Chapter 31
31
Ciaron
I paused my hammering and grabbed my next piece of scrap wood for the frame I was making for Isabelle. In the quiet I could hear horses in the paddock beside the shed whinnying and snorting. I never missed the sounds of the city with the constant traffic or the loud voices or the fighting. Whenever we went into the city now, I couldn’t wait to leave.
Callum came running into the shed. “Dad, hurry.”
My head jerked up. “What’s wrong?”
He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the house. “Mamo was talking shit about Mum.”
“What?” My feet moved faster.
“Mamo was bagging Mum out. Mum heard. She’s angry.”
I broke into a run and charged into the house. Neither of them noticed me.
Taylor was yelling. “I’ve had enough of you. It’s one thing turning Ciaron against me, but my children?”
Mam shrugged one shoulder. “It’s working.”
What the fuck?
“Why would you want to do that to me? To him? To your own grandchildren? Why would you want them to think they are unloved?”
“Not unloved,” Mam said, smiling. “Just unloved by you.”
Taylor stumbled backwards.
“Dad, do something,” Isabelle begged.
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t process what was happening.
Taylor’s reaction seemed to be what Mam was waiting for. Mam gave a small head tilt, which conveyed so much attitude. “I don’t need to tell them what they already know. You’re a terrible wife and mother.”
“I’m a terrible mother? You left your children for weeks, months, at a time. And expected Ciaron to look after them.”
Mum shrugged. “They survived.”
“Do you even love them? Love Ciaron?”
Mam puffed her chest out. “This isn’t about me.”
Taylor shook her head, angry tears streaming down her cheeks. “I hope one day he can see through you.”
Mam cackled. “Desperate men will believe anything. Like how I love him, and you don’t.”
“What did I ever do to you?”
Mam looked at her like she was the daftest person in the world. “He left me with those boys because of you .”
“He left you with your children.”
“For you. I have no idea what he sees in you.”
“Why can’t you just leave us alone?” Taylor’s voice broke at the same time my heart did.
“That’s enough,” I commanded as I strode towards them.
“Ciaron.” Mam rushed to me.
I dodged her and went to Taylor’s side. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. I clasped both sides of her face and made eye contact with her.
“You love us, and we love you.”
Her tears continued.
“Taylor, I’m sorry I failed you. I’m such a fucking idiot.”
“You didn’t fail her,” Mam said.
I turned on her faster than a racehorse leaving the gate. “I don’t even know what to say to you right now.”
“Say you’ll come home with me.”
Callum and Isabelle replaced me at Taylor’s side.
I stepped towards my mother. “You are fucking delusional. Why would I ever go anywhere with you?”
“I’m your mother. I love you.”
“You’re not even half the mother Taylor is.” My hands shook. “I was so stupid. All I ever wanted was your love. I thought you were different now, that you loved me. But the only person you love is yourself.”
Her wide, pleading eyes hardened. “You’re just like your father.”
Once, those words would have hurt me. It would have felt like a rejection.
“My father did the best he could. He tried to be a good parent, unlike you.” I turned to Isabelle. “Call Nanna. Ask her if she can come and pick Mamo up so she can pack.”
Mam gasped.
I faced her again. “Taylor is my wife. I love her in more ways than I can even think of. A million times over, I would choose Taylor over you, every single time in every single life.”
“Nanna is on her way,” Isabelle said.
“Good. I’ll take your grandmother outside to wait for her.”
Mam stiffened her shoulders and walked out with me behind. Isabelle and Callum stayed with Taylor.
“After this, I don’t want to see or hear from you again,” I said.
Mam stared straight ahead.
“One day you might see that the way you treated me and the boys was terrible. I hope you do, because that will mean that you’ve found a shred of humanity.”
Lorraine pulled up. I walked Mam to the car. Lorraine rolled down the window, and I rested my hands on the door.
“Mam has outstayed her welcome. Please take her back to your place to pack. I’ll take her to the train station when she’s done.”
Lorraine shook her head. “I’ll take her.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. She shouldn’t have to suffer because of my shitty mother.
“It’s twenty minutes away. Better than driving her to the airport.”
“Thank you. Don’t give her any money. This is her own problem.”
Mam flinched but didn’t say a word.
Lorraine nodded. “How’s Taylor?”
“She’ll be OK. I’ll make sure of it.”
She rested her hand on top of mine. “How are you?”
“I have Taylor and the kids. That’s all I need.”
She squeezed my hand. “And you have me.”
I smiled and stood back. Mum was the best mum I could have asked for. Her support for us was unwavering. She put her window up and drove away.