"No," Irene says. "I don't care what your father says. Your father is not your primary caretaker. I am your primary caretaker, and I do not feel it is safe for you to go unchaperoned with a bunch of kids to spend a whole weekend rock climbing." Sadie draws lines with her chopsticks through the black bean sauce left puddled on her plate. "What are you so afraid of?" (ch. 5)
Once Upon a Time, There Was You by Elizabeth Berg
Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (October 4, 2011)
Comments: John and Irene had misgivings right before they walked down the aisle. Irene had just asked her bridesmaid to announce the cancellation of the wedding to the waiting guests, when Irene's father walked in to walk her down the aisle. She went wordlessly along with him.
Years later, John and Irene are divorced, John living in Minnesota and Irene in California with their high school daughter Sadie. Sadie's sudden disappearance brings the two parents together again and let them relive the reasons they once loved each other. Sadie is the catalyst that gets them to try to get along again, while they try to find her safe.
A moving story, very well told, of marriage, relationships, family, and the things that really count. John and Irene find what is most important to them - their daughter Sadie and remaining true to themselves, who they really are, and who they have become.
My rating: 4/5
From my personal library.
