Second Chance at Forever

by Mary Wasowski

  If you ever get the chance to be with Ms. Mitchell again, I truly hope this locket finds its way back to her. She was incredibly brave while standing up to me, and I broke her by taking this from her. I hope to one day be reunited with my grandson—your unborn child—and beg him for forgiveness. He should have lived my son, and have you as his father to raise him. You will never know how sorry I am for your loss. Please don’t let my sins define you, Walker. I know how much I have hurt you, but you’re also your mother’s son and have goodness that runs through you. You love more than you hate. Please, my son… let love be your guiding light back to the woman I know you still love. I knew it from the moment you spoke about your life, and who you were missing.

  I pray you get your second chance and finally live the life you were meant to have.

  In parting…

  Your father,

  Phillip Alexander Reed

  Sitting in silence and now staring at my father’s portrait, I vowed to take back what was taken from me…starting with Reese. My father was right about one thing. I was very much in love with Reese Mitchell, and she would be mine. Our time together was stolen from us. No letters of apologies can ever make up for that, but our connection was just as strong now as it was all those years ago. I gathered my things from my father’s office and took one last look around the room. My eyes found his, and it was my defining moment as Phillip Reed’s son.

  “You’re a coward, father. You hid your treachery from me all of these years simply because you believed you could. You had no right to play God with our lives, and I promise you, father, I will right those wrongs. Death may have freed you of the burdens you carried while alive, but it doesn’t mean I will ever forgive you for what you did. I knew you were ruthless, but to do this to your own son is incomprehensible to me, and I hope you carry this with you to the deepest realm of hell.” I slammed my way out of his study, and vowed never to return to it again.

  Jackson and my mother had now returned. Jackson’s arms were filled with shopping bags, as I’m sure my mother had spoiled him with gifts.

  “Why, hello there, Walker. We thought you would never emerge from your seclusion. Is all your business concluded for the day?” Ah my mother, as graceful as she conducts herself, she also has a smart mouth about her as well.

  “Yes, I’m done for today. How about we all have an early dinner before Jackson and I return to the city?”

  “Sounds good to me, dad. What do you say Grandmother? Where do you want to go?”

  “In honor of hanging out with my amazing grandson all day, let’s think out of the box and order…pizza.” I rarely remember a time when my mother shocked me, but this took the cake. Olivia Walker Reed wants greasy, cheesy pizza.

  “Okay, mother, pizza it is.” Jackson smiled and hugged his grandmother. He loved her so much, and the sight of them made the coldness I felt for my father melt away some in my heart. I will never forget what my father did to me, but I can’t keep Jackson away from my mother. A couple of hours ago, I wanted to take gasoline to this house and burn it to the ground. I hated being here, but it’s the home she shared with my father, and I would leave it be for her.

  We ate our pizza, and Jackson explained in great detail about film school and of course Riley. “Grandmother, as soon as we are settled at school, my first chance I get, you have to meet my girl. Riley is amazing, and I know you will love her. I had a great time today. And thank you for my new camera. I promise you this bad boy will make an award-winning film.”

  “I love you, Jackson, and of course I look forward on meeting Riley. She sounds lovely, and anyone that can make you this happy is worth getting to know.” They hugged one more time, and then Jackson waited in the car for me to say my goodbyes to my mother.

  “Mother, if I remember correctly, those were the same words you recited to me when I wanted you to meet Reese. Did you mean it back then?”

  “Yes, Walker, I did. Reese was an extraordinary young woman, and she brought you happiness and clearly loved you. I wish I would have known what your father was planning. If I had, you must believe I would have tried to stop him. Remember what we talked about, son. I know you want another chance with Reese, but it’s not just about her anymore. She has a husband, and a daughter who is in love with Jackson. This can crumble all around you, and many lives will be affected by the choices you make. Please be careful, my son.”

  “Mother, I know what I’m doing. None of this had to happen if it wasn’t for father manipulating me in the first place. Look, we had a pleasant afternoon. Let’s not spoil it now. I will be in touch.” I quickly hugged my mother and turned away from her. She wanted more, but every time I felt like she was defending the past or my father, anger burned throughout me.

  I glanced down at my phone, no missed calls or texts from Reese. Come to think of it, Jackson didn’t speak to Riley at all today. I guess she wanted to give this time to him with his grandmother.

  We arrived back in the city by seven. All I wanted to do was see Reese. I was going to quickly shower and change and then go to her hotel. I had so much to tell her and it couldn’t wait one more minute.

  “Dad!” Jackson screamed for me.

  I ran out of my bedroom to find him slamming the phone down onto the counter. “What’s wrong, son? Why are you so upset?”

  “I just called the hotel, and Riley and her mom have checked out. Riley’s phone is going directly to voicemail. What the hell, dad? Why would she leave without telling me?”

  My heart just sank deep in my chest. This is why I couldn’t get in touch with Reese last night or today. She was running again, and if she told me she planned on going home, she knew I would have stopped her. I tried to calm down and get my words out without alarming Jackson. He was clearly hurt by Riley’s sudden departure. So was I, for that matter, but I didn’t want him to see.

