* * *
"So how isthe editing work going, Tara," Reid's step-mother Tiffany asked over dinner. I couldn't exactly call her that since she was around my age, a glamorous woman with dark raven curls and a heart-shaped face. She and Reid's father have been married for a year and had just had a son. Their nanny was taking care of the baby and keeping Becca entertained.
"It's going alright, thanks," I smiled. I didn't like talking about my work, it angered Reid. To him, I was a good for nothing, useless woman who bled his bank account dry. In truth, my business was doing more than alright. I managed to reel in some well-known, self-published authors who wrote about a book a month, resulting in a steady flow of income. A few of the big publishing houses also outsourced their work to me. I was building an impressive nest egg for when I finally decided to get the hell away from Reid.
"That little sideshow of hers? I don't know why Tara bothers, it's such a waste of time." Reid cuts in. I knew he'd be listening, he always was. His father joined in, laughing.
Tiffany looked at me pitifully and continued to make small talk. I wondered what was beneath that well-manicured surface Was she also a victim of abuse, a prisoner? The signs were there. Reid’s father also belittled her any chance he got. It was a control game for them. I wondered what made men treat women that way and why we took it.
I'd started seeing a psychiatrist a few months ago, feeling that if I didn't, I'd have a nervous breakdown. I wondered if Tiffany was seeing someone too Is that why she is able to keep up pretences? I watched as my husband polished off one glass of whiskey after another, and I started to try to keep up. There was no other way for me to survive this ordeal. I looked across the room at all the pretentious faces, all the masks people wore, yet mine, mine was slipping off Before I knew it, the tears were streaming down my face, I couldn't stop them I knew what this outburst would earn me, but I didn't care, I was tired of the facade. It was time I did something about it, even if it was just dropping the mask a little to let others see beneath.
Chapter 16
Tara
Present Day
“You okay?”
"Yeah, just peachy," I said sarcastically. I'd been able to balance myself to a standing position all week. That was a huge accomplishment, and by Thursday, Tilly and Jude decided that we were celebrating with sushi and champagne.
He just laughed at my cynicism these days, and Tilly would shake her head. I suppose they'd both grown accustomed to my stinking attitude by now and my lack of willingness to socialize. But if I were to be honest, I kind of liked having them around.
"You two must really like the punishment or you have nothing better to do than hang out with me," I give them a tight-lipped smile.
"Oh, you're not that scary, honey," Tilly laughed. "You should have met my husband He was a real bag of chips, I tell you. Sarcastic as they come, he had the neighborhood kids scared shitless without even looking at them. The old grouch. Died a few years ago, and I finally have some peace, and less growling." Tilly laughed, and I felt the love she held for him, despite his grouchy ways.
We all laughed at that. The older woman was sweet, and I couldn't help but like her. She still flushed every time Jude entered a room and told me she'd like to put bow ties on inappropriate parts of his body. Still, she was lovely to be around. Tilly was a real Mother Hubbard, and she scolded Alicia, making sure she didn't cook for us anymore.
Tilly never had any kids She told us that she and her husband, Thomas, had tried for several years, and they eventually gave up. They could never afford to go through all the expensive treatments and were just content to have each other. I appreciated her kindness and the fact that she was devoting all her time to me. She was active as an ox, too, and could probably crush my skull in her hands.
“How about we try to take a few steps tomorrow?” Jude smirked.
“Really?”
“Yes, of course I think you’re ready for it.”
Tilly clapped. I smiled a genuine smile this time, looking out into the small garden in front of us.
"Well, it's getting late You kids are still busy out here, but I'm going to head in and have a lie-down Just shout when you're ready for bed," Tilly said, standing up.
“I’ll tuck her in,” Jude winked, and I shook my head.
“That okay with you?” Tilly asked.
“Of course.” I smiled.
"You take the couch, young man. I'm not having you driving drunk."
We watched as she disappeared through the sliding door.
“She’s really amazing,” I smiled, thinking fondly of the things Tilly did to make my life more comfortable. “I am so glad I chose her instead of one of the other nurses.”
"She is, and she cares a lot about you," he popped another piece of sushi in his mouth.
“How about you? Don’t you have something better to do than sit here with your sulk of a patient?”
"I like spending time with you, Tara, I always have. I suppose even all these years later, that is one thing that has not changed.” The way he said that caused my face to heat up I was glad we were in semi-darkness or he'd notice the embarrassing flush.
