My heart began pounding as I read it.
“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 trembled as the letter slipped from my fingers.
This was it.
This was why she had left.
My mother had been tearing Suzie apart behind my back.
Suddenly every moment made sense.
Every uncomfortable silence.
Every forced smile.
How had I been so blind?
It was nearly midnight, but I didn’t care.
I marched down the hallway and pounded on the guest room door until my mother finally opened it.
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“How could you?” I demanded, shoving the letter in front of her. “All this time, I thought you were just being overbearing, but no, you’ve been bullying Suzie for years, haven’t you?”
Her face drained of color as she read the letter.
“Ben, listen to me —”
“No!” I snapped. “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 —”
“She’s the mother of my children!” I shouted. “You don’t get to decide who’s good enough for me or them. You’re done here, Mom. Pack your things. Get out.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“You don’t mean that.”4
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