“No, but I want to talk to you. Over burgers. When you don’t smell like sod, manure and other outdoorsy things.”
“Stay tuned,” Drew said with a big smile. He ran up the stairs to his bedroom and bathroom. Beau started the grill and within ten minutes, Drew was back, looking damp but clean. He was such a handsome kid. Always happy. Beau hoped he wasn’t about to disappoint him.
“What’s up?” Drew asked.
“I just wanted to tell you about my friend who was injured. She’s a woman named Lauren. I met her several months ago. In a garden,” he said.
“Of course,” Drew said with a laugh.
“We’re not dating or anything. Remember that fund-raiser for the scholarships? She was also there. I ran into her three or four times over the past few months, then I bumped into her at Stohl’s Market and learned she lives in the neighborhood. She was buying wine, cheese and fruit and she invited me for a glass of wine. She lives a few blocks from here. Nice lady.”
“And you’re getting ready for dating now?” Drew asked.
“No. Well, I hadn’t been. Running into her was a surprise. Then I drove by her house and saw it was surrounded by emergency vehicles.”
“Right,” Drew said. “Accident?”
“Actually, no. She was assaulted. Beat up. By her husband.”
Drew whistled. “She’s married?”
“About as married as I am,” Beau said. “She’s separated, pending divorce. I didn’t know her husband was violent. He’s a doctor, for God’s sake. And apparently she never expected an attack like that. I followed the ambulance to the ER and then drove her home. I stayed in case she needed something. Later, after we eat, I’m going to text her and see how she’s doing. I’m going to offer to sleep on her couch just in case she’s scared. I guess he could come back.”
“Yeah? You could let her come here.”
“I thought of that, but I’m sure she’d turn down the offer. She might be embarrassed. She’s got a big black eye and a fat lip.”
Drew looked shocked and disgusted. “Who would do that?”
“We should have a talk.”
“You gonna tell me not to hit women?” Drew asked sarcastically.
“I believe we’ve had that talk already,” Beau said. “Here’s what I want to explain. Things are probably going to change for me. I’m not going back to the way things were, Drew. I’m not going to patch things up with your mom. As soon as this divorce is settled, I’m going to be a single father with two grown sons. Even though you don’t need me like you did when you were younger, you can always count on me. But things are bound to change. Our property, for one thing. I might be forced to give up the house in the divorce, but don’t worry—I’ll find another house. Anywhere I live will have room for you and your brother.”
“Oh, that should go over well...”
“There are always options. If you don’t want to have to choose who you’re going to live with, you can always opt for your own place closer to the campus and if you do, I’ll be able to help with the expenses. I know you’re not made of money. But having that option should take some pressure off because I know you don’t want to get your mother riled up. Anything can be worked out, Drew. I just want it to be clear—there is going to be a divorce.”
Drew shrugged.
“You might have to interpret that gesture for me,” Beau said.
“I figured,” he said. “You said so before.”
“Drew, I’m moving on. My marriage to your mom is ending. We don’t love each other.”
“Just so you know, she says she still loves you.”
“I know she says that, just like she has before. I don’t believe it. A woman who loves her husband doesn’t leave him repeatedly. And I don’t have one more try in me. So let’s do this—let’s make sure we’re communicating. If you have any stress or worries about this situation, talk to me. No matter what’s been going on with me and your mom, we’re the same, me and you. We’re not breaking up. At least, I don’t want that.”
“So...we’re going to be a couple of bachelors?”
“Looks that way,” Beau said.
“And you’ll be dating, I guess?”
He sighed. “A couple of months ago I would have said, no way. After a failed marriage, another relationship seems pretty risky.”
“Then you met her...”
“I like her,” Beau said. “That doesn’t mean anything. She’s got some pretty big issues of her own. I’m telling you the truth—we’ve only seen each other a few times and had a few conversations. I have no way of knowing if we’ll ever be better friends. But meeting a nice woman made me realize that maybe I don’t have to be a lonely old bachelor for the rest of my life. For right now, let’s just say I’m open to the idea. But I’m in no hurry.”
“You going to ask me not to tell Mom?”
“When have I ever asked you to censor anything you say to your mom?”
