Sweet Obsession

“I asked you a question, Madeline, who put their hands on you?” I walked over closer and cupped her injured cheek with my heart in tatters because no matter who’d done it, the fact is that she was hurt. “Please tell me, baby, who did this to you?” I knew she wasn’t going to answer; I saw it in her face. But then her eyes widened on a spot somewhere over my shoulder, and I turned to see a piece of paper on the floor.

“What is this?” I walked over and picked it up and turned it over, and everything fell into place. I didn’t say a word to her; I just walked over and kissed her cheek, which was already starting to change colors. “Lock the door behind me, baby, and set the alarm, do not answer the door nor the phone for anyone.”

“No, Garrick, you mustn’t.” She tried grabbing my arm, but I pulled it out of reach. “Do as I say, baby, please.” I knew I wouldn’t take my anger out on her, not in a million years, but I was afraid of overspill. I kissed her one last time before leaving and heading to my parents’ home.

This, too, is my fault. My lack of action years ago has led to this. I should’ve put a stop to it the first time she rejected her so harshly as a child, but I figured, as always, that as long as Maddie had me, she was fine; she didn’t need anyone else. I was wrong. I didn’t protect her enough. By keeping them in my life, I’d been exposing her to this hate for years.

“I’m so sorry, baby. Fuck!” I hit the steering wheel with my fist and tried not to imagine the moment she smacked her and what led up to it. I wasn’t aware of how fast or slow I was going; I just knew I needed to get there and face her, bring this to an end once and for all. I love my mother, but for Maddie’s sake, I’m willing to cut all ties.

I pulled into the driveway and took the long winding road that led to the house. Good, her car is here, which means she’s not at one of her club meetings. I didn’t bother to ring the bell; I just used my key and walked in. “Where is she?” I asked the housekeeper who met me inside the hallway.

“Mr. Garrick, your mother’s in bed with a headache.” So that’s how she’s going to play it, the old go-to, run and hide after stirring up a hornet’s nest. I brushed past the older woman who’d rocked me a time or two as a child and took the stairs two at a time.

Mom was in bed with the curtains pulled and a washcloth over her eyes. I didn’t see dad, so I figured he was out somewhere. “Who is it? Who’s in here? Agnes, I asked not to be disturbed.”

“It’s not Agnes.” She removed the cloth gingerly and squinted up at me as if in pain.

“Oh, hi, son, I didn’t know you were coming over. Let me get up.” She started to sit up in bed.

“Don’t bother; I’m not here for a visit. I’m here to return this.” I handed her the check instead of shredding it into a million pieces. Her face went pale, then darkened with color as she got up from the bed.

“It was for your own good, can’t you see? She’ll only destroy your life.”

“How, mom, how exactly is that young girl going to destroy my life? What has she ever done in the time you’ve known her to give you that idea?”

“A mother knows these things. I should’ve had her sent away when I had the chance years ago. I should have never let you get tangled up with her.”

“And I would’ve hated you more than I do now. I’m telling you this only once, stay away from Madeline, stay away from my home. If you go near her again, I will have you arrested.”

“How dare you speak to me like that? I’m your mother. I have every right to have a say in my son’s life.”

“You have no rights, and besides, I stopped caring what you think a long time ago. When you blamed a young girl for her own violation and destroyed her life. Yeah, I know what you did, how you stopped her mother from contacting her all these years by holding dad’s money over their heads. You disgust me as a woman and as a human being, and I don’t want you anywhere near my family.”

“I am your family.”

“No, you’re not; Madeline is. Madeline and the children we’re gonna have one day, and dad if he ever comes to his senses and leaves you.” I turned to leave and saw dad standing in the doorway behind me. Mom hadn’t seen him either, and the look of fear that came over her face would’ve made me feel bad for outing her had she not crossed the line.