After she finished reading, she asked, “Mom, did I read okay? I can study on my own now. Grandma signed me up for a lot of classes—painting, violin, and drumming, too.”
“Okay. If you want to study, go for it. If not, don’t force it. Your health comes first,” I said, still looking at my computer.
Right then, Yvonne mumbled, “Daddy’s not back yet. He’s been coming home late a lot lately. Mom, I gotta tell you a secret. The other night, Daddy cried for a long time, leaning over his desk in the study.”
I was stunned for a moment. It felt weird that Jared would cry. I thought it was just another emotional trick between them, trying to get my sympathy and pity.
“Really? Well, next time he cries, give him a tissue and comfort him. Tell him grown-ups crying is just being childish,” I said, cold and flat.
Yvonne was shocked. She stared at the screen for a long moment, and then looked away.
“Mom, don’t you feel sorry for Daddy anymore?”
“He’s a grown man. Why should I pity him?” I smirked a little.
Yvonne sighed. “Mom, you’ve changed a lot. But you’ve come a long way, too. You’re working now, and you dress nicely every day. You even smell good, not like before when you always smelled like cooking grease.”
Hearing her, I asked softly, “So, do you like the ‘me’ now or the ‘me’ back then?”
“The ‘you’ now,” she said after thinking for a moment. “You don’t play with me anymore, but at least you don’t nag like before. You used to nag me nonstop, like a broken record. I was so annoyed.”
My heart tightened. That old saying, out of sight, out of mind, was true, even for kids. “Alright, then I won’t bother you anymore. You take care of yourself and handle your stuff,” I told her.
Yvonne pouted a little. “Okay, I’ll take care of myself. Goodnight, Mom. I’m gonna sleep now.” I hung up.
The next day, both hotels were packed with big weddings. The whole place was buzzing, and everyone was running around nonstop.
Around 3 PM, the rush slowed down. I sat in my office, taking a break. Suddenly, Jared’s driver, Warner, called me. “Mrs. Holcomb, Mr. Holcomb got drunk at lunch. He wants to rest at the hotel. Can you set up a room for him?”
I arranged a big reserved suite. When Jared showed up, I was by the elevator talking to someone. He was drunk, stumbling as he walked.
Warner helped steady him and said, “Mrs. Holcomb, can you help me out? I gotta grab some stuff from the car.”
Before I could answer, Warner pushed Jared toward me. Whether Jared was truly drunk or faking it, he collapsed on me.
A bunch of bystanders nearby watched with smirks and knowing looks. I helped Jared into the elevator. He rested his head on me. I supported him as he closed his eyes and stayed silent.
When the elevator stopped, I tapped his face a few times. Jared slowly came to. “Victoria, what are you doing here?” He looked surprised.
I helped him to the door, opened it, and sat him on the couch. He collapsed completely, stretching his arm across his forehead, like he was drunk and out of it.
Warner hurried over with some work papers. Seeing me about to leave, he stopped me.
“Mrs. Holcomb, can I say something?”
I turned to him. “What’s up?”
Warner wiped sweat from his forehead, clearly worried. He glanced at Jared on the couch.
“Since you and Mr. Holcomb divorced, his mood hasn’t been great.”
I was quiet for a moment and then smiled lightly. “It’s a process. Once he gets through it, he’ll be okay.”
Warner sighed and shook his head. “I thought he was fine too, but lately he’s been drinking way too much. He never used to be like this."
“I know Mr. Holcomb well. Even when he seems fine on the outside, he’s often got a lot on his mind.”
“Warner, you’re a great employee. Jared’s lucky to have you.” I knew Warner had worked with Jared for years and cared about him deeply.
“Mrs. Holcomb, I know you still love him. Doesn’t it hurt to see him like this?” Warner said, almost desperate.
He continued, “Every day after work, he makes me play the song you used to love, over and over again. Mrs. Holcomb, you should know Mr. Holcomb just can’t let you go.”