Secrets Kept

by Allie Everhart

  "How?"

  He pulls out his wallet and takes a photo out. "Remember this?" He hands me the photo. It's a picture of me when I was seven, my hair in pigtails, a big smile on my face showing my two missing teeth. I'm holding a sign I made that says My daddy's the best ever! I still remember making that sign. My mom helped with the letters which I outlined in different colored crayons and then I drew hearts and rainbows and balloons on the rest of the sign. It took me days to finish. I gave it to my dad on Father's Day.

  "I love that picture," he says. "Still have that sign you made me." He takes the photo back. "Every time I wanted a drink, I'd look at that photo and it'd stop me from drinking. It reminded me that for at least a short time in your life, you thought I was the best dad ever. I wanted you to think that again. But I knew you never would if I kept drinking."

  My eyes are burning from the tears that want to fall. I had no idea he still had that picture of me, or that silly sign I made. And I never knew how much it meant to him. I thought he threw it away years ago.

  "I stopped drinking after that night you left and I've been sober ever since. I promise you, Kate, I have."

  I nod. "I know. I believe you." I hug him.

  He holds me tightly in his arms. "I love you, honey. And I hope we can fix whatever problems I've caused between us. I want my daughter back."

  "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come back here." I sniffle and wipe my face. "I was just so afraid of what I'd find."

  "That's my fault. I gave you no reason to trust me. I lied because I didn't want you knowing I was drinking. That's just something alcoholics do. We try to hide it. But it's wrong and I'm sorry."

  That's the first time he's admitted he's an alcoholic. So maybe that means he's stopped drinking for good this time. I really hope so. I know each day is a struggle for him but maybe it'll get a little easier the longer he's sober.

  "I'm proud of you, Dad."

  He smiles. "I'm proud of you too."

  I glance behind him. "We should probably get back to the living room." I notice the coffee mugs on the counter. "Are you sure you don't want some coffee?"

  "No, I'm fine." He takes the mug I just picked up and sets it down. "We need to talk about that boy you're seeing."

  I sigh. "Dad, don't start. You don't like anyone I date and probably never will."

  "That's not true. I admit I was hard on the boys you dated in high school but that's only because I didn't think you should be dating at that age. But you're older now and I understand that I can't try to scare away every young man you bring home, but this Bishop kid? I don't want you dating a politician's son."

  "Gavin's not a politician."

  "But his father is, which means Gavin is part of that life too. And the life of a politician is not something you want to be around. It's nothing but corruption and greed and crime."

  "Maybe for some politicians but not Gavin's family. I've met them. They seem like nice people." It's kind of a lie but they can't be that bad, can they? They raised Gavin and he turned out great.

  "It's all an act. They put out a phony image for people but behind closed doors they're criminals."

  I roll my eyes. "Gavin's parents are not criminals."

  He puts his hands on my shoulders. "I want you to stop seeing him."

  "I like him. I'm not going to stop seeing him."

  "Then don't let it get serious. You want to have dinner with him now and then? Maybe see a movie? Fine. But don't let it go beyond that."

  "Dad, I'm a grown woman. You can't tell me who I can and can't date. I know you have concerns but you're wrong. Gavin's a great guy. I don't know that much about his dad but I'm not dating his dad so I really don't care. Now can we go back to the living room? The coffee's getting cold and I'm sure Gavin's tired of sitting out there by himself."

  "Just be careful, okay?"

  "Yeah, I will."

  "And if you see anything suspicious, anything that doesn't feel right, I want you to tell me."

  I nod. "Okay." I take the two mugs and we return to the living room.

  Gavin is typing something on his phone but puts it away when he sees us. "I could go somewhere for an hour or two if you guys need some time alone."

  "No, we're good." I smile and hand him a mug. "You don't have to leave."

  My dad doesn't seem to agree, staring at Gavin like he wants to punch him. He's not even giving him a chance. Gavin didn't do anything wrong. He can't help it his dad is a politician.

