Hush

by Jess Wygle

  “Right. She told me she didn’t know who my father was,” I said.

  I listened to papers shuffling on the other end as Carolyn lightly hummed to herself. “I don’t see anything in here that would indicate who your father was. The fact is, unless he was denied custody of you and you were turned over to the state that way, he would have been the one who would have raised you. Since we didn’t even have a paternal unit in your file when your mother passed, you were automatically put into the system.”

  “And there isn’t anyone else who would have access to that information would there? I mean, it’s not public record?”

  “Oh goodness, not at all. No, and again, since it’s still an actual file and not a link on DHS’ system here, I’m the only one who has access to this information.”

  “So this guy must have known my name all along and he just searched for me one day or something.”

  “I’m not sure. It’s hard telling how people track other people down these days. It’s so easy for anyone like you and me to do it since nearly everyone has one of these computers and can get on the internet. He didn’t tell you how he found you or how he knew you were his daughter?”

  “I didn’t really give him the time of day. I was a little freaked out by it all. He just mentioned my mom and that he’d seen me when I was a baby. Are there any rights protecting me from this?”

  “Unfortunately no. You’re an adult now. Any court order that may have been on you when you were a minor, like a restraining order or a court ruling suspending his parental rights, wouldn’t be any good now, but I know you didn’t have any, because he never existed back then. Did he threaten you?”

  “No, not at all. It’s just the principle of it. He came out of nowhere and sprang this on me. He came to my home. He stood in my doorway. That’s sending up more flags than one, as far as I’m concerned.”

  “I hear you. What do you think? We never really talked about it, but would you want a relationship with your biological father? Let’s say he hadn’t come to your door last night and scared you like that, if the possibility had been there last week, would you have taken it?”

  “No. I wouldn’t have. I have a father in Downy and two others in Mississippi. This Michael Drake is a complete stranger to me and to be honest, I’ve got to keep my guard up.”

  “You’re absolutely right. There’s not much you can do about him coming to your house. Unless you told him not to come back last night, then he’d be trespassing. He has to be breaking a law in order for the police to get involved and since you’re no longer a ward of the state, they’re the only authority that can protect you.”

  “Is that what you’d suggest? Does this happen a lot, parents laying low until the child is older before resurfacing? I have to say, I’m doing well for myself right now and my biggest concern is getting taken advantage of.”

  “You know, I’ve heard of it happening, not too often, but it happens. Sometimes it’s mutual; both parties accepted the reunion. Sometimes it’s a negative experience. And you’re right, the only reason he may have surfaced is because he found out about your situation and may only want a piece of it. I don’t know the man either and I don’t want to pass judgment, but you’re right. He could just want money from you. He may want to get access to your home and rob you. As sad as that fact is, it happens, it has happened, and it will continue to happen to unsuspecting people. You just need to be vigilant. Keep your distance and be firm, if that’s how you decide to go about this. Did you ask him not to come back last night?”

  I shook my head. “No, I just asked him to leave.”

  “If you happen to run into him again and you’re sticking to your guns about the no-contact idea, make sure to tell him you do not want to see him, you do not want him coming around, and you will call the police if need be. If it comes to getting the police involved, you can file a restraining order. Are you afraid for your safety?”

  I smiled lightly. “Not at all. Like I said, it was just a little unexpected. I’m actually seeing someone who’s in the business of personal security, so I feel pretty safe.”

  “Well that’s good to hear,” Carolyn said. “And listen, I wish I could help you out a little more. I wish I could stay and chat about your job and your new beau, but I have an appointment just outside my office. If you need anything else from me, Darlin, just give me another buzz and I’ll see what I can do for you, okay?”

  “You’ve been a great help, Carolyn. Thank you. It was great talking to you,” I said before hanging up the phone. I’d spent about three minutes too long on the phone anyway.

