Page 59 of So Much More
“Good.” I stand. “Call me when you get home from dinner with your mom, and I’ll meet you outside the pub.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Making me be an adult in this situation.”
I laugh. “You’re not the only one who needs help in that area.”
As I exit Randall’s office, Brian is heading down the hall toward me. He says nothing, but he shoots me a giant grin accompanied by a knowing look. I give him a sunny smile in return and silently curse the universe for his timing.
twenty-five
Mom gives me a tighter and longer hug than she’s ever given me in my recollection, and I squeeze her right back. I’ve never doubted my mother’s love for me, but like my brother, she rarely shows affection, and she’s been described as “scary” by more than one person, including myself.
When we take a seat at our table in a restaurant in a suburb none of us frequent, she says, “I don’t want to talk about your father tonight. Tell me what’s been going on in your lives.”
Ash tells her what’s happening with his new job and with Leslie, and I listen without giving any commentary.
“You’re being awfully quiet,” Mom says to me when they’ve exhausted the recent developments in Ash’s life.
I shrug. “I guess I’m tired. Long weekend.”
“Care to expand on that?”
On the way here, Ash suggested I tell Mom about Wendy. He seemed to think she’d be supportive of me instead of judgmental about what I’ve done, but I’m not so sure.
Before I can decide what to tell her, she says, “If it makes a difference, the girls told me you’re dating Wendy.”
Of course they did.
“Is there something going on that you didn’t tell them?” she asks.
I nod, and then I tell her the highlights of our brief relationship—both the good and the bad.
When I finish, she says, “I know I said we weren’t going to talk about your father, but I have to say this. Considering the example he set for you, I’m impressed by the way you’re both working on having mature, healthy relationships with women, even when you make mistakes.” She looks at me. “I’m so proud of you for owning up to your mistake and doing what you can to fix things with Wendy. Your father doesn’t admit it when he cheats on me, and he has never apologized for it or tried to make things right with me.”
“Mom.” Ash’s voice and face are both tinged with horror. I’m sure my face looks much the same.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know about his long line of mistresses,” Mom says. “I’ve known it for years—decades, even. Here lately it’s been that new young secretary at the office. She’s with him on his so-called business trip right now.”
Although I’ve always suspected Dad wasn’t faithful to Mom, I didn’t know for sure, and the confirmation from my mother makes me feel sick. I reach for her hand and take it in my own. “Mom, I’m so sorry.”
“Why do you stay with him, then?” Ash demands. “Why put us through living with him and dealing with him? Why do the girls have to keep living under his roof?”
I give my brother a harsh look and am about to lay into him about his attitude, but Mom answers before I can.
“Leaving the father of your children and the provider of everything you and those children depend on isn’t as simple as you would think. Imagine what divorce proceedings would be like with him—and the aftermath. You think living with him was terrible. That’s nothing compared to what it will be like when Sonya leaves home and I finally leavehim.”
I’m stunned Mom is telling us all this. “You’re really going to leave him?”
“Yes, as soon as I know Sonya’s college education is paid for, I’m filing for divorce.”
“Do it now,” Ash says. “I’ll pay for her college if she doesn’t get scholarships.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve done enough for the girls already.”
“You’re not asking,” he says. “I’m telling. I’ll cover both girls financially while they’re still in school, and I’ll take care of you, if he manages to leave you with nothing, though we’ll fight him tooth and nail to make sure you get what you deserve. Get out now.”
