HIM

by J. M. Elliott

  I bring my eyes up to meet his.

  Holy Shit!

  Oh, God! Shit! Shit! Shit! He's looking right at me. What an idiot I am, caught like a deer in headlights practically undressing this man with my eyes. He gives me a slight smile, and I look away quickly without returning the gesture. I smile and look back over at him, but his face is down, looking back at his phone. His skin is beautiful too. He's so mysterious to me. There must be so much more to him then the eye can see.

  I break free from my inappropriate sexual gaze and impure thoughts as I hear a voice.

  "They are ready for you now," the receptionist says. "Right this way, please."

  We all get up from our seats and head into a decently sized conference room with an oval mahogany table surrounded by fancy chairs. The room is decorated warmly with many works of art hanging from the walls. A bookcase is full of legal books and cascades along the back wall. Flowers lie centered on the table in a large vase. I take a seat furthest from my father's lawyers; on one side of me is my aunt, and on the other is Gladys.

  Luke sits beside my uncle with an empty chair on both sides of him, almost directly sitting across from Jason, who, I'm sure, is secretly plotting his death. Jason is uncomfortable, but he has no choice but to deal with the situation. Both lawyers sit at the opposite end from me, a folder and manila envelope displayed out in front of them. The receptionist brings in a pitcher of water, some glasses, and a few boxes of tissues.

  "Shall we begin?" one lawyer asks as he stands to introduce himself and his partner to us.

  "You have all gathered here today to hear the final Will and Testament of Robert Allen Garrett," the other lawyer says.

  He hands the receptionist a folder, and she starts to pass out a sealed envelope to each of us.

  "Robert prepared a letter for each of you to be read at your leisure, whenever you are ready," the lawyer exclaims.

  I can feel the tears well up in the corners of my eyes, and I reach for a tissue. Gladys and my aunt both reach to rub my back as I dab the corners of my eyes. I take the letter from the receptionist and place it on the table in front of me. Written in my father's handwriting, it says:

  To my Little Lady

  I'm unable to stop myself as tears flow down my face. My dad always called me his "Little Lady," and I always called him "My Hero." I grab the letter from the table and slide it into my purse. I wipe my eyes, wishing I hadn't worn mascara or at least wore the waterproof kind. I am blessed with the moral support here with me today.

  "We will start by reading Robert's personal portion of his Will then end with his business portion," proclaims one of his lawyers.

  Here we go. My father's lawyers will start naming off his personal belongings, the things he worked so hard for, and that he treasured. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I open them and look over at Luke, who is staring at the table. He looks up at me with the most caring and sympathetic eyes. I look away as the lawyers begin to read my father's Will.

  “I, Robert Allen Garrett, resident of the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, being of sound mind, body, and soul, not acting under duress or undue influence, fully understanding the nature and extent of all my property and this disposition thereof, do hereby make, publish, and declare this document to be my last Will and Testament.”

  I fade off into memories of my childhood. Memories of my father teaching me the proper way to hold a baseball bat, wiping away gooey marshmallow from my cheek after eating a s' more he had just made, and hanging my straight-A report cards next to my drawings on the fridge. I remember him picking the gravel from my wounds before bandaging my hand and knee after taking a digger from falling off my bike and learning to braid my hair as mommies do for their daughters.

  I can see my dad jumping up and down as I ran out of the DMV the day I received my driver's license, his mouth wide open as I walked down the stairs in my Prom dress, taking me for ice-cream after my first broken heart, and helping me pack my car while tearing up as he hugged me before I left for college.

  Chapter Ten

  “I devise and bequeath my property, both real and personal and wherever suited as follows:

  To my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett, I leave my home at 3891 Oakwood Trail in the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, and all equity found on and within my property.

  My half of the family hunting property in the City of Effie, in the State of Minnesota, with my brother, David Patrick Garrett, to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.

