“I had her father breathing down my neck and always judging. Always watching. I didn’t want to give him any excuse to think I wasn’t good enough for his daughter.”
I nod, slowly taking it in. I was never close to my mom’s parents. They showed up for birthdays and Christmas, but that was about it. I never thought about the pressure my dad must’ve felt back then.
When my appendix burst last year, and I was out of commission for two weeks, Becca had the bills coveredwithout blinking. Every single one. She didn't even flinch, didn't even mention it until I was back on my feet. I never had to worry—and I never once stopped to ask myself what it cost her to make sure of that. I had someone quietly carrying a weight I never bothered to look down and see.
“I’m not saying I regret our life,” Dad continues, “but it would’ve been nice to have someone share the load, you know? I was always afraid that if I stopped pushing, stopped reaching—we’d lose everything. That it would all be gone.”
He looks me straight in the eye. And in that moment, I see it—the regret, the apology he doesn’t quite know how to put into words. Not for the first time, I realize how good I have it. I’ve got a partner. Not just a wife, but someone who hustledwithme.
And I went and trampled all over that like her contribution didn’t matter.
We sit in silence for a beat, absorbing everything that was said—and what wasn’t.
Dad clears his throat. “Son, I know I don’t say it often, but … I’m proud of you.”
My throat tightens. “What? How? I screwed up my marriage. I let Rick into a deal he didn’t belong in. I didn’t accomplish even half of what you or Grandad did.”
He chuckles, low and self-deprecating. “Samuel, if I could go back and do it all again, I’d change a lot. But you? You’ve grown your business, married a woman who doesn’t need you—but chooses you. You’ve been a good brother. And most importantly, you’ve become a good man.” He gives me a long look. “To be able to admit you’re wrong and ask for help? I wasn’t capable of that at your age. You’re already ahead of me.”
I swallow hard, locking down the emotion stinging my eyes. “Thanks, Dad. I mean it.”
He nods, clearing his throat, clearly as uncomfortable with all this emotion as I am. Then, mercifully, he changes the subject. “So … what are you going to do to win your wife back?”
I laugh at the absurdity of my father's question. “I’m working on it.”
Dad nods in approval. “Good. Well, I’m not sure if this is good relationship advice, but in business, you can’t keep doing what you have always done to get new results.”
Holy shit, my dad just gave me relationship advice.
I nod in understanding as I leave, closing the door behind me. As it shuts, I hear my mother say, “Samuel, is that you, dear?” I close my eyes and sigh. I think I’m about tapped out on parental conversation for the day.
“Hi, Mom, I was just heading out,” I say, hoping she will get the hint.
“Oh, so soon, Mandy is coming over for dinner tonight, you should join us! Apparently, Holly has some questions for her about the salon.”
I eye her warily. I never thought about it before, but this is not the first time she has pushed Mandy and me to be in the same room without Becca. It has always been subtle, but now I am wondering what else I have been missing. With Dad’s advice fresh in my mind, I decide to do something different. I push for a reason.
“Mom, why are you inviting me to have dinner with another woman, without my wife?”
My mom looks shocked at my unabashed question. “Oh, Mandy isn’t just some other woman; she is practically family.”
“Mom, Mandy isn’t the type of person we should be welcoming into our house with open arms.”
“Samuel, what are you talking about? Mandy has beenthere for Holly since the high school accident; they’ve been best friends ever since. Her parents always invite us to their country club galas and invite us to their table to dine.”
"Sure, she was there for Holly after the accident." I pause, something I have never said out loud sitting heavy on my tongue. I had always pushed this thought down,too uncomfortable,too inconvenient."The accident she caused, Mom. Did nobody ever question why her father was on the scene before the sheriff? And that the sheriff has had a club membership ever since?"
“She was a child. Of course, she called her dad first! But still, even though she was captain of the cheerleading squad and had many responsibilities, she still visited Holly weekly and ensured she had a spot on the squad when she healed.”
The fact that my mom is holding someone’s high school days, over a decade later, as proof of being a good person today is beyond me.
“Mom, why do you always seem to favor Mandy over Becca? Becca is an intelligent, beautiful, kind woman who is incredibly hardworking. She has always treated you kindly, and she is the best wife I could ever ask for. She built a life with me. Not for me, with me. Why would you want me with someone not like her?”
Mom tilts her head to the side, like she has truly never thought about it before. “Honey, it isn’t that I don’t want you happy, or that there is anything wrong with Becca. She’s just … different than us.”
My blood starts to boil. “Yeah, she is. She knows how to build something without using people to do it.” I seethe.
Mom lets out a shocked gasp, but I continue. “Or do you think it’s because she comes from a low-income, blue-collar family? Did you forget that Dad comes from a blue-collar family?”
