Chapter 9 - THE ONE TIME SHE PACKEDThe breaking point almost came a year before Caleb disappeared.
Beatrice hosted family brunch.
Caleb was six.
He reached for cinnamon roll.
Beatrice moved plate.
“Wait.”
Caleb pulled hand back.
“Sorry.”
Beatrice looked at Audra.
“He has terrible manners.”
“He said sorry.”
“He needs discipline.”
Camille laughed.
“He’s not used to this kind of home.”
Audra stood.
“Enough.”
Beatrice ignored.
“One day when Grant has his own child, things will have to change.”
Silence.
Caleb looked at mother.
Audra’s face went white.
“Grant has a child.”
Beatrice:
“You know what I mean.”
“No.”
“I don’t.”
Beatrice stared.
“His own.”
Audra left table.
She packed that afternoon.
Clothes.
Caleb’s school things.
Documents.
Then Grant video-called from London unexpectedly.
Audra answered.
He saw suitcase behind.
“What’s going on?”
She froze.
“Nothing.”
“Audra.”
Caleb entered.
“Dad!”
Grant smiled automatically.
Then studied wife.
“Were you crying?”
Audra looked at man she loved.
He had not slept.
He had been fighting board challenge for two weeks.
If she told him, he would fly home.
He would confront mother.
The company transition could collapse.
Beatrice might make him choose.
Audra heard Beatrice’s voice in her head:
You’ll ruin his life.
So she lied.
“Just tired.”
“Suitcase?”
“Cleaning closets.”
Grant relaxed slightly.
“I’ll be home Friday.”
Audra unpacked.
That was the day she chose marriage over herself.
May you like
And Caleb.
Years later she would struggle forgiving that.
Related Stories
