I started digging, both literally and metaphorically.
My sorrow and longing for my missing wife deepened as I looked through her things. I found her jewelry box in the closet and set it aside, then noticed a slip of paper peeking out beneath the lid.
When I opened it, I found a letter to Suzie in my mother’s handwriting. My heart pounded as I read:
« Suzie, you’ll never be good enough for my son. You’ve trapped him with this pregnancy, but don’t think for a second you can fool me. If you care about them, you’ll leave before you ruin their lives. »
My hand shook as I dropped the letter. This was it. This was why she’d left. My mother had been tearing her down behind my back. I replayed every interaction, every moment I’d dismissed as harmless. How blind had I been?It was almost midnight, but I didn’t care. I went to the guest room and banged on the door until Mom opened it.
« How could you? » I waved the letter in her face. « All this time, I thought you were just being overbearing, but no, you’ve been bullying Suzie for years, haven’t you? »
An angry man holding a letter | Source: Midjourney
An angry man holding a letter | Source: Midjourney
Her face paled as she scanned the letter. « Ben, listen to me — »
« No! » I cut her off. « You listen to me. Suzie left because of you. Because you made her feel worthless. And now she’s gone, and I’m here trying to raise two babies on my own. »
« I only wanted to protect you, » she whispered. « She wasn’t good enough — »
