Dearest Francine,
Please accept my sincere apologies for my horrid and selfish behavior this past weekend. They say, "You always hurt the one you love," and this axiom could apply to how I treated you, and of course, how Lou has been treating me lately. I did not mean to take my shock, anger, and frustration with Lou out on you. What makes me even more regretful and upset with myself is that you were so looking forward to our little getaway after having a difficult two months with Jack.
It does not matter if you or Jack relayed to Lou my intentions to purchase the Palm Canyon Estates garden home. If you did indeed divulge to Jack this information, I completely understand. It would be presumptuous of me to believe that you keep secrets from Jack. I know your marriage is a strong one, and it is your wifely obligation to be open and honest with him. You should keep no secrets from each other.
There's no secrets about Lou, I know Lou like a book. I know his tactics, how strong his drive is (that is why he is an excellent businessman), and when he has a goal, a deal he wants to close, or information he needs to have, he'll do what he has to do to "get the job done." Lou is so wrapped up in getting the job done, in making and closing the deal, that sometimes he forgets (consciously or unconsciously) who he might be offending or hurting.
Lou's job was to put me in my place, to keep me in my box, and he succeeded when he outbid me on the home. Lou was in essence saying, "Oh no you don't," to my dreams.
As you know, the week previous, when I was notified of my Woman of the Year award, Lou callously told me he would be "out of town on business," (how many times have I heard that phrase) on the day of my special event. When I stormed out of the house in tears, Lou did not even bother to run after me. Did he even call to check on me later that night? NO! That's why I called Reg at 10:30 that night. Yes, Reg was my shoulder to cry on, and he gallantly offered to escort me to the event.
Word did get out to Lou about Reg, (probably from Lois, Evelyn, or Cookie), and did he bother to call me? I did not hear from him until a week after our blowup. He only called because he was looking for the key to one of his safety deposit boxes to retrieve his passport. He nonchalantly stated that he and his secretary had to fly to Tokyo for a business conference. I of course knew where the keys were, but stated I was not sure, just to make him wait, hoping he would apologize, hoping he would call everything off just to be by my side. Did this happen? NO!
This past weekend, when we pulled up to the house and saw "sale pending" on the sign (I hadn't made the offer yet!), my heart sank. Remember how flustered the realtor seemed when we pulled up in the driveway? Remember how he recoiled when I asked,"Who made the offer on the house? Lou Greene?" Francine, to be perfectly honest with you, I jumped to conclusions because I felt and sensed how uncomfortable you were during my angry interrogation of that poor young man. I know about his fiduciary duty to not reveal information, but at that moment, I felt that your fiduciary duty was to me, certainly not Lou or Jack. But I was wrong.
Your duty lies first and foremost with your husband. And for that, you are truly blessed. I, unfortunately do not have this loyalty, devotion, or respect granted to me by Lou, and frankly, after 12 years with Lou, that breaks my heart. I know I will recover, thanks to all my dear friends' compassion and understanding. Reg has been my rock lately. He just dropped by with flowers, yellow roses, of course! He stayed for a cocktail. I kept hoping Lou would drive by and see Reg's car in the driveway!
Please bear with me as I go through this difficult time in my life. How ironic, this "Woman of the Year" was made to feel like a cypher by the man she has given her heart and soul and to for the past 12 years.
With love,
Vicki
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