Page 55 of Forget

‘Why are you still married when for years you couldn’t stand each other?’

George’s eyes widened, Bette’s jaw dropped, and the most startling, they reached for each other’s hands at the same time.

‘I mean, you hated each other when I was growing up. You constantly argued or sniped.’ He stabbed a finger in his dad’s direction. ‘You put Mum down every chance you got and you hurt her!’

His voice rose and he lowered it with effort. ‘And, Mum, I know you only put up with his shit because of me, but why the hell did you stay after I grew up and left?’

Remorse twanged his conscience as he took in their stunned expressions. He hated confronting them like this but he needed to in order to purge years of pent-up resentment that they’d created this injured version of him, an emotional recluse.

‘Then to hear people at the awards night admit they saw all that bad stuff between you yet wax lyrical about your marriage…’ He shook his head, sadness tightening his throat. ‘It made me question everything I ever believed and lived through and tolerated in a house I never considered home—’

‘That’s enough,’ George said, his tone low and lethal. ‘You have no bloody right to question our marriage, none whatsoever. So you can shove your opinions up your ass—’

‘George, stop.’ Bette squeezed his hand and Brock couldn’t believe when his father actually listened, clamping his lips shut in a thin line. ‘There’s a reason you’ve brought this all up now, isn’t there, Brock?’

Great, now he’d have to give them a snippet of his personal life if he ever wanted to get the answers he craved.

‘I loathe commitment, okay? I hated growing up knowing you only got married because of me and stayed stuck in a bad marriage because of me too.’ He thumped his chest hard, mortified when tears burned his eyes. ‘I never, ever, want to be in a relationship like yours and I don’t understand why you tolerated it—’

‘Because he’s my best friend and I love him,’ Bette said, a lone tear slipping down her cheek. ‘We got married too young. I’ll give you that. Late teens isn’t a good time to pledge your life to someone else. But you’re right. You were on the way and I wanted stability for you.’

She glanced at George, who shot her a lopsided smile. ‘Your father didn’t have to marry me. His mates back then were planning a trip around Australia on their motorbikes, taking a gap year. But your father wanted to do the right thing and provide you with a family.’

Brock wanted to yell, ‘What kind of a family features the parents hating each other’s guts while not giving their kid enough attention?’

‘Yes, we fought. It’s what most couples do as the years pass. But we were financially connected by the car yard so we decided to stick it out.’ Sadness shadowed her eyes and she gave a slight shake of her head. ‘You’re right. We were both miserable and we took it out on you.’ Her lower lip wobbled before she straightened. ‘And we apologise for that.’

He bit back his first response, ‘Too little too late’ and waited for her to continue. Though he should’ve known that his mum stuck around for financial reasons. It would’ve had to be something big.

‘Yeah, our marriage was shitty and you shouldn’t have borne the brunt of it.’ She squeezed his dad’s hand again. ‘We discussed separating many times…’ She trailed off and blinked back more tears. ‘But we’re older now, and when you left we had a blunt discussion about whether to walk away or stay married.’

A small smile played about her mouth. ‘Your father’s still a pain in the ass most of the time but he’s making an effort and that’s what I asked of him when I decided to stay.’

She pressed a hand to her chest. ‘I’m not perfect either. I’ve been way too subservient over the years and I’ve grown a backbone recently and I like it.’

She cast a quick fond look at his dad. ‘Our marriage may not be idyllic but it’s ours and we’re making a go of it.’

Brock remained mute, trying to absorb his mum’s revelations and still confused as to why she stayed.

‘I know I’m a grumpy prick. Always have been. I have no patience and I don’t tolerate many people. But your mother…’ George touched her cheek with his free hand, his obvious affection shocking Brock as much as the gesture. ‘I can’t imagine life without her, so when she gave me a good kick up the ass by telling me she’d leave around the time you did, well, let’s just say I made a decision to change things.’

George struggled into a sitting position and slipped an arm around her waist. ‘I never had a mother. She shot through when I was a toddler so I was raised by a tyrant.’ He shrugged. ‘I know it’s not an excuse but I guess I never learned how to love a woman properly or treat a kid right.’

A sliver of pity for his father wormed its way into Brock’s heart. He understood, because he too had learned by observation growing up: that loving meant hurt and marriage wasn’t for him.

‘Your mother threatening to leave helped me to see what I’d be missing out on if she did, so I’ve tried to be a better man since.’ George’s eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘We go out every weekend. Walks along the Yarra, brunches by the bay, couple stuff.’

‘And we have date nights,’ Bette said, her eyes sparkling through the tears. ‘Your father takes me to the pub for a meal once a week and nothing, not even watching footy in his mate’s man cave, can make him cancel.’

Stunned, Brock shook his head. ‘I had no idea.’

‘That’s because you’re rarely around.’

Brock heard the censure in his dad’s tone and it shamed him. He had stayed away because he couldn’t stand being around the two of them and their bickering. But were his memories of the past tainting the present? When was the last time he actually saw them have a big argument?

In reality, he hadn’t spent much time with them the last few years to know if what they said was true. But he had been surprised by their closeness recently and put it down to his dad sucking up to Bette while he was incapacitated. Add in the glowing testimony of Duke and Pat…it looked as if he’d read their situation all wrong.

‘We’re sorry for screwing you up, Son. You witnessed a lot of shit growing up that you probably shouldn’t and that’s tainted you.’

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