On Frozen Hills

by KJ Swann

  “What do you mean his path was laid out for him?” Tessa asked.

  Vivian took a deep breath before she spoke. “His dad told him what he would do after high school, meaning what he would study in college. Your father was also told who he would marry and what job he would take.”

  Ivy couldn’t remember her grandfather that well. “I couldn’t imagine growing up like that, but I guess in some ways I did.”

  “No, Ivy. Your father was nowhere near what his father was. You only saw your grandfather once before he died, and the remark he made to your father was that he spawned pathetic women and you would never be a strong person.”

  “I guess I surprised him then, huh?” Ivy asked.

  Vivian chucked. “You both are surprisingly strong-willed when you want to be. I think you get that from me.”

  Tessa and Ivy and embraced her. “I’m glad I’m more like you than Dad,” Tessa stated.

  Everyone in the room erupted in laughter.

  “I don’t think any of us have to worry. We need to have a good time for what’s left of our vacation.”

  “That sounds like a total plan to me. Since I’m not one for these balls and such, I want to take advantage of the lounging,” Jace stated.

  Ivy wrapped her arms around Jace’s neck. “I know you don’t, but I love the fact you’re here with me.”

  “I’m glad I decided to come up here. I wish now I would’ve come all these years.” Jace bent down to kiss Ivy on the lips.

  Vivian walked over and put her arms around them. “No time like the present to start changing your future.”

  “Does Dad still want to have this so-called meeting?” Ivy asked.

  “Yes. But after you left the bedroom, he was upset with himself about what he’d said to you. He hasn’t come out of our room. I don’t have any clue if he will say anything to you about it or not. It’s up to you to accept any apology if he gives one.”

  Ivy shook her head. “I don’t know, Mom. He hurt my feelings; it’s something that can’t be taken away.”

  “I understand; you do what you feel you have to do.”

  Tessa pulled on Ivy’s arm. “Let’s finish watching this movie and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

  Ivy smiled at her sister and linked arms to plop down on the couch and to watch whatever movie they had playing. Everyone else filed in around them, and they settled in for the rest of the movie. There was a slight rap on the door of the room.

  “May I come in and talk to everyone?” Michael asked.

  “Of course,” Vivian replied.

  Michael sat and observed his family.

  “Um, I would like to talk to everyone. Could you please turn off the movie? Please, this isn’t easy for me.”

  “Why would we want to listen to you?” snapped Tessa.

  Michael hung his head, “I understand your reaction, Tessa. After what I said to Ivy earlier, I’m not happy with myself either.”

  Ivy looked at her father, tears welling up in her eyes, “You hurt me. I’ve never in my life heard you call me names.”

  “I know, and I need to explain something to you and I guess everyone. When you were going off on me and saying some of the things you did, it reminded me of what I used to say to my dad when I was younger. It made me realize I had turned into him when I wasn’t meaning to. You see, my father was very critical of everything I or your mother did. Once we announced she was pregnant with you, my father got worse.”

  Michael jiggled his leg up and down, and the change in his pocket jangled around.

  “He never felt your mother could keep the house up and now that she was pregnant, it only got worse. Over the years, I fell into the habit complaining like he did because it seemed to get him off my back. But today when you threw some of my own words back at me…it haunted me. Made me think about what I was doing to you girls.”

  “I can’t say I’m going to forgive and forget,” Ivy muttered.

  “All I’m asking is you think things through.” Michael glanced over at Tessa, who sat there eyeing her father. “What?”

  “Why now? Why should we believe anything you have to say?” Tessa demanded.

  Michael looked over at Vivian who answered Tessa.

  “I can verify what your father said is true. Life wasn’t easy with your grandfather around. Your dad changed slowly, but I noticed it. He would always deny he was changing, so I stopped saying anything.”

  “I want to make things right with all of you. I’ve been rough on you all. Especially you, Jace. I’ve never given you a chance in all the years I’ve known you. For that, I was wrong.”

  Jace nodded. “After hearing all this, I’m not making any judgments or coming to any quick conclusions. I understand somewhat, but, man, you put me through hell.”

  Michael put his head down. “I know.”

  “How can you guys believe him after all the crap he’s put us through? Are you blind?”

  Rubbing his face, Michael eyed his youngest daughter. “You are stubborn like I am. I don’t blame you for not wanting to believe me, but give me a chance at least to prove myself to you.”

  Tessa shook her head, got up, then walked out of the room.

  “Tessa!” Vivian yelled.

  “Let her go, Mom. She needs time to process this. I do too,” Ivy remarked, looking at Michael.

  12

  Ivy sat in her window seat, watching the sunrise over the mountains, Jace lightly snoring in the bed. Her stomach rumbled, so she slid on her slippers and headed downstairs.

  When Ivy walked through the kitchen doorway, her dad was standing at the sink drinking a cup of coffee and gazing out of the window, seemingly deep in thought.

  Michael turned. “Good morning, Ivy.”

