Her head snapped around and her eyes grew wide.
I thought you and Aidan were just friends.
We were. Nowwere more than just friends.
Oh. Well
Does that bother you?
No, she said quickly. A bit too quickly? It just
surprised me.
We drove the rest of the way to her apartment in silence. I couldnt tell what if anything that meant.
262
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
As soon as I walked through the door of our apartment, I stopped dead in my tracks. Obviously, Aidan had beaten me home. Curtains had been drawn over the windows to block out any light and candles flickered on every possible surface. The smell of Italian food and the soulful crooning of Billie Holiday filled the air.
Aidan? I called.
He appeared out of the kitchen with a shy smile. Surprise?
Id never seen him like this; he seemed almost timid, as if everything depended on my reaction. He was dressed in jeans and a jade green silk shirt. It was obvious that hed gone to great lengths to make this a special night. I frantically searched my memory trying to figure out what I had forgotten. Was I missing an anni-versary? A birthday? I couldnt think of anything.
WhatI meandid I miss something? I said finally.
No. I just wanted to surprise you, to show you how much I love you. Theres been so much going on
I crossed the room quickly and wrapped my arms tightly around him. We kissed for a few minutes before he suddenly pulled back.
263
JOSH ATEROVIS
The bread! he gasped as he ran back into the kitchen. I followed him.
You baked bread? I said.
Well, I cheated. Its the frozen kind. But I made ma-nicotti.
The frozen kind?
No, I really made it. I found a recipe on-line. I dont know how it turned out. I havent tasted it yet.
Well if it tastes anything like it smells, its going to be delicious, I said as I slid my arms around his waist again.
This time all I got was a quick peck on the lips.
Save it for dessert, he said with a grin. We cant let the food get cold.
We ate dinner, which turned out even better than it smelled, in the living room on a blanket Aidan had spread out on the floor. Afterwards we made love, slow and relaxed, just enjoying each others body. As we lay content in the afterglow of our lovemaking, I told Aidan about how seeing the baby had affected me.
This is really important to you, isnt it? he asked softly.
Yeah, it is. Ive never wanted anything as much as I want to be a part of this babys life, even though it scares the living shit out of me at the same time. Now Im just worried that something will happen and Ill lose this chance. I need to find a lawyer.
Ilana is a lawyer, Aidan said. In fact, I think she handled the custody battle between Adam and his ex over Kane. And I know she handled all the legal stuff with Killian.
Do you think I could call her?
I dont see why not. Ill call Adam in the morning 264
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
and get her number for you.
I kissed him. Thanks. So whats the story on Kane?
What do you mean?
Well, at Thanksgiving he said something about his mom talking to him again and just now you mentioned a custody battle.
Oh, I dont really know the whole story. Killian could give you the scoop better than me. I think it all started back when she and Adam split up. She couldnt handle that he was gay; she wouldnt let Seth and Kane see him at all. When Seth told her he was gay, she kicked him out and wouldnt let Kane have anything to do with either of them. There was a big fight over Kane being able to live where he wanted. I think she finally just wrote him off too.
Thats awful! I said. Seth was the one who was murdered wasnt he?
Yeah.
God! That family has been through hell.
But they got through it by sticking together. Killian is like another son to Adam and I know Killian thinks of Kane as his brother. And from what Kane said at Thanksgiving, I guess his mom has finally come around and shes talking to him again.
So it all worked out in the end?
Yeah, I guess it did. You dont get to see many happy endings in real life; its nice to see one every now and then.
I tipped my head back so I could see his face in the candlelight. Were a happy ending, arent we?
We were so close I could feel his heart beating while I waited for him to say something. Finally, he said, Id like to think we arent any kind of ending. Were just 265
JOSH ATEROVIS
beginning. Weve got a lot of living left to do before we can have a happy ending.
What does that mean? You dont think were going to make it?
I didnt say that.
Then what are you saying?
Just I dont feel as secure in our relationship as Id like.
What do you mean? I thought we settled that whole thing with Joey.
Its not Joey.
Then who? Not Caitlin still?
IWill, are you sure youre gay? I mean, are you sure youre not going to fall in love with Caitlin and leave me? Youre so into this baby
Aidan.
Im afraid to give you all of me
Aidan.
Im so scared of getting hurt again
Aidan! Im here, with you. Im making love to you.
I live with you. I love you. Not Caitlin. I only want you.
What can I do to convince you of that?
Marry me.
What?
He sat up, keeping his eyes on mine. Marry me. I was going to wait until I had a ring and do this right, but I just cant wait. I want to spend the rest of life with you, Will. I want to grow old with you. Im willing to accept whatever that means; raising this baby, always living in Joeys shadowbut I need some sense of security. I need commitment.
