Page 168 - That’s Crazy ebook

That’s Crazy

It became more and more obvious that the family also did not care for

Darlene. One of Leroy's sisters had coordinated the retirement party
for Darlene's' husband but neglected to give Darlene any of the details.

However, they were not hesitant to ask Darlene for money to help pay
for it. Darlene kept asking about the agenda for the whole weekend,

but they ducked and dodged her questions, just like when Leroy

ducked and dodged my questions.

As the weekend proceeded, I told Walter I wanted to speak with

him. Walter was Leroy’s oldest brother who had worked for the
Federal government his entire career. Walter met me outside on the

porch, and I informed him I was leaving Leroy and I wanted someone
in the family to know what the real deal was. I did not get a response

one way or another.

On the next day, Sunday, we were leaving to go to the church for

the retirement party. The tears started coming again, as soon as I sat
in the church. I had to continually get up and leave during the service

because I did not want people to see me crying.

There was one distinct moment during the retirement party, when

Leroy’s elder aunt came to me, looked me directly in my eyes and told

me that Leroy and I had to stay together because she had been married
for 56 years. Tears started to roll again. It was as though she was seeing
through my pain and knew I was leaving him. It was just weird.

We left the party and returned to the hotel to change. Walter and

Darlene were staying at the same hotel and contacted our room,

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