Page 77 of Seasoned
“I’ll have some,” Paula said, overly bright.
Brad groaned. “This is really good macaroni and cheese. I can see why you want to start catering. The dishes you bring are always delicious.”
Jessica kicked him under the table and he jumped.
“Ow! What did I say?” he asked, oblivious to the tension.
“Did I mention that Matt and I are thinking about getting a dog? We came up with this crazy idea after visiting my mother and seeing how her dogs…”
Adelaide tuned out Eleanor and watched Hector from the corner of her eye. He chewed slowly and like her, no longer participated in the conversation around them.
Three years ago, she allowed him to talk her out of her idea of starting a business, and he placated her by giving the kitchen a facelift and creating an outdoor living area that was great for entertaining. But her satisfaction had been temporary. She wanted to do more, but clearly he didn’t think she could do more. In his mind, she was simply a mother, a wife, and a soon-to-be grandmother. He couldn’t see her as a businesswoman.
His words hurt, and at some point they’d have to discuss why he had such a poor opinion of her and constantly tried to kill her dream.
Tonight was the night.
16
Hector slammed the door on her side. If slamming wasn’t enough to convey he was upset, his rigid back as he walked around the front of the SUV certainly did.
Adelaide fastened her seatbelt and waited until he was settled behind the wheel before she spoke.
“I cannot believe how you embarrassed me front of our friends. I’m going to take the classes whether you want me to or not.”
“Obviously. What I think doesn’t matter.”
“What exactly do you think? What’s your problem with me taking the culinary classes?”
“It’s not the classes,” he said between gritted teeth.
“So it’s as I thought—you just don’t want me to start a business, am I right?”
“Could we not do this right now when I’m driving? Let’s talk when we get home, all right?”
Adelaide folded her arms cross her chest and stared out the side window.
“All right?” Hector prompted again.
“Fine,” she answered between gritted teeth.
They arrived at the house in record time. It seemed as if he’d pressed his foot all the way down on the accelerator, speeding through intersections and careening around corners like a madman. He completely ignored Adelaide’s grunts and the times she grabbed onto the seat because of his reckless driving.
When he pulled into the garage, she glared at him. “Nice driving. Did you want to get us killed so we wouldn’t have to talk?”
He ignored her and she exited the vehicle, following him into the house and into the master bedroom.
“Now are you ready to talk?” she asked.
He let out an exasperated sigh and turned to face her. “Yes, I’m ready to talk about why you feel the need to get a job when all your needs have been taken care of. When we’ve talked about getting back together. I don’t understand why you’re so adamant about starting a catering company when, for years, you told me that being a mother is the hardest and greatest, most satisfying job ever. What happened to all of that?”
“I used to feel that way.”
“And now?”
“I want more, Hector. I want something else. The job is finished. Yes, I know we still have children and they’ll always be my babies, but for all practical purposes, the job is finished. Junior is on another continent. Karen is in another city pursuing her dreams. Danny has a job and is about to start a family. They’re all grown up. They don’t need me anymore.” Her voice quivered. “I need this, Hector. Why are you so against me starting a business?”
“Why am I so against you starting a business?” He laughed bitterly.