  My half of the cabin property on Kawaguesaga Lake in the City of Minocqua, in the State of Wisconsin with Ernie Michael and Gladys Elaine Anderson, to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.

  My tools, equipment, scrap metal, and junked cars found in the large pole barn at 2242 Old Highway 15 in the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, as well as my 1967 Ford Rancho, to Lucas Mitchell Jameson.”

  A loud gasp is let out, and Jason gets up from his seat, storming out of the room with his hands clenched in fists. I watch, baffled, as he leaves. Gladys grabs my hand as she closes her eyes, shaking her head in an embarrassing disappointment towards her son. I look over at Luke, who has a tear trickling down his cheek. His hands are clasped together and pressed against his face while he is leaning his elbows on top of the table, looking downward with his brows knitted in a frown. My father must have meant something to him.

  "We will now go over Robert's business portion of his last Will and Testament," one of the lawyers' states.

  Grabbing another tissue, I look over at Ernie, rocking lightly in his chair while staring at the table. This is not only hard on me, but on everyone who is sitting here. I love them all, and that includes Luke. Astounding as it may be. I feel a sudden connection with him, considering how my dad has included him in his Will. Their relationship, it seems, must have been very close. Almost family like.

  “My body shop, known as Rob's Classic Restoration at 1300 Highway 63 and 30th Avenue, in the City of Baronette, in the State of Wisconsin, is free of debt. All expenses and upkeep will be bestowed upon those listed below and will be distributed as follows:

  Co-Owners, splitting the profits and losses, will be given to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett, and my lifelong friend, Ernie Michael Anderson.

  His son, Jason Robert Anderson, will receive his father's share in the time of his passing.

  My friend, Lucas Mitchell Jameson, will receive ten percent of the business as long as he continues to work for Rob's Classic Restoration.

  Ernie Michael Anderson and Lucas Mitchell Jameson will take over my business in its entirety with the assistance of my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.”

  The lawyers continue with information on how my father wanted to leave his business. I knew he would leave it to Ernie and myself, but Luke too? I can see that my dad considered Luke a friend and trusted him enough to uphold this responsibility. So, shall I. Although, there is something I am surely missing. Jason and Gladys' stories about him don't seem to add up. In two years, my dad made him a part of the family, and I knew nothing about it.

  I need to find out more about Luke, and more importantly, about my father's relationship with him. We couldn't be related, could we? Could he be my brother? It wasn't stated before his name in my father's Will that we were of any relation. Oh God, I hope that's not the case as I have been fantasizing about what he looks like naked lately.

  I look over at Ernie. He has lost it and is sobbing profusely as Gladys comforts him. Jason has not returned since he stormed out some time ago. My aunt and uncle are sitting calmly listening to the lawyers speak as if they were listening to the church's hymnal. My eyes make their way to Luke again, and he looks like he's ready to lose it.

  I get up from my seat, walk over to Luke, and sit down. He looks at me so empathetically. I put my hand on his arm as I continue listening to the lawyers as they finish my dad's Will. Luke places his hand over mine and removes it from his arm. He then grabs it with his other hand bringing both our
hands under the table and onto my lap. He interlocks his hand in mine.

  I look at him while he's looking at me. We give one another a slight smile then turn towards the lawyers. I feel comfortable with my hand inside his. Please, God, do not let us be related. I would dread for that to be true.

  "Last but not least. Robert's final wishes," the lawyer says as he looks around the room at us.

  “It is my last Will and Testament, and so I direct, that my remains shall be cremated, and some of my ashes are sprinkled at my hunting property, my cabin, and my shop. For my final resting place, I be placed inside an urn. My remaining ashes enclosed in the urn will be given to my daughter, Allison Paige Garrett.

  This concludes the last Will and Testament of I, Robert Allen Garrett.”

  "A copy of Robert's Will is available to you at the front desk on your way out," one of the lawyers says.

  The other lawyer notes, "We need everyone involved in Robert's Will to stay and sign documents before heading out."

