Chapter 11 - David Finally Chooses Laura Publicly
At the Whitmore Foundation’s winter dinner, a board member approached
Laura.
“I’m glad you’re doing better.”
Laura immediately understood Margaret’s old rumors were still alive.
Before she could answer, David joined them.
“My mother spread false information about Laura last year,” he said
calmly.
The man froze.
David continued.
“Laura was not unstable. She was being targeted by someone in our
family. I knew part of it and failed to tell her soon enough.”
Laura stared at him.
No euphemism.
No protecting the family image.
Later she asked, “Were you trying to make a speech?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“I was trying not to hide.”
Margaret heard what happened.
Instead of complaining, she contacted people she had misled and
corrected the record herself.
Months later, Laura put her wedding ring back on while standing at the
bathroom sink.
David noticed.
He did not make a speech.
That helped.
Their marriage was not magically stronger because of what happened.
It had been damaged.
Then repaired.
The seams remained.
They learned to respect them.
Natalie became an unexpected ally, though not a close friend.
“She used my history with David like a tool,” Natalie told Laura.
Laura nodded. “She used my marriage the same way.”
Natalie smiled.
“Your Thanksgiving entrance was better.”
“I destroyed a turkey.”
May you like
“I brought pie into a crime scene.”
For the first time, Laura laughed about that night.
