by J. P. Hansen
***
Staggering outside, the sun had descended, leaving dusk’s glow. With Parker in the middle, the three held hands, heading nowhere in particular. Chase eyed a restaurant, and said, “I could really go for a pizza…” Brooke and Parker chimed a resounding yes.
Eating breadsticks and sipping soda together, Parker asked, “Is mommy going to jail?”
Chase had wondered how to broach the subject that weighed heavily on him since their release from detention. Realizing that Parker was wiser than his years, he sighed, then said, “Yes, son, I’m afraid so.”
Parker accepted the information as if he expected the answer, then said, “I wanna stay with you, Daddy.”
“Me too.”
“Will Rusty go to jail too?”
“Yes, for a long time.”
“I didn’t like Rusty. He was mean.”
Silence, then Parker said, “Can we stay at Disney some more?”
Chase gazed at Brooke, and said, “Tell you what; we can stay another day here. If you ask Miss Ingram nicely, I bet she’d go with us tomorrow.”
“For real,” Parker’s eyes brightened, “Miss Ingram, will you? I want to show you and my daddy all the rides. My mom and Rusty were too scared to go on ‘em.”
Brooke laughed. So focused on finding Parker, she hadn’t even considered her next steps. She eyed Chase, whose face beamed like his son’s, then she said, “That’s so sweet of you to ask me.”
“Will you, please?”
“I’d love to. Thanks to both of you for asking.”
After dinner, Chase bought them ice cream and, as it ran down the cones onto their hands, none of them cared. Viewing the crowd up ahead, they found a bench and huddled close together. Jiminy Cricket’s voice boomed through the loudspeakers—then the famous fireworks extravaganza began. Parker’s eyes popped with each magnificent burst in the sky. For the moment, they relaxed, forgetting about the earlier fireworks.
Parker’s eyes wavered during the grand finale. Chase carried him back to the Cinderella Castle under a starlit sky. Parker slept the entire way. Once inside the suite, Brooke tiptoed to the small bedroom and pulled the covers back while Chase slowly set his son down. Parker’s eyes popped open and he said, “Daddy, where am I?”
“You’re in Cinderella’s Castle son. We have a full day tomorrow. Go to sleep.”
“Can we say our special prayers?”
Brooke snuggled beside Chase on Parker’s bed, feeling warmth inside and out as father and son recited their prayers together. Memories of her own childhood flooded in. Brooke cherished a loving dad. On the craziest day Brooke had ever had, she also recognized both Chase and Parker were lucky.
After the final prayer, Chase lingered until his son’s eyes closed. He combed his fingers through Parker’s hair and whispered, “Daddy loves you.”
Chase followed Brooke out of Parker’s room and closed the door. He turned and jumped—Brooke startled him. Their eyes met, followed by a passionate embrace.
Pausing for air, Brooke said, “Watching you with Parker was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” They kissed again. A powerful feeling resonated inside.
It’s a Small World After All rang out. Chase said, “Hmmm, I wonder who that could be…” with mischievous eyes.
“I’ll get it,” Brooke said, eyeing Chase as she sauntered to the door.
Snow White smiled and said, “Special room service for you.”
Brooke gasped, pressing her hand to her mouth—Dom Perignon, flowers, and chocolate covered strawberries. “Chase, how did you—”
Chase’s lips met Brooke’s before she could finish the sentence. Snow White turned to leave. Chase pulled back, then said, “Wait a second, Snow White,” then handed her a fifty.
In between sips, they fed each other strawberries while relaxing in the Starry Sky tub. Brooke paused, then glanced up, and said, “Let’s wish upon a star.”
Chase raised his glass and clinked hers, and said, “I got my wish already.”
With the grand finale still fresh in their minds, it didn’t take long before they created their own fireworks. After toweling off, Brooke modeled her glass slippers for Chase. That night, they felt the magic of Disney like never before.
Lying in Chase’s arms, Brooke eyed the magic mirror on the wall, and smiled. She understood what it meant to have dreams come true.
Brooke’s eyes flickered as morning’s light pierced the stained glass slipper window. She had set her own internal alarm clock—to avoid confusing Parker. Chase mumbled, still in a dream state, while Brooke messed up the other bed in the room. Then, she slinked down the hall and noticed Parker sleeping. She tiptoed back, locked the door, and surprised Chase with the most amazing wakeup call he’d ever had.
While placing last night’s room service order, Chase had also reserved a Mickey Mouse theme breakfast for eight sharp. The restaurant was a short walk; glancing at his watch, they didn’t have much time. He used the time excuse to coax Brooke into the shower with him. Holding soap and wearing nothing, she didn’t offer much resistance. While Parker slept, they soaped each other—and quietly made love one more time.
