Chapter 4 - The Night of Excuses
At Donna’s house, the barbecue ended early.
Guests left in uncomfortable silence, carrying containers of untouched food.
Melissa remained in the kitchen, walking back and forth while Donna sat at the island.
“He’s bluffing,” Melissa said.
Donna did not answer.
“He won’t cancel a two-million-dollar project over a child’s swimming medals.”
“It wasn’t only the medals.”
Melissa stopped.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You saw her fall.”
“So did you.”
“And we lied.”
“We protected Tyler.”
Donna’s face tightened.
“From what? Apologizing?”
Melissa opened the refrigerator, took out a bottle of water, and closed the door too hard.
“He didn’t mean for her to get hurt.”
“Then why did he laugh?”
“He was nervous.”
“He called her a baby.”
“You always take Mark’s side.”
Donna stared at her daughter.
“I stood beside you while you threw those medals away.”
Melissa looked toward the trash bin, now empty.
“It was symbolic.”
“It was cruel.”
The words surprised both women.
Melissa slowly approached the island.
“You encouraged me. You said Lily gets too much attention.”
“I said Mark talks about her competitions often. I didn’t say you should punish her.”
“You never stopped me.”
Donna had no answer.
Her phone rang.
It was an automated email from Riverside Hospitality Group.
Due to concerns regarding compliance, conduct, and unresolved application discrepancies, all Easton Road partnership registration activities had been suspended.
Melissa read the message twice.
Then she called Mark.
He did not answer.
She called again.
On the fifth attempt, he blocked her number.
Eric arrived shortly afterward with Tyler. When Melissa explained what had happened, Eric became furious.
“At Mark?” Donna asked.
“At all of you,” Eric said. “Do you understand what we’ve lost?”
“We haven’t lost anything,” Melissa replied. “The registration is suspended.”
“Mark told his lawyer to cancel it.”
“He’ll calm down.”
Tyler stood near the doorway, staring at the floor.
Eric turned toward him.
“Tell me exactly what happened.”
Tyler shrugged.
“She was showing off.”
“Did you pull the medal?”
“It was a joke.”
“Did she fall?”
“She barely fell.”
Donna rose from the island.
“She hit the doorway.”
Tyler looked annoyed.
“She’s fine.”
Eric’s expression hardened.
“Did you apologize?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Mom said Lily needed to stop acting special.”
Melissa turned sharply.
“I did not say that.”
Tyler looked directly at her.
“Yes, you did. You said Mark gives her everything because her mom died.”
Donna covered her mouth.
Eric stared at Melissa.
“You said that in front of him?”
“I was upset.”
“You said it in front of Lily?”
Melissa’s silence answered.
Eric walked toward the front door.
“Where are you going?” she demanded.
“To a hotel.”
“You’re leaving because Mark canceled a restaurant?”
“I’m leaving because I just learned my son thinks cruelty is normal.”
Tyler’s face changed for the first time.
“Dad?”
“You’re coming with me.”
Melissa stepped in front of them.
“We need to stay together.”
Eric shook his head.
“No. We needed to act like decent people before Mark walked into that kitchen.”
After they left, Melissa sat across from Donna.
For several minutes, neither woman spoke.
Then Melissa whispered, “Mark destroyed my life.”
May you like
Donna looked toward the trash bin.
“No,” she said. “You threw it away yourself.”
