Hope Returns

by Dorey Whittaker

Chapter 6

  The articles in the paper continued. About once a day someone would come into the bakery trying to get a closeup view of Lisa. Ben and Benny were talking about important things, and life was moving forward. Lisa finally agreed to one lunch date a week down at Hodge’s Lunch Counter. Being as big as he was, it was always hard for Ben to be inconspicuous, let alone when he would start one of his jokes. But Ben was also hard to dislike so Lisa felt somewhat assured of everyone’s behavior while she was out with him.

  As they were finishing their lunch, Mr. Hodges walked up behind them, slapped Ben on the back and said, “Haven’t seen you in here for months, boy. I remember a time when your feet couldn’t even touch the floor while sitting on one of my stools. You always liked the grilled cheese basket lunch, Ben. Is that what you ordered today?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Hodges. No point in messing with a good thing,” Ben joked back at him.

  “Don’t forget to stop by and pick up a complimentary bag of popcorn as you leave. And, Ben, I have a few model airplane kits you might want to take a look at on your way out. A boy is never too old for model planes, right, Ben?” Hodges was always a salesman.

  “I’ll be sure to do that, Mr. Hodges. It’s nice seeing you again.” Then as he started to head toward his front counter, Hodges remembered why he had made his way to them in the first place and turned to Lisa and said, “Lisa, bet you can’t wait to see that girl of yours next week.”

  The shock of his words made Lisa’s head begin to swirl and she had trouble breathing. She simply nodded a polite acknowledgment of his comment and Mr. Hodges continued on his way, unaware of the impact his comment had made. Leaning in closely, Ben asked, “What is he talking about, Lisa?”

  “I don’t know, Ben, but I intend to find out.”

  Ben quickly paid their bill, picked up the bag of popcorn, waving it in the air toward Mr. Hodges, and headed back to the bakery. Entering the bakery, Lisa turned to Ben, “I need to call Mr. Duncan, my lawyer. He is representing Hope and her father. He will know if Hope really is coming back here next week, and why. Ben, I guess I need to read the paper after all. The fact that old Mr. Hodges knows more about my daughter than I do is upsetting. The only thing that would bring her back here, apart from visiting me, and we both know that wouldn’t be the reason for this visit, is because someone is digging into Prosecutor Gordon’s behavior and they need something from Hope.”

  “Lisa, I have to get back to the courthouse, but you call me as soon as you know anything.”

  Lisa wasted no time getting Mr. Duncan on the phone. He had been her lawyer during her murder trial and she both loved and respected him for all he had done to help her. “So, is it true, Mr. Duncan? Is Hope returning? Is she actually coming back to Jefferson next week?”

  “Lisa, I intended to call you today but things kept getting in the way. Yes, Hope and her father are coming next week. I tried to get them to do her deposition in California so she wouldn’t have to come back here so soon after your trial. But since Gordon hired Myers Law Firm to represent him in this case, they refused to sign off and want both Hope and her father back here for their depositions.”

  Remembering the night she dropped off the pastries, Lisa said, “So that was why Gordon was at Myers Law Firm that night. I thought he was there getting hired, not being a client.”

  “Hired? Lisa, right now Gordon couldn’t get hired as dog catcher. Last week he was asked to step down as City Prosecutor and yesterday he officially removed his name from the ballot for District Attorney. He knows he is finished here. His only fight right now is to save his license to practice law and that is a fight he won’t surrender to easily.”

  “Will he be questioning Hope?” Lisa asked with fear in her voice.

  “No, Lisa, he won’t. His lawyer will, but he will be present.” Then redirecting the conversation, Duncan asked, “Have you talked with Hope since the trial?”

  “No. I got a sweet letter from her about a week after she left. She said how sorry she was for everything. She apologized for waiting so long to come forward even though we all know that her running away was my idea. Mr. Duncan, you are sure Hope cannot get into trouble for leaving the scene of a murder, right?”

  “Lisa,” Duncan tried using his most grandfatherly voice, “I know you are still worried, but I have it in writing from the District Attorney that no charges will ever be filed against Hope in this matter.”

