Acting Up by Kristin Wallace

Addison jumped up and stalked over to the window. “So I’m a mean, touchy, emotionally stunted fake. How on earth do you put up with me if I’m so horrible?”
    â€œYou’re not horrible.”
    â€œSure sounds like it.”
    Aunt Ruth’s eyes reflected deep sadness. “You’re wonderful. Loving, kind, generous, funny, strong. I only wish you believed the same thing. I wish you could see yourself the way I do. The way God sees and loves you. Yes, you have flaws. We all do as humans. I have my share.”
    â€œI always thought you were perfect.”
    Her head shook. “No, I’m far from perfect. Maybe the reason I see your distance is because I recognize it in myself. I shut myself away, too.”
    Something about her tone made Addison pause. The wrinkles on Aunt Ruth’s face seemed to depress even more, and her eyes went flat. All traces of sparkle gone in an instant.
    â€œWhat happened to you?” Addison asked.
    â€œI was engaged once, did you know?”
    Addison blinked. “No.”
    â€œHis name was Alan, and I loved him with all my heart. We met when I was nineteen and were engaged within a month. He was so strong and vibrant. And smart. We talked about everything and anything. He could make me laugh harder than anyone I’d ever known. Then he went off to Europe to fight in the war.” She went still.
    â€œHe died.”
    Aunt Ruth nodded, and even after all this time a thin sheen of tears formed a liquid veil over her eyes.
    Addison wanted to howl at the injustice of a senseless death that had robbed her sweet aunt of happiness.
    â€œI’m so sorry,” she whispered.
    Aunt Ruth turned her head, and some of the sadness retreated. “After he was gone, I became angry and bitter. I pulled away from my friends and family. Shut myself off emotionally. After a time, other men became interested in me, but I rebuffed them all.”
    â€œYou never fell in love again?”
    â€œNo one could ever live up to my Alan. I refused to give my heart again. Not if it meant I could be hurt. And not if it meant I had to let go of my fury. At life, at God, even at Alan.”
    â€œYou were angry at your fiancé?”
    She fingered the blanket on the bed. “He’d left me alone. Of course it’s not rational to blame someone for getting killed, but holding onto my rage was much easier than facing a future without him.” Her chin came up. “Anger eats away at you bit by bit until it corrodes your soul.”
    Addison leaned back against the wall. “You’re saying I need to forgive Merrick?”
    â€œThat might be too fresh a wound.”
    â€œWhat’s your point then?”
    â€œYour mother . I know she hurt you, but if you can’t let go of the bitterness you feel toward her, you will never be truly happy. I don’t want you to become the woman I was.”
    â€œYou don’t know the whole story. What she said after—” Addison broke off and swallowed down the sobs clawing up her throat.
    Aunt Ruth held out a hand. “Come here.”
    Addison hesitated.
    â€œCome on.”
    Addison took the few steps to the bed and perched on the side.
    Aunt Ruth took Addison’s hand. “I may not know the details of what happened between you two, but I can guess. I can’t imagine sending my child away for any reason, but I can’t forget that her actions saved my life.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œ You saved my life,” she said, reaching up to touch Addison’s cheek.
    Shock replaced confusion. “Me?”
    Her eyes were soft as a spring rain. “I lived an empty life for so many years, but you forced me out of a dark hole. Taught me how to love again. You can’t know the joy you brought into my life. No matter what awful circumstances brought you to my doorstep, I will always believe you were sent to me for a reason. Which is why I want you to forgive your mother. Because