  “Jackson, maybe a family emergency occurred, and they had no time to call.” I was praying my feeble excuse would be enough for Jackson to calm down.

  “This doesn’t make sense, dad. Even if Riley had an emergency she would have called me. Did I freak her out last night by telling her that I loved her? How could she leave without telling me?” In a rare moment, Jackson began to cry and sat in pain with all of his unanswered questions about Riley.

  “Listen to me, Jackson. I’m sure she has a valid reason why they left. Please calm down, and let’s just relax a bit and then call her again. If Riley doesn’t pick up, then just leave her a message. I’m sure she will return your call.”

  Jackson began holding his head. Every time he did this, it scared the hell out of me. This was another reason why I didn’t want him on the other side of the country. His mother having a stroke took her life, and since his early teen years, Jackson had suffered with migraines. I had him tested every year with blood work and scans to make sure he’s okay.

  “Dad, I’m going to take a shower, and then if I don’t reach Riley, I’m going to bed. I have a headache, and feel kind of sick.”

  “Do I need to call a doctor, Jackson? You must tell me if you need one.”

  “Dad, it’s just a headache. I’m going to take some Advil and lie down. You have the look in your eyes again. Don’t worry. I swear to you that I’m fine.”

  “Okay. Get some rest, and I’ll check on you in a little while. I love you, son.”

  “I love you, too. Good night, dad.”

  Asking me not to worry was like asking me not to breathe. How could I not worry when it came to Jackson’s health? How much more could I take today? With all that I found out from Miles and finally learning the truth, my head was pounding. I had to reach Reese and find out why she left without talking to me.

  First things first, I had some matters to take care of, and I needed to start with Henry Townsend. That son of a bitch played with my life, and now that I knew the truth, I believed a visit was in order to my father-in-law.

  I phoned Stephen and made all the arrangements to leave in the morning, stop in Arizon
a, then arrive home in California. My next call was to Reese. Her voicemail picked up and this time I left a message.

  “Reese, I don’t know why you left without saying goodbye. I can’t believe I’m actually saying these words again, it’s like I’m back there when I discovered you missing the first time. I will find you this time. I promise you that, my love. Reese, I meant every word I said to you last night. I love you, and you’re mine forever. You will be seeing me soon. You can count on that.”

  I hung up and prayed that she didn’t delete my message before listening to it. Once I dealt with Henry and got Jackson settled back at home, I could focus on Reese. Before going to bed, I checked on Jackson. He was fast asleep with Riley’s picture in his hand. I could tell he was crying from the tear stains on his pillow. My poor boy, so in love and now missing his girl because she left without as much as a simple goodbye. I brushed his fallen floppy hair away from his eyes. God! He looked so much like his mother when he slept. I know it’s a restless sleep, but I can’t help to think of Elizabeth when I get these rare stolen moments with him. I took his phone and placed it on his nightstand and carefully placed Riley’s picture along with it.

  As I watched over Jackson, he appeared to look more relaxed as he fell deeper into sleep. I turned off his light and made my way to the door, taking one last glance at him.

  Believe me, son, I know exactly how you feel. I promise you will see your girl again. This time around, I do not plan on letting Reese walk out of my life to never be heard from again. Her running days are over, and the only running she is going to do is right back into my waiting arms…where she was always meant to be.

  I REMAINED AS quiet as I could without alerting Samuel that I was actually awake. I squeezed my eyes closed and remembered what I was awakened to.

  After leaving Walker, my heart was racing. My head was spinning and my heart was screaming to turn around and run back into the arms of the man that I love. I kept walking and foolishly never looked back. Another mistake I can add to my long list of wrong choices that only brought me the feeling of pain and loss. All these feelings were connecting to my past and now present with Walker. He must have tried calling me by now? I thought silently to myself. What about Jackson? He must be upset with Riley as well. She had never missed a call with him, and I’m sure he must be confused about why she is not returning his calls. I’m back there again, how did this happen? This was always the question I kept asking myself. I had left Walker again, and not by choice. I was being forced again to leave him, and he had no clue as to why.

  My stomach hurt, my head hurt, and I wanted off this plane. Today was supposed to be very different. I had led Riley to believe that we were going to have a spa day, but really we were going to Central Park to see Freddy’s show and reunite with my best friend. I had planned this out very carefully with Marsha, and now with the unexpected turn of events, how will she ever understand me not showing up today? Once I had my time with Freddy and Riley, I would reunite with the man that I loved. I had planned on telling Walker that I did intend to move forward with divorcing Samuel, and would join him wherever he wanted me to be. As long as Walker and I were together, I wouldn’t care.

  Samuel showing up unexpectedly was the game changer in our story. I had awakened to a cold bed, missing Walker, and remembering all of my time with this amazing man who I loved all of my adult life. I touched myself in the places he did when he explored my body. I almost made myself come with the naughty fantasies that were entertaining my mind. I glanced over at the alarm clock, and it was nearing nine am. I showered quickly and got dressed. I glanced at my image in the mirror and what I saw was a different woman. This woman had light in her eyes again, a smile on her face, and renewed hope for her future.

