Chapter 9 - THE MOTHER WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
My mother, Margaret Bennett, met Adrian on a Sunday afternoon.
She had recently completed another round of cancer treatment.
She was tired.
Thin.
But still capable of terrifying me with a single raised eyebrow.
When Adrian entered her hospital room, she studied him.
“So.”
He smiled.
“Mrs. Bennett.”
She folded her arms.
“You're the man who married my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“And you're rich.”
I closed my eyes.
“Mom.”
Adrian laughed.
“Very.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
I stared.
“Mom!”
She looked at me.
“What? Hospital bills aren't cheap.”
Adrian laughed again.
Then her expression softened.
“Do you love her?”
The room went still.
I froze.
Adrian looked at me.
Then back at my mother.
“Yes.”
My heart stopped.
He said it simply.
Without hesitation.
Without embarrassment.
My mother nodded.
“Then don't make her regret loving you.”
Adrian's expression changed.
He reached for my hand.
“I won't.”
Later, as we left the hospital, I looked at him.
“Adrian.”
“Yes?”
“You said you love me.”
He stopped.
Looked up.
Then smiled faintly.
“I did.”
My heart raced.
I swallowed.
“Did you mean it?”
His eyes softened.
“Every word.”
I knelt beside him.
May you like
Then whispered:
“I love you too.”
