Then came tears.
“I can’t believe you would humiliate Richard like this.”
Finally came the sentence Susan had expected.
“A good wife doesn’t separate a man from his mother.”
Susan didn’t answer.
Richard asked to meet instead.
They chose a quiet café.
“Mom thinks you’re punishing her,” he said.
“I’m ending a temporary living arrangement that should have ended almost two years ago.”
“She doesn’t have anywhere ready.”
“She has time to arrange something under the notice.”
Richard studied her.
“You sound cold.”
Susan thought about that.
“No. I sound clear. I think you’ve become accustomed to calling clarity cold whenever it stops benefiting someone else.”
Richard looked wounded.
“I never meant for things to become like this.”
“I believe you.”
He seemed surprised.
“You didn’t wake up each morning planning to disrespect me. You simply kept choosing the easiest person to disappoint.”
