The Lake

by Grant, AnnaLisa

  “Luke and I are still concerned about you seeing Will. We really like him, Layla – the Will we all know now, but he’s young and Gregory still has time to manipulate him into who he wants him to be. Gregory is incredibly persuasive and not to be underestimated,” Claire says. “Luke and I almost didn’t break free ourselves, and we nearly lost everything,” she continues, closing her eyes tightly as she recalls the pain associated with this memory.

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “Luke and I were at the peak of our careers. Luke was up for partner and I was being considered for a junior partner position. We were both working day and night so that we could grab the brass ring Gregory Meyer held out for us. He flashed dollar signs and bonuses and perks in front of us and we got completely sucked in. We hardly saw each other and barely spoke when we did. We didn’t plan for it to happen. When Luke and I met we were both starry-eyed law students who wanted to change the world. We were focused on right and wrong and upholding justice even when everyone didn’t agree with us. Everything just happened so fast after the promotions were proposed. We were the youngest attorneys to ever be considered in the history of the firm.

  “Obsessed, we closed ourselves off to anything that didn’t have to do with the firm. We didn’t even answer the phone if it wasn’t from an associate,” Claire pauses and takes a deep breath. “Then your grandmother died, and, Layla, I am so ashamed to admit this…but…we weren’t at Carol’s funeral because we didn’t receive the message that she had passed until three days after the service.” There’s the answer I’d been looking for, and it’s sadder than I ever imagined it would be. “Luke was devastated and vowed then and there that his relationship with his family was more important. He had already lost your parents and his mother, so we withdrew our names from the partnership committee. Luke was bound and determined not to let another day go by without reconnecting with his father and he wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way.”

  “What? How? I was there! Gramps never said anything about Luke ever.” I’m perplexed. If Luke had been reaching out to Gramps, why didn’t he tell me?

  “He talked to Jack a few times a month, usually during the day while you were at school. Jack asked that if Luke was going to call, to call then. They were typically short calls. They talked about the weather and sometimes about Jack’s health,” Claire tells me, sounding sadder with every word. “Luke wanted to come down, help Jack get some things fixed around the house, spend some time with him, with you, but Jack wouldn’t have it.”

  “Luke…asked about me?” I ask hesitantly.

  “He did, and Jack would brag about your grades and what great care you were giving him,” Claire answers hesitantly. “But, I really think you should talk about that with Luke. I think he’d rather explain.”

  Explain? What is he going to explain? Why would Gramps keep me from Luke? Is it because of the rift between him and Dad? Dad had been dead for over two years by then! Why are all the men in this family determined to keep me from knowing the truth? I’m screaming in my head, calling out for someone to answer me, but there is no answer. There isn’t going to be an opportunity to talk with Luke anytime soon. My sentence at Heyward starts in a few days and I have to survive that first. I’ve waited this long, I can wait another week. Besides, I have plenty to navigate through with Will and his family.

  “What did Mr. Meyer say when you turned down the promotions?” At this point I’m surprised they’re still alive.

  “Well, that’s where things get interesting. He wasn’t happy. The golden rule around here is don’t cross Gregory Meyer, but Luke has worked very closely with Gregory since his internship during law school. He had Luke working on some things that were a little hazy in the legal department, and while there’s a confidentiality agreement in place, Luke still knows enough to make things very messy for Gregory. Greg knows that, so he leaves Luke and me to do our jobs. Plus, Luke is an excellent attorney so Gregory keeps him around to keep the firm’s winning ratio up. Gregory would have gotten rid of me had Luke not told him we were a package deal. If not for the cards that Luke holds, he would have fired us when we turned down the promotion. You don’t say ‘no’ to Gregory Meyer.”

  After what I witnessed outside the firm, and every creepy meeting I’ve had with Gregory Meyer, I believe every word Claire has just told me. The only reason Gregory Meyer keeps anyone in his life is if they’re of use to him. Will already made that clear. “Wow,” I say still in shock from the entire conversation.

