Here to Stay by Margot Early

taller. “I know you love Sissy, and I know you’ll take care of her. But I hope it’s worth it to you,” he said, “and that it will never make you bitter.”
    The words were almost a malediction to Elijah.Bitter? Because he’d married the woman he loved? He found himself saying, “I certainly hope the same.”
     
    “D ID HE GET YOU in trouble?” Mrs. Atherton demanded, using a curiously old-fashioned expression.
    Sissy tossed her head indignantly. “Of course not. Elijah wouldn’t do that.”
    “So this marriage hasn’t been consummated,” Mrs. Atherton clarified.
    Sissy stood up from the couch. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
    Her mother rose, too. “I cannot believe you did this to us, not to mention Clark.”
    Sissy said nothing. It was time for her and Elijah to get going. Her heart twisted with the realization that this was probably the level of acceptance her husband could expect from her parents in the future.
    At least Kennedy will be decent to him, she told herself, wanting to get back to Kansas City to tell her sister that she’d married Elijah.
    “You know,” Sissy said, “this family has always prided itself on being such a good family, but Elijah probably thinks he’s married beneath himself. He has no idea we were so tacky.”
    “Beneath?” Mrs. Atherton exclaimed incredulously.
    “We’re going to go tell his mother next. I bet someone in that house will say congratulations.”
    “The Workmans have every reason to congratulate themselves on his ensnaring you. But rest assured, your father and I will protect any future inheritance of yours.”
    “Ensnaring me? You think he’s a gold digger?” Sissy wanted to burst out laughing. Elijah was a man wholoved to work, who liked making , not taking , money. “I’ve loved Elijah since I was about twelve. I’m happy to be married to him.”
    “That’s only because you don’t know what marriage is. Marriage is like a long conversation, and you’ve decided to have it with someone who doesn’t even speak the same language.”
    “So…you’re not going to be civil to my husband.”
    “I’m always civil,” her mother replied.
    “Though we don’t exactly have your blessing.”
    “Of course, you do,” her mother answered. “You’ll certainly need it.”
    Sissy took a breath. She had a plan. She’d come here with a plan. But for the first time she was afraid. “I’ve come home to get some things. And Teddy, of course.”
    Her mother stared. “Teddy is part of our kennel.”
    “I am his owner. My name is on his AKC registration.” And she had earned some money—not much, but some—from his stud fees. Of course, now she herself wanted the best puppy he could produce.
    “You’re not thinking of breeding him in Kansas City, are you?”
    Sissy decided not to answer. Teddy was her dog.
    “Does Elijah even have a place to live? A yard? And what is that thing out in your car? I don’t think either of you is ready for this.”
    Knowing how strongly her mother felt about dogs, Sissy thought this referred to the possession of Teddy.
    “You can’t afford children,” Heloise continued. “They’ll have to be raised like the Workmans.”
    “I won’t object to that,” said Sissy. “I rather like the way Elijah has turned out.”
    Her mother sniffed. “I thought you were old enough to think of someone besides yourself, Sissy. But now you’ve gotten into this situation, and you’re going to bring children into it, and you want to take Teddy, too. I can’t let you do this.”
    Sissy had never been so angry in her life. She would not address further what her mother had said about children, which was so far beyond rude. Instead, she struck where she thought it might hurt most.
    “Actually, Mom, you can’t not let me. He’s my dog.”
     
    “Y OU’RE MARRIED ?” Elijah’s mother was a small woman, with dark hair worn in a severe and old-fashioned bun. Elijah had inherited her brown eyes.
    At her feet,