  “I know, Mr. Duncan, but it is so hard to trust anyone after what Prosecutor Gordon did. I know it was just as much my fault, but I don’t want Hope to pay for my foolishness. She has enough to deal with having taken a life—even one taken in self-defense. Hope hasn’t offered me any encouragement about more communication, calling, writing, visiting, anything. Gladys and I decided we needed to give her some space for now, then I find out about this.”

  “Lisa, I’ve spoken to both Hope and her father several times. I am going to represent their interests in this matter, even though they have both been assured that no charges will be issued against either of them, I intend to make sure everyone keeps their promises. Lisa, Hope and her father will be arriving next Wednesday afternoon and will be staying at the West End Hotel. They will be here until Sunday afternoon. If you would like, I can tell Hope that you would like to visit with her during her stay. Would you like me to?”

  “Yes, but please tell her I’d understand if she is not ready. I don’t want her upset any more than necessary right now. Would you tell her that for me?”

  “Rest assured that I will, Lisa. Is there anything else I can do for you right now?”

  “Yes, actually there is, Mr. Duncan. Do you think it would be easier for Hope if my sister, Susan, came down from Atlanta for this meeting? That is, if there is going to be a meeting.”

  “I think that would be a great idea, Lisa. Susan is your greatest advocate, other than Gladys and Ruth Bascom. Her presence might make it less uncomfortable for both of you. You call Susan and see when she might be able to drive down here to Jefferson and I’ll get back to you about the time.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Duncan. I know you are a busy man so I will let you go and wait for your call. But, Mr. Duncan, don’t you worry about me if Hope says no. I won’t fall apart on you,” and with that she hung up the phone.

  — —

  She filled Gladys in on everything as soon as she got home, and then called her sister, Susan. It had now been four months since the trial and she missed her kid sister. They chatted on the phone every week, with Ben being the most constant topic of discussion, although Hope was never out of their thoughts. “Answer the phone, Susan. Don’t you know I need to talk to my sister right now?” Instead, she heard the familiar click, signaling the answering machine was about to record her message. Lisa thought about hanging up. How could you leave such an important message on a machine, when she heard a loud click and someone saying, “Don’t hang up, we are here.” It was Scott, all out of breath because of running to the phone.

  “Hi, Scott, it’s me, Lisa. Is Susan there?”

  “Sure, Lisa, she just needs to get in the house. We had driven into the driveway and I heard the phone ringing and made a mad dash for it, leaving Susan to get the kids out of the car by herself. He knew something was up because Lisa usually had lots to say to him, even when she really wanted to chat with Susan. Signaling for her to hurry up, he stretched out the phone so Susan could take it while he lifted Matthew out of her arms. “Hi, Lisa, how are you?” Susan said as she dropped onto the sofa. “So, how is Ben?”

  “Ben is fine, Susan. I’m not calling about Ben. Susan, Hope is coming back to Jefferson next Wednesday and will be here until Sunday.”

  Sitting up straight, Susan asked, “When was that decided? I thought you hadn’t heard from her, except for that one letter.”

  “I haven’t. She was subpoenaed to appear so they can get a deposition from her regarding the Gordon case. Hope and her father are coming here. Mr. Duncan said he will talk with her and try to se
t up a meeting for me. If she is willing, would you be willing to come down and visit her with me?”

  “Of course I will. Let me clear my calendar and get Mom to take care of the kids so I can be there.” Lisa knew, without Susan having to clarify it, that “Mom”’ meant Scott’s mom, not theirs. No one in their right mind would ever leave their kids with Marjorie Miller, nor would she offer or accept the job.

  “I’m really nervous, Susan. I don’t know what I’ll say to her. I’m sure her parents have told her everything they learned sitting in the courtroom. There is so much I need to tell her but I’m not sure she really wants to know any of it. Gladys said to let Hope take the lead and only answer the questions she asks.”

  “I would agree with Gladys, except…” Susan paused for a second, not sure if she should broach the subject.

