Love Is Louder by Antoinette Candela, Paige Maroney

conversation to focus on her favorite subjects—herself and her social calendar. She lights up, taking a dainty sip of wine as she takes a seat on the plush caramel-tinted sofa. She places the glass onto the coffee table as I collapse onto the comfortable brown leather wingback, resting my ankle on my knee.
    For the next twenty minutes, she goes into detail about her day and her upcoming weekend engagements with Dad, who is away on business for the next two days in Boston closing on another bank merger.
    I almost feel sorry for her. She’s isolated herself, letting all the trivial and material things rule her world. One thing remains, though. She wants nothing but the best for me. I hope she can step back. I’ve wished that ever since I went off to college. She can show so much love to my father and me, but then transform into a scornful woman when anyone from the outside infiltrates her realm, especially another woman.
    “How are you and Dad doing?” I venture, peaking at my Rolex. It’s almost five, and Brie is going to be home soon. I need her tonight. I need my wife to be available and ready for me.
    “We’re great, honey, as always,” she answers. A shadow flickers across her delicate features as she takes another sip of wine. “You look tired.” She regroups as she sets down her glass with a shaky hand.”Is it Brie? Is she not doing enough?”
    “Dammit, Mother,” I bark in a low voice as I rise from the chair. “I’m just tired from work. Tired of you doubting my choices. Be happy for me, just once.”
    She pales somewhat and actually looks hurt by my outburst. “I am, honey.” She stands from the sofa and approaches me, resting her graceful hand on my arm when the doorbell rings. “I want you to be taken care of.”
    “I’m fine. Everything’s great,” I acknowledge as I shoot my gaze toward the front door.
    Perfect timing.
    “I wish you would visit more often. I do worry about you,” she pleads. Leaning forward, she cups my cheek. I make a conscious effort not to flinch at her touch.
    “Being the district attorney is not a cakewalk. It’s work, a lot of hard work.”
    “Yes, I know. You have a reputation to uphold,” she states matter-of-factly.
    Suppressing my resentment, I kiss her on the cheek and step past her to leave.
    “I’m very aware of that.” I sense a major headache coming on. “I have to go.”
    “Okay, honey. I’m glad you stopped by.”
    A heavy pause lingers in the air as I start walking backwards toward the door.
    “Me, too. Bye.” Turning, I hurry down the hollow hallway, throw open the door, greet the attractive young brunette standing in my way, and brush past her like a strong gust of wind to get to my SUV. Frustrated beyond belief, I lean back against the hood and close my eyes in an effort to unwind. I’d try anything or do anything to relax right now.
    Will Mother ever truly ask about me and how I feel, or how I did all of this to make them proud so that she can brag to her friends?
    Dad funded my education, but Mother likes to take the credit for that, too. I’ll pay back every damn penny just so I don’t have to hear it anymore. Maybe then she’ll finally leave my life alone and allow me to live my life the way I want to without her overbearing and annoying attempts to influence my decisions.
    My cell phone buzzes as I get into my vehicle and slam the door. Grabbing it from pocket, I flinch when I see Lisa’s name light up the screen. I’m so tempted, but I ignore it. I don’t usually, but tonight I do. I have to go home at a decent time; I have to make an effort to be a husband.
    Fifteen minutes later, I pull into the empty driveway, park, and draw in a deep breath, wondering where Brie is. Yoga possibly, her new release, but I need mine now, and I need her to be the one to give it to me. She used to come straight home when I did. Now, she has her own life outside of work and this home, separate from me. I expected that, but now that I’m trying