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That’s a blunt way of putting it!Max thought, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at his friend. “What?” He shook his head, making sure he’d heard his friend correctly. “What’s going on?”
“It’s my fault.” Wallis’s voice dropped with his head as he looked at his beer bottle and picked at the label. “The promotion to VP at work took over my life, and my family, especially Heather, felt I cared more about my job than them.”
“How long has this been going on?” Max watched Wallis intently.
“Two years!” Wallis gave a self-mocking laugh. “I was so wrapped up in my work that I didn’t even notice my family slipping away from me.”
“No way!” Max was astounded.
He’d never have guessed Wallis and Heather were having problems. They always seemed so happy and in sync.
“I’m afraid so!” Wallis sighed deeply. “I worked so hard to ensure my family had a good life that I turned the good life into a miserable one by never being around to enjoy it with them,” Wallis confessed, his voice tinged with regret.
Max nodded, the moonlight catching the somber expression on his friend’s face. “You know, Wallis, it’s a common trap. We get so caught up in providing for our loved ones, in building this perfect life for them, that we forget the most important part–being there with them. We become so focused on the destination that we forget the journey, and in the end, it’s the moments we shared, the time we spent with them, that matter the most.”
Wallis took a deep swig of his beer. “You’re right. Only I woke up a little too late, and Heather had one foot out the door with the kids.” He shook his head. “All the missed family dinners, the canceled vacations, and the late nights at the office... I thought I was doing it for them, but Heather’s right.” He snorted. “It stopped being about the good life when I exceeded that goal and went into excess.” He took another sip, pausing as he swallowed. “The higher I climbed, the more I had, the more I wanted, and the higher I wanted to get.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Until eventually, I rose to the top, leaving my family to fend for themselves. I missed out on so much by not being there.”
Max placed a reassuring hand on Wallis’s shoulder. “Hopefully, it’s not too late to make a change, my friend.” He gave Wallis a reassuring smile. “It’s time to shift gears, to find that balance between work and family. To create more of those moments, you won’t want to miss.”
Wallis pursed his lips and bounced his brows. “I’ve already resigned from the law firm and have taken a position with my parent’s small family law firm.” He peeled off what was left of the label on his bottle. “I won’t have to commute to Naples every day because, as you know, my father’s law firm is right here on Marco Island.” He shrugged. “And the hours are way better.” He looked at Max. “We have enough saved up to live comfortably right through retirement, and Heather wants to return to teaching at Marco Island High School.”
“Oh, wow, that’s awesome, Wallis,” Max said, and they chinked beer bottles. “Your parents must be pleased. I know they’ve wanted you to work with them.”
“Yeah, they’re thrilled.” Wallis nodded. “So are the kids. When I work there, and they stop by my parent’s after school, I’ll be there too.”
“Surely Heather must be thrilled as well?” Max asked.
“She’s happy that I’ve taken a step toward trying to mend the family,” Wallis replied. “But our relationship still needs work, and she wants us to see a marriage counselor.”
“That’s not so bad,” Max assured him. “I’ve heard it can be really good for a marriage.”
“Or really bad when you eventually open up and are shocked to find all the truths your partner has been storing up through the relationship.” Wallis gave a soft laugh.
“There’s always that side of it, too,” Max agreed. “But it’s better to get it all out than let it fester and turn what was once a beautiful relationship into an ugly one full of hurt, hate, and regret.”
“True!” Wallis nodded in agreement. “Heather has already enlightened me with a lot of truths that I hadn’t even noticed about our marriage.”
“I’m sure if you look deep enough, you’ll find you’re harboring a lot of things you’ve been unhappy with or didn’t agree with about the marriage as well,” Max pointed out.
“I guess.” Wallis shrugged. “I guess I always tried to see my grievances from Heather’s point of view.”
“Now that’s the lawyer in you!” Max laughed, then patted Wallis’s heart. “You need to speak from your heart on all matters even if you know Heather won’t like or agree with it.” Max raised his eyebrows. “Or even if you know they may hurt her because if you go to a therapist, they are going to dig those same grievances out of Heather too.”
“I know!” Wallis blew out a breath. “I love her so darn much that I would never want to hurt like that.”
“But, Wallis, you’ve hurt her unintentionally by trying to do what you thought was right by her and your family!” Max listened to his friend, his heart going out for him.
Max looked over the river as he realized the similarities between their marriage situations. Steph told him they needed space and then put one hundred and twenty-five miles between them. Max had basically accused her of having an affair and acted like a jealous teenager. If the roles had been reversed, he’d probably also want to put some space between them. But Max wouldn’t have gone to another town. He’d probably have checked into a hotel for a few nights until Steph had calmed down and they could talk rationally.
“Hey, buddy, are you okay?” Wallis asked with a frown as he looked worriedly at Max. “You look like someone just stole your lunch or something.”
“Not my lunch.” Max took in a breath. “But I did think someone was trying to steal my wife earlier today.”
“What?” Wallis spluttered. “Do you mean, like, kidnap her?” He turned his face slightly. “Or steal her romantically?”
“Romantically,” Max clarified. “I went to find Steph at the hotel this morning and found her in the arms of Tom Barnes.”
“Ah!” Wallis nodded in understanding. “That’s why you were asking me questions about Tom today.”