  The afternoon moved along quickly. I’d texted both Erin and Callem with updates and was going over some test results with one of the lab techs when Amanda informed me there was a gentleman waiting for me in the lobby. “He said he didn’t have an appointment, but he was hoping you’d see him.”

  I smiled. This wasn’t the first time Callem had pulled that line. “Thank you, I’ll be out in just a minute.”

  I found myself hurrying to the lobby with excitement. When I pushed the security door open, rather than seeing Callem waiting for me, I found Michael Drake standing near the receptionist’s desk, fidgeting as much as he was last night.

  My lips got tight and my pace quickened, moving towards him. “Hi, there,” he said with a smile as I ushered him over to the corner of the lobby. Thankfully, there was only one young boy and his mother waiting. I would have been more embarrassed if the lobby had been full.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked him when we were out of earshot of any eavesdroppers.

  “I’m sorry for dropping in like this. I was hoping we could go to lunch?”

  “No, no we can’t go to lunch. Listen, I don’t want to be rude. I don’t want to be cruel, but I don’t know you and I understand you traveled a long way to see me, but there’s a reason why I never came looking for you. There’s a reason why we hadn’t ever met before last night. Quite frankly, it’s very selfish of you to decide when you want to be a part of my life. Where were you the past 20 years when I was bouncing from family to family? Where were you when my mother died? I made it just fine on my own. I’m sorry, but I don’t need you in my life. Now I have to ask you to leave. This is my place of business. This is my office. You can’t come here again. Please leave.”

  He looked at me for a long minute. “I hope you’ll reconsider. I’m staying at the Pacific View, room 113 if you change your mind,” he said.

  “Please don’t expect me to reach out to you. I won’t come looking.” I wanted to make sure he understood my intentions, or lack thereof.

  With large eyes, he gaped at me speechlessly. He hesitated, gauging whether or not he should retort, but I held my gaze firm until he stepped back and slowly turned. I sighed as he retreated out the door of the office, though my hands were shaking. “Amanda,” I whispered, turning to the front desk. “If you see that man again, please ask him to leave and if he doesn’t, call the police,” I said, working hard to control my trembling voice.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, looking at me with a twisted brow.

  I inhaled deeply before plastering a smile on my face forcibly. “Absolutely. Yes, everything is fine. Just please ask him to leave if he returns and then inform me immediately, please. Thank you,” I managed to say cheerfully before hurrying back to my office.

  2013 - Callem

  “You have to understand,” I started.

  “Don’t,” Olivia snapped quickly, keeping her eyes out the car window. “I don’t want to hear you. Just the sound of your voice makes my skin crawl.”

  I swallowed hard. I’d have to keep my cool. I knew getting her home would be the hardest part. If I could just do that, give it a few weeks, things should start to turn around. She’d get past the idea and start to remember why we were together in the first place.

  “I’m sorry you missed dinner. I’ll call out for some delivery,” I added, hoping if I kept it casual, she’d start to come down from her rag
e-filled high.

  “How do you plan on paying for that food?” she asked, eyes still out the window.

  “With my card,” I stammered, wondering why she had asked.

  “Then I’m not eating. I don’t know where that money came from,” she whispered coldly.

  “Baby,” I cooed, reaching over for her thigh.

  She batted my advance away in an instant. “I mean it, Cal,” she spat, turning to glare at me, practically baring her teeth. “You wanted this. You want me home? You want me back? It’s going to come with a price. Though I haven’t put up a fight, you and I both know, hell even Red knows I’m not coming willingly. You painted me into a corner then threw me the only rope I could reach whether it was the one I wanted or not. You make me sick. Do not expect a single thing from me. Nothing. You broke my heart so badly that you’ve killed the best of me. Now, this is what you get.”

  There was a fire in her eyes I knew I wouldn’t be able to put out. I backed down as she returned to the view out of her window. I looked up at Red, who was eyeing us in the rearview mirror from the driver’s seat. I knew what he was thinking. I could almost hear him saying the words though he remained silent.