  I can’t wait to see the look on Riley’s face when I tell her what we are really doing today. Then…I will be with Walker tonight. I whispered to myself and walked out of my room to greet Riley.

  “Good morning baby, how did you sleep?”

  “I slept fantastic, mom, and I can’t wait to spend lots of daddy’s money today.”

  “Now, Riley, let’s not go crazy. Your father doesn’t have you on an unlimited budget.”

  “I know, mom, but it’s fun to say it.”

  “Riley, I wanted to talk to you about something very important, I’m hoping you will hear me out and let me explain.”

  “Of course, mom, you know you can tell me anything. I wanted to talk to you too and…” She was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Who can that be? Are you expecting anyone, mom? Is this my surprise?”

  “No, that’s later on, but we’re not going to know who’s on the other side of the door unless you answer it.”

  Riley opened the door, and to our surprise, it’s Samuel, standing there with a huge bouquet of flowers. Oh shit. What the hell is he doing here? A few days ago, this wouldn’t have been my reaction. I had wanted him to be here for Riley, but now everything had changed.

  “Daddy!” Riley screeched as she hugged her father with pure happiness on her face. What are you doing here? Oh my god, mom, daddy’s here!”

  “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so happy to see you. How about you lighten the choke hold you have on me and invite me in?”

  “Oh geez, daddy, I’m sorry, please come in. Forgive me, I’m just surprised that you’re actually standing in our hotel room in New York City. What about your work? Is someone covering your surgeries? What about your patients? Oh my god, daddy, did something happen?”

  “Riley, wow my head is spinning with all that. Take a breath and calm down. Everything is fine, patients are good, and I left my hospital in capable hands. I’m here because I missed my girls, and I’m an ass for not joining you on this trip. Can you forgive me for not having the sense that the good Lord has given me?”

  Riley, in tears, again lunged at her father and hugged him and kissed his cheek. One thing I was sure of, my daughter loved her father. He has made her so happy with his arrival, how can I tell her now that I’m divorcing him?

  “Baby, can you let go of daddy’s neck, so I can give a proper hello to your mother. I think she is still stunned that I’m here.” Riley laughed and released her father. Samuel put his bag and flowers down, and slowly walked over to me. He’s right…stunned would be the appropriate word that would describe this scene, among the other fifty thousand words going through my head right now.

  “Hey, baby,” Samuel whispered in my ears as he pulled me into a tight hold, caging me in with his vice grip fingers around my arms.

  “Hi,” I whispered back as he caressed my neck with kisses. I tried not to tense up with his sudden assault on me. Samuel released me and stared into my eyes, as if he secretly knew what I had been up to. I blinked back at him to break the connection.

  “What are you doing here, Samuel? I thought you couldn’t get away.”

  “Yes, that’s true, but after we ended our call last night, I couldn’t stay away from you…not one more minute. I should have never stayed behind and let you come here without me. My place is with my wife and daughter. I was selfish, and for that I’m truly sorry. Riley, please forgive me for not being here from the beginning. I want to hear all about your trip, from the minute you arrived.”

  “What can I say, daddy? This trip has been amazing, and I can’t wait to come back to live and attend school here. I toured the whole campus and met with my professors that I will have for my first and second semesters. I can’t even tell you how many friends I made from my last time I was here until now. Jackson has a circle of friends that he has known since childhood. We have spent lots of time with them, a great group of people. Daddy, I can’t wait for you to officially meet Jackson. He is so wonderful and smart. He has taken me all around the city, dinner, a night at the theater, and even a horse and carriage ride in Central Park.”

  “Wow, that sounds great honey, but haven’t you spent any alone time with your mother? Wasn’t this one of the reasons you gave me when asking my permission to come
here?”

  “Mom and I had planned on spending today together. We have a spa appointment, lunch, and shopping planned. We were just about to head out when you arrived to surprise us.”

  I remained quiet until Samuel turned back at me with his happy expression now turning glacial. He can be so mercurial at times.

  “Reese, you approved of our daughter roaming the streets at night with her boyfriend, whom you just met? Where were you when this was all happening?” Samuel’s tone was now accusatory. I could see from across the room that he was beginning to tense up.

  “Samuel, our daughter was not roaming the streets of New York by herself. She was with Jackson, and both were accompanied by his father’s driver and security detail. I knew at all times where our daughter was, so why all the questions? She hasn’t done anything wrong, but be eighteen and enjoy herself.”

  “I’m sorry to both of you for my behavior, but Riley, this is New York, and you never really have left home before. Give your father a chance to process all the change that is happening in your life.”

  “Daddy, why are you so paranoid? Did you forget that I grew up in Baltimore? That’s a city too. I was perfectly safe with Jackson’s driver. His father made sure we were watched over by him, and we never even got a chance to walk the streets. Richard drove us everywhere.”

  “I’m happy to hear that. It sounds like Jackson’s father is just as protective of his son as I am of you. Reese, how was the luncheon? Did you meet up with some of your old friends from the alumni group?”

  “Mom didn’t make it, daddy. She missed all of the events.” Samuel whipped his head around and shot daggers right at me. Stay calm Reese, stay calm.