A Family Reunited

by Dorie Graham

  Pink tinged her cheeks. “Chase, can we please forget about that kiss?”

  He arched his eyebrows in question. “Sweetheart, I don’t know about you, but I plan to savor the memory of that kiss, and—” he leaned in closer to her “—I plan to kiss you like that again the first chance we get.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t think about that now. Let’s write the letter.”

  He placed his hand over hers. “Fine, but admit that we’ve got something here, that we can make another go of this.”

  “Chase, please...”

  He held her gaze. “You know, in Al-Anon they say I’m the one who’s supposed to have the problem with taking everything too seriously and not wanting to commit.”

  “I didn’t know you’d been attending those meetings. Have they helped?”

  “Yes, I think so. They at least remind me other people have to deal with the same shit and that I’m really not nuts. I hope I’ve learned how to be supportive without enabling his drinking. I should probably try to get Kara to go with me some, too, especially if she wants Dad to be part of her life.” He shrugged. “It might make a difference to him if he knew she were going, though she may be going a little overboard on the whole ‘we’re in this all together’ thing. I don’t think my dad is ready yet for all her family bonding.”

  “I think that’s really sweet,” she said. “I love how you are with Kara. I’m not sure I get how she can be so supportive of your father after all he’s done. I think it would be really hard for her not to blame him for her having been thrown into foster care, but I guess it shows a lot about her character.”

  “Or how much she wants to erase where she’s come from, being passed from family to family. The girl wants roots.” He nudged her with his elbow. “Unlike some people I know.”

  Her gaze fell to the tabletop. “When those roots have been torn from the ground, it’s really hard to trust in them again.”

  Frustrated, he took a piece of stationery. Why couldn’t she trust? If he could trust in a relationship, how hard could it be?

  “Family is family,” he said, because wasn’t that really all that mattered in the end?

  Dear Aunt Rena,

  This is your nephew, Chase Carrolton.

  He stopped. “Don’t you want a family of your own one day?”

  The crease between her eyebrows deepened. “So I can carry on another generation of dysfunction? Why would I want to do that?”

  “Your family is not that bad. Besides, what family isn’t dysfunctional? We figure out how to deal with all the bullshit, because we love each other.”

  “Then why do we hurt each other?” She looked away, over the hill blooming with wildflowers. “Maybe it’s so hard because I once thought I did have it all, the perfect family, the best boyfriend, and it all evaporated in the blink of an eye. Maybe I’m just not as tough as you are. I don’t think I can take that kind of grief again.”

  Once more, he placed his hand over hers. “But you’d like to have that again, the part before all the drama? You’d like to be in a loving relationship, to have your family healed and together again?”

  Moisture gathered in her eyes. “Yes,” she said, her voice rough. “I’d like to have that again.”

  Satisfaction filled him. “Good, I can work with that. Now let’s find Robert’s father.”

  I know it’s been a long time, but I need to see you.

  He glanced at Alex before continuing.

  You remember the Peterson family. You were once best friends with Ruth Peterson. Her daughter Alexandra and I have traveled here specifically to ask you something important about her mother.

  We are only here for the day, but you can reach either one of us on our cell phones at any time. Our flight doesn’t depart until around nine tonight. We plan to remain in the area, in case we hear from you and you’re willing and available to see us, in which case we’ll return to your house or meet you anywhere that might be more convenient.

  He signed his name and listed both of their cell phones at the bottom, then handed the letter to Alex. She read through it and nodded as she folded it and then slipped it into an envelope.

  “Thanks for doing this for me, Chase,” she said. “This is such a huge favor. You actually flew out here with me and drove all that way. Whether we ever hear from your aunt or not, or whether she can help us find Robert’s biological father or not, I owe you big-time. I’m not sure how I’ll ever repay you.”

  His heart warmed for this woman. She wasn’t perfect by any means, but neither was he, and her intentions in trying to find a donor for her brother were sound, whether Robert agreed with them or not. And didn’t that really mean her family mattered to her?

