Crystal Lies - Melody Carlson [28]
“It was pretty good. But hot, really hot. They had record-breaking temperatures everywhere and no air conditioning. Leslie nearly had a heatstroke in Madrid the day before we were supposed to fly out, so we had to take her to the hospital and almost missed our flight.”
“Oh my.” I turned the key and let the windows down for some fresh air. “But she’s okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine.”
“And are you back on campus now?”
“Yeah, just getting settled into the dorm. But I really wish I could get an apartment. Leslie and Kara want to go in with me.”
“Well, did you mention this to your dad?”
“Not yet. He seemed pretty upset about something. What’s going on, Mom?”
I couldn’t help but notice the somewhat accusatory tone of her voice and was reminded once again of how much she and Geoffrey were alike. “Well, it’s been quite a week, honey. Jacob got into some trouble—”
“Wow, that’s a big surprise.”
I ignored her sarcasm. “Yes, I know. But your dad and I didn’t agree about how to handle it.”
“No. How shocking.” More sarcasm.
“And I decided to help Jacob, and then your dad got mad, and I was so tired of all this—”
“All this?” She exhaled loudly. “You mean all this crap that Jacob has dragged into our lives?”
“Not just that, honey. Your dad and I have been having our problems too.”
“What? You mean just because Daddy is trying to use tough love?”
“Tough love?” I echoed. “I’m not sure your father feels any love toward his son at the moment.”
“Can you blame him?”
“I know Jacob has messed up, Sarah, but he’s our son, your brother—”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Sarah!” I instantly regretted my scolding tone.
“You always take his side, Mom. That’s probably why he’s so screwed up.
“It’s not a matter of sides,” I said.
“Whatever.” Now I could tell she was exasperated.
“I would do the same for you, Sarah. You know I would.”
“But that’s a moot point, Mom. You will never need to do the same for me. Jacob and I are two completely different people. I can’t even believe we’re related sometimes.”
“Jake’s just going through some hard things right now. But that could all change. I’m trying to get him to go into rehab and—”
“Good luck with that.” Sarah sounded as though she was ready to end the conversation. “So tell me, Mom. Are you and Dad still together?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“I’ve gotten an apartment.”
“So you’re separated then?”
“Well, sort of.”
“Look, Mom, you moved out of the house, right? Well, that would mean you’re separated.”
“Okay. I suppose so.”
“Mom, can’t you see what’s happening?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re letting Jacob ruin your marriage. And that’s wrong. Plain wrong. You and Dad have been happily married for twenty-five years, and just because Jacob’s screwing up his life doesn’t mean you have to throw away a perfectly good marriage.”
“A perfectly good marriage?”
“Well, you guys seem pretty happy to me.”
“You really think so?”
“Oh, I know it’s not perfect. But whose marriage is?”
“There’s a lot you don’t know, honey.”
“I know this, Mom. I know Dad doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment. He has worked hard for his family. He’s a great provider, respected in the community, and he doesn’t deserve this kind of crap from you.”
Her words slapped me despite the distance between us.
“And if you weren’t so blind, you’d see it too,” she continued. “Dad’s exactly right about Jacob. He’s made his own stupid choices, and there’s nothing any of us can do about it. As much as I hate to admit that my little brother’s a junkie, it’s the truth, and the sooner we all accept it, the better it will be for everyone.”
“Are you suggesting I simply turn my back on your brother?”
“I’m not saying you have to quit loving him, Mom.” Her voice softened. “I mean as much as I hate him sometimes for all this crud, I do still love him. But I’m saying you have to let him do his thing and hope he doesn’t kill himself doing it. In the meantime, I think you should focus your attention on saving your marriage.”
“Saving my marriage?” I echoed.
“Yes. You and Dad are both Christians, and as