she'd had no right to take that decision from us.
My heart ached at how confused Asa was. I hated hurting him, but didn't know how to stop. I couldn't let him go yet. I wanted him happy, but not if the only way was to let him live away from me. I just wasn't there yet. I assumed that with time, the strange need to keep him near me would fade. Then I'd be able to give him the freedom he obviously yearned for.
I picked at my food, and when Mrs. Smith returned, she looked surprised that Asa was gone. "He wasn't hungry after all," I said.
She pursed her lips and took his plate. "You sure that's all it was, Sir?"
"Yes."
