Forgive Me Read Free Page A

man-stealing as a remedy for a bad marriage. That’s why the Western world had divorces. News of the betrayal devastated Darnella the night her mother, Maxine, called to tell her that Aruba’s birthday party had turned sour as Victoria revealed toguests and friends that Aruba had been cheating with her husband. Where did I go wrong raising her?
    Darnella’s mind wandered to Winston’s funeral eight months ago. His health deteriorated shortly after they’d moved to Los Angeles five years ago. News of his Lou Gehrig’s disease took everyone by surprise; he was a noted cardiologist who’d been wooed to Cedars Sinai and was the perfect picture of health. Darnella believed in reaping and sowing, but to see her daughter reap the consequences of her choices was heartbreaking. First, they downsized from a gorgeous mansion to a small townhouse. Afterward, Winston’s confinement to a wheelchair left Aruba with no choice but to be his caretaker around the clock. Several nurses came in to assist with his care, but Darnella watched Aruba massage Winston’s limbs, adjust his feeding tubes, brush his teeth, and keep his skin bathed and oiled to prevent chafing and bedsores. Jeremiah took a backseat to Winston’s care. Two neighbors and their children made sure Jeremiah had playtime, video games, and a loving environment to vent whenever he questioned Aruba’s love for him.
    Winston succumbed to the disease two days short of their third wedding anniversary. The funeral was a sea of doctors, lawyers, family members, and curiosity seekers. Darnella’s shoulders slumped at the memory of Victoria, Winston’s ex-wife, rubbing her daughter Nicolette’s hair and whispering in her ear as they wept arm-in-arm on the front pew. They both declined a final viewing of Winston’s body. Darnella later overheard someone quoting Victoria as saying, “I only want to remember the good times.”
    Darnella shooed away those thoughts and refocused her attention on Aruba. Aruba seldom came out of her bedroom, and when she was alert, she picked at her food and stared out the window at the flower gardens in a camisole and panties.
    â€œWhat a tangled web we weave,” muttered Darnella.
    Darnella stared at her watch. She’d give Aruba five more minutes before entering the room.
    She headed toward the den and called out, “Lance, is Jeremiah still across the street at Mama’s with George’s grandchildren?”
    Lance, her husband of almost forty years, looked up from the latest issue of Auto World. “Yes. I walked over there a few minutes ago and those boys were upset that Maxine had them watching CNN. She only allows one hour of video games, then nonstop CNN HLN . After that, you know it’s on to reading the New York Times.”
    â€œIf you can play games, you can learn.” They repeated Maxine’s words in unison.
    Darnella sat next to Lance on the sectional and laced her hands with his.
    â€œDid Aruba eat?” asked Lance.
    â€œHer food is still sitting outside the door. I’ll have to reheat it. I didn’t want to just barge in, but I’m getting anxious about her behavior.”
    â€œShe’s been through so much, Nella. I feel bad about how all of this ended.”
    â€œI feel responsible for this. If I hadn’t …”
    Lance covered her lips with the tips of his fingers before she could rehash her past indiscretions.
    â€œThank you for forgiving me, Lance. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
    â€œNella, that was over twenty years ago. We were both young and foolish. I did my dirt, too. Let’s move past that time.”
    â€œI can’t help wondering if Aruba knew about …”
    â€œPlease don’t say his name. I’m not defending our daughter, but James wasn’t exactly the best husband. She got confused and lost her way.”
    Darnella pulled Lance closer. She looked at him and marveledhow