“What’s he doing here?” Chase tensed, pausing mid brush stroke.
“I think he should tell you. Chase, your father has made a lot of mistakes, but he’s here now and he wants to see you.”
Chase snorted.
“I told him that you and your brother knew where to find him and that you could decide when, and if, you’re ready.”
Chase felt his eyes burning and moved to brush Lou Lou.
“Here, this is for you.” Norah handed him a small, blue envelope.
“What is it?” Chase noticed script handwriting on the front.
“You’ll see when you open it, but wait until later. Cam wants you to stop in.”
Chase slid the envelope in his back pocket. “I’m just gonna finish up Lou Lou.”
Norah patted his shoulder and peered into his eyes. “I love you, son.”
“Love you too, ma.”
When Chase had both horses back in their stalls, he made his way to the house. Once inside, he leaned against the living room door frame.
“What’s up, mom said you wanted to see me?”
Cam scooted himself up in the recliner. “Yeah… um… wanna sit for a minute?”
“Sure, what’s going on?”
After clearing his throat and shifting in his chair, Cam said, “Maggie told me about the Hollywood Theater… That you gave up a chance for your big break… to come here after my accident.”
Chase leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and massaged his forehead. “She shouldn’t have said anything.”
“She was defending you and it slipped out. I was being a jerk, like usual.”
Looking up, Chase noticed the way Cam was staring down at the floor.
“I never understood your obsession with music. I felt like you used it as an excuse to stay away from us. Part of me felt like you abandoned us, just like dad did. I blamed you for making mom sad, but that’s not fair. It was dad. Him leaving is what upset her. You’ve just been doing what you’re passionate about... What I’m trying to say is, I’m sorry.”
Chase studied his fingers. “I’m sorry too. I should’ve come home to visit more. I could’ve called more. I guess I just felt like ya’ll didn’t care.”
As Chase examined Cam, it struck him how much he had aged since his accident. A weariness pervaded Cam’s gaze. “I should’ve been more supportive. But, I’m glad you have Maggie. That girl really seems to love you… for some reason.” Cam shot him a sly grin.
Leaning back against the sofa cushions, Chase crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I doubt that… She left last night. Just took off.”
“Did ya’ll have words?”
“No… I have no idea what happened. I guess it’s just me.”
“Don’t go throwing yourself a pity party. I ain’t no fool. Your girlfriend loves you.”
“Cam, she wasn’t actually… my girlfriend. We had hung out a few times, but that’s it.”
“Then why’d she fly all this way? You pay her off or something?”
Chase shook his head. “No… she came because… I guess she was worried after I left LA suddenly. She’s just that way… cares about people.”
“It seems like she definitely cares about you. I’ve got eyes, and I’m not the only one. We could all see it. Ya’ll mighta thought you were pretendin, but you can’t fake love. I saw the way she looked at you… and I saw the way you looked at her.”
