The View from Alameda Island - Robyn Carr Page 0,55
should go over well...”
“There are always options. If you don’t want to have to choose who you’re going to live with, you can always opt for your own place closer to the campus and if you do, I’ll be able to help with the expenses. I know you’re not made of money. But having that option should take some pressure off because I know you don’t want to get your mother riled up. Anything can be worked out, Drew. I just want it to be clear—there is going to be a divorce.”
Drew shrugged.
“You might have to interpret that gesture for me,” Beau said.
“I figured,” he said. “You said so before.”
“Drew, I’m moving on. My marriage to your mom is ending. We don’t love each other.”
“Just so you know, she says she still loves you.”
“I know she says that, just like she has before. I don’t believe it. A woman who loves her husband doesn’t leave him repeatedly. And I don’t have one more try in me. So let’s do this—let’s make sure we’re communicating. If you have any stress or worries about this situation, talk to me. No matter what’s been going on with me and your mom, we’re the same, me and you. We’re not breaking up. At least, I don’t want that.”
“So...we’re going to be a couple of bachelors?”
“Looks that way,” Beau said.
“And you’ll be dating, I guess?”
He sighed. “A couple of months ago I would have said, no way. After a failed marriage, another relationship seems pretty risky.”
“Then you met her...”
“I like her,” Beau said. “That doesn’t mean anything. She’s got some pretty big issues of her own. I’m telling you the truth—we’ve only seen each other a few times and had a few conversations. I have no way of knowing if we’ll ever be better friends. But meeting a nice woman made me realize that maybe I don’t have to be a lonely old bachelor for the rest of my life. For right now, let’s just say I’m open to the idea. But I’m in no hurry.”
“You going to ask me not to tell Mom?”
“When have I ever asked you to censor anything you say to your mom?”
“I wasn’t going to tell her anything,” he said with his infectious grin. “Just wanted to know what you’d say. And I won’t be throwing any parties here while you’re out running wild, either.”
Beau just shook his head. “Much appreciated,” he said.
* * *
The door chime rang through Lauren’s phone and she gasped as her heart began to pound. It wasn’t yet five, Beau had already dropped off a few soft grocery items for her, Father Tim had come and gone... Was this horrible fear going to happen every time someone came to the door? She had always dreaded Brad’s dark moods and abusive nature but she hadn’t had fear before. She was terrified of being beaten again. Once might have left her feeling vindicated but twice could break her.
She looked at the camera image on her phone.
Cassie!
She flew to the door and opened it. Cassie stared at her with wide, horrified eyes that quickly filled with tears. “Oh Mama!”
CHAPTER NINE
“My God, what are you doing here?” Lauren asked her daughter. Lauren enfolded her in loving arms and let Cassie weep against her shoulder. “Come inside, darling. We’re making a scene on this nice quiet street.” She laughed in spite of herself. “I’m sure my neighbors expect nothing less, after this week.”
Cassie pulled herself out of her mother’s arms and reached behind her for her bag, pulling it inside. “Oh Mama, Daddy did this to you?”
“I wish it weren’t so,” Lauren said.
“How badly are you hurt?” she said, reaching out trembling fingers to touch Lauren’s tender cheek.
“Possibly a mild concussion,” she said. “But no brain damage. My teeth feel loose. Lots of anger on my part. But why are you here? I left you a message this morning, but didn’t hear from you!”
“I didn’t get your message because I was flying. But I heard from Lacey. Good thing I don’t trust her a bit. She told me you and Dad got into a physical altercation and you had a black eye but there was some doubt about whether it was really Dad. She said you have a boyfriend?”
“No, there is no boyfriend,” she said, shaking her head. “I have a neighbor who has become a friend since I moved in. He’s helped me—done a few handyman things for me. Your father made some assumptions about him when he saw