“He realized he’d push me away if he didn’t stop, so he did. Your father is a quick study.” Mom laughed.
I didn’t want to imagine how different my life would’ve been if my parents had separated. First off, I’d only have one brother.Well, one brother with the same parents. Secondly, our childhood was great because of the balance between our parent’s strengths and their parenting styles. She was the yin to his yang.
They both provided tough love, but in drastically different ways.
“Your brothers have suffered through a lot recently, and despite what they say, they aren’t handling it as well as they claim. The fear of losing a loved one makes them act like cavemen.”
Each almost lost the woman he loved.
This was why I needed my mom. Her experience made her the perfect life mentor.
She’d lived through so much and was stronger than ever.
She was the Mama Bear you didn’t mess with. Mary Sheppard would rip you a new asshole while tending your wounds, and when she was done, you’d thank her for it.
“How do I get them to listen to me?”
“You talk to them. Don’t yell or accuse or play defense. Stomping your feet, or crossing your arms and demanding they stop treating you like a child won’t work because that’s not what they’re doing.”
She gave me a chance to respond, but I had no defense. I’d acted like a child on more than one occasion.
“Sit down and talk to them. Explain how you feel.”
Had she met my brothers? Stupid question. But come on. The only time they weren’t interfering in my life was when I served.Because they couldn’t.
She sighed. “And then you have to accept that they won’t back down completely.”
“I’ll try.”
Mom set her empty wine glass on the stone patio. “Dad said Matt is pretending to be your boyfriend. Want to talk about it?”
I told her what happened at the bar, and how Dad had somehow caught wind of it.
“He assigned Matt as my bodyguard.”Don’t roll your eyes.“And suggested we continue fake dating to keep Paul from bothering me.”
“You haven’t told me how you feel.”
I finished my wine, put the glass down, and picked at my cuticles in the firelight.
“I’m confused. I’m attracted to him.”Who wouldn’t be?“But I’m not interested in dating. I want to focus on my career.”
She raised an eyebrow in her signature, ‘I don’t believe you but I’m going to give you a chance to tell me the truth before I call you out on your lie’, look.
I hated that look. Mostly because it always worked.
“He’s a nice guy, but he’s a player. When I’m ready to date again, I want someone who can be in a healthy monogamous relationship.”
“You don’t think Matt could be monogamous.”
Matt told me he wasn’t that guy. “No.”
“Well, your father’s sons will be happy to hear that.”
I laughed with her.
“How long have you been disowning your brothers when they irritate you?” she asked.
“Since high school. I never said it at home because I didn’t want you and Dad getting mad.”
