asked.
“I’m thirty-five,” Shane answered. “And, I’m aware that Gina is much younger. But, she is also very mature and worldly. I don’t see our age difference as being a major point of discussion. It’s how we feel about each other that is important. I love her.” Shane let the silence hang between them before continuing, “I respect her as a person and as a woman. I care deeply for her and her well-being.”
The old man on the phone cleared his throat. “And, you’re rich,” he said sternly. “Gina isn’t. We aren’t.”
“That is neither here nor there, Mr. Singh. All relationships are not based on wealth and material things. I don’t care about money. I am a successful dentist, that is true. But, I assure you, money is of no consequence to me. I don’t flaunt it; I don’t live a luxurious lifestyle and I don’t disrespect women - no woman, ever! I volunteer, I give, and I care about people who have less. That is who I am, Mr. Singh. I hope you will accept me as that person. Gina has.”
“She isn’t accustomed to a high-society way of living.”
“That doesn’t matter to me or to Gina. What is your point, Mr. Singh, what exactly is your point?” Shane was slightly perturbed at how the conversation was turning.
“My point is that I don’t want to see Gina give up herself to the rich and famous that make up your society, Mr. Ryden. That is my point.” His voice was even more firm now. “She will lose her roots, with that kind of lifestyle.”
“No she won’t. That’s a weak excuse for not letting go of her, of giving up your control, of her seeing me, being involved with me. Our relationship isn’t based on who has more or who has less. It’s based on mutual attraction, what we see in each other and what our emotional needs and desires are. That is all, Mr. Singh. Our love isn’t based on or in spite of culture, race, wealth or any other superficial thing. It’s based on us, period.”
“In India, it can be much different,” the father offered.
“That may be true in India, Sir, and in the U.S. as well, but it isn’t true with Gina and me. It doesn’t apply to us. It’s not part of our attraction and it’s never going to be a part of our life. Is that your major complaint about me seeing her? The age, the wealth, the society in which I live? Is that it?”
“It’s a concern, yes.”
“Then you should put that concern aside now, this moment. Look, Sir, I am in love with your daughter. Not her family, not her possessions, nothing but her. I hope you can understand and accept that. I am asking you to.” Shane hoped he would give them his approval, that he would just say it.
“Gina is of age in this country. She was born here. Legally, I cannot control her now. I just want the best for my daughter. I don’t want to see her hurt or in a marriage that ends in divorce after two years.”
“Mr. Singh, we haven’t even discussed marriage. We are not going to rush into that. I respect marriage, I have been married. I know what goes along with it and I honor it.”
“Your wife died, Gina told me. I’m sorry to hear that. Surely you understand my concern with Gina being so young. Her whole life is before her. She has told me she loves you, too. I only want her to be happy.”
“I am glad to hear that, Sir. You can ask me anything, discuss any concerns you have about our relationship or talk about anything else you need to, but don’t assume that I am after anything from Gina, because I am not. It’s just that simple.”
“Well, thank you for your time, Mr. Ryden. Good day.” With that, the conversation ended. Shane held the phone in front of him for a minute, staring at the instrument as if it could explain the purpose of the call. Guess I answered his question before he asked it , Shane said to himself. I wonder if she was listening. At least now he knew that Gina had made her decision and her move toward asking for her father’s approval. Otherwise, she
“I’m thirty-five,” Shane answered. “And, I’m aware that Gina is much younger. But, she is also very mature and worldly. I don’t see our age difference as being a major point of discussion. It’s how we feel about each other that is important. I love her.” Shane let the silence hang between them before continuing, “I respect her as a person and as a woman. I care deeply for her and her well-being.”
The old man on the phone cleared his throat. “And, you’re rich,” he said sternly. “Gina isn’t. We aren’t.”
“That is neither here nor there, Mr. Singh. All relationships are not based on wealth and material things. I don’t care about money. I am a successful dentist, that is true. But, I assure you, money is of no consequence to me. I don’t flaunt it; I don’t live a luxurious lifestyle and I don’t disrespect women - no woman, ever! I volunteer, I give, and I care about people who have less. That is who I am, Mr. Singh. I hope you will accept me as that person. Gina has.”
“She isn’t accustomed to a high-society way of living.”
“That doesn’t matter to me or to Gina. What is your point, Mr. Singh, what exactly is your point?” Shane was slightly perturbed at how the conversation was turning.
“My point is that I don’t want to see Gina give up herself to the rich and famous that make up your society, Mr. Ryden. That is my point.” His voice was even more firm now. “She will lose her roots, with that kind of lifestyle.”
“No she won’t. That’s a weak excuse for not letting go of her, of giving up your control, of her seeing me, being involved with me. Our relationship isn’t based on who has more or who has less. It’s based on mutual attraction, what we see in each other and what our emotional needs and desires are. That is all, Mr. Singh. Our love isn’t based on or in spite of culture, race, wealth or any other superficial thing. It’s based on us, period.”
“In India, it can be much different,” the father offered.
“That may be true in India, Sir, and in the U.S. as well, but it isn’t true with Gina and me. It doesn’t apply to us. It’s not part of our attraction and it’s never going to be a part of our life. Is that your major complaint about me seeing her? The age, the wealth, the society in which I live? Is that it?”
“It’s a concern, yes.”
“Then you should put that concern aside now, this moment. Look, Sir, I am in love with your daughter. Not her family, not her possessions, nothing but her. I hope you can understand and accept that. I am asking you to.” Shane hoped he would give them his approval, that he would just say it.
“Gina is of age in this country. She was born here. Legally, I cannot control her now. I just want the best for my daughter. I don’t want to see her hurt or in a marriage that ends in divorce after two years.”
“Mr. Singh, we haven’t even discussed marriage. We are not going to rush into that. I respect marriage, I have been married. I know what goes along with it and I honor it.”
“Your wife died, Gina told me. I’m sorry to hear that. Surely you understand my concern with Gina being so young. Her whole life is before her. She has told me she loves you, too. I only want her to be happy.”
“I am glad to hear that, Sir. You can ask me anything, discuss any concerns you have about our relationship or talk about anything else you need to, but don’t assume that I am after anything from Gina, because I am not. It’s just that simple.”
“Well, thank you for your time, Mr. Ryden. Good day.” With that, the conversation ended. Shane held the phone in front of him for a minute, staring at the instrument as if it could explain the purpose of the call. Guess I answered his question before he asked it , Shane said to himself. I wonder if she was listening. At least now he knew that Gina had made her decision and her move toward asking for her father’s approval. Otherwise, she
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