Maybe she was making a mountain out of a mole hill, and it was just a sign she no longer held the position of the most important person in his life. If not her, then who? Did he have a steady girlfriend he hadn’t told her about? Even if he did, what would a girlfriend have to do with her? A girlfriend was a girlfriend, but mama was mama. Although she had told Pam just that morning she was okay with Garlan claiming his independence, she wasn’t certain she truly was.
“You’re quiet, Iris. Are you okay?”
She glanced over at Matt. Funny he should ask, because at that moment, she wasn’t okay. He was a single parent, too. Maybe what she was going through was normal and just not what she’d ever had to deal with before. “May I ask you something?”
“Sure. What would you like to ask me?”
She hesitated for a moment and then said, “You and your daughter have always been close, right?”
“Yes. Very close.”
“Was there ever a time she began acting differently?”
He lifted a brow. “Differently in what way?”
“As if you weren’t her entire universe anymore.”
He nodded and smiled wryly. “I think at some point all parents feel that way. For me, it was when Deena left for college. She made new friends, some of whom I never met and some of whom I probably would not have approved of had I met them. Whereas in the past she would be eager to tell me everything, I noticed she wasn’t telling me much of anything. Although we still maintained a close relationship, I could tell it wasn’t as tight as it had been. I had to accept that her universe, which had once only included me and a few others, had been opened to include a handful more. I also had to accept that she was no longer my little girl. She was growing into adulthood and had to figure out some things for herself. I couldn’t continue to be her superhero.”
“How did you handle it?”
“Whenever she came home, I gave her the space I thought she needed. And I didn’t expect her to still act like I was her entire world. I had to accept that things were no longer normal—at least my definition of normal. I think she appreciated that. The hardest thing was when she decided she wanted her own place after returning home from law school. It should not have come as a shock since, while attending Harvard, she’d had an apartment. But it did. Even so, I understood.” He paused. “Is there a reason you asked me that, Iris?”
“Yes. This is Garlan’s second year at college, and he doesn’t call home as often. And today, when he arrived in Westmoreland Country, he didn’t seek me out like he normally would.”
“Where is he staying?”
“At the house that Prince Ari is occupying. Jamal and Delaney, along with their other children, will be arriving tomorrow morning. Over the years, Garlan and Ari have developed a close friendship. Garlan has even gone to Tahran to stay a couple of summers while growing up.”
“Your son is probably developing other interests, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“So, do you think I’m worrying for nothing?”
“I think as parents, we often overthink things. We forget we were once young. It’s probably nothing, but if it makes you feel better, ask him about it. If he tells you it’s nothing, then take his word for it. The worst thing you can do is be demanding or accusing. It won’t get you anywhere.”
“Thanks. That’s good advice.”
The car’s interior got quiet for a moment, and then he said, “Now I want to ask you something, Iris.”
She glanced back over at him when the car came to a traffic light. “What?”
“What happened with you and Warren?”
* * *
Drawing in a deep breath, Iris knew there was only one way to answer Matt’s question. Truthfully. “Eleven months ago, Warren confessed to cheating on me.”
Matt blinked as if shocked by what she had said. “He actually admitted it?”
“Yes.”
“Had you suspected it and questioned him about it?”
“No. His admission actually blindsided me.”
Matt pulled into the museum’s parking lot and, after finding a suitable spot, cut off the car’s ignition, unsnapped his seat belt and turned to her. “Had his conscience gotten to him?”
“I doubt it. I believe he only told me because when he tried breaking up with the woman, she threatened to tell me about the affair. He decided to beat her to the punch and tell me first.”