Humbled Read Free

reasons, one driven by love and the other disdain. However, when it came to her daughter, Madeline’s desire to appease seemed limitless. She didn’t show nearly as much leniency to others, not even him. Don didn’t mind. He understood their damaged history and his mother’s attempt to make up for the past. Tamara understood too, but unfortunately, she wasn’t as willing to extend such grace to Madeline.
    Sherry, on the other hand, was as close to a nemesis as Madeline was going to get. Don couldn’t see a time in the foreseeable future when his mother was going to accept Sherry into the Mitchell family. It had been almost thirty years since Sherry had married his father, but to his mother it seemed like yesterday. Regardless of the problems that had prevailed in his parents’ marriage prior to the infidelity, Madeline was determined to blame Sherry for the rest of their days. In spite of his mother’s vehement protests, Don had forgiven Sherry and had offered her a job not long ago. Madeline had pitched a fit, and needless to say, Sherry had ended up not working for Don at the Mitchell family’s multimillion-dollar company, DMI. He hadn’t bothered pleading her case on appeal. Don didn’t have sufficient firepower. Even if he were accompanied by the entire United States Marine Corps, it wouldn’t be enough force to change Madeline’s mind. One day there might be total healing in his family, but it wasn’t today. Yet Don wasn’t complaining. Other than the discord with Sherry and a mild disregard for her offspring, Joel, Madeline, and the family were in a respectable place. Don relished the tranquility. It was rare in the Mitchell family and most likely fleeting.
    â€œIt’s good to have you back.”
    Madeline moseyed over to the windows after tossing her bag onto one of the chairs situated in front of Don’s desk. “It’s good to be back.” She folded her arms and leaned against the window frame. “When I agreed to walk out those doors a few months ago, honestly, I didn’t know if or when I’d return.”
    Her voice dipped, and Don knew why. His mother had made one of the greatest sacrifices of her life. She’d agreed to step down from her executive position at DMI, the second greatest love after her children, and to leave the city of Detroit at Tamara’s request. His sister had been estranged from the family and wanted to come home on her own terms. Her number one request was that Madeline couldn’t be in town. Don actually had tried pleading his mother’s case to Tamara, but the stubborn gene was too deeply rooted in her. His sister wouldn’t bend. So, without fanfare or opposition, Madeline had quietly walked away. The few months she was gone were somber days for him, but the trauma was behind them. She was within arm’s reach, exactly where his mother belonged.
    â€œHow are you and Tamara getting along?” he asked.
    Madeline ran the palm of her hand from the front of her head to the back while peering at the floor. “We’re getting there.”
    Don swung his chair around to face Madeline. “Well, it’s going to take time, but at least the two of you are talking.”
    â€œI don’t know how much time. She was gone fourteen years. You’d think that would be enough time,” she said, clearly agitated, with her eyelids widened and her neck rolling. “At least she’s staying with you, which makes me feel better,” she added, seeming calmer.
    â€œUh, not any longer.”
    â€œWhat?” she shouted.
    â€œShe packed her bag and moved out last week.” He’d begged her to stay with him longer, but Tamara wouldn’t hear of it.
    â€œAnd why am I just hearing about this?” she barked at him with her fists pressed against her sides. “Where did she go?”
    â€œI’m not sure she wants me to tell you.”
    Madeline’s