  “Except what, Susan?”

  “Except—what if Hope fears she might upset you by asking certain questions she needs answers to?”

  “Susan, you mean about her biological father, right? You think she might hold back for fear of making me feel uncomfortable with the question? She has to wonder. Once she heard about my past, she might be fearing that I don’t even know who it might be. You are right. If I get the chance to meet with her, I need to make it really easy for her to ask me who her father was.”

  “Lisa, I’m not asking you to tell me who it is. The day we all found out about Hope, you said you wouldn’t tell anyone who it was until you were able to tell Hope. But, if you tell her, and I’m saying that you should tell her, are you worried about her seeking him out after all these years?”

  “No, Susan, I’m not. When I tell Hope you will understand why I’m not worried.”

  “Wow,” Susan mused, “Hope is returning to Jefferson next week.”

  “Yes, she is,” responded Lisa. “It certainly isn’t going to be as hard as last time, and definitely not harder than the time before that. Maybe this time Hope can get the answers she has waited for her whole life—and only that—this time.”

  All week long Lisa practiced just how she would say it. She imagined sitting there looking at Hope and telling her everything. She didn’t want to sound evasive, making Hope think there was anything more to hide. She also did not want to use so many words that the beauty of the truth would get lost. By the time Wednesday arrived, Lisa felt as ready as she possibly could, under the circumstances. Duncan called as soon as he had picked up Hope and her father from the airport and had them safely tucked away in their hotel rooms. “Lisa, even though Hope is in town, I do not want you to call her or meet with her until after both depositions. Hope’s deposition is tomorrow morning and her dad’s deposition will be Friday morning. I want her as calm as possible for her appointment. But she has agreed to meet with you and Susan at two o’clock Friday afternoon. Can I trust you to be patient and wait until then?”

  “Yes, Mr. Duncan, you know you can trust me. Does she want us to come up to her hotel room?”

  “Lisa, Hope seems a little frazzled but I think she is looking forward to spending some time with you. Just be in the lobby by two o’clock and she will call the front desk when she is ready. You take care and don’t worry about a thing.”

  Chapter 7

  Lisa’s anxiety was palpable as she waited in the lobby of the West End Hotel on Friday afternoon. Hope had set the meeting for two o’clock, therefore, she and Susan made sure they were sitting in the lobby by quarter of’. The clicking of the huge clock above the fireplace began to wear on Lisa’s nerves, as if, with every click, it was saying, “almost time.” Looking over at her kid sister, she simply smiled and gave a nodding acknowledgment. Susan knew how important her presence was right now, but she also knew that they had talked enough and that Lisa wanted to just sit there quietly. Nothing anyone could say would make this wait more tolerable.

  The ringing of the lobby phone startled them. The receptionist at the front desk had told them she would forward the room call to the phone in the lobby when their guest was ready to receive them. Seeing that Lisa could not move, Susan reached for the phone and said, “Hello? Yes, we are sitting here in the lobby. We will be right up.”

  Turning her gaze toward her big sister, Susan saw the tears welling up in Lisa’s eyes. “Take a deep breath, Lisa. I’m sure Hope is just as nervous. You and I need to make this as easy for her as we can. Lisa, you have practiced and practiced what you are going to say to her. You have asked for the right words. You just have to trust that God will direct this conversation and that He will show you what Hope needs to hear today. You and I are not walking into that room alone, you just keep that in mind and let things unfold the way they should.”

  Hope was standing in the doorway of her room as they stepped off the elevator. Her father finished giving her a quick hug, acknowledged her guests with a smile and nod, then retreated to his room across the hall. Hope stepped back from the doorway, signaling both women to enter without any intention of offering, or accepting, a hug of greeting. She directed them to the two club chairs across from the sofa and asked, “Would you like something to drink? The hotel just sent up a large pitcher of sweet tea.”

  “That would be much appreciated, Hope.” Lisa responded, more calm sounding than Susan knew her to be. “Did you have nice flight from California?”

