Chapter 9: The Woman Who Wanted to Leave
The next morning, I found Vanessa sitting alone in the lobby.
Two suitcases stood beside her.
She was wearing a cream-colored sweater and dark jeans, with her sunglasses pushed into her hair.
Her expression was determined.
Michael stood several feet away, holding his passport.
I approached slowly.
"Good morning.""
Vanessa barely looked at me.
"Morning.""
Michael glanced over.
"Mom.""
"Are you both leaving?""
He nodded.
"Vanessa wants to go home.""
I looked at her.
"Is that what you want?""
She picked up her handbag.
"Yes. I've had enough.""
I didn't argue.
"Then I hope you have a safe flight.""
She gave a short laugh.
"That's it?""
"What else would you like me to say?""
"Maybe that you're sorry things turned out this way.""
I looked at her carefully.
"Vanessa, I'm sorry the vacation became unpleasant. But I'm not sorry I stopped paying for expenses I never authorized.""
Her jaw tightened.
"Of course you're not.""
Michael stepped forward.
"Can we please not do this here?""
Vanessa turned toward him.
"You're still defending her.""
"I'm not defending anyone. I'm asking us to speak respectfully.""
She shook her head.
"You've changed since we got here.""
He looked at her.
"Maybe I'm finally paying attention.""
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Vanessa picked up her phone.
"I've arranged transportation.""
I nodded.
"All right.""
She looked at me one last time.
"You know what the worst part is, Carol? You could have made this entire vacation wonderful.""
I almost smiled.
"I did make the original vacation wonderful. You just didn't want to acknowledge it.""
She turned away.
Michael helped carry her luggage toward the entrance.
I stayed behind.
I wasn't going to chase them.
Ten minutes later, Michael returned alone.
"She wants me to go with her.""
"Do you want to?""
He sat down.
"I don't know.""
I waited.
"She says if I stay here, it proves I'm choosing you over her.""
I looked at him.
"Michael, this isn't a competition.""
"I know.""
"Then don't let her turn it into one.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"I have work on Monday. We both do. Maybe going home is the sensible thing.""
"Then go home because that's what you decide, not because you're being threatened.""
He nodded.
Then his phone vibrated.
He read the message.
His expression changed.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He handed me the phone.
It was from Vanessa.
*Vanessa:* If you don't come with me, don't bother coming home.
I returned the phone.
"That's a difficult message.""
He gave a humorless laugh.
"That's an understatement.""
I looked at him.
"Do you feel safe making your own decisions in this marriage?""
He stared at me.
"What do you mean?""
"I mean, can you disagree with your wife without fearing that she'll punish you?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he whispered, "Not always.""
I let that sit between us.
I didn't tell him to leave her.
I didn't tell him to stay.
I simply said, "You deserve a marriage where disagreement doesn't feel like a threat.""
He nodded.
Then he took a seat beside me.
For the next hour, we discussed practical things.
His work schedule.
The flights.
The money he had transferred to Vanessa.
The need to separate financial responsibilities until he understood exactly what was happening.
At noon, he decided to remain in Cabo for the rest of the reservation.
Vanessa had already left for the airport.
I spent the afternoon by the pool.
Michael went for a long walk along the beach.
When he returned, he looked calmer.
"Mom, I want to do something tonight.""
"What?""
"I want to take you to dinner.""
I smiled.
"That sounds lovely.""
"Not the anniversary dinner. Just somewhere nice.""
"Michael, you don't have to spend a lot.""
"I know. I want to.""
He booked a table at a small restaurant near the marina.
It wasn't a five-star tasting menu.
There were no private dining rooms or champagne packages.
May you like
Just fresh seafood, warm bread, and a beautiful view of the boats.
For the first time since arriving in Cabo
