Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
I want to kill him. I want to rip out his throat and watch him gasp for air until he dies.
But Mom just calmly shakes her head no.
“I didn’t say a word about all the times you’ve spanked me, as you put it, or called me filthy names. Given me the silent treatment. But I’m telling you right now, I’m done. I’m leaving.”
Now he laughs. “Oh, yeah? Where the fuck are you going to go?”
“It doesn’t matter. I won’t be here. I won’t be your outlet for anger anymore.”
“Now, honey, I think you need to calm down. Don’t worry about Ike not giving us money anymore. I’ll figure it out. You don’t have to go; you know I’ll always take care of you.”
I snort, Mom sighs, and Dad stares at me with feral eyes.
“You talked her into this.”
“He reminded me that I have options, and staying here isn’t the only one I have. We’ve been married for thirty-five years, Clark. And for more than thirty of them, you’ve treated me like a slave, like a whore, and a punching bag. And I have way more worth than that.”
“Fine.” Dad stomps away. “Go. Get the fuck out. But I’m telling you right now, you won’t get a dime out of me. You won’t get half of this house when I sell it off.”
“I don’t need or want it,” she says. “I have my own money.”
Dad’s eyes go to steel.
“That’s right. I have my own money that you can’t touch either. And I’ll be just fine. I’m leaving today.”
Wow, once she made up her mind, she didn’t dillydally. I’ve never been more proud of someone than I am of my mom right now.
It just shows me that things have been far worse than I ever knew, and I wish I’d been man enough to do something about it sooner.
“Good. I don’t want to look at either of you.”
When we turn to go, I see that Mom already has three big suitcases and two small bags sitting by the door.
When I look at her in surprise, she simply shrugs. “I’ve been prepared for a long time.”
“Mom, you have so much here in this house. You can’t just leave with these suitcases.”
“He sold all of my parents’ antiques,” she says softly. “I had all the family photos converted to digital. I have a few of your and Nellie’s baby things, my clothes, and my mother’s recipe book. Everything that’s dear to me is here.”
“Are you sure? I have no problem gathering your stuff and shipping it.”
She nods. “I just want to go.”
I load up her things into her car and pull away.
“Where are we going?” I ask her.
“Florida,” she replies happily. “I know it’s a spontaneous road trip, but while you were talking to your dad, I called Aunt Suzie, and she told me that if I didn’t take you up on your offer of help and get my little ass to her house right now, she would come pick me up herself.”
The lead that’s been sitting in my stomach all day loosens.
“I just have to swing by the bank,” I tell her. “Tie a few loose ends. Then, we’re Florida-bound.”
“How exciting.” She settles down in her seat, but I see that her hands are shaking.
“Mom, are you okay?”
When she looks my way again, her eyes are full of tears. “I’m going to be just fine, honey. I think I’m relieved more than anything.”
“If I’d known that it was that bad with him all these years, I would have done something sooner.”
“Now, don’t you go blaming yourself, my sweet boy. Sometimes, life is just hard. It wasn’t a horrible life with him, you know. Yes, there were awful moments, but for the most part, I just did my own thing. Especially these last few years. The past couple of weeks weren’t fun because he was frustrated that you wouldn’t just dump a pile of money in his account.”
“And he takes his frustrations out on you.”
“Always. But not anymore. I don’t know the first thing about filing for divorce, but I’ll figure it out.”
“We will,” I reply. “I’ll hire you an amazing lawyer. I’ll pay for your apartment at Aunt Suzie’s place and set you up with an account.”
“That’s really not necessary, although I do appreciate the offer. I’ve managed to save more than six figures over the years, just waiting for the moment to leave him.”
I stare over at her. “That’s a lot of money, Mom.”
“I know.”
“But it won’t last forever. I bet that apartment isn’t cheap.”
“Well, if I need help, I’ll let you know. Maybe I’ll let you buy me a new couch.”
“And a bed?”
“No. I’m going to buy that for myself. I think a woman needs to do that.”
“Okay. I’m so proud of you, Mom.”
She smiles. “I’m proud of the both of us, baby.”