Margaret stared at me for several seconds.
Then her eyes moved to the sleeping baby in my arms.
Her expression suddenly hardened.
“Mike, did you just say you’re ashamed of your wife?”
“Yes, Mom. And I know you’ll understand.”
Margaret slowly turned around, closed the front door, and placed her keys on the table.
“Then nobody is walking away from this conversation today.”
I stared at her, frightened.
I had never heard her speak like that.
“Emily, sit down,” she ordered. “And you, Mike, stay standing.”
My husband looked confused.
“Mom, what’s going on?”
Margaret studied his face.
“I’ve waited forty years for this conversation. I prayed I’d never have to tell you what happened, but today you said the exact words that nearly destroyed our family.”
Mike’s smile disappeared.
“Mom… are you talking about Dad?”
Tears filled Margaret’s eyes, but her voice became even firmer.