  "Dad, did you do a garden this year?" I ask, because gardening is something my dad finds relaxing so maybe talking about it will relax him.

  "Yes, although it's winding down for the season. We can go out and see it later."

  "What do you grow?" Gavin asks.

  "Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce..." He continues on, telling us what he planted last spring, the different varieties he tried, how the weather impacted the plants. It's not that interesting but it's better than talking about Gavin's family. And it makes my dad happy to talk about his garden. It's good to see him happy. In fact, I haven't seen him this happy in a long time.

  Next we talk about his job and the new guy he's thinking of hiring. Then I tell him about Megan and what she's up to. Gavin chimes in now and then with a comment or question but other than that, he keeps quiet, letting my dad and me talk.

  At eleven, we go out and see his garden and then it's time to leave.

  "It was nice meeting you," Gavin says to my dad as we're standing by the car.

  My dad just nods.

  Gavin gets in the car, leaving my dad and me alone so we can say goodbye.

  "I'll come back soon," I tell my dad.

  "Hopefully sooner than two years."

  "I was thinking I'd stop by in a week or two. I have to check my schedule at work. I'll let you know."

  "What are you doing this weekend? I could drive down and see you. We could have dinner."

  "I won't be there. Gavin is taking me to New York. We're having lunch with his parents on Saturday and then we're heading to the city."

  "Kate, I really wish you'd stay away from those people." He keeps his voice down so Gavin won't hear. "If you insist on dating Gavin, then fine. But at least keep your distance from his parents. Don't go to their parties. And definitely don't go to their political fundraisers."

  "If Gavin invites me, I have to go. I'm his girlfriend."

  "You don't have to go. You can decide not to." He lowers his voice even more. "I'm serious, Kate. I don't want you around those people or the people they associate with."

  "Why? Because they're rich?"

  "Because of reasons you don't understand."

  "What reasons?"

  "I can't go into details. All you need to know is that politicians crave power. And power breeds corruption and other criminal activities."

  Not wanting to get into this, I give him a quick hug. "I have to go, but I'll call you later this week."

  "Promise?"

  "Yes." I smile. "Love you."

  "Love you too. Have a safe drive back." He eyes Gavin's Audi. "That car costs more than my house."

  I sigh. "Dad, don't start."

  "I'm just saying. A kid his age shouldn't have a car like that. He should have to work for a car like that. It shouldn't just be handed to him."

  "Okay, Dad, I'm going." I wave as I get in the car. "Talk to you soon."

  As we're driving home, my dad's words linger in my head, specifically his warning about Gavin's parents and why I should stay away from them. Because of reasons you don't understand. What does that mean? Was he just saying that so I'd stay away from Gavin? Was he purposely being vague because he has no specific reasons for me to be worried about Gavin's family? I don't know, but for some reason, I can't get those words out of my head. Maybe because part of me believes they're true.

  Chapter Sixteen

  "I'm nervous," I say as we make the drive to Greenwich to Gavin's parents' house. We're almost there and the closer we get the more nervous I f
eel.

  "Don't be nervous." He glances at me and smiles. "My parents are going to love you."

  "I don't know about that."

  "I guarantee they'll like you more than your father liked me."

  "He liked you," I insist.

  "He looked like he wanted to kill me the whole time we were there."

  I laugh. "That's just how he is. With all the guys I date. At least he didn't bring out his guns."

  "Has he really done that with other guys you've dated?"

  "He did it with all my high school boyfriends. Scared the crap out of them."

  "Then why'd you let him meet them? You didn't live with your dad. He didn't have to know who you were dating."

  "My mom used to tell him. She actually wanted him to come over and check out these guys and put a scare into them. I swear my parents conspired to ruin my dating life back in high school."

  His phone chimes and he checks it. "It's a text from our hotel. Says our room's ready and we can check in early."

  "Maybe we should skip lunch and go straight there. We don't want them giving our room away."

