Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Mason could sense her uneasiness with him there. He had hoped that by bringing Ben she would thaw a little, but she barely glanced at him, so he took a seat in the corner and watched as his mother threw a barrage of questions at Ben, who seemed to be enjoying his grandmother’s attentions.
As they chatted away, Mason again thought over the events of the past few weeks. His redemption project seemed to be moving forward fine except where his mother and Karen were concerned. In fact, he had finally been able to speak to his former housekeeper without her hanging up on him. He’d learned at last why she had left his employ and really couldn’t blame her.
Apparently, Luisa’s former babysitter quit on her and she had nowhere affordable to take her four-year-old. Of course, her employer had given her a hard time about bringing her child into his home and turned a deaf ear to her pleas.
She had only agreed to return, after some cajoling on his part and the promise of a raise for her to take her child to a proper day care center, but not before he apologized.
On the other hand, Karen was another issue. Mason had really hurt her and she wasn’t willing to forgive and forget so easily. When he had reproached her for making disparaging comments about him in front of Ben, it only served to make her angrier.
“Who the fuck are you to tell me what I should and what I shouldn’t say to my son?” she demanded.
“I’m his father.”
“Ha! It’s taken you eight years to figure that out. I’ve had to be both mother and father to him for as long as he’s been alive, so you have no right to dictate to me how I should be raising him.”
“My mistakes, although inexcusable, doesn’t give you the right to say things in front of Ben that shouldn’t be said.”
“Oh? And parading your bimbos in front of him was appropriate?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
She’d been taken aback when he had readily agreed to her accusations, but it didn’t seem to lessen her anger. “Then you’re a fine one to talk. You’re damn right your mistakes were inexcusable and I will never forget them!” she had hissed at him.
“What can I do to make it up to you? I know I’ve hurt you, Karen, but there’s no need for us to be at each other’s throats. Let’s put Ben first.”
“When I need tips from you on how to be a parent, I’ll let you know, but until then, you can go to hell.”
“I think you’re excellent mother, but if you let your hatred toward me overcome your love for Ben, maybe I was wrong.”
“How dare you!” Karen’s face went red with rage.
He tried to reason with her. “No, how dare you. I’ve made mistakes, but now I intend to be there for Ben and you whenever you need me. I want to be the father to him that I wasn’t before. I don’t want to be your enemy, Karen. We both love Ben, so that’s at least one thing we have in common.”
“I resent you for daring to imply I’m not a good mother. I’m a damned good mother. You’ve got some damn nerve to say otherwise.”
She was right. He realized he hadn’t said the right words. “I apologize. You’re right, of course. I think you’ve done a good job with Ben, but I want you to know I’ve changed.”
She had given him a look of skepticism and contempt. “The days when I thought you were a decent human being are over. Spots and leopards, Mason, if you catch my drift.” With that she had ended the conversation.
Mason didn’t know how he would make things up to Karen and his mother, but neither woman seemed ready to forgive past transgressions so easily. They were justified in their feelings, of course, but what exactly did they want from him? If his problems with Karen and his mother weren’t enough, he was absolutely torn that he hadn’t seen Brandi in over a week. He felt as though his heart had broken all over again.
He wanted to go to her and make her listen to him, but knew the best thing right now was to give her some space. He figured if she had time to think things through, she might be a little more receptive to him later on. To force her to listen to him would only serve to push her further away.
At least Mason knew that she was safe, because Paul had been keeping an eye on her and the kids. He was pleased to learn that Brandi called the police about Rodney violating the restraining order. As a result, Rodney spent a night in jail.
He only hoped that the letters that he sent to Rodney were enough to keep him away from Brandi until he could figure out a way to get Tina Reed to talk.