  “Good morning,” Ivy mumbled.

  Michael sighed while he continued to drink his coffee. “Ivy, we need to talk about last night.”

  “I said last night I needed time. I don’t know how long, but give me some space. Please?” Ivy asked.

  Michael ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry.”

  “I can tell you are, but it’s not going to be fixed overnight,” Ivy snapped.

  Michael pulled out a kitchen chair and sat wearily. “I realize that.”

  “There is no guarantee anyone will come around. We’ve lived with the old you for so long it’s hard to believe you want to change.

  “But you of all people should know I don’t normally do this. I need and want your help if you’re willing.”

  Ivy looked at her dad, bewildered. “Why me? You have always made me feel as if you didn’t care about what I had to say about anything.”

  Michael pinched the bridge of his nose. “Listen, I want to make things right with everyone. I want to start with you, because of the things I said.”

  “I don’t know, Dad; I need time to think.”

  * * *

  Michael nodded, then walked out of the kitchen, meeting Vivian, who stood there with her arms lightly crossed.

  “How long have you been there?” inquired Michael.

  “Not long after Ivy went into the kitchen.”

  “Hmm. So you heard everything?”

  “Yes, I did. I think what you’re doing is wonderful. We have our own issues, true, but you need to fix the ones with the girls first.” Vivian looked up at her husband.

  “I want to make things right between us as well. What I did was wrong, and it should never have happened—”

  Vivian put her hand up to stop Michael from continuing. “We’ve always had ups and downs before, and we’ve worked through them. What changed?”

  Michael’s shoulders slumped. “It’s a combination of everything. You, me, work. I let life stress me out, and I turned into the person who I vowed I would never become.”

  Vivian unfolded her arms and placed her hands on his face. “You could’ve talked to me, but you pushed me away and even found someone else. After all this, I still love you, but we need to talk through things and not hav
e you running the other way.”

  “I know, Vivian. I don’t blame you if you leave me.”

  “Now stop right there. I may be angry with you, but like you told Ivy, you’re trying to make amends. I never said I was leaving. In all the years we’ve been together, this is the first time you’ve ever stepped out. For most, yes, that would be the line, but I know that isn’t you. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this, Michael,” Vivian stated.

  Behind them, someone cleared their throat. Tessa stood with an ornery expression on her face.

  “You aren’t going to fall for his bullshit, are you, Mom?”

  “Your father is trying to make things right. Granted, I understand you’re going to be reluctant.”

  “Damn right I’m going to be. Who’s to say he won’t go back to the way he was before? You can’t.”

  “That’s not necessarily true. Your father has already started trying to make amends. He’s already talked with Ivy.”

  Tessa snorted. “If she was smart, she wouldn’t listen.”

  Michael looked at his youngest. “I’ve hurt you both, and I understand the anger. I do. All I ask is you give me a chance.”

  Tessa stood there dumbfounded. Tessa stared at her dad and nodded. Vivian patted Tessa on the shoulder as she and Michael passed by.

  * * *

  Tessa realized he wasn’t holding himself up like he usually did. He was slouching.

  Tessa pushed open the kitchen door to find Ivy sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal and seemingly in deep contemplation.

  “Hey.”

  “Hmm.”

  “You okay?”

  Ivy nodded but didn’t say anything else, which frustrated Tessa. “Earth to Ivy. You can’t act like nothing is going on. I mean with Dad trying to do a one-eighty. So what are you going to do?”

  Ivy slowly turned toward Tessa and glared at her sister. “I’m going to do what I feel is right for me, that’s what.”

  “So you believe him?”

  “I’m not saying I do or don’t, but there is something different about him. If he didn’t want to change, he wouldn’t. You know that.”

  Ivy was right, but after everything their dad had done over the years, could she forgive him as easily as Ivy seemed to be doing?

  When Tessa finally looked back up, Ivy was studying her. “What?”

  “Just wondering what you’re thinking. That’s all.”

  Tessa shook her head. “No, not this time. If you’re going to do what’s right for you, then so am I.”

  “Don’t make Dad’s life hell after he’s put all this behind him.”

  “Duly noted,” Tessa said sarcastically getting up to exit the kitchen, leaving Ivy sitting there by herself.

  Later on that afternoon, Ivy and Jace were sitting in the den watching television when Michael walked in.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt. I’ll leave you be,” stated Michael.

  “Dad, you’re not interrupting. Plus, we would like to talk to you,” Ivy said.

  Jace nodded.

  Eyeing them, Michael took a seat in one of the recliners. “Okay, what would you like to talk about?”

  Jace leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I heard about what you’re trying to do. I hope you aren’t out to hurt them again.”

  Michael watched Jace closely before answering. “I understand where you’re coming from, Jace. We’ve had issues as well, and to answer your question, no; I’m not out to hurt anyone again. It should’ve never happened in the first place, but it did. I’ll forever be trying to make it up to them.”

