Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey

“I’ve told you there was a scandal, Zoe. You already know Barth’s wife, Betty, ran off with a local policeman, a church member.”
    â€œWhy did he leave the church and eventually leave town?”
    â€œBecause he was devastated, Zoe. That’s a hard thing to survive.”
    Zoe looked at her long and hard. “You believe every word he says, don’t you?”
    â€œOf course I do. Barth is the most ethical man I know. Doesn’t his record as a man of the cloth speak to you at all?”
    Zoe huffed softly. “Mom, his record speaks poorly, from where I sit. And I don’t understand how my mother – the strongest, usually smartest woman I know – allowed this man from nowhere and with nothing to his name except for questionable clergy credentials, into her life and married him after just six months. With no pre-nup, dad blame it! You could have at least protected yourself in that respect. Daddy worked hard to leave you secure and –”
    â€œAnd that won’t change, honey.”
    Zoe sighed heavily and shrugged. “There’s just something more here than meets the eye , Mother. I don’t trust him.”
    Seana held her tongue. There was more but she wasn’t about to place any more ammunition into Zoe’s jaded charge.
    â€œI just don’t get it,” Zoe added, her brow wrinkled. “How you can be so hysterically happy.”
    Seana smiled at that. No, Zoe wouldn’t. “Don’t judge every marriage by your unhappy one, honey. I respect –”
    â€œThis has nothing to do with my marital disaster. I’m sorry but so far I’ve not found much to like about Barth. He’s evasive as a feral fox, and a control freak to boot. He talks nonstop, is a know-it-all, is intrusive, and he whistles and hums all the time, even in church – during a funeral even.” She made a face that almost made Seana smile. She could see where Zoe was coming from. Only thing, Zoe was looking through eyes of disdain. She didn’t see the real Barth.
    The Barth who was good clear through, who softly whistled to songs he loved and wanted to make sure everyone he knew got the best of nutrition and care. The Barth who innocently walked into a unique Southern culture that made him appear awkward and bumbling. Like a cat in a tinkling crystal shop. But Seana didn’t laugh because sadness settled inside her like lead. Mother and daughter grew quiet and, within minutes, headed back to the hotel.
    They woke up to rain the next morning. They toured some antique shops and stopped for ice cream cones before deciding to head home.
    Seana knew that Zoe felt the same as she did.
    There was nothing more to be said. It was a silent, unsettled truce between mother and daughter. Seana reassured herself that it wasn’t the end of the world. She’s my daughter and I won’t alienate her. She means too much to me.

chapter three
    â€œI know why families were created with all their imperfections. They humanize you. They are made to make you forget yourself occasionally, so that the beautiful balance of life is not destroyed”
    â€“ Anais Nin
    T he week began unusually pleasant. Had Seana had any portent of things to come, she would have stayed in bed, covered her head, and never emerged. But she remained blissfully unaware of what fate had in store.
    Winter was definitely over. March winds were kind. “The groundhog didn’t see his shadow, huh?” Barth came out on the back deck to join Seana as she sipped coffee and dreamily surveyed the farm’s blossoming greenery.
    â€œNope.” She smiled at him and stretched luxuriously as he placed his own steaming cup beside hers on the patio table and lowered himself into a matching lounge chair. “I smell spring.” She’d put on a sweater to ward off early morning chill, but found that she really hadn’t needed it.
    â€œSay,” she said,