Chase jiggled his son, “Parker, wake up buddy.” His little eyes opened with a where am I? look. Chase mentioned Mickey Mouse and Parker’s eyes brightened like Christmas morning. Parker asked, “Can Miss Ingram go too?”
Brooke hung up with Marsha after explaining their ordeal and making plans for the next week.
“Yippee.” Parker’s enthusiasm started the day on the right foot—not counting the wake up call, and shower. All three of them were starving and the breakfast was plentiful. Mickey posed with Parker, then with Chase and Brooke. The photographer schmoozed, “You have a handsome family. We should use you in our brochures.” Brooke sensed her eyes were off from yesterday’s mace, but winked at him.
“Oh my God,” Chase said with eyes wider than their breakfast plates.
“What’s wrong?” Brooke asked.
“Look at this…”
Chase handed Brooke the newspaper and pointed to the heading: “New York PI Slain in Mob-like Hit.” Brooke stopped reading after the first two words of the article—“Max Molini.”
Brooke said, “I’m so sorry. That’s just awful. Were you two close?”
“No, I’m not sure Max would let anyone get close to him. I never met him face-to-face. I can’t say I’m surprised…”
“You sure you’re okay?”
Chase shrugged, “Yeah, I’m good.” He glanced at Parker, who was talking Mickey’s ear off, then flipped the paper aside and said, “Let’s do Disney.”
At nine, they hit the park like paratroopers, starting at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The exhilarating ride challenged their full stomachs and their vocal chords; every ride afterwards seemed easy. All three of them rode every ride they could, while racing each other to the next one. The Monday crowds thinned out from the weekend. Before lunchtime, they had covered most of the park.
Needing a break, Chase suggested they try their luck at the booths. Parker spotted a putting challenge and sprinted over to it. Chase bought Parker three tries. Then three for Brooke. After six misses, Parker said, “Daddy, your turn.”
Chase steadied himself on one knee and lined up the putt. Then, with a crowd gathering, he nailed the long putt on his first attempt—Parker squealed. Chase qualified for a big prize, and said, “Which one do you want son?”
Parker’s eyes nearly popped out as he scanned the stuffed Disney characters. He couldn’t decide. Parker glanced at Brooke, “Which one would you get, Miss Ingram?”
Brooke smiled, then pointed and said, “Pluto. I wish I had a dog like that.”
“Okay, Pluto,” Parker pointed while bouncing up and down. The man handed the big yellow stuffed dog to Parker. He wrapped his arms around it, saying, “He’s bigger than Duke.”
Brooke raised an eyebrow at Chase, then said, “Really?” Chase shrugged and grinned.
“You have two more tries
buddy,” the cast member handed Chase two golf balls. Chase steadied himself and narrowly missed the next two, drawing sighs from the onlookers. Parker asked him to try again, but Chase surveyed the line behind him, and said, “No, son, we have to give these people a chance.”
Parker glanced at Pluto, and said, “Here, Miss Ingram. You take him.”
“Ohhh, that’s so sweet,” Brooke’s eyes moistened, “I couldn’t take him—he’s yours.”
“We already have a doggie.”
Brooke hugged Parker while gazing at Chase. She said, “Parker, you’re too cute. Can I take you home with me?”
Parker smiled, then said, “What are you gonna name him?”
Brooke grinned at Chase, and said, “NC.”
Parker said, “That’s a weird name.” Chase buckled over laughing while Brooke placed her hands on her hips. She wondered if Chase had already brainwashed the little guy.
With Chase carrying NC, they hit one more ride, then devoured pizza and milk shakes for lunch.
The scorching afternoon sun dictated an afternoon of water rides. With NC safe in the friendly staff’s hands, the three splashed and giggled. Then, jumped back in line and did it again, feeling the magic of the moment.
At five o’clock, they picked up their bags, then strolled back to the car while holding hands, recapping their favorite rides. Chase marveled at what a difference a day made.
Flying back, Parker perched on Brooke’s lap in the cockpit—to search for sharks and be with the big people. No sharks, but plenty of birds flew between the translucent water and the cloudless sky. The return flight seemed much faster due to Parker’s second wind. He was chatty and having the time of his life—and he wasn’t alone.
After a smooth landing, they drove with NC sitting beside Parker in the back seat of the convertible. Driving into the leisure sunset, Parker said, “Can Miss Ingram sleep over tonight?”
