Page 43 of Storm in a D Cup

‘Me? Nothing?’

‘Then why all the cloak and dagger?’

She shrugged, and I could see in her eyes that something was troubling her. But she wouldn’t talk to me.

‘Honey, please listen to me. Imadeyou. No one in the world loves you as much as I do. I am here to help you with whatever problem you have. You can trust me. I am here to protect you and guide you and make sure you are happy and well. Just remember that, sweetheart.’

For a moment, just a fleeting moment, her eyes searched mine and I could see a relenting of tension. Then she rolled her eyes. ‘I know that, Mom. But I’m fine.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes!’

‘You’d tell me, right!’

‘Mom – you need to back off. You’re suffocating us. Even Dad is sick of you, you see?’

I stopped and looked at her. Was it that obvious that I was losing everyone? My entire family was falling apart, and there was nothing I could do, because whatever I tried, it only managed to pull us further apart.

So I called my second partner in crime, my dad.

‘Erica, honey, they’re just kids. They need some time. Not every kid is like you.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘That when Judy and Vince were born you always wanted to feed them and hold them and sing them lullabies. You were adorable.’

‘So you’re saying that they’ll come round?’

‘Of course they will. You guys are a family. I’ll bet once Maddy sees the baby she’ll hardly let you anywhere near it.’

‘I guess…’

‘You’ll see.’

‘Thanks, Dad. And you? How are things?’

‘Good, good. Business is doing well. I’m actually thinking of retiring, letting Vince take over completely.’

‘Finally! You don’t have to worry about Vince, Dad. He’s good.’

‘He is,’ Dad agreed.

‘And what about Marcy?’ I asked.

He snorted. ‘Marcy is always Marcy. She’s planning a shopping trip to Paris with Judy. Why don’t you join them?’

‘Me? No thanks, Dad.’

‘I know she made a mess of it last time, but I think she’d be happy if you did.’ He chuckled. ‘God knows Judy would be happy to share her with you.’

‘Dad…? How do you… get over these huge arguments, when she goes overboard like that? How do you manage to forgive her at all?’

He sighed. A long, drawn sigh. ‘I don’t know, honey. I guess I just get on with it. What else is there for me to do?’

Of course he had options. But he seemed oblivious to them. God knew we’d all support him if he chose to leave Marcy. But he didn’t seem capable. I think he felt very sorry for her. But can pity hold a marriage together? Little did I know, I was soon to find out myself.

*

---