My Parent's Reconciliation Vacation (excerpt from Proverbial Woman), Part IX

Before all this came to be, I used to believe that I could change you if I really wanted to. But I was wrong. I couldn’t change you no more than I could convince myself that I was happy with what I’ve become. For a while I thought I had inherited the love that I seen my mother endure for my father. It is a strange kind of comfort that comes from supporting someone who doesn’t care about your feelings. So I wanted you to suffer the kind of weakness I was starting to feel. The same feelings that I believe has weighed my mother down with the burden that she carries for my father.”

“Why would you wish that on me? I’ve always loved you,” he tenderly whispered with an unsettling look in his eyes.

“My mother once said to me, ‘In order to truly understand love, you must first surrender to it. And the one way of knowing if what’s in your heart is true, is by finding yourself incessantly fighting for what you believe in.’”

I knew what she and my father had was not a good marriage, but the love she gave was strong and based on truth. I’ve learned there are gray areas of love that is not always forthcoming, but is definitely a part of life that requires enduring and constant treatment with the utmost of care.’”

“But Rose, I’ve always loved you. And I always believed that we could make it through anything. I’ve never once imagined that you would come to feel resentment for what I did or didn’t do in this marriage. I only wanted what every man wants for his family,” he added.

“You’ve always been the stronger one of the two of us. And you’ve always known what was best for me, even when I didn’t have the faintest idea. You’ve helped groom me into the woman and mother I’ve become. And I’m grateful for that,” she tenderly added.

“I understand what you are saying, but you are and have always been a strong woman. You were raised that way as their only daughter. You make a valid point. But there is one thing that I’m sure of when it comes to you and I. There is no measuring of our love. What I feel for you is immeasurable. And furthermore, that ‘wayward sins’ thing…that what you believe was past down unto you, I think it is nothing more than some issues in your head that I am willing to help you work through,” he candidly remarked, as she sat stunned beyond disbelief.

“Are you folks okay? Do you need anything?” asked the waiter as he approached them.

“Yes. Mrs. Romero and I would prefer our dinner served in our suite. Is that possible?” he asked, as he glanced over at her in anticipation of her responding to his request.

“Anything is possible, Sir,” replied the waiter. “We would be much obliged to set everything up for you and the lady in your suite. Please, give me a minute, and I’ll make all the necessary arrangements,” he added, as he turned and walked away.

“Is that okay with you?” he asked, with a look of apprehension in his eyes.

“I think that is a great idea. It sounds romantic,” she answered, still recovering from his last remark.

“Okay Mr. and Mrs. Romero,” he interrupted, “The arrangements have been made. The way you see everything on your table now, will be the way it is set-up in your suite. We just need about a half-hour, and to know what you will like from the menu,” he added.

“Just a few platters of some finger foods would be fine,” she injected.

“Yeah. That’s fine. Anything else?” Tim asked, as she shook her head.

“Okay. I’ll send up the order with another bottle of champagne,” chimed in the waiter as he turned and walked away.