Shirley Lockwood tilted her head, confused, and asked, "Why?"
"Because I'm afraid of being embarrassed." 'She was afraid Leo Joyce would find out she cried over him, afraid of becoming the pathetic ex in this relationship.'
'She just wanted to live with a little more self-respect in front of him! A little more pride!'
"What's so embarrassing about that? Rory cries all the time."
"Rory cries too?"
Shirley Lockwood's eyes welled with tears, but she answered with a grin, "Yeah. I cry when my classmates at school make fun of me for being a motherless wild child. I also cry when I get home and Dad's busy with work and ignores me. And I still cry during vacation when I want to sneak out and look for Mom. So, Tiana, crying isn't embarrassing. When we think of sad things, we should just have a good, loud cry. It makes you feel better inside."
"Rory..." 'She had only asked casually, never expecting Rory to use her own story to comfort her. She was both shocked and heartbroken.'