  I let go of Luke's hand and head over to the lawyers to sign the paperwork. When I finish, I head out the door and into the waiting area where Jason is standing. I grab a copy of my father's Will from the receptionist before walking over to hug him.

  I excuse myself to find the restroom. As I return to the waiting area, everyone is standing around talking, except for Luke. I wonder where he went. My aunt hugs me, and we all head outside to the parking lot. Luke is standing at his truck. Ernie walks up to him, they shake hands, then embrace in a light hug.

  Luke opens his door, about to climb in his truck, but stops and walks towards me. I look around for Jason, but I notice he is in his parents' car talking with Gladys. I look back at Luke.

  "Can I give you a ride home?" he asks.

  I look at Ernie, and he gives me a "go ahead" nod and smiles before turning to shake my uncle's hand.

  "Sure," I reply.

  A spark of excitement ignites through my body. Finally, I may be able to find out more about him. I say goodbye to my aunt and uncle, hugging them both tight. I wave to Ernie and Gladys, then walk with Luke to his truck. He opens my door for me and helps me up inside. He walks around the front of the vehicle and climbs up into the driver's seat. He closes his door and lets out a slow breath.

  "I bet you have a lot of questions you would like to ask me," Luke says as he looks over at me.

  He must have read my mind; I have a plethora of questions to ask him. I'm glad that he took the initiative. I look at him and nod. He turns the ignition, starting his truck, then shifts it into gear, and we begin to leave the parking lot.

  Chapter Eleven

  As we sit in silence, I notice how nice Luke's truck is. The inside is spotless with a light grey leather interior.

  "What year is this?" I speak up, trying to break the quiet.

  Luke looks over at me, with a raised eyebrow and a puzzled stare behind his eyes wondering why I might be asking something that is so far from the topic we need to discuss.

  "It's a twenty-seventeen," he replies.

  I can tell he is searching for the words to begin his story- how he came about here and his relationship with my father. I notice his apprehensiveness as he grips his bright orange steering wheel with both of his palms as he rolls them forward and back. Patiently, I wait for him to start talking.

  "I'm not a bad person, contrary to what you've heard," Luke says as he grips tighter on his steering wheel. "Honestly, if your dad were here, he'd back me up on that."

  I listen, without saying a word, while he tells me his entire story. He begins by saying that he is originally from San Diego, California. He was born and raised there. He got into some trouble and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

  He was in a toxic on-and-off-again relationship with a girl who repeatedly accused him of cheating. Luke assured me that he had never cheated on her. They broke up, and three months later, she came back, claiming that she was pregnant. She demanded he take her back and help her raise their baby. His mother told him that he could still be a man by being there to help raise their child, but he did not need to put himself through that toxic relationship again. Since the girl was upset with his decision, she had her brother and a group of guys go after Luke. They jumped him one night after he got off work.

  A few days later, he came home from work to find his mother's house, engulfed in flames. His mother was trapped inside. She received severe burns to her arms, chest, and face.

  In a burst of rage, he went to the girl's house to find her brother. Luke beat him within an inch of his life, and he would've killed him if it weren't for the police ripping them apart. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for first-degree assault with an attempt to kill. However, he was released after only three years for good behavior. His mom came to visit a few times once she healed from her burns, but she decided to move to Arizona to live with a friend. Luke hasn't seen his mother since but speaks to her quite often; he goes on to say.

  The baby was born while he was incarcerated, and he took a paternity test to find out that the baby was not his. The girl had been the one cheating, not Luke. When released from prison, there was nothing left for him in San Diego, and he wanted to leave his past behind him.

  So, he took whatever little money he had and hitchhiked across the country. He stopped here and there along the way. When he arrived in Colorado, he stayed for a few weeks with a guy who picked him up in Las Vegas. He took on doing odd jobs to make a few bucks. He also traded work for a motorcycle before leaving Colorado and making his way to Wisconsin. He said that he was passing through when his bike broke down, and my father picked him up.