  He took both of her hands in his. “I wanted to do this for Robert every bit as much as you did. You don’t owe me anything. I just hope that what we’re doing here today will make a difference.”

  He took the letter and rose. “Let’s tuck this in the door so she’s sure to see it as soon as she arrives.”

  Alex followed him to the door. The birds continued their song and a soft breeze swept along the porch. He wedged the letter in the crack above the doorknob, and then turned to Alex as large drops of rain spattered the roof and ground around the porch. In moments, the sky opened, pouring down rain in sheets. Then, as quickly as it had started, the rain stopped.

  “If this doesn’t work, we’ll find another way to help Robert,” he said.

  She nodded, though worry still creased her brow. If only he could soothe away her concern, then hold her close so nothing else could ever upset her again. He hugged her once more, because it at least made him feel better.

  The floorboards of the porch creaked, startling them both. Footsteps sounded along the far side of the wraparound porch. A woman’s voice called out, “Hello?”

  They parted, turning as his aunt Rena rounded the corner, a basket of wildflowers hung on her arm, rainwater running from her hair. There was no mistaking her, though her hair held streaks of gray she hadn’t had the last time he’d seen her, she was a little thicker in the middle and creases formed at the corners of her eyes when she spied them and smiled. Those were the same fun-loving eyes his aunt had always had.

  He opened his arms as she did the same. “Hello, Aunt Rena.”

  “Chase, my boy,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him. “I’d recognize you anywhere. What a surprise!”

  * * *

  THE BRASSY NOTES of a saxophone floated softly through the air as Alex tried to relax beside Chase on the red leather sofa that somehow managed to appear tasteful in his aunt’s huge drawing room. Maybe it was the sunshine streaming through the windows and the spaciousness of the house that lent acceptance to all things bright and big. Huge paintings of wildflowers in bold colors graced the walls, and the furniture competed equally for attention with its reds and purples and greens in bright hues that made the eyes widen, but in a pleasant kind of way.

  Aunt Rena herself was surely the inspiration for the decor; whether she had selected it or paid someone to decorate for her, it had been money well spent. Any visitor, be they weary or weighed with worry as Alex found herself that afternoon, when faced with the brilliance of Aunt Rena’s drawing room, could only feel the need to celebrate life in all its glory. Alex felt a hint of this sitting on that red leather sofa, even though her nap in the car had been full of nightmares and had left her more tired than ever.

  Aunt Rena smiled as she finished reading the letter and glanced up at them. “Alexandra Peterson, what a beauty you turned out to be. I’d recognize you anywhere, as well. You are so much like your mother.” She turned to Chase. “And you, Chase, I see my sister, Ruby, in you clear as day.”

  “You look great, Aunt Rena,” Chase said. “The years have been kind to you.”

  His aunt patted her hair. “I do what I have to do to take care of myself. I want to keep husband number four.” She waved with her hand. “The first three were just a warm-up. This one is a keep
er.”

  “Is he here?” Chase asked. “We’d love to meet him.”

  “Oh, so sorry, sweetie, he’s on the road. He drives a big rig and won’t be back until late tomorrow. I hate that he missed you.”

  She gestured to the tray of sweet cakes and tea sitting on the big oak coffee table. “Help yourselves. I love having company. This place is too big for me to be bumping around in all by myself, now that all the kids are gone. You two have to promise you’ll stay the rest of the day until you have to leave for the airport. You can rest in your own room and I’ll make us a nice meal. I can’t send you on your way without feeding you properly.”

  Chase scooped Alex’s hand into his, and warmth again filled her as the memory of that kiss washed over her. He smiled at her and said, “That sounds wonderful. We don’t have any other plans.”

  “Excellent,” she said and then turned to Alex. “So tell me, Alex, what is it you wanted to ask me about your mother?” She frowned. “Wait, but first, how is your mother? I hate that we lost touch.”

