“Who ever he is, I agree with your mother," said Dad as he entered the kitchen. "Stay away from him. Stay away from them all until you're of marrying age. Once you reach a nice, mature fifty-four, gentlemen callers will be welcomed here.”
“You've had time, Luce. I've given you your space." he said, the bed moaning as he stood. "I've aged fifty years in three weeks' time because I did my part and stayed away from you. But now you're here. And maybe you're not here because of me, but either way, you couldn't stay away.”
“I can’t stay away from you,” he whispers...“Don’t stay away from me, then,” I whisper back...”
“Staying silent, staying away from him... that was the hardest thing I've ever done.”
“Stay away from her.""Okay.""Keep your hands off her.""I'll try."He scowled at me."I will," I said.”
“We're staying together," he promised. "You're not getting away from me. Never again.”