  Jace nodded and turned to look at Ivy, then glanced at Michael. “Now, since you’re trying to clear the air, there’s something I need to say.”

  Michael leaned forward, then motioned for Jace to continue, so Jace cleared his throat and began. “I realize you have an issue with me being a firefighter. I understand the reasons why because, trust me, I worry about some of the same things.”

  Michael fell back in his chair and let out a huge breath. “I’m sorry. I thought I was the only one who worried,” he responded.

  Jace shook his head lightly. “No, Ivy helped me see some of my issues while we were at the casino. I’m not sure if you know too much about my friend Sawyer, but one of my issues is dealing with his death. I watched him die in a fire. He left behind his loved ones. I worry I’m going to do that too. I need to talk with my captain about speaking to a psychologist, so I can learn to move forward and not live in the past.”

  Michael cleared his throat before speaking. “First off, I’m glad you’re going to get help with dealing with your friend’s death. I couldn’t imagine that has been the least bit easy for you. Secondly, I caused issues for you, Jace. For that, I’m sorry. I’ve never made you feel welcome and that was wrong of me.”

  “You okay, babe?” Jace asked Ivy, whose eyes were glistening with tears.

  Ivy nodded, looking back at her dad. “Are you being truly honest with us?”

  “Yes, I am. As I told you earlier, I want to make things right with everyone. But I realize some will be more difficult than others.”

  “If you’re talking about Tessa, then yeah good luck with that. I tried talking to her. I feel she needs time right now,” Ivy said.

  “Have you made any decisions on what you’re going to do?” questioned Michael.

  “I think your actions thus far are making the decision easier for me.”

  “All I ask is you think through everything. Be more rational than I have in the past. Granted, I’m not expecting a miracle either. If we can agree to disagree and leave the past where it belongs, I’d be fine with that too.”

  Ivy nodded “I’m not sure what I’ve decided yet. I want to talk with Jace and work some things out.”

  Michael stood and walked toward the doorway. “I understand your hesitation, Ivy. Just know I do love you and I regret all the bad things I’ve ever said to you.”

  He walked out, Ivy’s jaw dropping open in surprise.

  Upstairs, Tessa blared her music in her room. She knew it annoyed her dad, so she was waiting for him to come up and say something to her. But no irritating knock on the door came. Tessa opened her door so hard it slammed into the wall outside. She stomped her way down the stairs and saw her dad and Derrick talking.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Tessa screeched.

  “Oh, I wondered when you would come out of your room to talk,” Michael said calmly.

  “Who said I want to talk to you anyways? Come on, Derrick.” Tessa grumbled.

  “Actually, Tessa, your father and I are talking work. He and I talked things over, and he understands my position on how I felt about why he wanted me up here to prove something to Ivy.”

  “You’re going to fall for his bullshit too?”

  “Tessa, he’s being sincere.”

  Tessa stared at her dad, narrow-eyed, then turned around and marched back up the stairs to her room, where she slammed her door to let them know she was pissed off.

  * * *

  Derrick blew out a breath. “Sorry about that.”

  “No need. She has a stubborn streak, and she gets it from her father. I was like that growing up until my father raised his hand to me, then started cutting me down. I’ve done a lot of things wrong in my life, but one thing I can say is I’ve never laid a hand on my children.”

  Derrick staring up the stairs where Tessa had gone. “I’m sure she’ll come around.”

  “It’s obvious you don’t know Tessa that well. When she has something in her head, she follows through with it.”

  Derrick shook his head, but after seeing Tessa’s actions, he could understand what Mr. Mercer was saying. He had to get Tessa to see her dad was changing for the better and had to do it fast as New Year’s Eve was the following night. He needed to try to help fix things between Tessa and her dad, but how to go about doing it was another thing. He thought of one person who might be able to help him. He turned toward the kitchen
to find Vivian.

  “Something smells good.”

  Vivian smiled. “You sure can to fib. All I’m doing is getting the meat and veggies ready for the stew.”

  Derrick shrugged. “It’s food. What do I know?”

  “So tell me, what brings you to my part of the house?”

  “I need your help.”

  “I can only guess with what. But my question is, why do you want to go through all the hassle and heartache?”

  Derrick thought about his response first before answering. Then looking Vivian square in the face, he said, “I want her to realize things happen in life to make people change for the better. Sometimes it takes a drastic event to cause the change. She needs to see life is worth living in the now, not in the past.”

  Vivian laid a hand on Derrick’s. “I know Tessa will be as stubborn as anything. I believe if you can get her to see Michael has changed, then maybe she’ll change her attitude, but I’m not saying it’ll happen.”

  “It’s worth a shot at least. If she doesn’t want to listen or see reason, then I can’t say I didn’t try.”

  “Talking about me?” Tessa asked.

  Derrick and Vivian turned around to see Tessa standing there with her arms crossed.

  “My dear, we weren’t technically talking about you,” Vivian said.

  “Oh really? Then care to explain?”