by Lexy Timms
A tense silence fell. Worse than the previous one. Because this time, he didn’t have Heather to act as a buffer. Didn’t have a way of burying the sudden anger that was rising in him. Anger toward his father for being so eager to let their relationship fall apart.
“Finn? Have you got a kid or something, Simon?” his father asked.
He shook his head. “Finn is my girlfriend’s son. You remember Heather, don’t you?”
His father nodded. “Vaguely. I remember she was a nice girl. Nice to see you guys back together. Dating a single mom must be hard work. Not easy to raise a kid.”
“Not that you would know anything about that,” he blurted, too rattled to control his bitterness.
His father flinched. “I deserve that. I know I do. What a damn mess I’ve made of things.”
“You really weren’t around much when I was a kid,” Simon reminded him.
As if he needed reminding. For most of his childhood his father had been out of the house, working jobs as a fisherman, trucker, or doing whatever work he could get in a factory. On the rare occasions he was around, his father spent most of that time belittling Simon’s accomplishments and mocking his affinity for science and technology. Intellectual pursuits had always been a waste of time to his father and he had no problem letting Simon know it.
“Well, your mother had a way of keeping me away,” his father said bitterly. “She kept you from me. Every time she broke up with me she’d keep us apart. That woman made me stay somewhere else when I was back in town sometimes.”
Simon frowned. “Wait... Mom kept you from seeing me?”
His father nodded vigorously. “You know how she is. We’d be on again, then off again. One day she’d be madly in love with me, and then next day she’d be threatening divorce. Your mother changes her mind at the drop of a hat.”
“That sounds very familiar.” Heather’s unexpected voice cut through the room as she walked back into the living room. She shot his father a hard look as she resumed her seat.
“Familiar?” his father asked, puzzled.
She nodded. “Yes. It sounds like something my ex-husband recently said.”
Simon stole a glance at her. There was a smile plastered on her face, but her eyes were narrowed in suspicion. It was unlike her to react this way, but maybe the surprise of seeing his father again was taking a toll on her emotions.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear you’ve had domestic problems,” his father said, seemingly oblivious to her chilly demeanor.
“I’m sure you can relate, Onslow,” she said pointedly.
Surprise made Simon stare at her. It wasn’t like her to be so openly hostile. “Dad and I have already gone over that.”
“I see.” She put her hands in her lap and looked directly at his father. “So, Onslow, what brings you to Seattle? I remember hearing that you had left several years ago.”
His dad nodded. “I’ve been all over the country, doing whatever work I can get. I was in Alaska for several months on fishing trips. I came back to Seattle a few weeks ago to do some work with a canning company, but I never planned on seeing Simon. With the way things ended between us, I didn’t think he’d even be interested in seeing me. But then I saw this article about him on the internet yesterday.” He paused, shifting in his seat in discomfort. The way he sagged in the chair made it look like he was carrying a heavy burden he didn’t know what to do with. “And I saw the photos. I could see how happy he looked. I... something in me wanted to see you again, son. I dropped by because I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.”
Simon had hated having his photos taken during the interview Heather had orchestrated, but he had never anticipated agreeing to be friendlier to the media would lead to something like this.
“How did you even find out where Simon lived?” Heather pressed.
“Simon’s mother,” he answered. “I begged her to give me his contact details. When she finally gave in I thought about making a phone call. But I worried he’d hang up on me. Figured if I showed up at his front door he couldn’t turn me away so easily.”
Guilt gnawed at him again. His father really thought he was cold enough to hang up on him after a decade apart. And it stung to realize that maybe his father had a point. It was tough to consider the exact outcome of a hypothetical, but Simon could imagine himself refusing to take his father’s calls.
That realization just about wrecked him. He had let his bitterness and anger get the best of him for years. His selfish pride had made his own father too afraid to even make a simple phone call. There were so many unresolved issues between them, but the fact that his father didn’t feel comfortable calling him was a crushing blow. The fact that he hadn’t made a call either in all these years hurt even more.
“Dad, I know we’ve had our differences, but I never wanted you to be too afraid to call me,” Simon said.
“I should have called regardless,” his father said. “But I didn’t know how to pick up the phone. Plus, I thought I’d just drag you down.”
“How could you drag me down?” Simon asked.
“You’ve done so well for yourself,” his dad responded. “I mean, look at me compared to you, son. You’re this hotshot rich guy and I’m just a scruffy old man. Nobody would look at the two of us and guess that you were my son.”
“Dad, I want to tell you that money isn’t important, but money was what drove us apart in the first place,” Simon said.
His father nodded sadly. “I know. I’ve made my share of mistakes. It’s my fault. I didn’t even take the time to read up on your accomplishments. That article I saw online was the only thing I took the time to read about you in all this time. I was a crappy father and I let your mother come between us, son. I don’t blame you for turning your back on me. For pretending I don’t even exist.”
Simon’s eyes drifted to the framed photos on the small table beside his father. As cold as the design of his apartment was, the photos he had put up in his living room had been the only source of warmth in his life. Before Heather, memories were the only thing that had kept his heart from turning entirely to stone.
