Sins of the Father Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Isaac
     said. “He says he’ll be here at seven sharp and then he’s late. He’s the most selfish
     man I know.”
    Rebecca had heard it all before. Isaac’s ranting about his father had been going on
     since he found out about the older man’s other children. It had been hard news for
     him to hear, and given the way Isaac looked up to his father, some disappointment
     was expected. But she hadn’t thought it would go on this long. To be honest, she thought
     he was carrying things too far, and making himselfsick in the process. He’d gone to the doctor a few times recently for what she guessed
     were stress-induced maladies—headaches, nausea, and the like. When she asked about
     the visits, he just said the doctor had given him some pills to help him relax.
    “He may be selfish, but he’s also your father,” she told him.
    “And? Are the rules different for Abraham Martin?”
    She sighed. Isaac was a good man, but sometimes he could be unrealistic in his expectations
     of people, as unrealistic as he accused his father of being. The standards he set
     for people were high, and if they didn’t meet them, he easily cut them out of his
     life. She feared the same would happen to her if he found out about her history with
     Michael. “What if we have a child, Isaac, and you disappoint that child in some way?
     Wouldn’t you want forgiveness?”
    Isaac shook off her question. “I’d never lie to my child the way my father lied to
     us. I’d never treat children of mine the way he’s treated his children. He’s not the
     man I thought he was, definitely not the man I want for a role model.”
    “You don’t have to be him to forgive him, Isaac. You just have to love him. He made
     a mistake a long time ago and lied about it. He’s not the first man to have outside
     children, and unfortunately he won’t be the last.”
    Isaac was saved from responding when his mother returned to the room. Rebecca was
     always struck by the way Saralyn Martin swept into a room like a queen coming before
     her subjects. As usual, the older woman was perfectly dressed and coiffed, making
     Rebecca feel like a slug in her simple black sheath. She had never seen her mother-in-law
     when she didn’t look like she’d stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. The
     red sequined pants ensemble that she wore tonight made her look ready for a night
     on the town. Her trademark diamonds were in place on her ears, neck, and wrist. Rebecca
     suspected that she wore Jimmy Choo slides on her feet.
    “Your father should be back any minute now,” Saralyn was saying. “He went for a short
     walk.” She cast a sideways glance at her son. “Maybe you could go meet him?”
    Isaac shook his head. “Maybe not.” He looked at his watch. “If he’s not back in the
     next ten minutes, I’m taking you two beautiful women to dinner. He can eat alone.”
    “That’s no way to be—” his mother began, but the sound of the front door opening cut
     her off. “Abraham?” she called.
    “It’s me,” he answered.
    Rebecca smiled. Who else would be coming in the house, a burglar? She scooted over
     to make room for Isaac when he rushed to sit next to her. Her husband was behaving
     like a spoiled child.
    “I’m sorry I’m late,” Abraham said when he entered the room. He bent to kiss his wife,
     and she turned, giving him her cheek instead of her lips. All was not well between
     the in-laws.
    “You’re not that late, Dad,” Rebecca told him as leaned down and bussed her cheek.
     He extended his hand to Isaac, who took it after she nudged him. Abraham noticed and
     gave her a smile of thanks.
    “We’re here just as you ordered,” Isaac said before Abraham could get settled in his
     favorite chair.
    “And I appreciate it, son.” Abraham cleared his throat. “You’re all probably wondering
     why I called you here.”
    “Of course we are,” Isaac said. “The last time we had a meeting like this we found
     out you had