“Whatever.” Tiffany rolled her eyes. “I thought that maybe you’d come back and try to make things right. But I guess you always just think of yourself.”
“I just need some time to decide. Surely you understand that.”
“No, I don’t understand what there is to decide. What is keeping you here?” Tiffany flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “But I guess you always just think of yourself. Think of whatyouwant.”
She had never in her life put herself before her family. Never put herself first with anything. Her heart clenched in her chest and she struggled against the tears.
“I have to go so I don’t miss the ferry to start the ridiculously tortuous trip to get back home. Let me know when you decide.” She spun around and strode out of the cafe. No hug. No goodbye.
Beverly walked up to her and sat down. “I heard most of that. I’m sorry. Don’t take what she said to heart. You’re a wonderful mother.”
“Am I? Was I?” A lone tear traveled down her cheek. “Maybe it was my fault. Maybe I wasn’t willing to be what Victor needed. And now… Tiffany just looks at me with disgust.”
“Maxine, you’ve been my best friend my whole life, so I say this with all the love I have for you. You need to learn to stand up for yourself.” Beverly reached over and took her hand. “Your daughter is wrong. She’s only thinking of what she wants. Not what you need. And for the record, you did everything for that family of yours. Everything. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
She dashed at the tear. “Thank you for that. And I know I should have stood up to her. I was just shocked at her anger toward me. She’s probably right. I should go back home. Help her with the baby. See what I can salvage of our family.”
“I think you should consider what it isyouneed now. It’s okay, you know, to make the life you want for yourself. Your children are adults now. They have their own lives. You’re allowed to have yours too.” Beverly rose. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Really, I am.”
Beverly looked at her skeptically.
She sighed. It didn’t sound convincing to her, either. “I will be fine. I just need time to sort it all out.” She stood. “And keeping busy is just what I need.” But somehow she wasn’t sure she could ever stay busy enough to keep her thoughts from whirling around her brain.
CHAPTER20
Maxine tossed and turned all night. Replaying her conversation with Tiffany. Replaying scenes from her marriage. Maybe Tiffany was right. Maybe she had refused to change and be the person Victor wanted her to be. But should she have had to change to please him? Shouldn’t both people in a marriage give some? She’d done so much that he wanted. Spent her life making his life run smoothly. And let him decide she couldn’t take a job she wanted to take. He always made the decisions about everything. Where they would live. How the house was decorated. Where they’d vacation—at places that would impress people when he talked about them—though she had to make all the detailed travel plans.
How had their marriage gotten to that point? Where she’d let him decide everything? She rolled over, punched the pillow, and settled back down. Still, sleep eluded her.
At five, she crawled out of bed and got dressed, still no closer to making a decision. She walked out to the beach with her coffee, hoping something would help her decide. Sinking down on the cool sand, she sipped a taste of the coffee and waited for the sky to lighten.
“I thought I saw you out here.” Dale dropped to the sand beside her. “I thought you might come over last night. Was Tiffany still in town?”
The early morning light highlighted his still-damp hair. “Ah… no. Tiffany left early afternoon. I just needed some time.”
He took her hand in his. “That’s okay. We don’t have to let anyone know about us yet. Not until we figure things out.” He smiled at her. “But I’d sure like that kiss your daughter interrupted.”
He started to lean closer, and she pulled back, holding up a hand. “Wait. I… I have to tell you something.”
He bobbed his head. “Sure.”
“See, the thing is… Tiffany wants me to move back to Philadelphia. She needs me now. She’s… pregnant, and she wants me back there. She actually said she needed me.” Along with a lot of other things, but no need to get into all that with Dale.
“Your first grandchild. That’s something, isn’t it?” He looked at her tentatively.
“It is. I’m happy for her. It’s just… I like it here. My job. The guesthouse.” And she almost said she liked him. But that wouldn’t be fair, would it? Not if she was leaving.
“I see. So now you have to decide whether your decision to stay here in Magnolia is the right one, or whether you’re headed back up east.”
“Dale, I’m sorry. I know I said I was staying. But that was before I found out about Tiffany.”
“I see. I guess this changes everything.”
“I’m afraid it does. If I go back, I can help her. And… she said she needed me. That’s hard to refuse. She hasn’t needed me in a very long time.” And she had to admit, it felt very nice to be needed.
“So you’ve decided? You’re leaving?” Disappointment settled in his eyes.
