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I knew when I found Brad with the girls without Laney there was going to be trouble. Once I found out where she went, I take Natalie with me to find her. The words I hear coming out of the foul woman’s mouth were unbelievable. She's completely delusional. From what little I know about their relationship and how Laney grew up, I know she's full of shit. I stand back and listen as my wife is verbally and emotionally abused by her mother. “Wow, Nate, she could give father a run for his money.”

“I know, isn’t it sad that a mother can have that much hatred for her child. She should be ashamed.”

“Nate, just like father, she thinks that she’s right. She thinks that her words and thoughts are right while everyone else’s are wrong. It’s sad because we had each other to lean on once mom passed. She doesn’t have anyone but you.”

“Luckily, she has had her friend Stella, but she won’t be without me any longer.”

I listen until I can’t take any more. I open the door and walk in. “I believe that’s enough, Vivian.” I edge around the table and placed a kiss on Laney’s head. My sister sits next to Vivian, giving her a look that, if she knew my sister, would tell her she needs to shut her ignorant mouth. “Why do you think it’s alright to speak to your daughter that way?”

“Me? Did you not just hear her tell me she wishes it was me she buried?”

“And that surprises you, Vivian? You’ve had twenty-eight years to figure it out. I met Laney only days ago, and I can already see why she should say those words to you. Now, let me ask you again, why do you think you have the right to speak to your daughter that way?”

“I don’t know, Nathan, why do you feel that you have the right to throw a man out of my daughter’s house when all he’s been is supportive and wonderful to her and my granddaughters?”

“Oh, my God, Mother. For the last time, Michael was fucking his neighbor. I walked in on him while he was eating her out. You think that he was there for me, for my girls? You have no idea when it comes to seeing people’s true characters.”

“Maybe not, but from what I see, it’s you who can’t keep your men happy. Really, Laney, two relationships, and both men cheated on you. I don’t think it’s them, but you who is the problem. You should walk away from Nathan now before he loses interest in you and finds one of his “model girlfriends” that he’s always photographed with to hop in bed with him. Hell, then you’ll be three for three. Prime example of how a woman shouldn’t be, your girls will be proud.” Vivian says, as she rolls her eyes.

I look over at Laney and her eyes begin to well. “Enough! You're a sorry excuse for a human being. You will never speak to my wife that way again.”

“Do you really think you have any power over me, Nathan? I don’t scare easily.”

“I believe I have more power over you than you would like to admit. I know how important reputation is to you, Vivian. I’ve grown up with your kind. I know how you work, and I also know how to destroy you. I think you need to remember that, the next time you decide to speak to Laney in that tone.”

“Do you hear that, Laney? He’s threatening me. You see what I was saying? He is a maniac, and it would be one of the most asinine things you’ve ever done if you move yourself and those girls under the same roof. He can’t be trusted. He thinks just because he has Whitmore as his name that he has the right to talk down to me; to your mother. What kind of man does that? I’ll tell you what kind, one that you shouldn’t be around, that’s who.”

“I beg to differ, ma’am. He thinks he can speak to you that way because you deserve it.” Natalie intercedes.

“And you are?”

“Natalie Whitmore, Nathan’s sister and Laney’s sister-in-law.”

“Humph.” Vivian is speechless.

“You see, in this family,” Natalie points between herself and me. “We know what it’s like to have a piece of shit as a parent. So my brother and I have learned that the only people we need is each other.

Now that Nate has found Laney, she and those girls are our family too. We always take care and protect our family. It looks like you’re no longer needed, mommy dearest.”

“If I ever.”

“And you will never.” I stand up, ready to leave this conversation. “You will never speak to my wife in that manner again. If you can’t show her the respect she deserves, the respect she has earned, then you can start thinking of yourself as Vivian—party of one. I'll make it so you'll be the pariah of New York City. Once I’m done with you, I’ll have you running back to Oklahoma hiding amongst the cattle and manure. And I’ve been told how much you just love it there.”