  Pouring the tea as she spoke, Hope tried to carry on small talk about the trip, avoiding any mention of why she was here. “The flight was fine. We had a three-hour layover in Chicago, but there wasn’t enough time to do anything but grab a bite to eat. I don’t really like flying very much. The air gets so stale I usually get a headache.”

  Accepting the glass of sweet tea, Lisa simply smiled her response. She hated chitchat, especially when something important needed to be talked about. As Hope turned toward Susan and offered her a glass, Lisa signaled to Susan that she needed help. Taking the glass, Susan offered, “I don’t get headaches, but I do get leg cramps on long flights. Have you done much traveling, Hope?”

  “Not a lot. I flew back and forth to college, but those were just two-hour flights. I was supposed to fly to Europe after graduation, but I wasn’t able to do it. My parents gave me the trip as a graduation present, but Michael didn’t want me to go without him, so I didn’t.”

  Keeping the conversation light, Susan asked, “Michael, is that your fiancé?”

  Beaming with pride, Hope responded, “Yes, his name is Michael Guthrey Gundersol. He and his family are very important people in California. He is the third generation of Gundersols expected to hold office there. His father was a state senator for twelve years, as was his grandfather. My father and his father went to college together and both of my parents have been involved with his campaigns forever. They are all working to set Michael up to run for office this next term.”

  “So, he has never been to Europe?” Susan asked without thinking.

  “Oh, yes. He actually spent his freshman year of college in Europe.” Seeing Susan’s knit brow at her answer, Hope felt compelled to explain, “He just didn’t want me to go there without him. He wanted to be the one to show Europe to me. He is really thoughtful that way. He wants me to see it through his eyes, so to speak.”

  Quickly trying to change the subject, Lisa asked, “Hope, what did you major in at college? What is it you want to do with your life?”

  “I was an English Lit major, but Michael doesn’t want me to have a job. He says I will have my hands full being his wife when he gets in office.”

  Tossing a quick glance toward Lisa, Susan said, “Well, it sounds like this Michael has your life pretty much mapped out for you. He sounds like a man who knows who he is and where he is going.”

  “Yes,” Hope declared with pride. “He is wonderful. He is so much more experienced than I am. He has been exposed to the political world his whole life and believes he can do some great things for the people of California.”

  Her gaze drifting off for a second, Hope confessed, “I just hope I have not hurt him by getting i
nto all this mess back here. He is very concerned about what this might do to his campaign if people find out his fiancée was mixed up in a murder.”

  “Hope, it wasn’t a murder. It was self-defense,” Lisa pleaded. “No one could ever blame you for what happened that night.”

  “You don’t understand,” Hope said defensively. “Both Michael and his mother told me not to come here. Mrs. Gundersol did not think it was wise to look you up, let alone come back here to meet you. Michael told me that she already had a problem with my being adopted, unknown bloodlines, and all.”

  Susan caught Lisa’s eye and gave a stern warning to be careful. She wanted to change the direction of this conversation before Lisa said something she would regret. “Hope, you can never fully understand how very sorry we are about how it turned out for you. You did not deserve that. But, as Lisa’s younger sister, I will forever love you and thank God that you were there that night. If you had not been there, I would not have my sister today. That fact is without question.”

  Picking up on Susan’s redirection, Lisa suggested, “Hope, from your last letter I understand that your parents filled you in on our miserable life story.” Lisa then waited until Hope responded with an acknowledging nod before continuing. “So, you know what our parents were like, you know the lifestyle I lived for fifteen years, and you know that I am no longer that person, right?”

  “Yes, Lisa, my parents told me everything. They said I should be really proud of you and I am, really. I am so sorry you went through all of that. It must have been terrible.”

  “It was terrible, Hope, but I am not using it as an excuse for why I became what I became. There will be no excuses offered here today, just some explanations for why it happened, and to give you the missing piece of your family puzzle.”

  Relief flashed across Hope’s face as she said, “You’re talking about my biological father, aren’t you? So you know who he is?”

  “Yes, Hope, I know who he is,” Lisa reassured her.