Page 52 of Letters From a Broken Heart
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“I'm not sure it’s a good idea for you to be here.” I fight to keep all emotion out of my tone, but it hurts to see her. It hurts to know how little she thinks of me and how she loved Jack so much more.
“Please, Easton. Give me five minutes, then I’ll leave. If you don’t want to speak to me after that, I’ll respect your wishes.”
I stare at her for several long seconds and tears gather in her eyes. She’s not sure if I'll allow her to speak.
“Fine, but if you say one negative thing to Taylor, you’re gone,” I growl, making her eyes widen. “Do you understand me? I won't allow your behavior to affect her health.”
“I understand.”
She slips past me and moves straight towards the living room. I follow closely behind. I don’t trust her to keep her comments friendly.
“Mrs. Maxwell, I didn’t expect you.” Taylor sits up a little straighter and smooths down the skirt she’s wearing.
The light catches on her diamond, making it sparkle and catch Mom’s attention. She lets out a soft gasp and her eyes move from the ring to me and back again.
“You’re engaged?” She whispers.
“I proposed this morning.” My tone is firm and steady. There’s no room for her antics or objections. She has no say and she knows it.
“I'm so happy for the two of you.” She moves over to a chair and slowly lowers herself onto the cushion, never taking her eyes off of us.
“Thank you. We’re very happy.” I settle onto the couch next to Taylor and wrap my arm around her waist. Pressing a soft kiss on her temple, she places her hand on my chest and cuddles into me.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy, Easton. Both of you really.” She pulls a tissue out of her purse and dabs at her eyes. “I'm so sorry for the things I said when you were last over. I was out of line and living in a made-up world. I didn’t know Jack at all. Everything I thought I knew was a lie.”
“He was good at hiding things,” I say simply.
“Taylor, I owe you an apology. I know how hard Jack’s death was on you. It was difficult to see you moving on, but I see now, you and Easton belong together.”
“Thank you.”
“He was cheating on you. A woman stopped by my house. Her name is Cassy and she…” Mom squeezes her eyes shut as a few tears trickle down her cheek. “She introduced me to Jack Maxwell Junior.”
She holds a picture out to us and I take it quickly. I examine the image, surprised at how much the little boy looks like Jack.
“I thought she lost the baby or gave it up,” Taylor says softly, running her fingers over the photo.
“What?” Mom sits a little straighter and stares at Taylor.
“Jack wrote about the baby in his journal. He was going to break up with me because of the pregnancy. He found out Cassy was pregnant only a few days before he died. When I saw Cassy at the funeral, I hadn’t read the journal yet, but she clearly wasn’t pregnant. I found out he cheated because I overheard her talking to her friend.”
“I'm so sorry! I didn’t want to believe Jack could do something so different from the way he was raised. I was wrong to take out everything on the two of you. You weren’t the ones doing anything wrong, Jack was. I’ve spent a lot of time in therapy over the last few weeks. My therapist is helping me see things for the way they really are. I'm realizing Jack isn't this perfect son just because he died. His death doesn’t erase his faults and I need to remember that.”
“I'm glad you’re seeing someone who is helping you.” Taylor smiles, but I'm still having a hard time processing all of this. It’s a complete turn around from just a few weeks ago.
“Easton, I'm so sorry for the things I said to you. Even as they came out of my mouth, I knew they weren’t true. I never wanted to lose a son and I definitely don’t wish it was you instead of Jack. I couldn’t wish to lose either one of you over the other. I love you both with my entire being. Losing Jack broke something inside of me and I'm working hard to fix it, but I'm not sure I’ll ever be fixed. How do you keep living when you’re missing half your heart?”
“I forgive you, Mom. But that crap won't fly in the future. Not in my house. Taylor and any future children we have, that’s where my focus will be.”
“I understand.” She nods her head, embarrassment heating her cheeks. I'm sure her behavior is something she’s ashamed of now, but that doesn’t make up for the hurtful things she said and did.
Taylor slowly stands from the couch and disappears down the hallway. I frown after her, wondering what she’s doing. She comes back a few minutes later with a stack of journals in her hands.
“Mrs. Maxwell, I think you should have these.” She holds them out and Mom eyes them with curiosity.
“What are they?” She takes them gently in her hands.