  "Nice try but we're still going to lunch. The room is paid for. They won't give it away."

  "I'm really excited about this weekend."

  "Me too. It'll be good to get away. Have some privacy. King size bed."

  "Yeah, that'll be nice." I let out a dreamy sigh. I'm still in a state of bliss dating Gavin. That happy euphoric feeling you get when you first start dating someone hasn't worn off. I thought by now we'd start to get on each other's nerves, but that hasn't happened, despite all the time we've been spent together.

  Gavin stayed at my apartment the past three nights, which I've never let a guy do. I usually don't sleep well with someone else in my bed. But I've been sleeping great with Gavin, even better than when I sleep alone. Of course it could be because of all the great sex we have.

  "What are you thinking about?" Gavin asks as we sit at a stoplight.

  "Honestly?"

  "Yeah."

  "Sex." I smile.

  He smiles back. "You were thinking about sex?"

  "I was."

  "What about it?"

  "About how great we are together."

  "We are, aren't we?" He puts his hand on my knee and slowly slides it under my dress.

  "Gavin, don't. We're almost at your house."

  "We can be late."

  "We'll do it when we get to the hotel."

  "Now that you've started this, I don't think I can wait."

  "I didn't start anything. I just said I was thinking about sex."

  "Which got me thinking about it and now I want to do it."

  I point to the light. "It's green."

  He puts his hand back on the wheel and continues driving. "I know what you were doing."

  "What?"

  "That was a trick to get me to skip out on lunch with my parents." He says it with a grin on his face.

  "Yep. You figured it out. Did it work?"

  "No. But if the light had taken longer to change, it might have."

  "Damn light," I mutter.

  He laughs. "We could always do it at my parents' house. There are plenty of rooms there. And the place is so big they'd never find us."

  "No. Absolutely not. We are not having sex in your parents' house."

  "That sounds like a challenge." He pulls in front of the giant mansion and parks the car, then hops out to get my door.

  "Don't even think about it," I say as he helps me out of the car. "We are not doing it until we get to the hotel."

  He grabs my hand and leads me to the front door.

  "You told them I'm coming, right? You didn't just say you did but really didn't, did you?"

  "They know you're coming and they're excited to meet you." He rings the doorbell.

  "You have to ring the doorbell at your own house?"

  "Only when I have a guest. My mom is formal that way. She likes to greet guests at the door."

  But his mom doesn't greet us. A maid does.

  "Hey, Anna," Gavin says.

  "Hello, Gavin. Your mother is coming."

  I hear fast walking on the shiny wood floor, and then Gavin's mother appears, wearing a red sleeveless dress and heels. She's very dressed up for lunch. I wore a casual wrap dress that I thought would be appropriate but now I feel underdressed.

  "Hello, Gavin," his mother says.

  "Hey, Mom." He gives her a quick hug.

  "And you must be Kate." She gives me the same phony smile she had at the dinner party. At least she uses it on everyone, not just me.

  "It's nice to meet you." I shake her hand. It's cold as ice even though it's hot outside. But she has no body fat to keep her warm.

  "I'm Celeste." She steps away from the door. "Come inside."

  I go in first, followed by Gavin. Celeste leads us past the foyer into the living room. I feel like I should be going to the kitchen and getting a tray. It's strange being here as a guest.

  "Have a seat." Celeste motions to the white sofa that I was afraid I'd spill something on the night of the party. Every time I walked past it, I'd move my tray to the opposite side so I wouldn't risk having a random crumb or drop of cocktail sauce fall onto the bright white fabric.

  The three of us sit down; Gavin and me on the couch and Celeste on one of the high-backed wing chairs that's facing it.

  "Mom, we can't stay long," Gavin says. "Can we just start lunch?"

  "We will in a few minutes. We have to wait for your father. He's on an important phone call regarding the campaign."

  "How long will it take?"

  "I really don't know. Could be ten minutes. Could be thirty." She smiles at me. "But this will give me time to get to know Kate."

