Mark never told me why.
Mark was obsessed with having a son.
When our ultrasound revealed twins, Mark practically jumped from his chair.
“Two babies?”
The doctor smiled. “Two healthy girls.”
His smile disappeared. “Girls? Both of them?”
“Yes,” the doctor answered.
Richard and he had a terrible argument.
***
On our drive home, he barely spoke.
Finally, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Three daughters, Emma? I can’t handle that kind of responsibility.”
“They’re your children!”
“You know how important having a son is to me.”
Girls?
“And you know how important having a husband is to me!”
He didn’t answer.
***
Over the following weeks, he started coming home late.
Then he stopped coming home altogether.
Our divorce eventually became official. Child support was ordered, but payments never arrived.
I can’t handle that kind of responsibility.
I told Joan her father was working far away.
“Will he visit for Christmas?” she asked.
