Stay Forever

by Darcy Schroeder

  Andrew couldn’t help but be surprised by his father’s candid response. “Oh. What all do you want to talk about?”

  Wayne Montgomery looked up questioningly as he took another sip of coffee. “Son, you called this meeting. I think I should be asking what you want to talk about.”

  “Warren,” Andrew quickly responded, before he chickened out. “I want to know what all has happened with Warren over the past few years. I feel like I only understand bits and pieces, and I should probably have more information if you guys really think he’s guilty of something.”

  “I don’t think he’s guilty, son. I know Warren is guilty. He’s been a problem for me for way too long. Please. He was even trouble in high school. Your mother and I always cringed when he would talk about going out with you and Miles. We knew at that time he was up to no good.”

  Andrew’s lips pinched together. “Then why didn’t you ever say anything to me or Miles? I didn’t know you thought Warren was trouble.”

  “We didn’t think it was that important. You boys were always so happy and careful.”

  “Dad, how do you know Lucy’s mom?”

  Andrew watched as Wayne Montgomery’s head snapped back to look at his oldest son. “What did you just say?”

  “I’m not repeating myself. You heard me.”

  “No. I don’t think I quite understood your question.”

  “How do you know Lucy?” Andrew asked again.

  “Are you talking about the teenage girl, with brown curly hair?”

  “Yeah. That’s the one.”

  “Leave her alone.”

  Andrew felt his face begin to burn. “What in the hell does that mean?”

  “It means exactly what you think. Leave her alone, Andrew. You don’t need to go around asking questions about her.”

  “Why?”

  Wayne Montgomery’s eyes showed no sign of letting his guard down. “Just don’t.”

  “Dad, you’re really beginning to piss me off. Who is Lucy?”

  An awkwardly painful silence filled the air as the Montgomery patriarch glared at his son. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he said, “She’s your sister.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Andrew felt the blood drain from his face as he watched his dad talk. He hadn’t heard much after his father said the word “sister.”

  He thought back to the mug he’d found hidden among the ashes. Andrew had known it was a possibility, but he’d been in denial. How could his father betray his mother? How could his father do this to him and Miles? It seemed so out of character for Wayne Montgomery, the founder of Montgomery Industries.

  “How is she my sister?” Andrew asked, not even looking at his father. He wanted to hear him admit what he had done.

  “Son, your mom and I hit a rough spot when you boys were in high school. I messed up. I’m hoping now that you’re an adult, you might understand a little bit more.”

  “How long did it go on, Dad?” Andrew demanded. He was growing angrier with his father by the minute as he thought about the words that had come out of the mouth of the man who had raised him and encouraged him always to strive for more.

  “Only a couple of weeks, but during that time she got pregnant. It was an accident. Lucy’s mom wasn’t a bad person. She was young, and didn’t take appropriate measures to prevent a pregnancy.”

  Andrew let out a sarcastic laugh. “Apparently, neither did you.”

  “That’s true, but I also didn’t really mind when Joanna found out she was pregnant. She was young, and amazingly beautiful.” Wayne Montgomery’s voice began to break. “I have always loved your mom, but I also had very strong feelings for Joanna.”

  They sat in silence until Andrew finally asked, “Lucy’s mom died in the accident, right?”

  His father’s lips pinched together, and he nodded slowly. “Yes. Apparently, she’d just dropped off Lucy with Marlin and was going out. I’m not really sure what happened, but she was the driver of the car that hit you.”

  There were so many things he knew he should ask, but he couldn’t seem to get his brain to connect to his mouth. It felt like his entire body had grown numb. “Do you think she knew it was me in the other car?

  “No. I think she was just headed out for a night of fun. I’m sure she had come to town in hopes to see me at some point. Joanna lived about two hours away, but once Lucy was born, she spent a lot more time in Sable Falls.”

  “Sorry. I’m just trying to process everything,” he said, wondering if his mom knew about Joanna and Lucy. “Did you talk to Joanna on the day of the accident?”

  His father pulled back slightly. “What does that mean? It was such a long time ago.”

  “I’m just trying to understand your relationship with this woman.” Andrew took another sip of his coffee. He intended to go and find Lucy after he finished this breakfast. He had a feeling she knew about their connection.

  Wayne Montgomery looked down at his hands. “Yeah. I had talked to her earlier that day. She told me she needed more money to cover her hospital bills. I told her we had agreed to a certain amount, and if she wanted more, she could talk to my attorney. It was a relatively quick conversation.”

  Andrew glared at his father. “Did you seriously tell the mother of your child that?”

  “Son, I was under a lot of pressure. I cared for Joanna and Lucy, but a deal is a deal. I was sending her a good amount of money, but I wasn’t prepared to give her the life that I had given your mother.”

  Andrew let out a deep sigh. He felt like he was standing on the train tracks, waiting for the train to come and hit him.

  “How much did she need?” He stared at his father as images of Lucy filled his thoughts.

  “Who?”

  “Lucy’s mom. How much money did she need to pay her hospital bills? I’m assuming these are bills from her delivery.”

