When he pulled into her driveway, he walked her up the steps and paused at the door. He lifted her hands over his shoulders until her fingers linked behind his neck. His arms circled her waist, bringing her close.“I love you, the future Mrs. Reed.” He smiled down at her, his green eyes glimmering with affection.
“And I love you, my future husband.” She smiled up at him.
His head descended until their lips connected. Her eyes closed on contact as she released a sigh of contentment.
“I’ll see you at eight,” he informed her.
“Eight? Why?” Marg asked with a raised brow.
“I’m taking you to dinner,” he told her.
“Okay,” she beamed.
“Tell your mother hi for me. I know we probably need to have a conversation,” he said, looking at the closed door.
“It’s fine. You can do it another time, like after I tell her about our engagement,” she assured him.
“Okay,” Ben relented.
“I’ll see you at eight.” He pecked her lips one last time, then left.
Marg stood where she was and watched his truck drive away down the street from the front porch. After that, she whirled around and unlocked the door. As soon as she entered the foyer, she could tell that her mother was in the living room because the noise from the television was pervasive throughout the space. She made a step toward the stair but then decided against it. She had been avoiding her mother since their last argument a few days ago. A part of it was a result of guilt for what she’d said. Slowly, she walked toward the living room, her footsteps feeling heavy against the hardwood floor even as the noise from the television drowned out their sound.
Her mother was resting on the couch, dozing off as she watched. Marg walked over to the coffee table, where the remote control was kept, and grabbed it before pointing it at the television and pressing the power button. The house was immediately enveloped in a profound hush. Alice started to stir, and she opened both of her eyes very slowly. Her brows furrowed as she looked up and saw Marg standing over her.
“Hi, Mom. Can we talk?” Marg asked.
Alice slowly rose into a sitting position. “About what?” she asked, her brows still in a knot.
Marg released a shaky breath as she took a seat in one of the armchairs adjacent to the couch. After a minute of not saying anything, she finally gathered her thoughts to speak. “I spoke to Julia, and she told me about Dad.”
“It’s fine,” her mother played it off even though Marg could tell that she was hurt by the way her fists tightened and her back stiffened as she averted her gaze.
“It’s not all right, Mom. You spent more than half of your life with him, and as soon as you guys are getting a divorce, he just miraculously has a fiancée?” she pressed.
“Marg, it’s been over six months,” her mother reminded her. “Besides, Travis is entitled to do whatever he pleases, we’re no longer together, and after what I did to him, I don’t blame him for doing what he did.” Alice released an unsteady breath, and her attention went to her hands, now folded in her lap.
“I’m sorry.”
Alice looked up, surprised by her daughter’s apology.
“Mom, what I said about you lying to Dad and trapping him, I had no right to say that. It was despicable and uncalled for. I wish I could take it back. What you did, carrying that secret for so long to preserve the very fabric of your family, took real strength, and for that, I admire you. You could have chosen to abort the pregnancy or give me up for adoption, but you didn’t. I’m proud of you, Mom, and I know you made difficult choices for the family.”
Alice held out her hands to her daughter as tears flowed down her face. Marg rose from the armchair and walked into her mother’s embrace.
“I’m sorry I kept you from knowing your real father, sweetheart. It was selfish of me. If I could go back, there are so many things that I would have done differently,” she spoke against her daughter’s ear.“I want you to know that I am proud of you…so proud,” she said with feeling. “You have always charted your own path and made the best of whatever situation you find yourself in. You are stronger than I because you were able to make the right choice to leave the marriage that almost took everything away from you. Oh, I wish I had your strength back then.”
Marg’s eyes moistened at her mother’s words. “It’s fine, Mom. You’re okay. I’m okay. That’s enough.”
Alice sniffled as she separated from her daughter. She reached up to cup Marg’s cheek.“I’m sorry about Ben, but I know you will be okay because you’re strong, and if you become a mother, I know that child will grow up loved and encouraged.”
Marg held her mother’s hand against her face as she smiled tearily back at her. “It’s alright, Mom. Ben and I are fine now.”
“What do you mean?” her mother asked.
Marg raised her left hand. Alice’s eyes bugged out of her head.
“You’re engaged,” she said before her face split into a wide grin. “I am so happy for you, sweetheart,” she expressed, bringing her in for another hug. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