  I smile back at her, but my smile is probably as fake as hers. I'm feeling nervous and unsure of myself, like Celeste is judging everything I say and do. But I feel that way around all rich people.

  "So tell me about yourself," she says, crossing her legs and placing her hands elegantly across her lap.

  I glance at Gavin, who's giving me a look of encouragement.

  "I um." I pause, trying to gather my thoughts. I should've practiced this in the car. I knew she'd ask me questions. Shit. What do I say?

  "Are you from the area?" she asks, sounding annoyed that I didn't finish my sentence.

  "Yes. Well, not here. I grew up just outside of Hartford. My mom had a restaurant and I helped her run it."

  "Is that what sparked your interest in catering? Your mother's business?"

  "Yes."

  "And how do you like catering?"

  "I like it, but I don't plan to do it forever. I'd like to own my own restaurant someday."

  "You would?" Gavin asks.

  "Not right away, but yeah, in the future."

  "I didn't know that."

  "That's understandable," Celeste says to Gavin. "You just met Kate. I'm sure there are a lot of things you don't know about her." She says it in a way that implies I'm hiding some deep dark secrets, which I'm not. I'm an open book. I don't have any secrets. So why would she say it that way?

  "Actually, I know a lot about her," he says, taking my hand and smiling at me. "We've spent a lot of time together."

  "And what about your school work?" his mother asks, a hint of anger in her tone. "School comes before socializing, Gavin."

  "Yes, Mother, I know. You don't have to worry about school. I'm already acing my classes."

  He is? How is that possible? He never has time to study. He's always with me.

  "Gavin is an excellent student," his mother says. "He's always excelled in academics."

  "Mom, don't brag. It's embarrassing."

  "I'm just stating a fact. But regardless of your ability to achieve, I still expect you to put forth effort at Moorhurst. No skipping classes. No late assignments."

  Gavin starts to roll his eyes but then stops and looks to the side. I'm guessing eye rolls are not acceptable behavior in this house. His mom proba
bly thinks they're a sign of disrespect. I'll have to make sure I don't do that. I roll my eyes a lot around Megan and she does the same to me.

  "Where did you go to school?" I ask Celeste, taking the focus off Gavin.

  "Moorhurst." She looks at Gavin. "So I'm beyond thrilled that my son is going there too. And his father and I are thrilled to have him so close to home again."

  "It's great he's able to help with the campaign," I add.

  "Yes," she says, her eyes going back to me. "It certainly is. Niles was so pleased when Gavin offered to move here in order to help."

  "I never even questioned not doing it," he says. "It's not every day your dad runs for the Senate."

  "How's the campaign going?" I ask Celeste. Gavin's already told me about the campaign, but I'm trying to make conversation.

  "It's going very well," she says. "Niles can tell you more about it at lunch, if you'd like. Are you interested in politics?"

  "Um, sure." I didn't sound at all convincing. Damn.

  Gavin laughs. "I think Kate's probably sick of hearing about it. I talk about it all the time."

  "I'm not sick of hearing about it. I think it's interesting." I look back at his mom. "Gavin said you have a lot of fundraisers coming up. That must get tiring."

  "It does, but I'm used to it. And I have people I hire to do most of the planning, including Carol, your boss. She's been wonderful to work with. I plan to make her my primary caterer going forward."

  "Yeah, she's great. Very organized."

  "And discreet." Celeste looks down at the armrest of the chair and brushes her hand over it. "It's hard to find people who can keep secrets." Her eyes lift to mine and she smiles. "Not that we have any."

  Okay, that's weird. Both her words and that strange look she gave me, which was basically telling me she does have secrets and that Carol knows what those secrets are.

  Is that why Carol keeps telling me to stay away from Gavin? But why? What secrets does she know about him? Or are the secrets about Gavin's family? Now I'm intrigued, and a little worried. What do I not know?

  "She's kidding." Gavin chuckles. "We don't have any secrets."