  “She needed three thousand dollars. Her insurance was horrible and didn’t cover everything. I was an idiot. It wasn’t that much. I should have just given it to her, but I was stupid and decided to play tough, like I do in all negotiations. I felt like she should be responsible for her own bills.”

  “What about Lucy? Have you talked to her?”

  His father’s chin jutted upward. “No. I’ve never talked to Lucy. I didn’t want her to know I’d screwed up. But don’t worry, son. I take care of her.”

  Andrew thought about it. “Warren helps you, doesn’t he?”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I saw the cash in the safe. You’ve never changed the code, Dad.”

  “Your mom told me once I was a fool for keeping all the codes the same, but I was always afraid I would forget the new numbers.”

  “You still haven’t answered my question.”

  Wayne Montgomery shifted in his seat. Andrew could tell he had made his father uncomfortable, but he didn’t care. “Joanna never told her parents anything about me. I didn’t know that she’d kept our relationship a secret until her death,” he said. “I waited for an attorney to send me something, but no one ever did, so I assumed I was in the clear. Joanna had died, and Lucy would probably be adopted.”

  Andrew suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He had always admired his father, but this conversation was making him physically ill. “I have a sister, Dad. You should have told me. You should have told Miles. We deserved to know we had a sister.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry doesn’t cut it this time. You fucked up. How exactly does Warren know?”

  “He was out one night, drinking, and ran into Marlin, Lucy’s grandfather. He mentioned something to him about Lucy and the accident, and somehow Warren put the pieces together. I’m really not sure how he figured it out, but that’s how he ended up on our payroll.”

  Andrew suddenly felt angry. His childhood best friend had betrayed his family, and more importantly, him.

  “What about Lucy?” Andrew asked.

  “Warren worked out a deal with M
arlin, where he takes him some cash every month to cover her bills.”

  “And you don’t think Marlin has figured out that Lucy’s last name is Montgomery?”

  “No. Warren has assured me that he hasn’t revealed anything.”

  “I hate to break it to you, Dad, but Marlin knows.”

  Wayne Montgomery’s head rolled forward, and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Andrew continued. “You need to make this right. Go and talk to Mom, and then we’re going to find Lucy, my sister. She deserves to know her family, Dad. I’m calling Miles right now to have him come down here. He needs to hear this as well.”

  Miles showed up five minutes later and had the same stunned look on his face as Andrew. The Montgomery twins stared at their father as he told them everything he knew about Lucy and her family.

  They left an hour later. Andrew’s father was headed to talk to Andrew’s mom, and Miles and Andrew went to look for the sister they hadn’t known existed until today.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Lucy was harder to find than in the past. She wasn’t at the high school, nor was she walking around downtown. They drove around town for several minutes, and eventually ended up at the curve with the crosses. They sat in the cab, staring at the now-familiar place. Then Andrew pulled the handle and opened the door.

  “You getting out?” Miles asked.

  “I figure we should probably look around here too.” Andrew pushed his sunglasses up on top of his head.

  “All right.”

  Both of them climbed out of the truck and walked over to the crosses. Andrew squatted in front of the one with Jessica’s initials. “Hey, Jess. Thought I’d stop by today.”

  Miles let out a soft little laugh. “Have you told her you’re now dating her sister?”

  “Shut up.” Andrew shook his head. “And yes, I’ve told her.”

  They heard a rustle in the leaves somewhere behind one of the trees.

  “Hello?” Andrew called out, scanning the area.

  It was quiet, except for the lone chirp of a bird.

  “Hello?” Andrew called again, this time walking around some of the trees.

  “It was probably just an animal.” Miles shrugged. “We should get out of here.”

  Andrew paused. He wasn’t ready to leave just yet, but he finally relented. “Okay.”

  “Where do you want to go next?” Miles asked.

  “I don’t know,” Andrew said. “At one point, Lucy told me she lived somewhere around here. Any idea where her house is at?”

  “Yeah, she lives just over the hill, with her grandfather. It’s a small shack. Nothing much.”

  They turned to walk back to the truck. Just as they got to the edge of the road, they heard a girl’s voice.

  “Why are you looking for me?” Lucy walked out from behind a bush.

  “How long have you been back there?” Andrew asked.

  “Long enough. Now, tell me why you’re looking for me.”

  Andrew took several steps to close the distance between them. “We wanted to talk to you.”

  “About what?” Her lips pinched together. Lucy’s long hair was pulled back into a braid. Her big eyes continued to stare back at Miles and Andrew.

  “Why weren’t you at school today?”

  “Is that really why you’re here right now? I’m sure the attendance office let you know that I don’t really like going to school,” Lucy said, a defiant look in her eyes.

  “But you should go to school,” Andrew said, not sure why he even cared about her school record, but for some reason these were the only words came out of his mouth.

  “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind. Now, tell me why the Montgomery twins were looking for me.”

  Andrew looked over at Miles and then back to Lucy. “How do you know so much about me? I haven’t lived in this town for fifteen years.”

  She looked at him quizzically. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “You knew my name on the first day we met. How?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Your last name is Montgomery. Everyone in this god forsaken place knows your name, Andrew Montgomery.”

