The Day I Kissed An Older Man

The man then said, "It's ridiculous. Why must everything be measured in terms of benefits? What about the memories I've made here? Aren't they important?"

Rita bit her lower lip and felt her cheeks burn with shame for her blind faith. She had assumed that money was the solution to all problems. She was always going on and on about Sherman being a profit- minded businessman, but living in the same privileged family environment had tainted her with that mindset. She always felt as if money could solve anything.

"I grew up on this land. I finally got my house when I was over 30, but I was forced to leave after only a few years. Now everyone thinks I've gone mad, sleeping around on this muddy ground. But this was my home before those developers came. Why did I have to leave?"

Rita fell silent at his questions, unable to provide an answer. She believed that the land must be profitable in some way if Sherman was interested in it too.

interests and family would be just as

the developer's request to move out? Did that refusal lead to your current situation?" Rita's question prompted the

in something that no longer existed. Reality was cruel, and thinking

is Virgil Cole. Everything was good back

to Rita. He did not know why he was divulging all this to a newbie reporter. Perhaps it was because she still

speaking to reporters. His pain was evident in every word. "I apologize for putting so much pressure on you to share this with

a sense of relief after sharing his burden. He wiped away his