raise her son as she saw fit. Every mother has that right, and Mimi’s encouraging style had often brought out the best in all our kids.
She tapped a finger against her lips. “I already warned him that I won’t tolerate any kind of revenge.”
“I wonder . . . Do you think he could get teammates to lay off, too? He’s so charismatic and a team leader, so he could make a difference. Besides, he can’t be comfortable watching Carter suffer.”
Mimi’s gaze dipped to her coffee. “You’re assuming he’s got more power than is true. Rowan’s only a sophomore—pretty low in the pecking order. Even if he wanted to help, I doubt he could do much. And if word gets out that Carter complained or you’re fighting his battles, it could get worse for him. Maybe it’s best to let the boys handle it themselves.”
I’d hoped for more. If she’d asked for my help, I would’ve given it. In fact, I’d demand it of my son simply because bullying of any sort should not be tolerated. And frankly, Carter tutored Rowan for free, so Rowan should want to repay that favor.
I almost pressed her, but wouldn’t criticize her decision. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I’m sorry.” Mimi scrunched her nose. “I don’t mean to be unhelpful. Truthfully, now isn’t the best time to ask Rowan for anything. He’s been in a crap mood all week thanks to Dirk. That damn man is blowing his son off again.”
Ah. This must be what she’d wanted to discuss.
“I’m sorry, Mimi.” Dirk could be selfish, like my father. It’d take hard work for Rowan to overcome the scars inflicted by that man’s neglect. Same for Mimi.
“I swear, every day I feel Rowan drifting away from me. Whenever I offer any advice—about school, or anything—he rejects it. Thinks I’m a nag instead of appreciating how I’m looking out for his future . . . trying to teach him to be a better man than his father is. Not that I say that last part. It galls me how much he worships Dirk yet gives me a hard time.” She dropped her forehead to the table for a moment before popping back up, shoulders slumped.
“I’m sorry you feel defeated, but Rowan loves you. He’s a teenager, so he won’t show it like he did at six. When he’s matured, he’ll reflect your values of kindness and caring.” I reached across the table to squeeze her shoulder in solidarity. Nothing about parenting was easy, and she’d been doing this on her own for almost five years. I couldn’t imagine raising my kids by myself or, worse, with a distant partner. Sam’s and my parenting styles and values were in sync, which made everything easier. Of course, Kimmy would likely challenge us. Heaven help us if she really was Margot 2.0. “In the meantime, how can I help?”
“You can’t, but thanks.” Mimi pinched the bridge of her nose with those lengthy rainbow-colored fingernails. “Guess I’m exhausted. He’d be failing history without Carter’s help. Seriously, if he doesn’t get a football scholarship, he’s got almost no shot at a better life than mine.”
Now wasn’t the time for another conversation about putting all her eggs in one basket. Rowan could be a better student with a little more effort, as proven when I’d tutored him, and more recently with Carter’s help. But I knew the pain of worrying about your kids, and I hated the way she sold herself so short, so I patted her hand. “We all hope our kids surpass us, but he’d be lucky to end up like you—a small-business owner who’s great at her job.”
“Thank you.” She stared at me, a thin smile tugging at her mouth and a sheen coating her eyes. “Listen, I know we promised to keep the budget debate out of our friendship, but I also don’t want unsaid junk putting up walls between us, so can I be honest with you?”
A flash of heat hit me. I sat back, nodding with bated breath. “Sure.”
“Everything you said at the hearing made sense, but Carter will have a dozen great choices by the time he’s a senior no matter what shape those labs are in.”
Like Rowan would have college coaches looking him over no matter what shape the fields were in. “It’s not only about Carter—”
She tipped her head. “You aren’t looking to move anytime soon, so your property value doesn’t matter, either.”
“No, but in a global market, we need our kids to be well educated,