  “As for Will,” Claire says, bringing the subject back around. “We’re happy for you to see him. We know how much he means to you, and Luke certainly has gotten an earful from Will about you. You need to know that if we see any signs of Gregory Meyer manifesting in him, we’re going to pull the plug on the relationship. We love you, Layla, and we won’t stand by and watch you get hurt.”

  “Aunt Claire…I appreciate your concern but Will isn’t…” I’ve softened my tone so as not to sound like a belligerent teen, but Claire isn’t falling for it and cuts me off.

  “Layla, I agree with you that today, right now, Will is not like his father. He’s every parent’s dream boyfriend, but we can’t see the future. I’m telling you that as much as Luke and I like Will, we are watching him closely. We know Gregory Meyer and know what we’re looking for. If we see it in Will, it’s over. I pray to God that Will never changes, but we have no guarantees,” she says. “Now that I’ve said all that…please, please don’t keep anything from us. We can’t protect you if you don’t tell us what’s going on. Promise me that you’ll tell us if anything ever happens with Will that worries you,” Claire says, looking at me with the same deep, penetrating love Luke gave me when he made me promise to tell him if things got serious with Will, only this time I’m reminded of my mother.

  “I promise,” I tell her, and mean it.

  After a few long moments we silently agree that everything had been said that needed to be said and go back to our dinner. We review our purchases and Claire decides that now we need new shoes. I’m not sure if I’m up to more shopping, but I know it’ll make Claire feel better after laying such heavy information on me that I agree without hesitation.

  We get home around eight and Luke is just emerging from his office. He wouldn’t have known we hadn’t been home all day if we weren’t carrying a dozen bags.

  “I see you two have had quite a day!” he says, chuckling at the sight of the two of us totting in like two pack mules.

  “Layla and I needed new clothes for school,” Claire says cozying up to Luke, pretending to need to butter him up about our purchases when in reality Luke would give Claire the moon if he could. He kisses her on the cheek and relieves her from the burden of her heavy bags.

  “You needed new school clothes?” he asks Claire with a wink “Did you have fun? I’m assuming you’ve had dinner.”

  “Yes, but I can heat up some leftovers if you’d like,” I offer, but Luke opts for peanut butter and jelly. “Ok, I’m just going to take my things upstairs. Thanks, Aunt Claire. I had a lot of fun today.” I search for something meaningful to say. “You’re…bringing out the girl in me,” I say smiling. It’s the biggest smile I’ve given them since I moved here. It wasn’t forced, but real and honest. It’s the best indication I can give her that despite the intensity of our conversation earlier, I am really and truly happy.

  I lay my new clothes out on my bed and line up my new shoes on the floor in front of my dresser. I pull a few of my old clothes out but just can’t seem to make the old and new coordinate. I throw in the towel and decide I’ll wear only new clothes to school. After all, that was the point of today, wasn’t it, to make me blend in, at least exteriorly, with the flock at school? To make it so I don’t stick out like the sore thumb I am.

  I look at my old clothes lying messily next to my new ones. That’s me, I think. I’m something old and used and disheveled next to Will like a mismatched pair of socks to his tuxedo looks and charm and
character.

  My conversation with Claire is ringing in my head. Visions of Gregory Meyer having bodyguards carry bride after crying bride away are floating through my mind; them begging and pleading for his love and attention.

  I shake my head to rid myself of the unnerving daydream and begin gathering my clothes when I see it: my favorite blue shirt and a pair of my new jeans, both simple pieces. This modest shirt is the nicest one I brought with me when I came to live here. It’s nothing special but is my go-to piece because of how accommodating it can be to coordinate with almost anything. The jeans are new and sturdy. They’re built to last. When I lay the shirt with them, they make the shirt something a little special. The jeans…bring out the best of it and make it more than just a t-shirt. The blue is brighter and its structure more pronounced. Separate them and it’s just a shirt…just a pair of jeans. But together…they make something so much more.

