For a second a hint of tenderness passed over Lydia’s face. She unclenched her small fists and released some of the tension from her back and shoulders. Then, quick as that moment of sympathy came, it was gone. Lydia framed her words carefully, knowing they would be hurtful but wanting to dissuade Albert of his assumptions about her.
“I don’t hate you, Albert. I am completely indifferent to you. Now go!” She pointed her finger toward the road, face flushed with emotion.
Albert’s lip turned up again, and he gave her one last hungry look before he turned and ambled up the rise, feet and heart light, whistling a tune Lydia had never heard.
She watched him as he disappeared and then gave in to her conflicting feelings. Slumping down on the ground, she felt drained and tearful and baffled by
