My musing is interrupted by my mother, as she comes to a stop in front of Desirae’s store.
“Looks like she’s open. We should go in.”
“She’s not speaking to me. And before you ask what I did, I don’t know. And I don’t want to disrupt anything for her tonight.”
Mom squeezes my arm. “Oh, son. I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but after everything that happened the other night after the show, I do know this. Life’s too short to miss out on something because of miscommunication. Don’t let it fester. Take it from me. Don’t live with regrets like I have.”
We resume our stroll arm-in-arm. “I have a feeling you’re not just talking about Desirae and me. I saw your reaction to what happened with Mrs. Reilly. Is there something you want to tell me?”
As we walk along, all the sights and sounds fade away as I focus on my mother’s words. Her voice is nostalgic, with a touch of sadness.
“When Mrs. Reilly called you Christopher, I was taken aback. Although I hadn’t really focused on it before, you look exactly like your father. And his name was Christopher.”
I stop in my tracks. “Mom, what are you saying?That Mrs. Reilly’s son is my father? What happened? Why did my father leave you all alone?”
“If Mrs. Reilly’s Christopher is your father, then apparently he didn’t leave me. And he didn’t know I was pregnant. Through some searching on the internet, I found out her son was lost at sea. He was a commercial fisherman working out of Palm Beach. So was my Christopher. We’d been dating for a few months, and before he left on a week-long trip, he promised to introduce me to his parents when he returned. But I never heard from him again. No phone call, nothing. I just assumed he changed his mind or was seeing someone else. Back then, if you didn’t want to be found, it was easy to disappear. About a month later, I realized I was pregnant. I had no idea how to find him to let him know. So I raised you on my own and never looked back. Until now.”
Damn. Everything I thought I knew was based on an assumption. The bitterness. The overcompensating. The hatred of a ghost. But that’s nothing in comparison to what my mother’s been living with for the last forty years. Yet she never let it show or let her feelings interfere with the love she always showered on me.
I steer my mother toward a quiet spot in a doorway of a building and wrap her in my arms.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Sorry you had to carry such a burden and so much hurt all these years. And I’m sorry if when you look at me, it brings up painful memories.”
She pulls back and shakes her head. “Oh honey, no. You are the most important person in my life. Mybiggest accomplishment. I’m so proud of you and I always will be.”
I grin, in an effort to lighten the mood. “So you’re telling me that Mrs. Reilly, the owner of the building I was planning to demolish, might be my grandmother?”
Regina nods. “It’s certainly possible. Everything fits.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I already decided I’m not touching that building.”
“See? I always knew you’d do the right thing.”
I pull out my phone, searching for DNA testing companies in the area. I’d really like to know if she’s my grandmother; but even more, I want to give my mother the gift of closure. And maybe, if she’s open to it, Mrs. Reilly might gain something as well.
CHAPTER 15
DESIRAE
Normally, I’d be on top of the world following a show. Appointments and orders are filling my schedule, and news of the event’s success made it all the way to New York City. But concern for Mrs. Reilly’s health and my all-over-the-place emotions about Stone are tempering my feelings of excitement.
I can’t seem to wrap my head around the two sides of Stone. On the one hand, he’s caring, benevolent, and supportive. The way he was so attentive to Mrs. Reilly, understanding and compassionate during her confused state, contrasts so sharply with his business side. And despite what I had told myself earlier about just enjoying sex with him, we connected on a level I’ve never experienced. Mind, body, and soul. I gave myself freely to him, and finally felt like I could trust him, until I overheard two of his board members talking after the fashion show. I had gone in to retrieve my purse after tucking Mrs. Reilly into my car. The men thought they were all alone, unaware that I was in the back.
These people are fools if they think this little publicity stunt will actually change anything. We’ll throw some money at them in the name of charity, then we’ll start bulldozing the buildings.
Just thinking about their callous words and inconsiderate laughter makes my blood boil. After everything Stone and I have shared together, in and out of bed, he still plans to move forward with his project? He’s no better than George. My hands shake with anger as I hang decorations for the fall festival window decoration contest, something I normally take great joy in.
I’m still inside the display window when I see Regina approaching. I’ve managed to avoid her at the condo because of my emotions about Stone. I haven’t been able to answer his calls or texts. My disappointment and anger are too raw, too fresh.
She waves, and I try my best to give her a genuine smile. She’s not responsible for Stone’s actions, so I can’t blame her. She’s always been so kind to me; I need to separate the fact that she’s my friend and neighbor from the reality that she’s Stone’s mother.
“Hello dear. I brought you some cookies. Do you have time for a chat?”
Maybe it would be good to talk it through with her. After all, she knows Stone better than anyone else.
“Regina, I just love your cookies! How about some tea to go with them?”
I wipe my hands on the apron I have tied around my waist before inviting her to the kitchen area in the back.
