It's Better This Way(47)

“Surely she’ll find out when she goes to pick up the dress.”

“I said the same thing. If Hillary discovers Dad paid for the dress she wanted, especially after their argument, then she would refuse. Dad explained that he would talk to the shop and have them tell her the dress had been discounted, and she could have it for the same price as the alternate dress.”

Julia hadn’t been married to Eddie all those years not to recognize what he was doing. This was his way of saying he regretted their argument. He refused to let Hillary know, because she was as stubborn as her father was. If she discovered what he’d done, she’d refuse the very thing she wanted most.

“You said you wanted my advice,” Julia reminded her.

Marie sipped the wine, as if gathering her thoughts. “I’ve been thinking about this for the last two days. Hillary didn’t say anything about the wedding dress when we last talked, so I have to believe the bridal shop hasn’t connected with her yet. The thing is, Mom, Hillary hasn’t been herself since the argument with Dad. I know she has her own regrets. I feel like, given time, someone should tell her what Dad did and why.”

    “And you believe that someone is me?”

“Of course. You’d know what to say.”

“She hasn’t mentioned seeing your father to me, and, more important, I’ve made it clear I am uncomfortable standing between you girls and your dad.”

“I know, but, Mom, Hillary needs to know.”

This was not a decision Julia cared to make on the spur of the moment. “I’ll think on it and get back to you. That’s the best I can do for now.”

Marie looked vastly relieved. “Thanks, Mom. I know you’ll know what’s best.”

Julia wished she shared her daughter’s confidence.





Chapter 18




Julia carefully weighed her options before making her decision, knowing that Hillary was hurting, and because she knew him, Eddie had to be hurting right along with their daughter. Putting herself in the middle was something she had promised she would avoid at all costs after their divorce. Only now the price was too high, and she felt she needed to step in and do what she could to untangle this mess.

Both sides were obstinate and foolish. As adults, they should be able to solve this discord themselves, without her leaping in to negotiate. The sad truth was that it was unlikely either her daughter or her ex-husband would be willing to step forward to resolve this.

After two days of thoughtful consideration, she contacted Eddie and asked if they could meet for coffee. He reluctantly agreed, as if he was doing her a favor. Julia had to look past his attitude and swallow her own pride. After a bit of back and forth, they set a time for late morning at the Busy Bean. Heath had booked the tennis court for later that afternoon, so that would be her reward for getting through this conversation. He’d asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she’d made a simple request: tennis and later dinner at Canlis, her favorite restaurant.

    Julia arrived early and bought her own latte. Eddie joined her ten minutes late to be sure she realized she was putting him out. When he approached the table, she noticed how haggard he looked. Shadows beneath his eyes told her he hadn’t been sleeping. Even his steps seemed sluggish, as if it demanded more energy than he could muster to walk across the room. Clearly this argument with Hillary had beaten him, both emotionally and physically. The extent of it surprised her, validating her decision.

After a brief greeting, he glanced down at his hands. “I suppose Hillary came running to you with tales of what a horrible father I am,” he said stiffly.

He seemed ready for her to berate and criticize him, which she had no intention of doing. Her one desire was for there to be reconciliation between Eddie and his daughters. Nothing would please her more than helping her girls and their dad find a way to mend their differences.

“As a matter of fact, Hillary didn’t tell me anything.”

He briefly looked up, as if he wasn’t sure he could believe her.

“Marie did,” she enlightened him.

A brief smile came and went. “She always was a bit of a tattletale.”

    Julia didn’t confirm or deny his statement. “Marie told me about you working with the bridal shop to pay the difference on the more expensive dress that Hillary wants.”

He shrugged, indicating it was nothing, and seemed embarrassed that she knew.

“Marie wants me to be the one to tell Hillary the truth.”

His eyes shot up to her. “Don’t. If you do, Hillary won’t accept the gift. I want her to have that dress.”

“You’re probably right, although it might be better if I do.”

“It isn’t,” he insisted.

“She should know you regret the argument, and it would give her the opportunity to express her own part in this falling-out between you two.”

“It doesn’t matter. She said Laura isn’t invited to the wedding, and if she isn’t invited, then I’m not going, either. Nothing you say will change my mind. If the girls disrespect my wife, then they are disrespecting me and—”

Raising her hand to stop his tirade, Julia said, “Honestly, Eddie. Haven’t you ever heard of baby steps? You can’t force your daughters into a relationship with Laura—especially not with the bad blood between them and her and her sons.”