Read Online Conflicts of the Heart by Julie Michele Gettys - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Julie Michele Gettys
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Dana and Teal's friendship back when he and Dana had first married. He didn’t want that kind of woman, a loser, to be friends with his wife. Not a mousy, overweight trollop who made a fool of herself every time she opened her mouth.
Since Dana left, Joel hadn’t found another woman. He knew he was misunderstood by people, women especially. He didn’t lack in social graces; he enjoyed being a loner. Always had been. Always would be. Dana, for unknown reasons to him, had been the one woman who saw through his introverted personality, respected his genius, and possessed the ability to bring him out of his shell. Sort of.
His parents considered his meeting and marrying Dana Moran his real accomplishment. They believed she brought out the best in their son's shy, retiring ways. Any social life they did have came from Dana's strong, engaging personality.
Out of the blue, Joel moved his wife to the Silicon Valley where he flourished as one of the notable Research and Development men in the then mushrooming computer industry.
After he built their home and stashed enough money in the bank, he struck out on his own and worked from inside his new multimillion home nestled on a hillside in the prestigious Palo Alto hills. Dana worked, too, helping to offset expenses, allowing Joel the freedom to pursue his dreams--create magnificent, useful toys for other techies. Sometimes his business flourished and they lived high, a Mercedes for him and a BMW for her, taking cruises when time allowed.
When larger companies swallowed up his creations and undersold him, he'd dream up something new and the merry-go-round started again. Dana and Joel's financial life went up and down. From rich to poor, sometimes overnight. It meant nothing for them to exist for months on credit cards, then following a windfall, pay off everything, and start over.
Five years into their marriage, Dana conceived Michael. Joel's dream came true. A son. Someone who’d be just like himself. Michael had Joel's chiseled features. Dana blossomed even more as a mother. Somehow, she managed her demanding career, helped Joel with his projects on weekends, and still had time for their son.
When Michael turned three, the first sign of trouble surfaced. He wasn't learning to talk like other kids his age. Joel worried, became sullen and withdrawn. His boy might not be on the football team after all, work with him in his business, or take over when Joel stepped down. This had to be his payback for his refusing to take over the family business.
By the time Michael turned four, Joel had given up. They learned Michael could be autistic and showed little chance of ever being anything more than what he was now. They’d have a son living at home forever if he weren’t institutionalized. The thought of it paralyzed him, literally changed his personality. He knew it and tried to deal with his life, but their marriage became strained.
Dana refused to have another baby for fear of creating a second disabled child. She refused to give up Michael, vowing to care for him as long as he needed her. He hadn’t even considered she would accept his ultimatum. She just up and took Michael without a backward glance. He thought she’d see his point and understand Michael would be better off institutionalized than spend the rest of his life living at home with them. Their marriage would resume. But no, she trapped him, told him to ‘get a life’ and left. He was too proud to change his mind. He held fast, believing if he made her life difficult enough she’d come home. He let her go. He never really wanted her to leave.
Well, shit. Why think about all that crap at a time like this? In a few minutes, he’d be face to face with a woman who came here to spy on him for Dana. He laughed aloud. His darling, intelligent ex should have known better than to think he’d fall for some conniving little trick like this.
* * *
With only two miles to go, Teal started singing, “Seems like
Since Dana left, Joel hadn’t found another woman. He knew he was misunderstood by people, women especially. He didn’t lack in social graces; he enjoyed being a loner. Always had been. Always would be. Dana, for unknown reasons to him, had been the one woman who saw through his introverted personality, respected his genius, and possessed the ability to bring him out of his shell. Sort of.
His parents considered his meeting and marrying Dana Moran his real accomplishment. They believed she brought out the best in their son's shy, retiring ways. Any social life they did have came from Dana's strong, engaging personality.
Out of the blue, Joel moved his wife to the Silicon Valley where he flourished as one of the notable Research and Development men in the then mushrooming computer industry.
After he built their home and stashed enough money in the bank, he struck out on his own and worked from inside his new multimillion home nestled on a hillside in the prestigious Palo Alto hills. Dana worked, too, helping to offset expenses, allowing Joel the freedom to pursue his dreams--create magnificent, useful toys for other techies. Sometimes his business flourished and they lived high, a Mercedes for him and a BMW for her, taking cruises when time allowed.
When larger companies swallowed up his creations and undersold him, he'd dream up something new and the merry-go-round started again. Dana and Joel's financial life went up and down. From rich to poor, sometimes overnight. It meant nothing for them to exist for months on credit cards, then following a windfall, pay off everything, and start over.
Five years into their marriage, Dana conceived Michael. Joel's dream came true. A son. Someone who’d be just like himself. Michael had Joel's chiseled features. Dana blossomed even more as a mother. Somehow, she managed her demanding career, helped Joel with his projects on weekends, and still had time for their son.
When Michael turned three, the first sign of trouble surfaced. He wasn't learning to talk like other kids his age. Joel worried, became sullen and withdrawn. His boy might not be on the football team after all, work with him in his business, or take over when Joel stepped down. This had to be his payback for his refusing to take over the family business.
By the time Michael turned four, Joel had given up. They learned Michael could be autistic and showed little chance of ever being anything more than what he was now. They’d have a son living at home forever if he weren’t institutionalized. The thought of it paralyzed him, literally changed his personality. He knew it and tried to deal with his life, but their marriage became strained.
Dana refused to have another baby for fear of creating a second disabled child. She refused to give up Michael, vowing to care for him as long as he needed her. He hadn’t even considered she would accept his ultimatum. She just up and took Michael without a backward glance. He thought she’d see his point and understand Michael would be better off institutionalized than spend the rest of his life living at home with them. Their marriage would resume. But no, she trapped him, told him to ‘get a life’ and left. He was too proud to change his mind. He held fast, believing if he made her life difficult enough she’d come home. He let her go. He never really wanted her to leave.
Well, shit. Why think about all that crap at a time like this? In a few minutes, he’d be face to face with a woman who came here to spy on him for Dana. He laughed aloud. His darling, intelligent ex should have known better than to think he’d fall for some conniving little trick like this.
* * *
With only two miles to go, Teal started singing, “Seems like
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