Truth

acceptance. He looked toward his grandparents. Nathaniel’s expression revealed nothing. If he were proud, if he were disappointed, Anton wouldn’t know, until later. Sharron on the other hand appeared quite content. The young woman on her arm whispered in her ear as Sharron smiled and nodded.
    The only positive aspect of the day, Anton could salvage, was his grandmother’s new sense of calm. His mother gently touched his elbow, “Anton, this is Marie. She’s Sharron’s personal assistant.”
    Anton presented his hand, “Hello, Marie, nice to meet you.”
    The young woman smiled bashfully and presented her hand, “Hello, Mr. Rawls.”
    He noticed Marie’s sweet smile and soft eyes, contrasting the dark in the members of his family. He wondered her age and guessed not much older than himself.
    What credentials did one need to be a personal assistant? She must have some education beyond high school, mustn’t she?
     
    During dinner Marie impressively kept Sharron in line. Anton’s grandmother didn’t yell, complain, or argue. This even affected Nathaniel’s demeanor. He was more relaxed than Anton had seen in years. Anton even saw his grandfather occasionally smile at his wife, who smiled lovingly in return. The look in her eyes, as she focused on her husband was like one peering upon a Roman god. It wasn’t that Nathaniel didn’t deserve the reverend gazes. Anton presumed he did. After all, his patience with Sharron was more than Anton or anyone else witnessed in any other facet of Nathaniel’s life. Nonetheless, Sharon’s praises for her husband were lessened by her ability to remember anyone other than him. Her memory seemed to concentrate on their life, pre-child, before Samuel, before Amanda, and before Anton.
    Being Anton’s graduation, he thought it would be nice if he were the subject of someone’s compliments. But of course, the weather was a more important subject.
    On multiple occasions, Marie reminded Sharron of her duties at hand, and the elderly woman immediately refocused. It was obvious, Sharron wanted more than anything to make her husband proud. She could in fact do as she was told, with some assistance. Sharron could follow the rules.
     
    Samuel gripped the edge of the table. His mother was no child. She didn’t need a damn nurse, and she sure as hell didn’t need to worry about his narcissistic father’s concerns. Sharron Rawls should be concerned about herself, not anyone else!
    Of course, each time Samuel tried to discuss this with her, she’d smile serenely and ask about Nathaniel; where was he? When would he be back? And oh, yes, what was your name?
    Between his father’s business deals and his mother’s declining mental health, there were days Samuel thought he should be the one to go completely insane. Thank god he had Amanda to keep him stable and Anton.
    It went without saying, they were very proud of their son. Anton graduated third in his class from a prestigious private academy and would attend Columbia University in the fall, majoring in business and computer technology. It was no secret his son inherited a prowess for business. Samuel only hoped Nathaniel wouldn’t ruin Rawls Corporation before Anton could get his feet wet. There were so many wrong decisions being made.
    Seeing his mother’s sudden agitation he started to help. However, Marie immediately assisted. It surprised Samuel to witness his mother’s sudden composure. Perhaps having a non-emotionally involved assistant wasn’t a bad idea. Although young, the girl seemed to possess a sense of calm the Rawls admittedly lacked. In some ways it reminded Samuel of his mother, before this terrible illness took hold.
    In the face of the storm, otherwise known as Nathaniel, Sharron calmed the winds, rains, and rough waters. His entire life, Samuel wondered how she did it. Rarely, did he ever witness a disagreement between them. Superficially, she appeared to submit to his every demand. Yet, there were times when they looked at one another and Samuel knew, without confrontation, Sharron had made her feelings and desires known.
    Samuel failed miserably in that category. He didn’t have the ability to communicate nonverbally with his egotistical father. Their confrontations were predictably loud and boisterous. Perhaps, it was a two way street. Nathaniel needed to want that communication. He accepted the glances and body language from his wife, but not from anyone else, even his only son.
    Samuel believed his