Leave It to Claire by Tracey Bateman

Author:Tracey Bateman [BATEMAN, TRACEY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780446558969
Publisher: FaithWords
Published: 2009-05-30T04:00:00+00:00

15

Okay, I’m definitely a poor excuse for a mother. At least according to Rick’s mom. When you marry a man, you marry his whole family, so how come when you divorce a man, you still have a nosy mother-in-law who thinks she can call and tell you how to raise her grandkids? Blech.

My keeping-up-with-the-Joneses, member of the DAR, president of the garden club, and member-in-good-standing of the country club (naturally) former mother-in-law is not happy with the choice we have made to enter into family counseling. And, rightfully so, she holds me 100 percent responsible for the suggestion. Rick must have wimped out and put the heat on me. Like he’s always done.

“I just don’t see why normal, productive citizens have to get therapy.” She says therapy like it’s a bad word. I’m not sure what she’s saying next because my ear itches and I move the phone to the other one.

“. . . would think if they knew their doctor had to go see a psychiatrist.”

Okay, I can figure that one out. “Trust me, Rosette.” (No, I’m not kidding. Her parents actually named her that.) “Rick’s not going to lose any patients over this. And we aren’t seeing a psychiatrist. We’re seeing a family counselor.”

“Well, I don’t see the necessity of airing your dirty laundry to a perfect stranger in the first place. In my day, we dealt with our own matters and left other people to theirs.”

With a great amount of difficulty, I refrain from suggesting that perhaps if her little family had considered counseling after the first, second, or tenth time Rick Sr. cheated on Rosette, perhaps their son’s marriage wouldn’t have fallen apart in the first place. But I manage a large amount of self-control and keep my mouth shut. Time for a switcheroo in topic.

“So, did Rick tell you Ari is driving now?”

A gasp loud enough to break my eardrum shudders through the speaker in my ear, and for a second I wish I’d eased her into the new topic.

“When did this happen?” And the ever-silent, but nonetheless understood, “And why was I not consulted beforehand?”

“A couple of weeks ago. As a matter of fact, Ari drove me home after my surgery.” Oh, I’m so mean, I can’t stop myself. I have to say it. “And we only got into two near-accidents. But Rick says she’s doing much better. Although she backed into the trash can at his house and dented his fender.”

“On the Benz?” Her voice sounds like she swallowed an orange.

Oh, yeah. The sleek, brand-new, black-as-night Mercedes Benz. Once perfect, now with a dented fender. Life is good.

“Really, Claire, you should teach the girl to drive in your van. One more scratch on that old thing won’t hurt. But the Mercedes! That’s going to cost a fortune to fix.”

“Well, he could always turn it in to the insurance company.” Snicker, snicker. I’m sure she hears amusement in my voice.

“There’s no need to enjoy Rick’s misfortune so much. And you claim to be a Christian.

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