“What about your grandparents on your father’s side?”
Chase rarely talked about his lack of family. It’d never really bothered him until he’d met Maisy and her siblings and seen a family in action.
“My grandfather was busy with the bank and my grandmother was a socialite and deeply involved in charity projects. I saw them briefly at Christmas and got a card and money for my birthday, but other than that, I didn’t have any real connection with them.”
Maisy was silent for a moment. “I couldn’t imagine growing up without my grandparents. I’m sorry you missed out on that, Chase.”
“Yeah, me, too.” And he was. He’d never given it much thought, and realized how much he would have liked a relationship with what little family he did have.
They spoke for an hour nonstop, and everything seemed to be fine, when Maisy abruptly claimed she needed to help Patrick with his homework.
Chase was disappointed to end their conversation and reluctantly let her go. He wanted more. Needed more. He doubted she’d lied to him about helping Patrick. At the same time, he noticed a hesitancy with her, as if she wasn’t sure she could or should trust him. He understood and was willing to be patient. With time she would realize his interest was sincere.
—
The following afternoon, Chase was at his desk when his father walked in. It wasn’t unusual for the two of them to chat several times a day. Generally, Chase went to his father’s office. It was rare for Simon to visit him unless it was a matter of importance.
His father took a seat in the leather chair in front of Chase’s desk. The door leading into the outer office was closed.
“To what do I owe this unexpected visit?” Chase asked.
His father crossed his legs and leaned back, striking a comfortable pose. “I heard you took the corporate jet to Seattle the other day.”
“I did. Is that a problem?” Chase already knew it wasn’t.
“Not in the least. I didn’t know we had any business in the Pacific Northwest.”
“We don’t. I flew out for personal reasons.”
“Oh?”
A wealth of meaning went into the sole word.
“Was it to see that woman you mentioned?”
“Not entirely.” He paused, unsure how best to proceed. It was difficult to talk to Simon about anything having to do with his mother. Her name was rarely mentioned, and when it was, any discussion about Michelle brought up a whole slew of painful memories. Early on, Chase quickly learned that his mother was a subject best avoided.
“I met with a couple of the people who attended Michelle’s services,” he clarified.
“And?”
Once more the weight of the single word hung in the room like thick smoke, choking and heavy.
“I learned, thanks to Maisy, that Michelle turned her lifearound.” Chase felt it was important for Simon to know Maisy was the one who’d made this possible.
“From what this friend of Michelle’s told me,” Chase continued, “Michelle found sobriety several years ago. She made it her life’s work to help others.”
His father was known to keep his feelings well in check, so Chase was surprised to see the shock show in his father’s widening eyes. “Your mother wrote me, you know.”
Chase didn’t.
“I…” His father hesitated. “I’d built up an emotional wall when it came to anything having to do with her. I loved her with everything that was in me. God knows I tried to help her, tried to get her to agree to treatment. I wasn’t willing to open my heart to her again for fear of what would happen.”
“I did the same thing.” Chase deeply regretted that now.
His father uncrossed his legs and wiped his hand down his face. “I thought that…Never mind, it doesn’t matter what I thought. I’m happy she managed to make something of her life.”
“The two women I met with loved her. She apparently regularly walked the streets and offered food and hope to those who had lost their way. She would share her own story, feed them, and personally escort them to AA meetings. There’s no telling how many lives she touched.”