With a frown his father followed his gaze until he, too, was looking at the photographs on the table. He reached for one of the framed photographs and stared at it. “I remember this photo. We went on a road trip one summer. Me, you, and your mother.”
Simon had put that photo out so long ago that it had begun to blend into the background. He rarely so much as glanced at it now. If he was being honest with himself, he didn’t even know why he had bothered with the photo of his parents. Maybe he hadn’t shut the door on them as well as he had thought.
“You caught one hell of a fish.” Simon smiled at the memory. One of the few happy memories he had of the time he spent with his parents. That road trip had meant so much to him because he had believed he had finally made a breakthrough with his father. Finally bonded with him. His hopes were dashed the moment his father realized how utterly hopeless he was in the outdoors. Simon had been ten. Hadn’t caught any fish. Didn’t know how to bond with the other kids around, mostly because he had missed Heather so much. He had always been much more comfortable staying indoors, tearing electronics apart and putting them back together or coming up with algorithms.
That was the summer Simon realized that he and his father were so different that they might as well be strangers to each other. Strangers the way they were now.
“We should have had more road trips,” his dad said.
“Nothing was stopping you,” Heather said coldly.
He scowled. “Heather.”
“No, she’s right, Simon.” His father swiped at his eyes and put the photo back. “I’ve overstayed my welcome. Time for me to leave.”
“Wait. No.” Simon held up his hands as his father slowly stood up. “You just got here.”
“I really should be getting home,” his father said.
“Where do you live?” Simon asked.
“I’m crashing on a
friend’s couch.” His father stared at the floor, as if he was too ashamed to meet his gaze. “I don’t have a place for myself.”
Simon knew that he was about to go out on a limb. After all these years it was probably a risk to let his father back into his life, but now that he had seen him again he didn’t want to close the door on them. Not yet. Not until he got some answers at least.
“Dad, don’t leave. Please,” Simon said. “I’d like you to stay.”
Chapter 2
Simon was making a mistake. In her heart, Heather knew he was going to end up regretting this decision.
“Stay?” she demanded with a gasp. “What do you mean?”
“Dad, why don’t you come stay here with me?”
“Here in your apartment?” His father frowned. “I don’t want to intrude on your life, son.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Simon insisted. “Besides, I own all the other apartments in the building, so you can stay in any one of them.”
Heather wanted to intervene and stop Simon before he got burned by his father, but she didn’t know how to do that without being totally rude. She might have been able to point out Onslow’s flaws, but she really couldn’t very well tell Simon not to trust his father right in front of him.
“I’d still feel pretty rotten about imposing on your space like that,” Onslow said. “Actually, I was just on my way to checking into a hotel for the rest of my stay in Seattle. My friend needs his space now that I’ve been on his couch for so many weeks.”
“Well, why don’t I help you get settled into your room at the hotel?” Simon offered. “Which one were you going to stay in?”
“Stay in? Uh...” Onslow started to pat himself down, searching for something. “Shoot. I thought I had my wallet with me, but all I’ve got is some loose change. Must have left the darn thing at my buddy’s house. Luckily I haven’t actually made a room reservation yet.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Simon said. “I’ll pay for your hotel room. The Covington always gives me a room when I want one, even on short notice.”
She almost choked. The Covington was by far the best hotel in town. It was the playground of dignitaries and the exceedingly wealthy. One night there was the equivalent of the average person’s monthly wage. With narrowed eyes she focused her attention on Onslow, looking for any telltale signs that he was up to no good. In less than an hour he had managed to get a fancy hotel room without breaking a sweat.
“Simon, surely your father hadn’t planned on staying there.” She let out a breathless laugh, too apprehensive to do anything else.
“You heard him,” Simon said. “He left his wallet. I don’t mind helping him out for a few days. You don’t mind, do you, Dad?”
“I don’t mind if you don’t,” Onslow replied. “I appreciate your generosity, son.”
“There’s a restaurant at the hotel as well, so we’ll get ice cream for Finn,” Simon said. “I can drive us all down to the hotel.”
Her heart warmed. As unsettled as she was by his father’s sudden appearance, knowing that Simon was still thinking of her son eased some of the turmoil she was feeling. Maybe she was being too hard on his father. After all, Onslow was actually trying now; and Simon was still looking out for Finn, unlike her ex-husband.
“Thanks, Simon.” She got up and padded towards the guest bedroom. “I’ll go get Finn.”
Twenty minutes later they were all freshened up and piling into Simon’s electric car. Heather sat in the back with Finn, letting Simon’s dad sit up front.
When they got to the Covington they all walked to the front desk to help Simon’s father check in. The lobby was expansive, glittering, with a gigantic crystal chandelier shining down on them.
“Hot damn, I’ve never been in a hotel this fancy before,” Onslow said as Simon made arrangements with the receptionist.
“It takes some getting used to,” she said.
“If I had known I’d be getting a room here I wouldn’t have waited all these weeks to get in touch with Simon,” Onslow said with a grin.
Heather frowned. “I thought getting in touch with Simon was a spur of the moment decision after you saw the article about him.”
