Debbie Asked

September 5, 2013 by Susan J  
Published in Marriage

“What’s going on here?” Mark asked entering the kitchen. “Are my two girls sharing a big secret?”
“No big secret, Daddy,” Debbie replied smiling warmly. “Just women talk.”
Mark bent to give Debbie a kiss on her forehead. “Are you still planning to fly with me to visit the troops?”
“Charles and I can’t wait,” Debbie answered.
“Is it safe for Debbie to go across the channel with you?” Kiley asked worriedly.

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“What’s going on here?” Mark asked entering the kitchen. “Are my two girls sharing a big secret?”
“No big secret, Daddy,” Debbie replied smiling warmly. “Just women talk.”
Mark bent to give Debbie a kiss on her forehead. “Are you still planning to fly with me to visit the troops?”
“Charles and I can’t wait,” Debbie answered.
“Is it safe for Debbie to go across the channel with you?” Kiley asked worriedly.
“You went with me last week,” Mark reminded.
“Yes, but that’s different,” Kiley excused.
“You’re both very special to me. If I didn’t feel it was safe, I wouldn’t have allowed you to come with me,” Mark repudiated. “It’s good moral for the troops to see the Supreme Commander and civilians of the female persuasion.”
“I want to spend as much time as I can with you these next two weeks, Daddy.”
“We’ll go everywhere together,” Mark promised. He sat between Kiley and Debbie and placed a hand over theirs. Kiley stayed at SHAEF headquarters when Debbie and Mark went to the Connemara. Twice she had endured the insults of Mark’s male acquaintance and remained silent. If it weren’t for the friendship of Dallas, the admiration of President Roosevelt, and her meetings with Patton and other staff members, she would have second thoughts about her decision.
After returning from the Front, George requested to speak to Mark in private.
Mark agreed because he wanted this discussion to be over with. He wanted the cajoling, bribing, and threatening to be done with so he could enjoy the precious company of his daughter.
“I’d like to know why you didn’t discuss this divorce with me first?” George demanded. He looked directly at Mark and blew a smoke ring with his Cuban cigar. “Martie was so ashamed of the new wrinkle you created she wouldn’t tell me until it was too late.”
“This isn’t a wrinkle. It is a divorce. Why Martie chose not to tell you about it would be her own personal reason,” Mark replied. “This marriage break up was our business anyway.”
“Martie’s happiness is my business and always will be,” George argued. “Just as Debbie’s happiness is yours.”
“This is true, but a father can only interfere in a child’s life to a point. You must understand our marriage was not happy for either of us,” Mark attempted to explain. “There is no way to have saved our marriage.”
“You’ve had problems before. I’ve always fixed it. I could have fixed this,” George countered. “A man doesn’t give up on his marriage. It’s his duty to take care of his family regardless of any problems or he isn’t a man. I know this from personal experience with Martie’s mother.”
“It isn’t the same,” Mark protested. “We are also different people.”
“Look Mark, let’s be honest. You have a great future. I’ve supported that future financially. It was my money that got you here in the first place. I intend to take you even farther and my daughter will be there with you,” George said angrily. “I’m calling in my markers. You owe me, Mark.”

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