“I wasn’t going to tell her anything,” he said with his infectious grin. “Just wanted to know what you’d say. And I won’t be throwing any parties here while you’re out running wild, either.”
Beau just shook his head. “Much appreciated,” he said.
* * *
The door chime rang through Lauren’s phone and she gasped as her heart began to pound. It wasn’t yet five, Beau had already dropped off a few soft grocery items for her, Father Tim had come and gone... Was this horrible fear going to happen every time someone came to the door? She had always dreaded Brad’s dark moods and abusive nature but she hadn’t had fear before. She was terrified of being beaten again. Once might have left her feeling vindicated but twice could break her.
She looked at the camera image on her phone.
Cassie!
She flew to the door and opened it. Cassie stared at her with wide, horrified eyes that quickly filled with tears. “Oh Mama!”
CHAPTER NINE
“My God, what are you doing here?” Lauren asked her daughter. Lauren enfolded her in loving arms and let Cassie weep against her shoulder. “Come inside, darling. We’re making a scene on this nice quiet street.” She laughed in spite of herself. “I’m sure my neighbors expect nothing less, after this week.”
Cassie pulled herself out of her mother’s arms and reached behind her for her bag, pulling it inside. “Oh Mama, Daddy did this to you?”
“I wish it weren’t so,” Lauren said.
“How badly are you hurt?” she said, reaching out trembling fingers to touch Lauren’s tender cheek.
“Possibly a mild concussion,” she said. “But no brain damage. My teeth feel loose. Lots of anger on my part. But why are you here? I left you a message this morning, but didn’t hear from you!”
“I didn’t get your message because I was flying. But I heard from Lacey. Good thing I don’t trust her a bit. She told me you and Dad got into a physical altercation and you had a black eye but there was some doubt about whether it was really Dad. She said you have a boyfriend?”
“No, there is no boyfriend,” she said, shaking her head. “I have a neighbor who has become a friend since I moved in. He’s helped me—done a few handyman things for me. Your father made some assumptions about him when he saw us on the sidewalk together. In broad daylight, not touching. And this was his response.”
“What is the matter with him?” Cassie said, crying again. “And what is the matter with Lacey?”
“If Lacey didn’t tell you how bad it was, why did you come?” Lauren asked.
“Lacey said Dad went to jail over this.”
Lauren nodded. “Yes. Because I called for help...”
“I’m so glad you did,” she said, grabbing Lauren’s hand. “I got a call from Lacey early this morning. I wanted to talk to you, but didn’t want to call in case you were trying to rest. I knew you’d try to downplay everything, say you were fine... And Jeremy told me to just go. I have this week before orientation and classes. I caught the first flight out that had room for me this morning. That would have been 6:00 a.m. your time. I would have called you sooner but I had to change planes.”
“But how did you afford it? I haven’t been able to send you anything!”
She smiled a bit tremulously. “I have a credit card. I guess we’re going to become very good friends, me and Ms. VISA. Tell me, Mama. Everything.”
“Oh Cassie... I didn’t want this to be your divorce. I hoped that in spite of everything, we could one day be civil, be co-grandparents.”
Cassidy reached into her small purse and pulled out a compact, flipping it open. She held the mirror up to Lauren’s face. “I think it’s too late for you to protect me from the ugly side of this. We have plenty of time. I’m all grown up and I want to know the truth.”
Lauren made them tea and while the water boiled, she responded to Beau’s text offering to stay with her and explained that Cassie had shown up for a surprise visit, so she would have company for the night and the next few days. Then she and Cassie began what would be a long conversation.
Of course Beau had been completely right—the girls lived in the house with them and were aware of the friction, sometimes terrible friction. In Cassie’s view it seemed Brad had a major meltdown about every six months, maybe a little more often, but the rest of the time he was a rigid, difficult man who liked to win every argument and have his way. He was controlling; his daughters frequently pointed that out to him and he responded by asking them what they expected from a man who had to make life-and-death decisions every day, sometimes every hour.
“I think it’s too late for any hope of an amicable split that will allow the two of you to be together, even for family events,” Cassie finally said. “He won’t change in this lifetime. He will never be remorseful and he will never compromise. Just give up on him, Mama. I have.”