by Jessa Eden
I was determined to spend more time with him.
Shortly after we got back, I was at home, getting ready for work when Reeves knocked on my bedroom door.
“What is it?” I asked as I answered.
“You have a visitor,” Reeves announced from the doorway.
“Who?” I asked, wondering who would visit this early.
“Charlie Matthews.”
I wondered what he wanted. “Put him in the great room. I’ll be out in a minute.”
I finished getting dressed in a white button down shirt and a pair Hugo Boss grey slacks, then walked into the great room. Charlie sat on the couch, his face a storm of emotion.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I asked in concern.
“I’m fine. Got time for a beer?”
I glanced at my silver Cartier watch. “At eight-thirty in the morning?”
“Yeah, it’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“How about some coffee?”
“That’ll do.”
“Are you hungry? Want an omelet?”
“Sure. I could eat.”
I signaled Reeves. “Can you bring us two coffees and omelets?”
“My pleasure, Mr. Shepard.”
“We’ll take it outside.”
“Very good, sir.”
I slid open the flexible panel of glass doors, which faced the giant deck, and wrapped around the penthouse.
“Wow,” Charlie said as he stepped out and took in the Baltimore skyline.
“Yep. It’s pretty spectacular. So why are you here, Charlie?” I asked as we sat down at the patio table.
“I got in a fight with my mom. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I was so angry, I threw a bowl against the wall. I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“Well, it’s understandable. It’s hard to comprehend everything you’ve lost.”
“I just can’t believe my mom! She told me she wanted to protect me from your family.”
“My family?”
“Yeah, she said your dad wanted to take me away from her.”
Marla was delusional. “No, that can’t be right. No one in my family even knew you existed.”
Reeves brought out our plates and coffees just then. But I was no longer hungry. My instinct kept nagging at me. I needed to investigate these discrepancies, which were continuing to stack up.
I was gonna stop by and see Charly. I had a feeling he would know what was going on. We never talked about Marla after she left me, but that was because I didn’t want to. He’d tried a couple of times, but I shut him down quickly when he’d come up to visit six months after Marla broke up with me.
“Have you heard from Marla?” he’d asked moments after he arrived.
“I don’t want to talk about it, Pops,” I snapped, the heartbreak too raw.
“There are things you don’t understand,” he tried to explain.
“No, Pops! I can’t hear this right now.”
He’d backed off and I hadn’t thought about it since. Now, I questioned why he would ask me about her.
“I’m gonna visit my granddad, Charly. He might have some insight.”
Charlie’s hand froze mid-air as he was lifting his coffee cup. “Charly’s your granddad? So he’s my great-grandfather?”
I put down my fork. “Wait, you know Charly?”
He smiled. “Blue eyes, great sense of humor, lives in like the greatest pimped out senior suite ever?”
“Yeah, that sounds like him.”
“We visit him all the time,” he informed me.
All kinds of warning bells went off in my head. “Why?”
“I don’t know. But I’ve known him my whole life. He’s the one who taught me how to tell jokes.”
“No kidding?”
“Yeah, he filled my head with all kinds of jokes growing up.”
What the hell was going on?
Why wouldn’t Pops tell me he knew my kid?
“Well, I’m going to go see him. Something isn’t right about this situation with your mom and I need to figure out what it is. Are you going to be okay by yourself?”
“Can I stay at your place for the night?”
“Only if you call your mom and tell her where you are. I do not need her up my ass, hunting you down.”
“I’ll text her.”
“Good enough. Make yourself at home. If you need something, ask Reeves. I’ll be back later.”
“All right. I can handle that,” he said, scarfing down his omelet.
*****
Marla:
I sat against the kitchen island cabinets a good long time as all of the energy in my body seemed to fall out of me.
I was so tired of being seen as the bad guy.
I tried to tell myself Charlie had a right to be mad at me and work this out in his own way, but it was such a slap in the face to all the sacrifices I had made.
Violent sobs poured out of me as I gave into my self-pity and cried for all I was worth. My body shook as I grieved once again over a past I couldn’t change.
It was so fucking unfair.
Would this suffering ever end?
Tears flew down my cheeks as I dug deep to find the grace to survive this latest round of blame. I didn’t know how much more I could bear.
When I was all cried out, I got up and decided it wasn’t a good day to go to work. I had nothing left to give and my clients deserved better.
Grabbing my cell phone, I called Emma a little after nine a.m.
“I’m not coming in today.”
“What’s going on? Are you sick?” she asked worriedly.
“No. I don’t feel like coming in.”
“What? My sister is blowing off work?”
“It’s more like I’m in crisis mode. Charlie’s really pissed at me and we just had a huge fight. I can’t make it in today, Sugarpop. Sorry.” I tried to keep the tears at bay.
“I understand,” she sympathized. “I’m sorry to hear you and Charlie are having a hard time. Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to talk to him?”
“No, he needs time to cool off and I’m gonna give it to him. I’m going to take a mental health day and I would really appreciate it if you would cover for me.”
