by Judith Lucci
Louis gave a big sigh. “Hope you all are right. Been waiting for this day for a lot of years.”
Shooter summoned the waiter and ordered drinks. "We’re toasting this, Louie, to you and your good luck.”
Chapter 49
Lunch with Bridgett and Angela had been a wonderful, hilarious affair, but as Alex trudged over to the Pavilion her anxiety was gnawing at her again. Her emotions vacillated from fear to anger, and she couldn’t predict how she would react when she finally met her father.
She looked around the Psychiatric Pavilion. She hadn’t been over here much since last summer, but the place was virtually unchanged. It was still dingy, gray, oppressive, and dark. She made a mental note to have Don funnel some money over for renovations in the new budget he was working on. She was sure the Board would agree based on the bad history of the unit from last year. She shuddered when she remembered the Lester Whitset days.
Alex waved at the nurse in charge, pointed toward Dr. Desmonde’s office, and proceeded down the hall. She tapped lightly on the office door. Monique opened it and searched her friend’s eyes.
“Alex, what’s up? You sounded a little anxious on the phone,” Monique peered at her over half glasses, her dark eye troubled.
Alex gave her friend the once over. Monique looked good and rested. Her beautiful dark hair was in an up do and her green dress set off her skin to perfection. “First things first. How is Jack?”
Monique rolled her eyes and laughed, “In my opinion he’s doing great. In his opinion, not so good. He’s about reached his max potential in physical therapy and is going into work every day. Of course, as you can imagine, he’s complaining about having to spend most of the day in his office where he has to attend meetings, and you know how that is with him.”
Alex laughed. “He’s actually attending meetings? Wow. That must be killing him.”
Monique shook her head. “Actually, it’s killing me. He has no choice. He’s not cleared to drive yet. I have to hear about it every night. You know,” she said, her voice pensive,” why in the world can’t he just be happy he still has a leg … and his life, for that matter.”
Alex paused for a minute and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, for sure. You know, that’s a man thing. They can only whine about what they don’t have. Take my grandfather for instance, he has pretty much everything and he still whines and wails about what he doesn’t. It just puts my grandmother over the edge.”
Monique gestured in agreement. “Yeah, for sure. That’s my Jack,” she added as she shook her head. “Other than the complaints, he’s OK.” She paused for a moment and continued, “His assistant called me the other day and told me his men were paying each other off so they wouldn’t have to ride with him.”
“Ride with him, what’s that?” Alex twirled her long, reddish blonde hair with her index finger.
“They’re taking turns carting Jack around in their units.”
“OK, got you.” Alex signaled understanding.
“You know, Jack made a schedule. He’s gotten pretty good on his computer since he was injured and couldn’t walk. So, he made an excel spread sheet and has every man under his command on a schedule to spend the day with him. It’s basically a ploy to get him out of the office so he can get out of meetings,” Monique added and smiled wryly.
Alex laughed, “Very smart, and very Jack. It figures he’d find a way. I gather the men don’t want to tote him around.”
Monique laughed, “That’s an understatement. I think they believe he’s checking up on them and not just using them for wheels. Anyway, Jason says they’re changing days off, calling in sick, anything to keep from hanging out with their Commander for an entire shift.”
Alex smiled and shook her head. “That’s so Jack! What did you tell Jason? Is he still getting out with the men?”
Monique nodded, “Yeah, Jason put out the word and now he never wants for a ride. The men love him, they are just in awe of him, intimidated most likely … you know, the NOPD way and Jack’s way … and I am sure he worries them to death. Probably criticizes their driving, where they eat lunch, where they get their doughnuts, you know what a pain he can be.”
Alex laughed heartily. “Do I ever,” she exclaimed, still twirling her hair. “He’s about put me in the grave several times, particularly in the early days.”
“Yeah,” Monique agreed. “You, me, and dozens of other people. He’s one of a kind.”
Alex nodded, “No argument here.”
