The Perfect Father: Charlotte Duckworth

                The Perfect Father

Perfect: How would you define it within your own mind? No flaws, nothing out of place and yet within this person you don’t see the cracks, crevices and tiny holes that comprise the deceptions, deceits and betrayals that blindsided you and yet you manage to create a veil of darkness or fog over you so that you do not see what is in plain sight. Esther and Robin were elated when they learned they were going to be parents but first review the events of the first scene and learn what happens when she arrives home from work, a text that says, “I’m sorry,” and her child and husband are gone. But where why and how did they disappear in plain sight and what will happen to Esther and where is her young daughter, Riley?

The author flashes back to where it all began when they find out she is having a child, her terrible time before she gives birth, the medicines needed, her loss of weight and the doctor realizing what disease she had causing her to not keep down food, lack of energy and more. Robin seemed to care for her until one night they went out with friends on Halloween, and someone caught his eye, he was stoned drunk and from that point on Esther should have been leerier of him, looked into what he did and learn that sometimes perfection is anything but. The author explains that Esther has hyperemesis gravidarum which is causing her lack of ability to eat, drink and the need for meds to help her through. But things change after Riley is born now that she’s a parent and Robin a system at home dad. A visit to his family is enlightening as his father goes off on him because of his choice to be a stay-at-home dad but there’s much more as we realize he cares for his daughter, but it gives him an out and way to continue his affair do why doesn’t Esther realize it when she checks his face book page?

Then then the lies and deceptions and the truths about someone named Kim will she open her eyes, clear the fog, and realize the truth ? Kim’s face and comment on her Facebook page about her daughter finally hits her like an exploding grenade. One word Beautiful on her wall as a comment ! Open your eyes!

Blinded by her own feelings for Robin and justifying his actions and blindsided in her thinking, Esther pushes this harsh truth aside and buries herself in her new projects at work. It’s as if Riley matters more to give Robin a purpose in life . Truths come out in not-so-subtle ways as we hear the innermost thoughts of both Esther and Robin each absorbed in their own personal conflicts. Esther knowing, she kept the news of her inheritance from Robin. Robin finding out and the truth about the fact she is not Riley’s biological mother and why Robin is drawn to Kim. A failed marriages many respects will either one realizes it and where is Riley in the present with Robin in the hospital? Plus, in the past her promotion to communications director.

Life was supposed to be uphill, but Esther shares her moments when she realized she was having a miscarriage and her therapist Claudia gave her support but did she really grief her loss and why did her best friend not understand her choice to use a surrogate? When her best friend’s birthday comes on Facebook she uses it as a chance to reconnect and her friend finally understands her choice . Will she do the same and why is Robin worried about her meeting with her friend?

What’s uncovered by Esther is unimaginable as she unravels the lies, betrayals and deceptions that Tobin created. What happened to the money she gave him to give to Kim as the surrogate? What happens when she faces off with skim and learns a harsh reality and sad truth? Why does Robin have Riley and what does his ex-have to do with anything? Money, lies, greed , betrayals and control are just some of the issues the author brings out as we delve more inside the diabolical mind of Robin Morgan.

As the rest of the mystery unfolds we hear the voices of Kim, his ex-Sarah and Esther as they each piece together their story and relationship with Robin adding in if you read and listen carefully the lies he told each one, the manipulations and the truth about Riley and why Esther us just her custodial parent and could lose her. Learning about her miscarriage and what she really planned before it happened we learn how blind she was to Robin and how she looked past his lies and disregarded them to justify going to work and thinking he was a perfect day at home dad when all he wanted was to be the only person Riley wanted in order to feel needed and wanted. A man with s pours self-worth and esteem had to belittle and control others to have the success he didn’t in s career.

When the final scenes are created, and the truths are revealed author Charlotte Duckworth packs a powerful punch that hits Esther, Kim and Sarah smack dab in the face as lived are lost the truth about why Esther came home to an empty house and a tragic ending that will turn Esther’s world upside down. Characters that are flawed , manipulative and one mother who fought hoping she’d win. Perfect Father vs perfect mother: you decide who wins! Perfection: what’s your definition?

Fran Lewis just reviews