Two Sides to a Coin
Usually, I do the top 3 things that I like about a book, but I think that I will take this opportunity to talk about something that has been bothering me for a while in the books that I have been reading.
Carolyn: While Carolyn doesn’t make an appearance in the book, her presence was felt. To be honest, one thing that I hate about reading books with characters that are produced through an extramarital affair is the villainization of the wife and portraying them as one-dimensional characters. Granted, not everyone is like Lisa McDowell and Mary Judson from Coming to America 2. Nevertheless, it isn’t something that I enjoy in books.
As a daughter, I can relate and sympathize with Jaleesa. I believe that parents should have a relationship with their children regardless of their spouse’s opinions. Period. But as a woman, I truly sympathize with Carolyn. I don’t agree with how she treated Jaleesa and handled the situation.
However, I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes. You just married a man, who you love, honor, and choose to spend your life with, and he broke your trust and muddy your marriage. Dealing with cheating in a marriage is difficult, especially if you choose to stay plus a child in the mix. While the author touched on it, I felt like it was just the surface level. Jaleesa is a representation of Carolyn’s fear, but also a constant reminder of not being enough to the man that she loves and other baggage that she may have.
Personally, if I was Carolyn I would have left Earl, pregnant or not, because I wouldn’t want to become an ugly person, who takes their hurt out on others. I have seen two women in my life who I admired that were able to forgive, move past the hurt, and embraced a child that their husband had from another woman. I had seen the benefits and consequences of that choice. However, there are women who are out there that aren’t strong enough or have the support system to do one or the other. Unfortunately, it turns a woman ugly, especially if she had other insecurities prior.
Yes, Carolyn is wrong for how she treated Jaleesa. But no, I don’t think that she is an evil witch. She is simply a woman that is deeply hurt and can’t move on. Yes, she is an adult, but adults have issues too and when left unchecked, they spiral out of control.
For me, the sole root of the problem is Earl. He is the one that started and created this problem. It is his duty and responsibility first as a father and second as a husband to do right by both Jaleesa and Carolyn. And he fails at both.