“Oh... well.” He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I just meant that I’ve missed him so much—”
“You said that you hadn’t even planned on seeing him when you first came to Seattle,” she said, cutting him short.
Onslow cleared his throat and cast a desperate glance in Simon’s direction. Before she could press him for more, Simon turned around and smiled. “You’re getting the best room, Dad. It’s all arranged.”
“Thank you so much,” Onslow said. “This is real nice of you.”
Unease flooded her. His father’s explanation had sounded so feeble.
“I’ve got your room key, so we can go upstairs,” Simon said.
Heather looked right at his father. “Onslow, where are your bags?”
“I...I guess I left that at my friend’s house,” he said in a shaky voice.
“Didn’t you say you had planned on staying at a hotel after your visit with Simon? Wouldn’t you have your bags with you?” she asked. “Come to think of it, how did you even get to Simon’s apartment?”
Onslow’s shoulders sagged. “I took the bus. I’m working, but I haven’t gotten settled here yet. I’m sorry. Maybe this was a mistake—”
“No, it’s not a mistake.” Simon glared at her. “Heather, what’s with all the questions? I said I’d take care of my father’s room. Not everyone is as well off as I am. Of course he isn’t going to have a bunch of bags with him.”
Simon shook his head in frustration and started heading for the elevator at the other end of the lobby.
With a sigh, Heather took Finn’s hand and they all stepped into the elevator. When they got to the right floor, they made their way to Onslow’s room and walked inside.
The room was huge, furnished in the most elegant antique style. Almost everything was cream, from the walls accented with gold furnishings to the plush carpet under their feet.
Onslow’s mouth fell open as he walked inside. “Simon, this place is incredible.”
“Wait until you see the bathroom,” Simon said.
Onslow grinned. “I can’t thank you enough. The way you’ve been able to change your life is remarkable, son. I know I’ve had nothing to do with your success, but I’m so proud of you.”
“It’s good to hear you say that,” Simon said.
“I should have been more understanding when you were growing up,” Onslow said, his voice cracking just a little. “I’ve screwed things up so badly I don’t think we’ll ever be able to put the past behind us.”
Simon placed his hand on his father’s shoulder for a moment. “Let’s just work on catching up. That way, we won’t be putting any pressure on ourselves.”
“See?” Onslow turned to Heather and smiled. “My son was always a smart kid.”
Heather nodded stiffly. “Simon is the smartest person I’ve ever met.”
“Well, why don’t you all go get some ice cream while I get settled in here,” Onslow suggested.
Simon hesitated. “Are you sure, Dad? We’d love for you to join us.”
“No, go have your fun. You don’t want your old man tagging along on a date with your lovely girlfriend,” Onslow said with a wave of his hand.
“Okay. In that case, let me have your cell number so that we can stay in touch,” Simon said. “I can also give you my Dover extension number if you want to call my office directly.”
“Now we can stay in touch and make plans to see each other soon.” Onslow grabbed his phone from his pocket and they exchanged numbers.
With the numbers exchanged, they said their goodbyes to Onslow and made their way to the restaurant downstairs and ordered gelato. While they waited for their ice cream, Simon glanced at her and said, “Heather, can I talk to you for a second?”
Heater bit her lip, knowing exactly
what he wanted to talk about, but dreading actually having to talk. “Sure.” She reached into her large tote bag and pulled out a coloring book and a box of crayons. “Would the restaurant mind if I set this out for Finn to use?”
“No, they’re very accommodating,” he said. “And if they object, that can take it up with me.” His eyes narrowed and his urge to protect Finn made her heart swell again.
Once she handed the coloring book and crayons to Finn she followed Simon, to sit at an empty table across from her son while he happily colored.
“What did you want to talk about?” she asked, knowing full well where this conversation was headed.
“What’s going on between you and my dad?” he asked. “You seemed really agitated in his presence. Did he say something while I was talking to the receptionist?”
She paused. After his wariness seemed to wear off, he had seemed eager to get to know his father after all these years. How could she deny him that chance? Especially since she understood how painful it was to not have a father around. Gary abandoning Finn had smashed her heart into a million pieces. She didn’t want Simon to go through that kind of pain now, but she had to tell him the truth.
“He didn’t seem to have his story straight,” she finally said.
When Simon gave her a questioning look, she took a deep breath before she explained.
“While you were dealing with the receptionist, your father made it sound like he’s been planning to see you for weeks. But when we were at your apartment, he said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.” The words tasted like ash in her mouth. For some reason it felt cruel to tell Simon the truth, even though it was the right thing to do. “It just didn’t make sense to me.”
“Are you saying that my father lied to you?” Simon frowned. “I know my dad isn’t perfect but that’s a pretty harsh accusation, don’t you think?”
“I’m not trying to be harsh,” she said. “It’s just that your dad’s sudden appearance was such a surprise.”
Simon crossed his arms. “You don’t like him.”
“I don’t know him,” she explained. “Maybe that’s where my unease comes from. You haven’t seen your father in years, but he suddenly shows up out of the blue. Don’t you find that strange?”