  Alex glanced at Chase before answering. He kept his fingers entwined with hers. His hand holding hers was such an old familiar feeling and it calmed her. “She was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s about a year and a half ago. She was having trouble taking care of herself and she wasn’t eating. My sister Becky found her in her kitchen bleeding. She’d sliced her hand badly. We had to put her in a home.”

  “Oh, my God, poor Ruth. Sweetie, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s...been difficult, but she seems happy there. At least she’s safe.”

  “She is such a beautiful soul, your mother. Lord, she liked to dance the night away. We used to have a blast when we went out. I hate to hear she isn’t doing better.” Aunt Rena sighed. “I should have kept in touch, not that it would have helped her any.” She gestured with her hands. “We’re a little out of touch here. I love being out in the middle of nowhere, absolutely. It’s a life like no other, but we don’t have an internet connection or much cell phone coverage.”

  “I wanted to ask about my mother,” Alex said and glanced at Chase. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to put this without just saying it.”

  Chase’s aunt nodded. “No worries, I think I know what you want to ask me. It’s the only thing I can think of that would have you trekking all the way out here. I’m guessing she may have mentioned him in her state. My mother was that way sometimes with the dementia, living in her past. You want to know about Charles.”

  Alex’s pulse quickened. “Who is Charles?”

  “I’m not sure how to explain the man. I’m not sure your mother ever understood him or his effect on her.” She shook her head. “No disrespect to your father. Jacob was a wonderful man and Ruth adored him, make no mistake about it, but Charles McMann was a force to be dealt with. I don’t think your mother ever stood a chance when it came to that man.”

  Distressed, Alex leaned against Chase and he swept his arm around her. “I hadn’t realized until just now that a part of me had hoped it wasn’t true,” she said. “I thought maybe it was a mistake with the blood sample, maybe it was contaminated or switched or something.”

  “Blood sample?” Aunt Rena asked. “I don’t understand. Was that something to do with your mother?

  “Alex’s brother Robert has cancer,” Chase said. “He needs a stem cell transplant.”

  “Oh, my, Robert? He was such a fine boy. I’m so sorry to hear that. You poor thing.” Aunt Rena pressed her hand to her chest. “Your family has seen such tragedy.”

  Alex nodded. “The transplant is sort of like a bone marrow transplant. We all had our blood typed, with the exception of my mother. She’s not an option in her condition. It was surprising that none of us siblings were a match to Robert, though, so we were counting on my father.”

  “You were hoping your father would be the donor.”

  “Yes, but he wasn’t a match, either. Parents are supposed to be half matches, but Dad wasn’t.”

  “Because he isn’t your brother’s father.” Aunt Rena blew out a heavy sigh. “Oh, what a mess.”

  Chase squeezed her hand. “He’d known about the affair, but hadn’t known for sure about Robert.”

  “What a mess,” Aunt Rena repeated. “And here you are trying to clean it all up. Honestly, I don’t believe your mother ever knew for sure, either. What a horrible way for you all to find out such a terrible truth. I tried to talk sense into your mother. To be honest that was part of the reason we lost touch. I never quite saw eye to eye with her on that, though I completely understand why she couldn’t stay away from that man. He was downright mesmerizing. Oh, and he truly loved her. When a man wants you the way that man wanted Ruth, well, it’s a powerful aphrodisiac.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, my, I’m guessing you came here to find Charles, then.”

  Alex drew a deep breath. “Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but the national donor bank hasn’t been able to find a match. My brother’s oncologist says the stem cell transplant is his best bet at beating this cancer. I was hoping you would know where to find my mother’s... Where to find Charles. Maybe he’d be willing to be the donor. He is Robert’s father, after all.”

  “Was,” Aunt Rena said, a pained expression on her face. “I’m so sorry, sweetie, but he passed away last year. I didn’t keep in touch, but I happened to see his obituary in the newspaper.”