“Of course,” Monique added, “Jason benefits too because Jack doesn’t bother him all day long. He was happy to cooperate.”
“Smart man,” Alex agreed.
Now,” she said, changing the subject, “What’s up with you? What are you worried or anxious about?”
“Why do you think that?” Alex was piqued. Was she such an open book?
Monique gave her a perplexed look. “Really, Alex. You and I have been around the block more than once or twice. Don’t you think I can tell when you have something on your mind?”
Alex nodded, a bit chagrined.
“Besides,” Monique interjected, “You’re twirling your hair and that’s a dead giveaway.”
Alex nodded, impatient to begin the conversation. “I got a phone call this morning from my father. Louis Destephano wants to see me. I … I just don’t know how I feel about that.” Alex gave Monique a hesitant look.
Monique was quiet for a moment and then asked, “When was the last time you saw him, Alex?”
Alex shrugged her shoulders and twirled her hair some more. “I don’t really know. I think I was about three or four years old.”
Monique was quiet as she allowed Alex to speak her heart.
“You know, Monique, in truth, he never even sent me a birthday present or a Christmas card or anything at all. Thirty years, and then I wake up one morning and I have a mystery father that appears out of the blue!” Alex could feel the pain and resentment welling up insider her.
Once again Monique remained quiet, allowing Alex more time to express her feelings. Alex didn’t seem to notice and continued, “It kind of makes me a little mad. Who the hell does he think he is showing up in my life after 30 years? Alex shook her head, her long red-blonde hair flying as her eyes glared blue. Do you think that’s OK, Monique?” Her face was flushed with anger.
Monique opened her mouth to respond, but Alex interrupted her before she could manage to utter a sound.
“I don’t think it’s cool at all. As a matter of fact, it pisses me off.” She was silent for a few moments and added, “Maybe I just won’t go. Just won’t show up.”
“That’d send a message, for sure,” Monique observed.
“Yeah it would,” Alex agreed petulantly.
Monique nodded and offered, “Yes, it’s pretty obvious that you’re angry, and you have every right to be. I’d probably feel the same if my father had disappeared for 30 years without a trace.”
Alex’s anger dissipated as Monique continued to support her. “You know, even though it makes me angry, I would like to meet him. It’s been tough all of these years not having real parents. Of course my grandparents couldn’t have treated me better and I love them dearly, but not having your parents around is kind of sad.”
Monique nodded her head in agreement. “Well, Alex,” she said, “as you know, my mother was around, but she was always drunk or in bed. So I would have given my eye teeth for someone like your grandmother. I guess my message to you is that sometimes your parents may be around, but in fact they truly aren’t. If you remember, my father never came home and I very rarely saw him when I was a child. I was very much alone, like you.”
Alex shook her head in agreement and said, “Gosh, Monique. I’m really sorry to have raised such a painful memory for you.”
With a gesture of her hand, Monique dismissed her own pain as unimportant and said, “Are you going to see him? Have you made that decision?”
Alex hesitated for a few moments and finally answe
red, “I am. I am seeing him today. As a matter of fact we are meeting at the Palm Court at 3 o’clock this afternoon, so I have to be leaving soon.”
Monique laughed and said, “Wow that was pretty quick. That tells me you really want to see him, otherwise you’d have put it off for as long as you possibly could.”
Alex had tears in her eyes. “Yes I do. I want to meet my father. I can go visit my mother where she lives in Virginia, but she has no clue who I even am. It would be wonderful to have a parent who really wants to see me.”
Monique thought for a minute and said in a guarded voice, “Why do you think he wants to see you now, of all times?”
Alex shrugged her shoulders and said, “No idea. When I see him, maybe I’ll be able to figure that out.”
Monique was thoughtful and asked, “What have your grandparents told you in the past?”
“Well ...,” Alex hesitated and seemed at a loss for words. “Adam has said pretty much nothing. I remember when I was five or six, I came home from school after a Valentine’s Day party and asked my grandparents if they thought I’d get a Valentine from my father.”
