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“Call me when it’s done.”
“I will. Sit tight and chill and worry about how you’re gonna make peace with that woman. Jude told me she was fine as hell and a good one at that. You don’t want to mess up something like that.”
“I know. That’s why I’m doing this.”
“Be easy, Cas.”
“A’ight.”
No sooner than I hung up the phone, I called my father.
“Casimir, it’s been a while. What’s on your mind, son?”
“Nothing. Listen, I know that the last time that we spoke, I came off extremely defensive about my choices.”
“No. Before you go down that road, let me stop you. Your mother and I have been talking about this since the day that you came by and told me about the divorce. I owe you an apology, son.”
Those words took me aback, and I bowed my head and ran my hand over it. I sat on the edge of the bed, wondering if I misheard him.
“For what?”
“The way that I reacted when you told me you were divorcing her.”
“You didn’t trip, Dad.”
“No, I didn’t. But I also didn’t give you my unwavering support, nor did I thank you for how you handled the entire situation. From the moment that your mother and I came to you about you marrying Beth, you weren’t happy about it, and I should have considered that. Instead, I pushed my will on you, and you did what I asked of you. From the minute that you agreed you never complained one time. I had no right to do that to you, and for that, I’m sorry.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ve seen how unhappy you’ve been through the years, but I turned my head the other way and ignored it for my selfish reasons. Again, I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that. Do you forgive an old man?”
“Of course, Dad. It was just time for me to make a stand for my happiness. I had to get out before Beth and I started hating one another. And at this point, I’m not sure that we don’t already feel that way.”
“I hoped that you two could end it amicably.”
“It’s too late for that.”
“Why?”
“She found out that I was involved with someone else.”
“Someone like who?”
“Someone that she and I both have in common.”
“Like?”
“Our marriage counselor.”
“Son. Are you serious? Did this woman in any way manipul—”
“No, Dad! She’s not like that. If anything, I manipulated her. She didn’t want to become involved with me for a number of reasons. Not the least of which was the fact that I was married.”
“Were you involved with her while you were married to Beth?”
“No. I never shared my feelings with her until after our divorce was official. Then I pursued her like I’d lost my mind. It didn’t matter though. She was still against it because of her license. Eventually, she gave in to me, but now all that doesn’t matter. She’s broken things off.”
“Why?”