Chapter 25 - WESTON CHOOSES IN PUBLIC The moment I began trusting Weston again did not happen in therapy.
It happened at his cousin’s wedding.
Two years after the pool.
Harlan attended.
So did we.
Different tables.
Cecily had agreed because there would be no private interaction.
Near the reception exit, Harlan approached.
Not aggressively.
“Weston.”
Weston turned.
Harlan looked toward Cecily.
“Can I say hello?”
Cecily immediately moved closer to me.
Weston saw it.
Old Weston might have said:
“He’s just saying hello.”
New Weston said:
“Not today, Dad.”
Harlan’s jaw tightened.
“I asked.”
“And she answered.”
“She didn’t say anything.”
“She moved away.”
Harlan looked at me.
Then back at Weston.
“You let Nadine run everything.”
There.
The old trigger.
Weak husband.
Soft father.
Controlled man.
Weston said:
“No. I’m paying attention to my daughter.”
Then walked away.
No shouting.
No speech.
May you like
That was the first time I thought:
Maybe.
