“Of course,” he says in that slimy, deep voice of his. “Of course I know. I’ve only recently found out, actually. My son did the best he could to hide it from me. I wonder why, however. Iwonder why he wouldn’t share such happy news with his own father. It hurt me, to be honest with you. But anyway, I’m glad I found out. Please accept my greatest congratulations.”
There’s nothing wrong with what he’s saying.
In fact, it’s all polite and polished and pleasant.
But something is off.
Something is very much off and it’s not just the fact that he told me that he’s only recently found out despite Reed’s efforts not to tell him.
Again, it’s okay.
It doesn’t matter. That’s not why I’m calling anyway.
I rub my belly again to calm Halo down so I can focus. “Uh, thank you.”
“So,” he asks magnanimously. “What can I do for you?”
Okay, this is it.
I sit up straighter on the couch and say, “I actually wanted to apologize.”
“Apologize. For what?”
“For what I did two years ago. I never got a chance to apologize to you before and I want you to know that I regret it. I’m not…” I pause to gather myself. “I wasn’t myself that night and if I were, I never would’ve done it. But that’s not an excuse and I know that. I’m not exactly hoping that you forgive me but I’d like to say that I’m sorry.”
“Forgive you?” He laughs, and this time I’m definitely, definitely creeped out.
His laugh is somehow both booming and screeching, like nails dragging across a chalkboard and you get the feeling that whatever is making him happy is coming at the expense of someone else.
Someone innocent.
God, and Reed has had to endure this all his life.
Reed has to endure this every day when he goes to work for his dad.
My heart is both racing and clenching in my chest. I need to make this happen. Ineedto get Reed’s freedom.
His laughter trails off on a chuckle and he says, “I can see now what my son sees in you. Sweet and innocent. Begging for my forgiveness so sweetly. I regret that we haven’t met yet. I’d very much like to meet you, Calliope. One day. If my son stops being stubborn. In fact, I’m going to insist to him that we meet. I can be very persuasive when I want to be. I’m sure my son must have told you all about that. But anyway, it would be a pleasure to meet the girl who sounds so sweet over the phone.”
My skin is crawling right now.
Crawling.
At his slimy tone, his creepy laugh.
It makes me feel unsafe and disgusted.
It makes me want Reed. I want him to come back and chase away this chill in my bones.
And I know he will do it too.
He will do anything to make me feel safe and so I have to do this for him.
I have to be strong.
“Listen, Mr. Jackson, thanks for congratulating me and for all thecomplimentsthat I wasn’t expecting. At all. But that’s not why I’m calling,” I say sternly. “I’ve heard a lot about you over the years and I have to admit that very little of that has been flattering. So maybe I’m making a mistake in calling you but I had to. I had to because I want to ask you something. I want to ask you to let Reed go.”
“Let him go,” he repeats. “Interesting choice of words. You don’t think I’m holding him prisoner, do you?”