  “Oh, my God,” Alex said, finding it hard to breathe. The room blurred. She turned to Chase. “I hadn’t thought of that. What will we do?”

  He rubbed her back and held her close. “It will be all right. His oncologist will keep looking. We’ll do like your father said and have a donor drive. I don’t think that’s typical, but we’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll get typed. Who knows, if a stranger in a donor bank can be a match, maybe I can, too.”

  “You look exhausted and I’ve given you some bad news. I’m so very sorry.” Aunt Rena rose. “Let me show you to your room. Sweetie, you should lie down for a spell. A nap will do you wonders.”

  Chase stood and pulled Alex up with him. “She’s probably right, sweetheart.”

  Alex nodded. Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. How could they have come all this way just to reach a dead end?

  Chase’s aunt showed them the way up a wide staircase with a landing large enough for a nook with more chairs and a bookcase. “This way,” she said as they headed down an equally wide hall. Finally, she escorted them into a large bedroom with splashes of bright yellows and oranges. “You should be comfortable here. There’s a washroom through that door. Please make yourselves at home and let me know if I can get you anything. You just come down whenever you’re feeling rested and I’ll have something yummy ready for you before you head out again.”

  “Thank you,” Alex said, too discouraged to worry about the appropriateness of Chase’s aunt putting them in a room together.

  “I can’t leave you without hugs,” his aunt said, opening her arms first to Alex and then to Chase before she quietly left them.

  The bed was too inviting to resist. Alex sank to the mattress, weary to the bone. Tears trickled down her face as she hugged a pillow. “I’m just tired. That’s why I’m upset. I haven’t been sleeping, because Robert hasn’t been sleeping and I hear him up at all hours. I hate that he’s sick, Chase. I hate that my mom is someone completely different than the woman who raised me. In so many ways she’s different. She had an affair. She cheated with Charles and now he’s gone and he can’t help my brother. And my mom can’t even comprehend that any of this is even going on.”

  Chase sat beside her, stroking her back. “Just rest. Sleep and you’ll feel better. I’ll stay with you until you’re asleep if you’d like.”

  Her heart warmed. He was truly a good man. Was he right? Was it possible that they could work things out this time? She patted the bed beside her. “Stay. Hold me, Chase.”

  He stretched out beside her, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close. “It’s going to al
l work out in the end. I’m so sorry about Charles.” He exhaled. “At least we won’t have to try to talk Robert into accepting him as a donor.”

  “I’m worried about him,” Alex said. “He’s sick from the chemo and the radiation. And the cancer. It’s horrible. And he’s depressed. I try to get him to talk to me, but he doesn’t seem to want to. Things are still kind of strained between us and I hate that, but I’m not sure how to change it.”

  He wiped his thumb across her cheek. “When you cry like this, it makes me want to take on the world for you.”

  “I wish you could do something to fix this, to fix Robert, to fix my broken family.”

  His gaze held hers. “I’ll do everything in my power to make this better for you, Alex.”

  Her tears fell in earnest then, because she could feel that he meant it and it had been so long since anyone had cared like that for her. She cupped his face. “I missed you.”

  He shut his eyes briefly and he pressed his lips together. When he looked again into her eyes, his were misted and his voice was rough as he said, “I missed you, too.”

  His lips closed over hers with a gentleness and a passion that took her breath away. She turned to get closer, to get as close to him as possible, all the while delving into the depths of his kiss. His body, lean and hard, pressed her into the bed as he settled over her.

  She wrapped her arms around him and tugged him closer when he started to pull away. He gave in easily, kissing her again with renewed vigor. She lost herself in the sheer pleasure of being with him.

  At last he broke the kiss and pulled back to look at her. “Sweetheart, you need to sleep.”

  She shook her head. “I need you.” She ran her hand down his chest, to the bottom of his T-shirt, then up under, over his bare skin.

  He sucked in his breath. “God, I love it when you touch me.”