Christopher's father paid a very high price for my deaf and dumb act, as you might call it. In the end it was he who came to me to plead for forgiveness and understanding. Yes, this powerful executive at one of the world's most successful companies groveled at my feet, not only because his future and his reputation were in grave danger, but because he couldn't sleep. Conscience is king after all.
"Oh, they put on their acts, their bravado performances, their macho faces, but in the dark, especially as they grow older and their own mortality comes into question more and more, they become little boys again, running home to Mother and seeking to be soothed, cuddled, and forgiven."
"I am not in the mood to soothe, cuddle, or forgive Christopher, Emma. In my heart I've always known how weak he is, how selfish and spoiled and..."
"Yes, yes, yes. We've both known that, but you married him. Caroline, and I can't believe you didn't know him for who and what he was then. What's more, you said. For better or for worse.. You took marriage vows."
"You didn't come here to hold me to that, Emma. I know what you think of religion, of sacraments and commandments. Of all things you are not, you are not a hypocrite. I'll give you that, Emma. What you believe in, you believe in strongly and consistently."
"Precisely," Grandmother Emma said. She was quiet a moment.
"Besides, you're not here because I violated my marriage vows. You're here because Christopher did."
"There are all sorts of violations, even violating yourself. Would it be possible to have something cold to drink?"
"I have juices, sodas, beer."
"Some plain soda water, if you have it."
"Fine," Mother said.
Ian closed the door a little as Mother walked past us to the kitchen. He left it open just a crack. I knelt down and looked out. We both saw Mama through the kitchen doorway. She paused after pouring Grandmother Emma a glass of soda and held her hand over her eyes. I thought her shoulders shuddered. Then she straightened up and returned to the living room.
"Thank you," Grandmother Emma told her.
"Listen, Emma, you're wasting your time here. I have already contacted my attorney. Papers are being prepared. Christopher has been cheating on me for years. I know only of one woman, but I have the sense there were many. You yourself have criticized him for being a poor father, for being self-centered. There is no point in prolonging anyone's agony."
"Very noble speech," Grandmother Emma said.
"I mean it, every word," Mama said sharply back at her.
"I'm sure you do. But that's the little girl in you, the bruised ego. I'm here to make sure you listen to the woman in you, the sensible and intelligent voice you bear as well. As it turns out, you and I are not so different after all, and it's not just that we both married March men. You have pride and you are stronger than your husband, just as I was stronger than mine. You've held your family together, just as I held mine. Now, unfortunately, you have reached a fork in the road, as I did, and you have to look down one side and ask yourself. Is this the road I want to take, a road that will satisfy the little girl in me, but not be as helpful to my children? Or should I take the other road, the road I'm willing to ensure brings great opportunities to my children?"
"Why aren't they your grandchildren as much as they are my children?"
"I wouldn't be here i
f they weren't,"
Grandmother Emma said, "but if you take them away from the March world, they will be less so."
"Is that a threat?"
"No, no, just a statement of fact, Caroline. I don't come here armed with threats. I come armed with promises.. I simply want you to avoid tragic mistakes."
"My God, Emma, this is the twenty-first century. People survive divorces and their children do, too. You're still living in that Golden age of yours. Those sorts of social mores, rules, and beliefs are gone. They're gone!"
"Not for me, they're not," Grandmother Emma said firmly.
"What do you want from me?" Mama cried.
"Call your attorney and tell him you've changed your mind. He's not the sort of attorney you would want involved in something like this anyway. He's an opportunist, an ambulance chaser, a low-class gutter fighter."
"Exactly the sort of attorney I would need to do battle with a March," Mama said.
"Don't be ridiculous. He's no match for what I can produce. It will be a long, drawn-out affair. You'll be in battle for every nickel and dime. We'll even fight you on custody of your children."
"Custody of my children? How could you even think..."