  Andrew thought about her response. She had a point, he guessed.

  “Besides,” she said. “I come out here daily, and on multiple occasions there have been people who’ve come by and paid their respects. I usually sit behind one of the trees and listen.”

  “That seems a little creepy,” Andrew said.

  “It’s not. I feel like I’ve really come to know Jessica and my mom from what people have said. It helps me connect with them. Miles, you know what I’m talking about. You’ve come out here before, a few times.”

  Andrew looked at his brother. “You come out here?”

  Miles shifted uncomfortably. “Sure. I drive this road every day. I like to let her know that the Montgomery family hasn’t forgotten about her.”

  Andrew glanced back at Lucy and cleared his throat. “What all do you know about the Montgomery family?”

  Lucy’s brow creased, and she looked down to brush off a leaf that had gotten stuck to her shirt. “You guys have a lot of money, and everyone in town worships you. After all, Montgomery Industries is a big company that keeps this town from being completely sad. I also know that one of the Montgomery sons—that’s you. Andrew—was involved in the crash that killed my mom.”

  “Anything else?” Andrew continued to push. He looked over at Lucy’s mother’s cross. He wondered what she had looked like. Did she look like Lucy, with long hair and dark brown eyes?

  “No. I kinda think that’s enough. Why? Is there more you think I should know about the illustrious Montgomery family? Geesh, you guys really do demand a lot of attention.”

  Miles cleared his throat. “When you look at us, what do you see?”

  Lucy didn’t hesitate in her response. “Duh. I see Andrew and Miles—the Montgomery twins.”

  “Anything else?”

  “No,” she responded dryly. “You guys are seriously acting weird today. I should probably get home. Someone might be looking for me.”

  “Wait. Sorry.” Andrew’s heart began to beat a little faster. “Lucy, who is your father?”

  She stopped, and then shook her head. “Really? That’s your question? The answer is simple…I don’t know. My mom kept his identity a secret. Why? Do you men want to enlighten me? Please don’t tell me you drove out here to tell me about my loser father who has never showed his face.”

  Miles nodded to Andrew, who suddenly felt silly. How would he ever be able to understand what Lucy had gone through? He took in a deep breath and tried to calm his thoughts. “Lucy, you’re our sister.”

  Lucy stared at them, and then let out an odd, piercing laugh. “You guys are funny. Trust me, I’d love to be related to the Montgomery family, but that’s not possible.”

  “Why not?” Andrew asked.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to tell me your father is my father?”

  “Yes,” Miles said without hesitation.

  Lucy kicked at a rock on the ground. “Then why are you guys here and not him?”

  “That’s a good question,” Andrew said, feeling even more stupid. He hadn’t thought about what they should say to Lucy, and now their lack of preparation was beginning to show.

  “Look. You can tell your father not to waste his precious time on me. I don’t want to see him, and I definitely don’t want to talk with a man who has apparently been living in the same town but never had the decency to come and meet me.” Tears began to well up in Lucy’s eyes. “I’m done with both of you. I don’t want to see either of you ever again.”

  Lucy stormed away. She was almost completely out of sight when a truck pulled up close by. The twins glanced over their shoulders in time to see their father get out of the cab.

  “Lucy!” Wayne Montgomery yelled. “Wait, please. I need to talk with you.”

  Lucy’s stopped abruptly. She turned her head. Her tear-stained cheeks had turn
ed red. “Why are you here, Mr. Montgomery?”

  “I knew your mother…very well.”

  “And?” she yelled, her body shaking. “What else do you want to tell me?”

  “I’m your father.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Wayne Montgomery had mumbled those words, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Finally, he had admitted the truth—a truth that had been kept secret for more than fifteen years.

  Lucy kicked at the dirt, causing it to billow around her slender legs. Andrew hadn’t thought about how he would feel having his father admit he had another child. Lucy probably had her own set of emotions. He soon found out those emotions were angrier than his.

  “You are not my father! Sorry, Wayne Montgomery. You are nothing more than a sperm donor.” Lucy threw her hands in the air. “I don’t want you to be my family. My mom died because of you and your boys.”

  Andrew wanted to say something to her, but he knew this was not the time or place. Lucy and their father needed to find their own peace with one another.

  Wayne Montgomery frowned. “You’re right. I haven’t been a father to you. I’m so, so, so very sorry, Lucy, but I’ve been watching you and have made sure you were well taken care of all of these years.”

  Andrew felt a lump develop in the back of his throat. He hadn’t expected this sort of response from the man who’d always seemed so tough and devoid of any sort of vulnerability. He reached over and lightly touched Lucy’s arm. “Lucy, I don’t think you’re telling the complete truth. You had to have known there was a connection between us. You kept finding me, and warning me of different things.”

  Her back grew rigid. “Leave me alone.”

  “No. Not until you tell us your side of the story.”

  “Fine. You’re right. I figured it out one night when my grandfather got stupid drunk.” Her face began to turn red as she looked over at their father. “You say you’ve taken care of me all of these years, but my grandfather told me that you’d been paying up until about six months ago, and the money stopped. We’ve barely been getting by, and his way to cope with things is to drink more.”