Youre serious, I said in amazement as I sat up next to him. But its not legal in Maryland.
266
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
We dont need a sheet of paper from the State of Maryland to validate our commitment, he said. It can just be me and you, maybe our friends, but mainly just you and me, declaring our love and our promise to each other.
I couldnt believe we were even talking about this.
Marriage? I hadnt even thought about it. I hadnt thought of anything except finding Joeys killer and the baby. Did I want to spend the rest of my life with Aidan?
Did I want to marry him?
Yes, I whispered aloud.
What? Do you mean
I turned to face him. Yes, I will marry you Aidan Scott. Yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Yes, I want
He grabbed me and kissed me passionately, cutting off any further proclamations. I could feel his tears warm against my cheeks.
Does this mean I have to change my name to Will Scott? I asked when we came up for air.
He laughed and cried at the same time. I dont want you to change a thing, Will Keegan. I love you just the way you are.
***
When we got up the next morning, we found a blanket of snow had fallen during the night. The world had been covered with a soft layer of white purity. It was magical and beautiful and seemed perfect. I took it as a sign that I had made the right decision about marrying Aidan. I was staring out the window when he came up behind me and wrapped his strong arms around me. I melted into his embrace with a contented sigh. After a 267
JOSH ATEROVIS
few minutes of just enjoying his embrace, my mind wandered to thoughts of Caitlin
and the baby.
Did you say you could get Ilanas phone number?
I asked him.
Sure. You want me to call Adam?
Please.
His arms slipped reluctantly from around my waist as he went in search of the phone. I followed him out to the living room after a minute. He was talking on the phone, I assumed, to Adam. He jotted a number down on the paper and handed it to me after hanging up.
There ya go, he said. Im going to go take a shower while you call her.
I picked up the phone and held it in my hand without dialing. I noticed my hand was shaking. I took a deep breath and quickly dialed the number before I could panic.
The phone rang once, twice, three times. I was just beginning to think that maybe her office was closed when a soft, cultured voice answered.
Ilana Constantinos office, Jennie speaking. How can I help you?
I almost hung up but I caught myself just in time.
Hello? Jennie asked into the line.
Um, yes, I said quickly. Im calling for Ms.
Constantino please.
May I ask who is calling?
My name is Will Keegan. We met at Thanksgiving, at Adam Connellys house.
Hold just a minute.
I sat listening to soft Muzak while I waited nervously.
Would she even remember me? I got my answer a moment later when her warm voice came on the line.
268
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
Will, its Ilana. How are you?
Im good. I wasnt sure if youd remember me.
She laughed. How could I forget a guy like you?
What can I do for you?
Well, uh, I need to talk to you in person. Can I make an appointment?
Of course. Let me look at my schedule. The line was silent for a few seconds except for the sound of rus-tling paper. Is this afternoon too soon? I have an opening at 4:30.
That would be wonderful, I said with relief.
Good, Ill see you then.
We said goodbye and hung up. I was sitting in the living room still holding the phone when Aidan came back out from his shower. One look at the man I was now engaged to and all thoughts of nervousness about the baby flew right out of my head.
We decided to wait and tell everyone about our engagement at our next meeting on Friday night. Keeping quiet was the hardest thing Ive ever done. I felt like I would explode from my good news. I couldnt stop grinning that day at work. Nikki kept asking what I was so happy about, but I just kept shaking my head and grinning until my cheeks ached.
When I came back from lunch, Nikki met me at the door.
Theres someone here to see you, she hissed loud enough to be heard all over the plaza.
I looked around but didnt see anyone in the gallery.
Hes in my office, she explained. He looks a little shady to me.
My heart started racing. Did he say who he was?
No. All he would say was that he needed to speak 269
JOSH ATEROVIS
to you and you only.
It had never occurred to me before that moment that I might be in danger myself. Now suddenly my mind was filled with terrifying questions. What if the killer decided I was a threat? What if he thought I knew more than I did? We hadnt been subtle in our investigation so far. More often than not, wed used a sledgehammer when a fly swatter would have sufficed.
Stay by the door, I said to Nikki. If you hear anything suspicious get out and get help.
Her eyes grew wide and she grabbed my wrist. Will, are you involved with the Mafia?
The tension broke as I tried not to laugh in her face. I almost succeeded.
What Mafia? This is the Eastern Shore. The most organized crime family we have are redneck moonshiners.
Thats what they want you to believe, she said ominously.
Im not involved with Al Capone or any other gang-sters, I assured her.
I left Nikki standing anxiously by the door and walked back to her office. I knocked lightly as I opened the door. I figured I didnt want to surprise whoever was waiting for me. I found a slightly familiar middle-aged man with a full beard and worn, but clean clothes waiting for me. Where had I seen him before?
Hello? I said uncertainly. Im Will Keegan. Are you looking for me?
