She sighs. “I’ll work on him.”
I bite back the skeptical comments ready to dive off the tip of my tongue.
“You don’t think I have the power to change his mind?” she asks.
“I think if anyone does, it’s you. The problem is you shouldn’t have to. Seeing him walk out on me like that, when I need all the support I can get, changed the way I see him. We’re not puppets. We’re people with our desires and plans.”
“I know. He thinks he’s helping you.”
“By alienating me?” I snort.
“No, by guiding you toward what he truly feels is the right answer.”
“We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship.”
“He’s not used to being ignored. It’s my fault. I let him get away with too much over the years, and for that, I apologize. You came along with his personality and determination and turned him on his ear.” Shaking her head, she takes a sip of her rose hip tea. The tea house reminds me of my childhood. We’d slip away for high tea and girl time. It was always one of my favorite things to do.
I swirl my Earl Grey and nibble at a cucumber sandwich. The fresh taste explodes on my tongue as I chew and choose my words carefully. “Mom, this isn’t on you.”
“Yes, it is. I set the precedent for how things would go. I was too meek and accommodating, but he worked so hard to provide for us. It felt petty to complain or correct. The last thing I wanted to do was give him a hard time. It felt ungrateful.”
“Mom, you raised us. It’s not like you were sitting at home eating bonbons and watching daytime television. You played with us, taught us, supported every sport, music lesson, and dance class. Without you, this family would be in shambles. You have to know that.”
She glances away. “I worried that I failed you all somehow. I know I didn’t make up for his absence.”
Setting my teacup down, I reach over to grab her hand. “Mom, you’re an amazing woman. We are blessed to have you. You did the very best you could with a difficult situation. Dad loves his job and the limelight. He tried to balance both, but he couldn’t. You stayed behind with us. You could’ve traveled the world alongside him and hired a nanny.”
“The three of you are my precious jewels. All I truly wanted was to be a mother and raise a family. I never wanted all the perks that came with your father’s job. They were an added bonus that allowed me to create amazing memories with the people who mattered most.”
It’s refreshing seeing my mother speak on her point of view. She’s so soft spoken, Southern, and old-fashioned it’s rare to hear her speak an unkind word.
“I saw how he treated the three of you. It was normal for me. That’s how I was raised. I know it’s the twentieth century, but small towns in the South maintain that old way of thinking. I’ve seen how it’s gotten between you and your brothers the past few years. If I had spoken on it then, we might not be here.”
“And maybe we would,” I say, countering her comments.
“Regardless, I’ll see this set right. Now let’s talk about Shayne.”
I sigh. “I knew you were going to go there.”
“Well, of course, it’s been a long time since you had a steady beau. He’s certainly easy on the eyes.”
“I know it seems fast. The thing is, Shayne has been with me every step of the way. He doesn’t complain when I work long hours or get annoyed with my plans for the contest. When we do go out, we have so much fun. He’s always up for trying new things, and he gets me.”
“This sounds serious, baby.”
“It is. I wouldn’t have risked ruining the workplace for anything short of that.”
“What happens when it’s time for him to go home?” she asks quietly.
“I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.”
“You need to before you get in any deeper. Make sure you’re both on the same page. Stalling will only make things harder.”
“Mom, I don’t think I could handle anything else right now.”
“After your contest then.” She gives me the stern gaze that would stop me in my tracks as a child.
“I’ll do it then.”