“What happened,” Monique asked attentively.
“Well, Adam left the room, and my grandmother smoothed it over in her own special way. I think I learned then not to ask about him.”
Monique nodded. “Yes, I can see that.”
“But, in their defense, they have never said anything bad about him. Nothing bad, but after I asked about him it became clear it was better not to bring it up,” Alex said as she checked her watch. “I’ve got to go. Any words of wisdom,” she asked as she look expectantly at Monique.
Monique smiled and said, “Just listen carefully, don’t judge, and remember, he has a specific purpose for wanting to see you now. If you see him again, there’ll be time to share your feelings.”
Alex nodded as she listened. “OK, anything else?”
“Yes,” Monique said firmly. “Just be yourself. Call me when you get home. I want to know every word and if I know Jack Francoise, he’ll have an APB out on the guy if you don’t check in.”
Alex hugged her friend and said, “Wish me luck, I’m off.”
“You’ve got it. Call me, and I mean it.” Monique’s voice was adamant.
“Promise,” Alex assured, carefully closing the door behind her.
Chapter 50
Stark stood patiently in Louis Destephano’s room at the Palm, watching as his boss changed shirts for the third time. Louis turned around, faced Stark and asked, “What do you think of this one?”
“I think it looks great, Louis,” Stark answered honestly. “You’ve looked good in all the shirts you’ve tried on.”
Louis did not answer, and continued to look at himself in the mirror. At 65 years of age he had to admit he was showing some wear and tear. He had recently lost weight due to his time in the hospital and his hair was now completely white, but full again after ending his chemotherapy last year. His skin sagged a little around the jaw line and he was getting jowls. He looked his age and he didn’t like that, especially when he was getting ready to meet his beautiful young daughter. “I just want to look right when I see her. I don’t want her to think I’m a straight-laced conservative, or a gigolo, or someone who’s trying to act like they’re 35,” Louis said stubbornly.
Stark touched Louis on the shoulder and said, “Louis, man, she’s your daughter. I think this pinstripe shirt you have on now looks pretty good. However, since this is the Palm Court, I do you think you’re going to need to wear a sport coat. I think that would be appropriate.”
Louis mumbled something that was inaudible to Stark and continued to strut around, looking in the mirror and sucking in his gut, trying to look better.
Stark watched him and smiled to himself. He continued to reassure Louis that he looked good as they rode the elevator down to the lobby.
Louis peered around the marble column and stole a look at the lovely young woman slowly sipping a glass of white wine. She was so much like her mother, it took his breath away and he was transferred back in time.
Stark urged him forward and watched as he made way over to his daughter and asked, “Alex?”
She smiled up at him, flashing her perfect white teeth, her beautiful blue eyes a bit uncertain.
“Alexandra, you are so lovely. You look just like your mother,” Louis observed, his voice sounded strange to his own ears.
“I do? No one has ever said that to me before,” Alex responded, looking perplexed.
“May I have a seat,” Louis asked.
“Of course, please,” Alex responded a bit formally.
Louis sat down as Alex studied him. He was an attractive older man, probably in his early sixties, which suggested he was quite a bit older than her mother. She watched him shuffle around in his seat, and play with the drink list. She was a little pleased at his discomfort.
“Thank you for seeing me, my dear,” he finally said as he summoned the waiter over and ordered a Scotch.
He’s from New Orleans. He sounds just like a native. Bridgett was right. I’ll have to tell her.
Alex was quiet and continued to sip her wine. Out of the corner of her eye she saw two very attractive men enter the bar and sit at a nearby table. She stole another look, and was again in awe of the two guys. They were both tall and handsome. The dark headed man caught her eyes for a moment, then looked away.
‘I guess you’re wondering now, of all times, why I asked to see you.”
Alex smiled and said, “Yes, something like that. I don’t remember the last time I saw you.”