“Sure thing, big sister. I gotcha covered.”
“Thanks, Emma. I appreciate it.”
I got off the phone, wondering what I should do with myself. I needed an ally, someone who knew the whole story and wouldn’t judge me for it.
I hopped in my car, knowing exactly where to go as I zoomed across town and found myself at Charly’s front door, hoping he wouldn’t mind I stopped by.
“Marla, what brings you by, honey?” he asked as he opened the door.
I burst into tears. He was always so sweet to me.
He wrapped his arms around me in a comforting hug. It was warm and safe. Just what I needed.
“Everything’s a mess, Charly,” I let out with my face pressed against his shoulder.
“Come in. Let’s talk about it,” he offered as we broke our embrace.
“’Kay.”
I followed him into his spotless kitchen, where he pulled out his Keurig coffee machine. While he made us two cups of coffee, I sat numbly on one of the wooden barstools in front of his lightly speckled granite countertop.
“So what’s going on?” he asked, handing me a steaming mug of coffee.
“Well, this latest round started when Beau flew me down to the Bahamas...” The story came rushing out of me as I poured out my heart to him.
He listened intently as I told him almost everything that happened in the Bahamas and the drama that unfolded when we got back.
“Charly, I don’t know what to do.” I dabbed my eyes with a tissue as I finished telling him about the fight I had with my Charlie. “You should have seen him. He was so angry with me. I don’t know if he’s even coming back tonight.”
“Hush, child. I know how much you gave up raising Charlie and keeping him sa
fe from Beau’s dad. His threats were real. I couldn’t have stopped him.”
That didn’t make me feel any better.
“You were right to protect your family, Marla,” he clarified.
“It doesn’t feel so right when Beau and Charlie are both mad at me.”
“No, it doesn’t. But I think Beau is close to discovering the truth. I think he’s finally interested in knowing what really happened.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, I can see him wrestling with what he’s always believed about the situation.”
“I really hope so. I don’t think I can take much more of this blame.”
A knock came then, and Charly shuffled to the front door.
“Hey, Beau!” Charly called out loudly, alerting me to his visitor.
Oh, crap.
Could this morning get any worse?
It just wasn’t my day.
My instinct told me to bolt, but I sat there, trying to sip my coffee as if I didn’t care about the hot man walking through the door.
“What are you doing here?” Beau accused as he sauntered into the kitchen.
I froze as he confronted me. “I...uh...I’m visiting your granddad.”
“Why are you visiting him?” he pressed, clearly not happy I was there.
I shrugged, unsure of what to say. “Charly and I have always kept in touch.”
“Oh, fiddlesticks. She’s been visiting me for years,” Charly volunteered.
“Years?” Beau asked, his chiseled face paling several shades.
“Years,” Charly repeated.
The air grew thick with a coiling tension that was going to unravel in any number of ways. None of which seemed like it was going to be a positive, happy experience and I really wasn’t up for any type of confrontation.
“You know, I think you two should talk. I’m gonna get going,” I announced. I wanted out of there.
“No, Marla. You can stay,” Charly offered.
That really wasn’t an option. “No, I need to go. I’ll be in touch, Charly.” I kissed him on the cheek.
Beau and I stared at one another as I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. I knew Charly was going to lay out my son’s life for him and I didn’t want to be around when it happened.
Who knew how Beau would react to years of memories?
I wasn’t brave enough to find out.
As I drove away from Charly’s place, I wrestled with how my life was spinning out of control. Beau was on the cusp of finding out everything. Charlie was mad at me, and I wasn’t sure how to sort through the emotional turmoil I was feeling. All I knew was the hopes and worries I had carried for years were on the verge of colliding.
Into what, I didn’t know.
Scary and dangerous were two words that came to mind.
Wonderful was another.
I really didn’t know which way Beau would bend.
I needed some air and a place to think. So I headed out to the bay. I always found it peaceful and soothing, even in the most turbulent times of my life.
I walked along the pier, thinking of better times in the Bahamas. I had truly enjoyed my unexpected vacation with Beau and Charlie.
Having that short time together reminded me of what we could be. It almost seemed possible that Beau, Charlie, and I could form a makeshift, albeit unique, family. Now, I wasn’t even sure if my son wanted to see me again.
I passed a taffy shop, the sweet smell of boiling candy wrapping around me. I loved that smell. It reminded me of my mom and made me feel close to her.
That’s why I usually came out to the pier. Mom was the first person who took me out here and I visited again from time to time.
On one of the last outings she made, she had driven me out here one afternoon when I was a junior in high school. The day was beautiful, the bay calm, and the breeze pleasant.
We strolled along the same path I was on now, along the worn wooden planks of the pier. We moved slowly, while she wheeled her oxygen tank behind her.
We tried to walk the entire length of the pier, but it soon became obvious it was too taxing for her to walk any further. So we sat on one of the wooden benches, along the railing, where we could stare out into the cold water.
