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Warrick’s words were the reflexive response of a man determined to hold on to the one he loved. But were they true? Where were he and Marilyn going? He might not have known, but he wouldn’t allow anyone else to answer that question.
Marilyn searched his eyes, a question and a wish in hers. But he no longer knew without a doubt that their wishes were the same.
Celeste gave him a cool look. “Marilyn has the opportunity of a prestigious position with a well-respected hospital in San Francisco.”
“What does she have here?” Terrell looked around the family room as though searching for an answer. “She lost her job because of you. Is she supposed to sit at home while you father children with other women?”
“That’s a little bit of the pot calling out the kettle, isn’t it, Terrell?” Celeste’s laughter was light and brief but with a noticeable edge. “Charming.”
Terrell chose silence in response to his wife’s mockery. His cheeks bloomed bright red under his dark brown skin. A look of pain crossed Marilyn’s delicate features. Warrick wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“How dare you speak to my son that way.”
Warrick was distracted by his mother’s angry words. Kerri’s knuckles were white from the tight-fisted grip on her navy purse strap. He released Marilyn and crossed to his mother. Cupping her elbow, Warrick tugged her toward the sofa. “Mom, why don’t you sit down?”
John Evans’s raised voice almost overpowered Warrick’s request. “Don’t blame my son for that hospital firing your daughter. Rick had nothing to do with that.”
“He had everything to do with it.” Celeste’s neck strained forward from the high collar of her dark blue jacket. “His irresponsible behavior reflected poorly on Marilyn’s judgment to marry him. It cost her the job with the hospital and the partnership with the clinic owners.”
Kerri strained against Warrick’s hold on her arm and jabbed her index finger toward Celeste. “Small-minded people like you cost Mary those opportunities, not my son. Get it right.”
“Do you think an irresponsible man would be able to afford a house like this?” John spread his arms to encompass their surroundings. “Would an irresponsible man become a success in the NBA, leading his team to the finals?”
Warrick stared in disbelief at the older couple flanking him. Who were these people? They looked like his parents. They sounded like his parents. But he never would have believed their words had come from his parents.
Celeste scoffed. “Behind every great man is a woman. Your son was lucky to find a woman as accomplished and intelligent as my daughter to help him.”
His mother tugged against his hold again. Warrick held on for dear life. He was careful not to hurt Kerri, but he envisioned terrible things happening if he let her go.
Kerri jerked a thumb over her shoulder at him. “My son graduated magna cum laude.”
Terrell grunted. “From Rutgers. Marilyn graduated from Stanford. It’s a top five school. I think he got the better deal.”
“Undoubtedly.” Celeste adjusted the navy strap of her Coach purse more securely on her shoulder. “Marilyn, are you coming with us or not?”
“I’m not, Mother. I’ve told you before. This is my home and I’m staying here with my husband.” Marilyn’s response was quiet, her tone inflexible.
“What are you saying?” Celeste hissed the question. “He’s ruined your career. He’s ruining your life. You need to get away from him and get your life in order.”
“My life is in order.” Marilyn arched a brow. “Can you say the same about yours?”
Celeste gasped. “How dare you?”
Marilyn’s gaze shifted from her mother to her father and back. “I’ll make a deal with you, Mother. I won’t pass judgment on your marriage if you’ll stop judging mine.”
Terrell’s eyes widened. “You told her?”
Celeste grabbed her husband’s upper arm. “We’re leaving.”
With her head held high, Celeste dragged Terrell from the family room. Within moments, Warrick heard the front door open, then slam shut.
Warrick was still staring at his parents, who now seemed like strangers to him. He glanced at Marilyn. Her eyes were clouded by sadness. But she gave him an encouraging smile as though prompting him to prolong this rare positive experience with his parents.
He cleared his throat. “Mom? Dad?”
“What?” John’s response was characteristically brusque. He stared into the hallway as though expecting Celeste and Terrell to reappear.
Kerri tugged against his hold. “Let me go. I’m not some feeble old woman.”