He gave her a sad look. “You were three and I’ll remember it until the day I die. It was at your grandparents’ farm. Your mother was ill and in the hospital.”
Alex nodded slowly. “I’m not sure I remember.”
Louis searched her eyes for anger. He didn’t see any, but proceeded carefully. “I loved your mother, Alexandra. I loved her so much.”
“Then why did you leave us,” Alex asked, her tone frank as her vivid blue eyes locked with his.
Louis played with his glass. “It was the best thing to do. I was young, without assets, and I was a street boss for the New Orleans Mafia. Your grandfather knew this and was furious.”
Alex’s pupils dilated with surprise. “The Mafia. I bet that put him right over the edge.” She was silent for a minute. “Yeah, I bet he had a fit when you showed up with my mother,” Alex continued. Closing her eyes she could imagine the scene that caused.
Louis smiled, “Yes, he did. When your mother’s illness didn’t improve, I brought you both back to Virginia and Adam suggested that I return to NOLA alone, without either of you.”
Alex nodded slowly, a slow smile building across her face. “I can imagine how he ‘suggested’ that. He about grilled my husband, a surgeon, to death, even though he had known my husband’s parents for years. Really …, I don’t know what to call you …,” she admitted with a sheepish look, “but, I don’t think any man would be right for any of the women in Adam Lee’s family.”
Louis nodded and said, “You’re probably right, but I was certainly no catch back then. I’d have been angry too if you’d have come home with the likes of me.”
Alex smiled at Louis. She liked him. She appreciated his honesty. “So, where do you live now?”
“In New York, Manhattan. I’m an attorney … kind of like you.”
“Ah, ha!” Alex’s eyes lit up. “So, is that where I got my ambition for the law?”
Louis was humbled by her beauty and couldn’t believe he had anything at all to do with it. “I have no idea, but I’m proud of you for all you’ve accomplished. Would you like another glass of wine?”
“Yes, I would. It’s not every day a girl gets to meet her father, “she quipped as she stole another look at the good looking guys two tables away. Yes, the dark haired one is definitely ringing my bell.
As the afternoon wore on, Alex found herself having a delightful time with her
father. He was charming, intelligent, funny and all in all, a pretty great person.
“Alex, I know this is kind of sudden, but we have been together for several hours,” he said joking. “I was wondering if you would consider having dinner with me this evening.”
Alex hesitated for several moments and then said, “Yes, of course, I’d love to.”
Louis was pleased and his face showed is delight. “We’ve got reservations at Tony Angelos in Metairie for seven this evening.” He checked his watch. “It’s almost six now, so I don’t think you’ll have time to go home.”
“No, I don’t think I will,” Alex agreed after checking her own watch. “You’ll just have to put up with me like I am,” she teased, her eyes twinkling.
“Not a problem,” Louis promised. “Is it OK if a couple of my friends join us? One of them is my godson and the other is a man that works for me. They’re great company.”
Alex smiled happily. “It is just fine. It’ll be lovely to meet them. Now that I’ve met you, I want to know all about you and your friends.”
A shadow passed over Louis’s face briefly and he said, “Good, that’s wonderful to hear. There’s not too many of them, though. By the way, would you like to freshen up in my hotel room?”
“That would be great. I would like to do that,” Alex answered, a bit relieved. “I’ll see what I can do to make myself a bit more presentable.”
Louis handed her the key to his suite and she left the table, walking toward the bank of elevators in the foyer of the hotel. She noticed how the man behind the desk looked at her and she laughed out loud. He must think I’m....
After Alex was out of sight, Louis motioned for Shooter and Stark to join him.
Stark looked at Louis and noticed the color in his face and the happiness in his eyes. “You look like a new man, Louis. It must have gone well,” Stark said, smiling at his boss.
Louis was ebullient. “It was wonderful, it was wonderful. I am a happy, lucky man. She likes me!”