“How’s school going?” she asked.
“Good.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You’ve always been so good about keeping up with your homework and succeeding in all your classes. I’m so proud of who you’re becoming.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She stared at me with tears in her pain-filled gaze. “Doodlebug, I have to tell you something.”
“What?” I asked, fearing her answer.
“I’m not going to be around much longer.”
The bottom fell out of my world as I tried to deny it. “Don’t say that. I know you’re going to beat this cancer.”
She closed her eyes, reminding me of a beautiful angel as she soaked in the salty ocean breeze. It was one of my most vivid memories of her.
She opened her eyes, her glance full of conviction. “No, sweetie, I’m not.”
My heart plummeted into my stomach. “No, I don’t want to believe it.”
“The doctor said three months.”
“Three months?” I asked as my mouth went dry. “I can’t lose you, Mom. I can’t even think about life without you.”
“I know. I don’t want to think about it either. But we have to plan so you and Emma are taken care of.”
I couldn’t believe I was having this conversation.
“What’s going to happen to us?” Panic rose in my throat as I thought about being completely on my own with a ten-year-old.
“I’ve been able to put enough money aside for you to stay in the apartment for five years. My life insurance policy will kick in two months after I’m gone and that should give you enough to take care of yourself and Emma for three to four years, if you budget right.”
Overwhelmed, I stared at her.
Her tormented glance pleaded desperately with mine as she grabbed my hand. “Don’t let Emma be taken from you. I don’t want my girls split up. My will states I want you to have custody, but the state will want to make sure you can take care of Emma.”
It was such a surreal conversation. “The state?”
“Yeah. Keep the house clean, the fridge well stocked and keep going to school. Whatever you do, don’t get your dad involved. He’ll only want the money. Promise me, Marla. Promise me you’ll take care of your sister.”
I had no choice in the matter. I wasn’t about to let my sister or my mom down.
I nodded solemnly. “I promise, Mom. I won’t let anyone split us up.”
She put her arm around me and hugged me tight. “Good, Doodlebug. I needed to hear that. I’m so sorry to put you in this position.” She kissed my temple and held me tight.
I squeezed back, willing her to live.
But none of my prayers were answered.
Two months later, she was dead and I had no idea how much that promise would cost me.
Not that I would change anything.
I would chose my sister every time.
“You seem sad,” a gentleman in a fine wool coat said, standing to the right of the bench I was sitting on.
I glanced up at him. “I am. It’s been a tough day.”
“A lady in distress, I do not like to see. Please take this and dry your eyes.” He gracefully whipped out a hanky from his camel colored cashmere sports coat and handed it to me.
“Thank you,” I said,
“My pleasure, my lady.”
I wiped my eyes and tried to give him back the hanky. “No, my lady, keep it.”
The way he said my lady gave me the creeps. It was time to make my exit.
“Thanks for the hanky,” I said, getting up.
“My pleasure, my lady. I hope your day gets better.”
“Me, too,” I answered politely, before turning and walking back toward my car.
CHAPTER EIGHT
EEN
Beau:
I was done fuckin’ around.
Everyone seemed to know what was going on, except me.
Marla had hightailed it out of Charly’s place so fast I didn’t get a chance to question her.
No matter. Charly was fair game.
My granddad had all my attention as we stood together in the kitchen. “Pops, did you know about Charlie?” I asked, getting right to the point.
He wasn’t surprised by my line of questioning and his normally bright blue eyes flickered with serious regret. “Yes, I did. I supported Marla and Charlie, so she could raise him right and be a full-time mom. I even bankrolled her salon. I figure it was the least I could do for my boy,” he volunteered.
Hints of betrayal ran through my blood. “Why?”
“Because someone from our family had to do right by Marla after your daddy blackmailed her. He was determined to get his way and he made sure she broke up with you.”
I shook my head. “No, she left me because she couldn’t hack the distance,” I said, trying to block out the disturbing information coming from Charly. “She would’ve told me about something that bad. There’s no way Dad had anything to do with this, right?” I asked, unsure of anything at that point.
“Think about it, Bubba. Your daddy made sure she couldn’t tell you.”
I backed up into the counter in stunned disbelief. “No, that can’t be right.”
“You can believe what you want, Bubba, but your daddy made that break-up happen.”
The air rushed out of my body as I slumped against the granite. “What’s going on? I thought I knew what went down...but...” I trailed off, too blown away to contemplate the awful truth.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. Marla begged me, son, not to tell you. She was terrified her baby and her sister would be taken from her. Your father was hell bent on making sure she did what he wanted.”
Righteous anger lit in my chest. “That doesn’t matter, Pops. I still had a right to know what was happening with Marla.”
His glance filled with remorse. “You’re right...you’re right. I tried to tell you many times. But every time I even mentioned Marla, you flipped out. I knew this information would destroy you; and frankly, you hadn’t been strong enough until now to handle it.”