  I see it now more clearly than I had before. The old and the new aren’t mutually exclusive. What Will and I do is make each other better. Without Will I’m just an old shirt, but I’m done being just an old shirt.

  I stand in the shower for a while after I’m technically done, lost in thought. Knowing what happened to Marcus’ family, I know what I need to do. I can‘t let Gregory Meyer destroy Luke and Claire. I can’t let him infiltrate the only family I have left. I will do whatever I have to do to protect the ones I love. Whatever the game Gregory Meyer wants to play, not only can I play it, I can beat him at it.

  I get ready for bed and decide to watch a movie instead of my normal reading. Tonight I need something mindless to help me wind down. Luke and Claire are in the loft already watching something I’ve never seen before and I join them.

  It feels good just being in the same room as them. It’s impossible to be around them and not feel how much they love me. The smallest glance, the way Claire pats the side of my leg as I pass her on the couch…gestures that make my heart warm with love and acceptance. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that. It’s the kind of love that is willing to move mountains for you. The kind of love that is willing to stick around even when they don’t agree with your decision, just so they can pick up any pieces that might fall. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that unconditional love.

  I know that somewhere, deep down Gram loved me, but her love came with strings attached. It didn’t take long after hearing phrases like, “I’m doing this as a favor to you,” and “That’s ok, it’s just one of the most important things in my life” before I cut myself off from my own feelings and surrendered to making up for how I had broken her heart. My job was to make her happy. Period. It wasn’t hard because I really loved both Gram and Gramps, and I know I owed them. I just wish I hadn’t owed them so much.

  I climb in bed and pull the covers up to my chin, satisfied that the movie did its job. Will is going to be over in the morning and my first objective is to find out how he’s doing. I’ve been troubled since we left him standing in his driveway deep in his own concern. For now, I’ll sleep well knowing that I’m going to do whatever I need to do to protect everyone from Gregory Meyer’s wrath, whatever that looks like.

  Chapter 17

  I’m in my usual spot in the loft staring out the window trying my best not to be shaken by Will’s worry. I’m jostled from my stare when I hear someone coming up the stairs and turn to see Will standing at the railing looking solemn.

  “Hey,” I say to him. “You’re here earlier than I was expecting.”

  “We need to talk.” Will approaches me at the window and takes my hand and leads me to our place by the lake. With every swift and silent step I search for reasons for Will’s despair. I run through scenarios of backlash from his father ranging from childish time-outs to death threats.

  “Will, are you ok? Did something happen?” I ask.

  “Yes,” he says.

  “What happened?” My stomach begins to churn as my mind exaggerates scenarios that terrify me. Has his father already begun to wage threats against me, or worse, Luke and Claire? Or have the threats been directly aimed at Will? What more could he do to Will that he hasn’t already done?

  “What happened is…I fell completely and helplessly in love with you.” Will is focused and determined, but rattled.

  “What’s going on, Will?” As much as I want to, this isn’t a moment to respond sweetly to his profession of love. Something has happened and my gut tells me it isn’t good.

  “Watching you drive away the other night… The idea of you leaving forever is the most terrifying thought.” He rakes his fingers through his hair and breathes a heavy sigh. “I have an idea, and I just want you to hear me out, ok?” I nod and wait for him to speak. When he does, he blurts out the last words I expected to hear from him. “Run away with me. We can go…away…down to Florida maybe. There’s an account that I have access to. I can drain it and we’ll be gone before anyone ever knows. We can live off the cash so he won’t be able to track us. We don’t have to live like this, Layla. We don’t have to live in fear.”

  I want to tell him that nothing would make me happier than to leave everything behind and follow him to the ends of the earth, but I can’t do that. I just got Luke and Claire and they just got me. It would break their hearts, and mine, if I left them. I can’t shake the knowledge that running away would only trap us in this prison of hiding forever.

  “Will, as romantic as running away with you sounds, it’s just not realistic.”

