“If I was a better wife,” she continued, “my husband would not stray. I often allow my exhaustion to get the better of me, and I don’t honor my husband as I should.”
I stared at her, shocked and horrified. “You are an amazing wife and mother, Ruth. It’s your husband—”
“I won’t hear it, Carrie. If you can’t speak nicely about my husband, then I don’t want you speaking about him at all.” She swallowed and took a deep breath. “Now, I’m going to join the family and make sure that everyone has a splendid time together. Your parents deserve nothing less.”
Anger vibrated through my body as she walked away—not anger at her, but at my brother and at the woman in the guest room upstairs.
“Andrew?” I said as I came to the parlor door. “May I have a word with you?”
Ruth shook her head at me, but I couldn’t bear her nonsense. If she wouldn’t talk some sense into her husband, I would.
Andrew sighed and then rose from the sofa.
I turned on my heels and strode out the front door to the porch.
Thankfully, he followed without a fight.
“I know what you’re going to say, Carrie. And frankly, it’s none of your business.”
“Thatwomanis upstairs, in ourparents’house,” I seethed. “It is my business. Do you have no regard for anyone but yourself? Father’s livelihood and reputation is teetering on the edge, and you’re going to tell me to mind my own business?” My voice was rising to a dangerous level, so I forced myself to calm down. “What about your wife and children? Your own reputation?”
He shrugged. “What is a reputation, anyway? Who cares?”
“I do—all of us do. Why are you being so selfish?”
“You’re so naïve, Carrie.” He reached for the pack of cigarettes in his pocket but returned them, apparently remembering where he was. At least he had some respect for our parents’ home.
“How am I naïve?”
“There’s a big world out there, and it’s ripe for picking. Father’s views are so narrow and old-fashioned. The 1920s are a rebirth, and the rest of the world is moving on, but he’s stuck in one place. I have no desire to stay there with him.”
“His ideas are not old-fashioned. They’re timeless. God’s Word is eternal. He doesn’t change just because society changes.” Even if I wasn’t sure God cared about me, I was certain about His character. “You’re giving in to the desires of your flesh, and you’re hurting everyone you love in the process.”
“You’re starting to sound like the old man,” he scoffed and then patted me on the head as if I were a child. “Naïve and inyour own little bubble. It’ll pop one day, and you’ll realize I’m right.”
I pulled my head away from his hand and clenched my teeth. “If it’s old-fashioned to see to the happiness and well-being of your family, then I don’t care if I am naïve. There is right and wrong, Andrew, whether you want to accept it or not. What you’re doing to Ruth and our parents is wrong. What you’re doing to Alice is wrong, too.” I didn’t have any fond regard for her, but the truth was the truth. “You need to deal with her before she becomes a bigger problem.”
Andrew rolled his eyes and leaned against the pillar. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
I wanted a concrete plan, but at least he seemed receptive to my plea.
“And stay home with your wife and children, where you belong,” I said, pushing a little further. “Ruth loves you, and when you come to the end of your life, she’s all you’ll have left—if you’re lucky. Treat her like the rare treasure she is and stop hurting her.”
“Stay out of my business.” Anger glinted in his eyes as he pushed away from the pillar. “Ruth’s fine.”
I wasn’t afraid of my brother, so I pressed on. “And who were those men across the street?”
He shrugged. “That’s none of your business, either.”
“Are they ...?” I paused and lowered my voice even further. “Gangsters?”
Andrew’s chuckle was sardonic. “Let’s just call them business associates, shall we?”
“Why would you tell them where our parents live?”
“They were in the neighborhood, and we had a transaction to make.” He patted his pocket. “I gotta feed my kids, don’t I?”
He walked back into the house, leaving the front door open.