  This was nothing like last time.

  I’d let her sulk and sputter for a few more days. Then I’d show her. Then, the games would begin.

  2006 - Callem

  “Hold on, slow down. What happened?” I plugged my left ear so I could hear Olivia better.

  “He was here. He came to the office,” she said, enunciating each syllable.

  “Who?”

  “Michael Drake! He just showed up out of the blue and wanted to go out to lunch,” she snapped back. I could hear the panic in her voice.

  “Is he still there?”

  “No, I told him to leave. I told him I didn’t want anything to do with him, but I don’t know if I’ve gotten through to him. He told me where he was staying in case I were to change my mind later and wanted to find him. Good God, he was at my office, Callem.”

  “Okay, okay, calm down,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “Was he threatening? Was he aggressive?”

  “No, not at all. He was still a little twitchy, like last night, but he was very non-confrontational.”

  I nodded. “Good. Alright. Where did he say he was staying?” I asked while she was still a little worked up. I knew she wouldn’t question it; she wouldn’t wonder why I was asking.

  “The Pacific View. Room 113. I told him I wasn’t going to come out there. I told him not to expect me.”

  “That’s a good thing,” I added.

  “I think I’m going to take you up on your offer from last night, if it still stands? Do you mind if I stay with you tonight? He’s really starting to freak me out.”

  I nodded. “Of course. Yeah, I’d feel much better if you did. You know what, I’m going to send one of my guys over to your house and add a few more locks on your doors and windows, that way, if he shows up and tries anything stupid when he realizes you’re not there, he won’t get very far.”

  “Callem, you don’t have to do that,” she said lightly.

  “I would feel much better if I did, and trust me, once my guys are done, you’ll feel much better, too; more secure. Just do me a favor, call me if he shows up again. I’ll meet you outside your office after your shift, in case he’s waiting for you, okay? So don’t walk out until you see me there.”

  “Do you think he’d do that? You think he’d be that desperate to see me that he’d follow me or tries to break into my house?”

  “I can’t say. I don’t know the guy, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.” I heard her sigh into the phone. “Did you tell your receptionist to kick him out if he comes back?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay. Good. Just don’t think about it. I’m on top of it, okay? I’ll do some grilling for us. We can open some wine and get the fire going. Everything will work out just fine. Alright? Don’t let it bother you while you’re at work. I’ll take care of it.”

  Olivia sighed. “You’re too sweet. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  “What time do you think you’ll be done tonight?”

  “Meet you here at six?”

  “Alright, I’ll see you then. Bye.” I hung up my cell phone. I picked up my desk phone. “Hey Rick, Callem Tate. How’s that request going for Drake?” I paused and listened to him talk. “Great. Send it all over. If you get anything else, just let me know. Thanks, man.”

  I hung up the phone and walked out of my office. I passed through the lobby and over to Red’s office. I hung in the open doorway. “Hey, Michael Drake stopped at Olivia’s office.”

  “What?” Red asked, looking away from his computer monitor.

  “Yeah, she kicked him out, but it really freaked her out. She’s staying with me tonight. I told her I’d beef up security at her house just in case this guy is a fan of BE. Who do we have that can run over to Huntington and install a few more locks?”

  “Well you got Tony sitting on his ass up there,” Red said, jabbing his thumb towards the lobby of the office. “Other than that, everyone else is on assignment.”

  “Has he done locks before?”

  Red shrugged. “Beats me.”

  “What have you got going on?”

  “Just paperwork, expense reports, travel arrangements, quarterly reviews, you know, nothing much,” he joked vaguely.

  “I’m going to need you to babysit Tony if he’s new to installing locks. Then you and I have a date with Mr. Drake. He’s posted up at the Pacific View hotel and I think he needs some company.”

  “Tonight?”

  I shook my head. “Nah, tomorrow morning, real early.”

  Red nodded. “Meet you there, say one?”

