Because my father hushed it up.But I don’t tell him that.Instead, I reach back into my car and take out a folder.“I have a gift for your family.”
He immediately lifts his hands in denial.“Because of me finding you?That’s okay, son.Just knowing you’re okay is a gift to me.A true gift.”He wipes his eyes.
“Please accept it,” I say.
“No, no, but come inside,” he gestures to the house.“It’s too hot to stand out here and talk.”
I follow him inside the small but neatly kept home.
“Excuse all the boxes.The landlord decided to sell the place so we’re in the process of moving.”He offers me a glass of water.
I accept it and we sit at the kitchen table.
“My wife is out back fiddling with the container garden she set up.Hang on a second.I want her to meet you.”He gets up and goes to the back door.“Janice!Come meet this fella I told you about.”
He returns to the kitchen.“I told my wife the story that day but not my kids.I didn’t want to upset them.”
“Something’s been nibbling on my tomato plants.”His wife walks into the house peeling off a pair of gardening gloves.“Well, hello.”
Larry explains who I am and to my surprise, Janice hugs me and pats me on the back.“I worried so much about you.”
This couple cared more about what happened to the nine-year-old boy I once was than my own father did.“Everything turned out well,” I say, not wanting to share any of the dark details.
I slide the folder across the table to Larry.“I bought your old home in Laketon Heights back for you.”
They’re both shocked.“Why would you do that?”Larry asks, exchanging a look with his wife.
“We left there for a reason,” she says.
“I know.You left because of Doug Browning and his family.”
“How’d you know about that?”she asks.
“Salem came to work for my company, and I discovered what was done to her and to you.”
Larry eyes the folder, then frowns.“But still, why would a boss buy his employee’s family a house?”
“Because what happened was wrong and I’m going to make it right.”
They’re both speechless for a moment, then Janice says, “Salem never mentioned any of this.”
“She doesn’t know about the house yet.I made the deal a few hours ago.The house is completely yours.You’ll never lose it again.”I swallow hard.“It was her childhood home and meant a lot to her.”And this family means a lot to me.“Please accept this.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Larry taps the folder.“This was our home…”
“Our beautiful home…” Janice says.
Both of them have tears in their eyes.
“I’d love to go back, but if we do, not only will Doug’s family come after us, but I fear he’ll try to hurt Salem in some way,” Larry says.“And she’s already lost so much.The design stolen from her was one she created based on memories of summers with her late grandmother.”
“I know.Ownership of the design along with all proceeds from all the sales is being transferred to Salem.”I look at my watch.“That should have been completed by now.”
“How did you manage to do that?”Larry asks.
“As soon as Salem told me what was done to her, I put my legal team on it.Apparently, DB Jewelry has a history of design theft.Multiple news stories will be released about it all soon.”That part is my grandmother’s hand on the matter.
“They’ll be able to rebound,” Janice says.
