More Than I Can Bear by E.N. Joy

for it now. That went for her mother as well.
    â€œHey, Paige, baby. How have you been doing?” Her father held her in a warm hug. He knew his daughter had had a rough past few months. He was glad to see what looked like a genuine smile on her face.
    Paige appreciated the acknowledgment from her father. The days of her feeling invisible and like her father felt women were beneath him were no more. Things looked so much clearer without that little girl hurt and pain Paige had carried around for years. “Things have been rough, as you know, but I’m just trusting in God to see me through.”
    Mr. Robinson admired his daughter. “Well, you look better than ever.”
    â€œThanks, Dad, but you’re my daddy. You’re biased. You’re supposed to say that.”
    â€œMaybe so, but it’s still the truth.” He smiled at his daughter.
    â€œWhere’s Mom?”
    Mr. Robinson looked over his shoulder. “She’s finishing up breakfast for you and your guest here.” Mr. Robinson turned his attention to Norman. “Sorry to have been so rude, but I get distracted whenever my baby girl is around.” Mr. Robinson extended his hand. “I’m Samuel Robinson, Paige’s father.”
    â€œPleasure to meet you, Mr. Robinson,” Norman said, shaking his hand.
    â€œOh, you don’t have to be so formal. Samuel is fine,” Mr. Robinson said. “Norman, right? You work with Paige? You and her are friends? Although I’ve never had the opportunity of a formal introduction, I’ve heard quite a lot about you.” Mr. Robinson gave Norman one last strong shake. “Thank you for being there for my baby girl. You’ve been a good friend.”
    â€œUh, yeah,” Norman agreed, knowing that as of yesterday, legally he and Paige had become way more than just friends.
    â€œThere she is.” Paige’s mother came sailing out of the kitchen, wiping her hands down her autumn leaf–cov-ered apron. “I knew I heard voices.” Mrs. Robinson went over to Paige, grabbed her hands, and kissed her on each cheek. “You holding up okay?”
    â€œYes, Mother,” Paige replied.
    â€œGood, because I worry about you so sometimes.” Mrs. Robinson took each one of Paige’s hands and kissed them.
    â€œDon’t be rude like me and ignore Paige’s guest,” Mr. Robinson said.
    Norman smiled and extended his hand to Mrs. Robinson while Mr. Robinson continued the introductions. “Honey, this is Norman,” Mr. Robinson started. “He’s Paige’s—”
    â€œHusband!” Mrs. Robinson shouted as she threw Paige’s hands out of hers and snatched up Norman’s left one, holding it up to her face.
    â€œCoworker,” Mr. Robinson corrected her with a chuckle. “Our daughter is barely out of one marriage, so don’t go trying to put her in another.”
    â€œPaige, you’re married?” Mrs. Robinson asked. “To this man?” She shook Norman’s hand like a ragdoll.
    â€œHoney, stop that.” Mr. Robinson could see that this wasn’t a joke. His wife was serious. Dead serious. He looked to Norman. “I’m sorry. I apologize for my wife’s behavior. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”
    â€œDon’t go apologizing for me,” Mrs. Robinson spat. “I’m not blind. I know what I see.” She snatched Paige’s left hand into hers while she still held on to Norman’s. “These are matching wedding bands.” She stared at Paige. “I know for a fact you got rid of the wedding set Blake gave you because you didn’t want the memories. So unless you two lucked on the prizes in a box of Cracker Jacks, young lady, you’ve got some explaining to do.” Mrs. Robinson was almost trembling she was so emotional.
    Paige and Norman looked at each other full of guilt.
    â€œPaige, is what your mother saying