Yes, yes I am. Your parents said I could find you here. I hope you dont mind me barging in like this, interrupting your workday
Waitmy parents?
270
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
Yes. I didnt know how else to find you.
Who are you? I blurted out.
Im sorry. My name is John Taylor; folks call me Jack.
You talked to Mr. Dennis at the marina. You told him you wanted to talk to me about my son, Joey. He went to the marina office and got my number and called me.
He wound to a sudden stop as if he had run out of words.
You were at the funeral, in the back, I said, suddenly remembering where I had seen him before.
Yes, he said in a broken voice. I was there. I stayed in the back so Olivia, Joeys mother, wouldnt see me.
He didnt want her to know that we were seeing each other again.
Why all the secrecy? Joey was eighteen; he could see whoever he wanted.
Olivia hates me, with good reason. I was a lousy husband and an even worse father. I- I was a different man then. I drank. All the time. Im an alcoholic. I havent touched the stuff for three years, but once an addict always an addict. When Joey contacted meI cant tell you how happy I was. When I left them all those years ago, I thought Id lost my son forever. I cant tell you how thrilled I was to get his letter. I thought
I thought that maybe I was being offered a second chance with Joey. Hes the only child I ever had.
I was living in Norfolk then, in Virginia. I quit my job and left the next day on my boat. We met a few times; I thought it was going well. Then, the last time I saw him, he was drunk, drunk out of his skull. I dont know, something snapped inside me. I lost it. I yelled at him, told him didnt he know how poisonous that stuff was?
Didnt he remember how it had torn his family apart?
271
JOSH ATEROVIS
He got mad right back. Inherited his temper along with his weakness for the bottle from me, I guess. Told me I had no right to tell him what to do. Said Id given up that right years ago when I walked out on him and his mother. He choked up, fought back tears and won.
He was right. What could I say? He left and, a few days later, I heard on the radio that he was gone. So much for second chances.
I didnt know what to say. His pain was almost pal-pable; the office suddenly seemed too small, too stuffy.
Joey wasnt himself those last weeks, Mr. Taylor, I said at last. When he started drinking, it changed him.
He was my best friend for eighteen years and I didnt even know him at the end.
Tell me about him. Tell me about my boy, the boy I never got the chance to know.
So I did. I took the rest of the afternoon off with Nikkis blessing. Mr. Taylor, or Jack as he insisted on being called, and I sat in a café, drinking hot chocolate for me and coffee for him, as I told him everything I could think of about Joey. As I did, I began to get a clearer picture of Joey than I ever had before. How selfish he was and had always been, and how the drinking had just exacerbated an inherent trait. I tried to cover over as much of that as I could, only telling the positive side. I could tell how much it meant to him. I felt sorry for this sad, broken man. I knew in my gut that he hadnt killed Joey, or at least not in cold blood. He may have started the slow process of self-destruction that Joey had been in, and he would live with that for the rest of his life. I felt confident that we could cross him off our list of suspect
s.
When I finally left Mr. Taylor, I had to drive straight 272
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
to the upscale modern office building that housed Ilana Constantinos law practice. I took the elevator to her floor and found the door with her name stenciled in gold lettering on frosted glass over the words Family Law. The foyer area screamed elegance and style, much like Ilana herself. She was standing behind the receptionists desk talking to her when I came in. Immediately her face lit up in a warm smile and she stepped out from behind the desk.
Will, its good to see you again, she said as she offered her hand. Come on back to my office. Hold my calls please, Jennie.
Thanks so much for taking the time to see me so quickly, Ms. Constantino, I said as she led me into a well-appointed office.
Call me Ilana. And you sounded like it was important.
It is, I said and quickly outlined the situation as succinctly as I could. She already knew a little about it since she had been at the Thanksgiving dinner. When I finished I sat back and waited for her response.
She thought for a minute, tapping one long manicured nail against her lips. Let me see if I have this right,
she said. You would like me to draw up some docu-ments that give you legal rights to this baby, that isnt yours, to make sure that Caitlin doesnt skip out on you and take the baby with her.
Something like that, I said halfheartedly.
Well, I have to say that its just a bit unusual. Are you sure this is what you want to do? You understand that once its done you will be held just as responsible for this baby as if it were your own.
I know. Its what I want to do.
273
JOSH ATEROVIS
Then essentially what Ill be doing is an adoption with a joint custody kind of thing. It will ensure that you will support the baby and, in turn, you will have access to the baby. Is Caitlin agreeable to this?
Yes, I think so. How much is all this going to cost?
Well, since youre a friend Im not going to charge you for my time. Youll have to pay the various legal fees and so on, but Ill let you know what that is when its all done.
aterovis_bm_reapthewhirlwind.p65 Page 23