  “Layla, if he finds out…” Will is distraught. He puts his hands on his head and begins to pace. “This isn’t like other times I dated girls he didn’t approve of just to piss him off. With the exception of Holly, I didn’t care what happened to any of those other girls. He could say or do whatever he wanted because I didn’t have feelings for them. You’re different, Layla, and he knows it. I won’t let him take you away from me. I’m not going to let him destroy us.” He stares at me, waiting for my response. This is the most nervous I’ve ever seen him.

  “Will, this isn’t only about me. You may be trying to protect me, but I want to do whatever I can to protect you, too.” I reach up and rest my hand on his cheek. Looking into his eyes I see everything that I’ve been waiting for. The whole of my future lies in the depths of these ocean blue eyes. “If your father knows we’re together he’s going to make your life a living hell. I want to be with you. I already made it perfectly clear that I’m willing to do whatever I have to do not to lose you. I can do this. Please.”

  “Layla, love, I’m not concerned about me. I would take a thousand of my father’s tongue-lashings, sanctions, and acts of retaliation before I let him do anything to hurt you,” Will says caressing my cheek with his thumb. “I have spent every minute since dinner with them going back and forth between what is the best thing and what seems like the cowardly thing. Part of me feels like not giving him reason to come after us is best because then he wouldn’t have what his twisted mind would consider cause. The other part of me wonders what kind of man am I not to stand up and tell my father that I’m in love with you, regardless of what the fallout might be?” This visibly disturbs him. I hate seeing him having lost his confidence.

  I take Will by the shoulders and look up into his eyes with as much intensity as I can assemble. “What kind of man are you? You’re a man who is willing to risk everything for someone like me. You’re a man whose passion is leading him straight into greatness. You’re the best man I know.” Will throws his arms around me and holds me closer to him than I thought was possible. “We cannot make everything about your father. If we do, then that’s what will destroy us…and then he wins anyway.”

  Will’s breathing eases and he pulls back to look at me. “How did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Talk me down off the ledge. I have a suitcase packed in the car. I was ready to leave, Layla. I’d still go if you changed your mind.”

  “I’m too logical sometimes. Trust me – I want to pack a bag, too,
but we would never be free, Will. We’d constantly be running. I don’t want to do that. At least we have this place. We have someplace where we don’t have to hide. Someone once told me that we should make the most out of our time together. Let’s just do that.”

  Will holds me in his arms for a long time and whispers “I love you” to me over and over again. I rest my head on his chest, blanketed by his strong arms. I will never tire of hearing those words from him, and hope he never stops saying them.

  “How do you feel about doing a lot of nothing with me today?” he asks sweetly.

  “I would love to do nothing with you,” I answer. I pull my head from his chest and kiss his chin without thinking. It’s the first time I’ve initiated any physical touch with him like that. He doesn’t flinch but tilts his face to mine and kisses me.

  Will and I spend the day in the loft in the perfect do nothing afternoon. We choose books at random from the wall and read. Will creates a game where we each pick an excerpt and try to carry the dialogue between the two books. It’s like a sophisticated version of MadLibs, but even more hilarious because we’re reading from The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind. Visualizing Rhett Butler and the Lollypop Guild together has me laughing so hard I’m crying.

  We talk and watch movies and nap on the oversized couch. It’s just the right size for us to lie next to each other, me cradled in Will’s arms, my head nestled into his chest. This has officially become my absolute favorite place to be.

  “What’s it like?” I ask as we lay together, our breathing synchronized.

  “What’s what like?” he replies.

  “What’s it like being so rich?”

  “Really? You have free reign to ask me anything in the world and that’s what you want to know?” His tone is humored chastisement.

  “Seriously! I’ve never been wealthy, or known anyone who was. I just wondered what it was like. I mean, why do some people love it and others hate it?” I’ve always thought this was an interesting phenomenon, and there is definitely a polarized dichotomy on the subject at Heyward, even if it is among only a few.