  My father gave him a meal, a warm place to sleep, and even offered to help him fix his bike. Luke continued to tell me that he told my father he had no money to pay for the parts, but my dad said it was fine. He could work the debt off. Luke worked night and day for my dad, and anytime my dad needed help. He would also work when someone did not show up for their scheduled shift at the shop. Eventually, he and my dad grew a quick and healthy bond. My dad was like the father Luke never had.

  I am blown away by Luke's story and stay silent as I sit and listen to him. Tears roll down my cheeks when I hear about what happened to his mom and what he went through. Hearing him speak about the kindness of my father warms my heart. My father was a saint, and he'd give the shirt off his back.

  Luke proceeds to tell me that my father talked about me a lot, and he wanted us to meet, but he wasn't quite sure how to break the news to me. He said it was probably due to his troubled past and not knowing how long he planned to stick around. Luke tells me he spent his holidays at Ernie and Gladys's, due to his growing friendship with Jason.

  He liked my dad, Ernie, and Jason so much that he decided to stay once his bike was good as new. He and Jason eventually moved into a house that Ernie and Gladys bought to give to Jason with some help from my father.

  Then Luke starts to talk about what happened the night of the fight between him and Jason.

  "Bridget came into my room after I left the party to go to bed. She woke me up and started doing a striptease even though I asked her to stop and leave. She vomited all over my bedroom floor, and when I was in my bathroom, getting some towels to clean up the mess, Jason walked in to see Bridget passed out naked on my bed. That's when chaos ensued," he mutters.

  Luke continues to tell me that he never touched Bridget that night. Since then, they've kissed a few times but are only friends and who hang out from time to time. He wanted to pack up his stuff and leave after the fight. He was worried about possibly going back to prison, but my dad talked him out of it, telling him that he's family and Jason would eventually get over it. My dad then helped him build a living quarter attached to the back of the pole barn and made him head mechanic a few months later at his shop, in the hope that he'd stay.

  "We would work on vehicles together at the shop, your dad's old barn, and my pole barn. Your dad told me often that it was something he used to do ev
ery day with you, so it was nice to have a partner again." Luke says with sadness in his voice.

  "Your dad helped pick out this truck that we are in, set the chrome accents on it, and put the lift kit in," he boasts.

  "He planned to finally introduce us on the fourth of July when you came home for the holiday and his birthday," he sighs.

  My eyes are blurring and filled with tears. Luke spilled almost his entire life story to me, well at least the past five or so years. I feel as if I've now known him my whole life. His mysterious persona has dissipated some, and he is more attractive to me than ever before. It's safe to say that Luke and I aren't related.

  My dad always saw the good in everyone. He never judged people and always gave them the benefit of the doubt. My father knew that Luke was a good man, or he would never have helped him beyond fixing his motorcycle. I wish he would have told me about Luke, though. Nearly two years is a long time for my father to keep something from me. I am sure he thought I would fall for Luke and did not want me to get hurt if he left or want me to drop what I've worked so hard to achieve to move back home.

  Chapter Twelve

  I wipe the tears from my cheeks and flip down the visor in Luke's truck to check my makeup.

  "I'm sorry for dropping all that on you, like that," he says while looking at me.

  I needed to hear all of it, and it made me emotional. My father treated him like a son. He never had one, so he formed a relationship with Luke, which was heartwarming to hear.

  "Thank you. It's exactly what I needed to hear!" I reply.

  I give him an awkward smile, not knowing what else to say or how to show sympathy for what he went through without looking more like a complete weirdo.

  "Are you hungry?" Luke asks.

  I look over at his gorgeous face.

  "I could eat!" I reply with confidence that screamed cockiness.

  I want to slam my forehead into my palm or throw up in my purse in embarrassment. I am sure my cheeks are flush. Thankfully, he smiles and laughs under his breath before pulling into Mary's Cafe. Luke opens my door and helps me out of his truck.