Page 28 of A Family Affair: The Ring
He’d lived in his own world, buried himself in sports, school, and a dream that included Melanie Russell.No sense acting as though she wasn’t the one who pulled him out of his misery, made him believe life could be good and not every couple ended up hating each other.There’d even been a time when he considered her parents an ideal couple: committed, in love, happy.
How wrong he’d been!
“Mom?Where are you?”The chair scraping in the kitchen, followed by footsteps, and then his mother appeared in the kitchen doorway, curiosity and apprehension clouding her thin face.“William, I didn’t know you were coming, or I would have put on a pot of coffee and pulled a banana bread from the freezer.”She glanced behind her, motioned toward the kitchen.“Let me take the bread out now and defrost a few pieces in the microwave.”Her expression softened, her voice dipped.“Would you like that?”
“No thanks.What I’d like are answers.”
A two-second hesitation, followed by a raised brow and then a cautious “Answers?”
Will gave her a peck on the cheek and moved past her to the kitchen table where he and his sister had eaten their meals without uttering more than a few words.His father never minded the silence.In fact, Joe Callahan preferred quiet over what he labeled “nonsensical chatter,” which encompassed anything from a typical school day to an upcoming football game, even a snowstorm forecast.The man wasn’t interested in hearing from or about his children or anyone else, unlessheinitiated the conversation and then only wanted the “bullet points,” not some drawn-out story stuffed with enthusiasm or emotion.
Will pushed aside memories of the dreaded mealtime, slid into a chair, and studied his mother.Over the years, he’d gotten very good at reading people, especially the ones whose words didn’t match up with their actions.His mother knew exactly why he’d come and yet, she acted as though she didn’t.He didn’t miss the way she busied herself at the kitchen sink, fixing him a glass of iced tea, even though he hadn’t asked for anything to drink, and removing the banana bread from the freezer.Again, despite his comment that he wanted nothing but answers.
Well, it looked like she was willing to provide anythingbutanswers.
“I know what you’re trying to do and it’s not going to work.”He crossed a leg over his thigh, waited for her to face him.“You’re going to tell me everything you said to Delaney andthenyou’re going to tell me about the conversation you had with Melanie.”
She clutched the edge of the sink counter, blew out a slow breath.And then she turned, placed the glass of iced tea in front of him and sat across the table.The folded hands and raised brow said she didnot appreciate his comments.“Can I not have an honest conversation with the woman I thought would be your wife?”
Oh, she was a cagey one.Of course, she could be talking about Delaney, or she could be referring to Melanie.“It depends on what you’re saying.If you’re revealing information that’s none of your business, then I’d say you’re overstepping, and you need to stop.”
The huff and cold laugh said she disagreed.“Overstepping?In what world am I overstepping?You’re making a fool of us, and I won’t sit by and do nothing.”
“You mean like you did last time when you had a chance to speak the truth and didn’t?”He rubbed his jaw, watched the color drain from her face.“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
A quick intake of breath and then “I’m not sure I do.”
“When I confronted you about what was going on between Dad and Susannah Russell, you acted shocked, even offended.I remember the lecture on marriage being a commitment and how dare I suggest Dad had cheated on you.And when I told you Iknewabout the other woman before Melanie’s mother, youstilldenied it.”His gaze narrowed on her, studied the pinched lips, the flared nostrils and white knuckles that said “guilty.”Will blew out a slow breath, eased back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.“Denying it didn’t matter though because he still left.”
“I was trying to keep this family together.”More nostril-flaring, a twitch of her jaw.“You have no idea what it’s like and no right to judge.”
Will ignored the anger in his mother’s words, focused on the truth buried inside.“Like I said, you knew, and you did nothing to make things right.”
She did not like that comment.“Make things right?For whom?Did you think I would sit by and let the Russells contaminate our family after what that woman and your father did?Iwas the one who was humiliated, while Susannah Russell acted so high and mighty with her teaching degree and her singing voice, and that silly laugh that made every man pant after her.”Her voice grew louder, angrier.“Was it necessary to dress up for every occasion, with her hair fixed and her makeup in place as though she were going to a high-society function?The woman was nothing but a ball of fluff and lies and I felt sorry for her poor husband.”Her face flushed with hatred.“I couldn’t let you become a part of that family.Don’t you see?They would have destroyed you.”
Will dragged a hand over his face, tried to process the words and emotion his mother had just shared.“Are you saying youneverwanted me to marry Melanie?”
If she’d only hesitated, it might have been easier to accept her answer.But she didn’t.No, she shook her head and spewed out enough venom to damage their relationship.“That girl was all wrong for you.I never thought you’d stay with her.You could have had anybody, but you chose Susannah Russell’s daughter.Why would you do that?”Those eyes filled with tears, her voice escalating with misery.“Why would you do thatto me?”
Jealousy.Hatred.Animosity.Every one of those emotions lashed out at him, exposing his mother for who she was—a vindictive, bitter woman who refused to accept blame for her actions or the dissatisfaction in her life.Will stood, backed away.He had to get out before he said something he might later regret, likeI never want to see you again.“Don’t go near Delaney or Melanie again, do you understand?Stay out of my business.”
“Will, I did what I had to because I love you.”A tear spilled, and she swiped it away.“A mother’s love is far-reaching and eternal, don’t you understand that?”
He blew out a breath, waited until he could collect his thoughts before he spoke.“A mother’s love doesnottry to destroy her son’s life, and that’s what you did.”One more breath and then he continued.“Stay away from them and stay away from me.”
“You...you don’t mean that.”
She pushed back her chair, moved toward him, but he held up a hand to stop her.“If you want any chance to repair this relationship, you’ll stop filling Delaney’s head with how she can get a ring from me.It’s not going to happen.And Melanie?Don’t you go near her again.If you contact either one, we’re done.”All this time, he’d blamed Melanie and her family for pulling them apart.Who would have thought his mother hadneverwanted them to be together at all?
17
Harry was in the office of Harry’s Folly when Delaney Hall came to see him.He thought she wanted to order a box of cannoli for her mother since the woman insisted they were the best she’d ever tasted.Better than the ones I devoured in Rome.
But Delaney wasn’t here about cannoli.
“Harry?I hope you don’t mind I took a chance that you’d be in.”She stepped into his office, hesitated.“I have a predicament and it’s rather personal.Word has it you’ll be replacing Pop as the Godfather of Magdalena, and…”
Her voice trailed off and Harry filled in the rest.“And you’ve come to me for help with something?”He eyed the girl, took in the long blonde hair and the peaches-and-cream complexion.Blue-eyed.Fresh-faced.Who wouldn’t want this woman as an insurance agent or a yoga teacher?But just because she knew how to win over a prospective client and teach yoga poses didn’t mean she could win over Will Callahan.