  “Let’s do two. We want to make sure the majority of the other guests are asleep, including Mr. Drake.”

  2013 - Olivia

  My stomach tightened as I walked into the house. I felt like an inmate moving into her cell; I didn’t want to be here, but I didn’t have any other choice. I could run, but the warden would surely catch me and throw me into solitary confinement. It was useless.

  I stood in the entryway as the front door slammed shut, snapping down on my soul. I felt Callem standing just behind me, but made no acknowledgement of it.

  “Are you going to come in?” he finally asked, leaning towards my ear as he spoke.

  “After you,” I replied sourly.

  He sidestepped past me until he was standing in front of me, three steps into the living room. “Are you going to stand there all night?”

  “Am I on some sort of timer? Are we in a hurry to hate each other silently through the walls of this house?”

  “I don’t hate you, Liv,” he whispered.

  “Well, that makes one of us.”

  “You can’t honestly say you hate me.”

  “Can’t I?” I said sharply. He stood, waiting for me to come into the house, but I stayed glued to my spot. His eyes were heavy and his lips turned down. Was he doing this on purpose? Was he intentionally trying to make me feel bad for him? Of course he was. He knew exactly who I was and he knew the best road to the weakest parts of my heart. He was no stranger to playing all my faults to the tee.

  “Just keep reminding yourself that I’m doing this because I love you.”

  “And you may as well keep telling yourself that I’m a salty bitch because you made me this way,” I spat before storming off. I swept past him and up the stairs to the spare room where I closed the door and locked it.

  What good was it to lock it? He had keys to all the doors and even if he didn’t, he knew exactly how to get in. I was just hoping it’d tell him to give me some space. I dropped down on the bed in the dark, quiet room and inhaled deeply.

  My eyes started to fill up. My chin quivered. I held my breath as the silent sobs battled their way out of me. I heard each of his steps as he climbed the stairs and approach the spare room door. I saw the shadow of his feet at the bottom of the do
or. I watched the knob twitch as he tried to turn it unsuccessfully. I waited for him to say something. I waited for him to pound and demand I allow him entry. I waited for something to come from him.

  I waited for a reaction that never came. After a few short seconds, Callem’s shadow moved away and didn’t return. I lay on my side, crying lightly into the pillow until I drifted off to sleep.

  2006 - Olivia

  “He showed up at your office?” Erin gasped a week later. I hadn’t seen her since dinner at my house. She brought over some take-out for us so I could tell her about the other day’s events.

  “Yeah and I was really short with him. I told him, ‘I don’t want you around. I don’t want to get to know you’. I’m not sure if he got the hint though because he followed it up with inviting me to his hotel to visit with him.”

  “You didn’t’ go there, did you?”

  “No, not at all!” I said. “He just told me where he was staying in hopes I’d seek him out, but I didn’t and I have no intention to.”

  “I can’t believe you didn’t call and tell me,” Erin said, shaking her head, stuffing a bite of her salad in her mouth.

  “Well, I called Callem,” I said carefully.

  Erin nodded dramatically. “Okay, I see how it is. Bros before hoes, is that it?”

  I smiled. “You can’t blame me. Personal security is what he does for a living. He had his guys come over to my house that day and add some more locks on my doors and I stayed with him the next couple of nights.”

  Erin’s eyes got wide. “A couple of nights, huh? Wow, you saucy little minx. How was that?”

  I couldn’t contain the smile that stretched from ear to ear. “It was great,” I managed. “He’s, he’s so wonderful. He’s such a gentleman and he’s so,” I paused to smile bigger, searching for the right word, “I don’t even know how to say it. You know, most people look at me and see a girl. When he looks at me, he makes me feel so young, but in a good way. He’s intimidating in an intimate way, which is such a sexy quality. It gives me goose bumps. He just makes me feel so protected and so comfortable and so wanted. I can tell when we’re together there really isn’t anywhere else he’d rather be.”