PART 2 — THE CHOICE I REFUSED TO MAKE
That evening, Diane found me in the kitchen washing bottles.
“You seem tense,” she said sweetly. “You’ve hardly eaten today.”
“I feel better than I have all week.”
Something changed in her expression.
She was comfortable when her words hurt me.
She did not know how to respond when they no longer worked.
“We’ll see how confident you feel in your swimsuit tomorrow,” she said before walking away.
I watched her leave and suddenly understood something.
Diane had spent days criticizing my clothes, my body, and my appearance.
But she had also examined my designer dress more than once.
People often reach for the very things they pretend to despise.
And when Diane finally made that choice, I would not stop her.
The next afternoon, I went upstairs to get a bottle for the baby.
As I approached our bedroom, I heard movement inside.
The door was partly open.
Diane stood in front of the mirror with her back toward me. She appeared to be adjusting something while studying her reflection.
I could hear fabric stretching.
Then came a sharp tug.
A moment later, I heard a small ripping sound.
I almost stepped into the room.
I almost warned her.
But then I remembered every joke at breakfast.
Every cruel observation.
Every moment Dylan had remained silent.
I had promised myself that I would no longer rescue people who treated me badly.
So I quietly stepped away.
Dylan reached the top of the stairs a moment later.
“Have you seen my mother?”
“I think she’s preparing for the family photo.”
He studied my face.
“You seem different.”
“I am.”
“You’re still angry about what Mom said?”
“I’m not angry anymore,” I answered. “I stopped expecting anyone here to stand up for me. It’s surprisingly peaceful.”
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“She didn’t mean anything by those comments. You know that’s just how she is.”
“I know exactly how she is.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“No. I’m simply done.”
He frowned, but I no longer had the energy to explain something he had chosen not to understand.
SEE NEXT PAGE >>>
To see the full cooking instructions, go to the next page or click the Open button (>) and don't forget to SHARE it with your friends on Facebook.
