Read Online Family Interrupted by Linda Barrett - Free Book Online Page A

great kid. Good looks, good heart, good brain...he’s got it all. That science award proves it.”
    “Yes. Yes, I’m proud of him...it’s just...” Fresh tears began to stream down her cheeks, and my chest tightened. I understood what she didn’t say. Kayla wasn’t here. Kayla would never graduate from high school. My wife’s mind was on her daughter, not her son, and I felt myself begin to teeter on that edge too. Claire thought I was stronger than steel, but I had to swallow hard a couple of times before I could speak.
    “For God’s sake, Claire, please focus on Ian today. This graduation is a milestone for him.” I was lecturing myself as much as her.
    “I know. I know. But—”
    “But he should be going to college instead of to a dead-end job. Is that what’s bothering you?” I knew that was only part of it, but sometimes I had to tap dance in place trying to distract her. “A
college
degree is the one we’d have celebrated with gusto. He’s taking a little detour. That’s all.”
    A detour. That’s what I told myself. That’s how I rationalized. First, we lost Kayla, and now we were failing Ian. Claire didn’t seem to understand or care; if she did, she was hiding it well. If Ian wanted to postpone college right now, I could live with it. But this...this...job he’d landed at a refinery? It didn’t sit right with me. I wanted my boy at home. I wanted him in the construction business, our
family
business.
    I’d been trying to change his mind ever since he told me about this new job. A refinery! Those people in the career office should be fired. Couldn’t they see Ian was college material? I’d talked myself hoarse and gotten nowhere with my son, so I’d put his two grandfathers on the case. In the end, however, they’d both sighed deeply, offering their own insights.
    “His heart’s as heavy as yours and Claire’s,” my dad said. “I guess our boy needs to do what he needs to do. At least for now.”
    “But he’ll be back,” added Claire’s father. “He’s a good boy.”
    I don’t know when my “good boy” became so stubborn. Ian may have won this battle, but neither of us was winning this tug-of-war.
    #
    At home after the graduation ceremony, I stood in the backyard, grilling steak and burgers for a host of relatives. Despite the downturn in business, I could have treated everyone to a restaurant celebration, but I was trying to keep Claire busy and happy doing something she liked. Home entertaining used to be on the top of the list, especially with our combined families. Everyone always clamored for her summer salads, especially the five-bean and potato salads, and Claire always came through. Today was no different.
    I watched her smile, circulate, and visit with everyone before she went indoors, and I felt myself grin. That was my wife! The real Claire. A glimpse of her laughing face through the window gave me hope. Sooner or later, we’d get back to normal.
    I left my brother-in-law, Charlie, in charge of cooking, waltzed into the air-conditioned house, and made a beeline to my wife. “Love you, sweetheart.”
    She chuckled. Her eyes brightened. “I know.”
    “It’s a great party.” I glanced around. “You’ve done it again. The salads are disappearing. The hors d’oeuvres too...I just wish you’d eat more of them yourself.” She’d used a safety pin in the waistband of her slacks today, and in a sleeveless blouse, her arms looked like sticks. Maybe a gym...
    “I’ll attack Judy’s desserts later,” she said, “but my specialties? I can prepare them in my sleep.”
    Claire’s sister had been a rock, calling Claire every day. As for her mom...well, Barbara had become invaluable to both Claire and me. “How about another specialty?” I asked.
    Her cheeks became rosy. “I thought we had our evenings worked out to perfection.”
    I almost blushed myself. Most folks would envy our love life; they’d think it was unbelievable. I’d thought so too—in the