“Yes, Miles had grown up with us too and Iguess had been waiting in the wings, as it were, for Jeanne.When Ileft, they got together.”
“How does this affect Sandy and me?”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Sam swallowed hard andhad trouble meeting her eyes.“But I’m not sure I can lose anotherwoman I love to a Johnson man.That may seem trivial or whatever,but it’s how I feel.”
So there it was.
Sitting in a puddle on the floor in front ofthem.The truth that had been a long time coming and now was outfor everyone to see.
Sam finally met his daughter’s eyes, “Don’thate me, sweetheart.You’re all I have left.”Lily burst into tearsand Sandy was angry.
“Mr.Cable, you don’t want Lily to be with mebecause my dad married your former girlfriend over forty years ago?Is that what I’m hearing?”
“… It’s not that simple, son.”
“Yes, it is and I’m not your son,” he huggedLily tighter.“And you’ve made Lily cry.Especially for a father,that is unacceptable.Lily, we need to leave.”
Her sobs filled the air.“Dad, you won’tgive… your permission?Even if we love each other?”
Sam shook his head.
She stood and raised her voice.“I hardlyknow who you are.You kept a secret like that from me for years?Why… in the hell did you suggest I move to Naples?Did you want toget… revenge on the Johnsons after all these years?”
“Of course not!”
“And what about Mother?Didn’t you love herat all?Did she just pick up the leftovers here?”She turned awayfrom him and wrapped her arms around her shaking body.
“No, honey.I loved your mother dearly.”Samstood and reached for her.“I just don’t think I ever got overJeanne.She was Jeanne Murdoch then.”
Lily stepped away and Sam’s arms fell limplyto his sides.He looked exhausted.When he went to his bedroom,Sandy and Lily were left with the ruins of the evening.
“Lily, we need to get out of here.Please,let’s go.”
“… No, let’s go in the morning when we haveour reservation.Anything would be too difficult tonight.”Tearsfell steadily and she searched for a tissue in her pocket.
“I’ll drive all the way home, sweetheart,” hepleaded with her as he took her in his arms.
They embraced for a few sweet moments.
“All right,” she said finally, “but I can’ttalk… for a while.”
Sandy got the bags and loaded the car.Lilytried to talk to her dad one last time through his closed door.Samrefused to come out of his room.“Goodnight then, Dad, andgoodbye.”
And they drove off into that unwelcome night.It had all started so well and ended so miserably.
* * *
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“You don’t need your dad’s permission, Lily.You’re a grown woman who is making her own way in life.You can dowhat you want to do,” Sandy pleaded with her.He’d been driving foran hour or more along the dimly lit highway and they hadn’t spoken.The steady drone of the car engine was the only noise he’d beenhearing and Sandy couldn’t take the silence any longer.
Tears had long dried on her cheeks, but notin her voice.“I know that, I know that.It’s just…”
“What, sweetheart?Talk to me, please.”
“I can’t believe he never told me any ofthis.I wonder if Mother knew.She never said anything about any ofthis business.”Lily glanced over at him, shaking her head.“ Andhow could he turn you down when he said yes to Ron.”
“…Your dad approved your marrying Ron?”Histone was unbelieving.“A man he knew wasn’t right for you and toldyou so?”