Chase grinned, thinking his son was psychic. Brooke said, “Oh, I’d love to, but I have to get back to my house. We have a big day tomorrow. You can use NC for show and tell…”
“Miss Ingram, I wish you could live at our house.”
The words struck Brooke and Chase like a lightning bolt. Both remained silent, searching for the right response. It marked the first time Parker alluded to the situation and neither adult knew what to say.
Finally, Brooke said, “I get to see you every day at Angel’s Academy—I’m so lucky.”
Dropping off Brooke felt like a funeral procession. All three had glum looks. Chase waited until Brooke’s car started—secretly hoping it wouldn’t. After turning over on the first try, father and son waved, then drove away.
Parker said, “I really like Miss Ingram.”
“Me too son…”
After a somber drive home, Oksana greeted them at the door holding the wildly wagging Duke. Oksana’s hugs and Duke’s licks erased Parker’s sadness. Chase tucked Parker in as Duke sprawled on his bed with his chin on Chase’s knee—home. Alone in his bedroom, Chase realized he never called in—or turned on his cell. It could wait. He had a more important thing to do before calling it a night...
“I just wanted to call to tuck you in.”
“Aw, that’s sweet of you. Did you and Parker already say your special prayers?”
“We did. He really likes you—he told me so right after we drove off. I told him I really like you too.”
Brooke giggled, then said, “I’m lying here with NC, thinking of how much fun I had today—with both of you.”
“NC’s one lucky dog…But, so am I. I can’t thank you enough for everything you did. If you weren’t there, I would have never found Parker.”
“We did make a pretty good team…”
“Goodnight Brooke. I…I miss you. Sweet dreams.”
Hanging up, Chase’s heart pounded like a school boy with a crush. He said his own special prayers…
***
Though exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally, Brooke couldn’t sleep. She replayed the previous four days. Though most would perceive a whirlwind, she felt lucidity. Glancing at the breakfast picture of the three of them, her heart glowed. A week ago, she despised him. Or, did she? Brooke pondered the dichotomy of love…Then a flash hit.
Brooke jumped up and searched for the letter. She remembered he said it was in a large manila envelope. It didn’t take long—she had tossed it on a collection of magazines she hated to toss but would never read.
She returned to bed and carefully opened the envelope. Sliding out the letters, she inhaled and beamed. Brooke detached the handwritten note from the paper clip, and as she read, she could hear his sexy voice. Brooke even loved his penmanship—as if he used a quill pen. Everything he had said over the last four days rang true in his letter. Then, she scanned the accompanying typed document with glowing eyes. I wish I had opened this sooner…
Then, she read the final paragraph—and time stood still:
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. Our night together was the most magical I’ve ever felt. You truly are an amazing person. I should have never let you leave. I tried to return your slip, but must confess I couldn’t bear to. What happened between us felt so right. Maybe God intervened this way so we could be together. I know we belong together. Please call me.
Love, Chase
Brooke read it over and over, and giggled about the infamous pink slip—or slipup. She set his note beside her bed and hugged NC picturing Chase. She slept with warmth in her heart.
***
Strolling into Starbucks, Chase surveyed the area—no Brooke. He didn’t expect to see her, but still hoped. He had missed his favorite coffee place—and Brooke. Marcus delivered the usual amusing greeting and two steaming quad Espresso’s. Halfway to his convertible, thunder crashed, followed by a sudden downpour. He sprinted, nearly spilling his coffees, and raised the car top. Shit.
Now saturated, he contemplated returning home to change. Chase powered on his cell, hoping it still worked, then the voicemail alert beeped. After hearing the first two messages, he raced to the office—where a worse storm brewed.
Arriving first, he spotted the pink note on his desk—from Ruth: “Urgent. Mr. Stoddard needs to talk to you. He called three times. I saw the news. I hope you’re okay.”
The news?
Chase darted to Ruth’s cubicle and grabbed the two newspapers. The headline in the local paper made his knees buckle; then, the Wall Street Journal’s blurb on the front page struck like a gunshot wound.
So caught up in finding Parker, he didn’t even consider the ramifications of the Heather outing. Scanning each article, the words seared like bullets—arrested, addicted, divorce, CEO’s wife, Stabilitas, and suicide attempt.
Fearing the next day’s articles would read former CEO, he hiked the lonesome trek to Henry’s office.
***
“I’ve been dying to call you.”
“What happened?”
“Where do I begin?”
Shane sighed, then said, “Good news or bad news?”
“Amazing news!”
Shane almost said, Is that really you Brooke? Instead, he eased back and listened to her recount the past five days in rapid fire. He couldn’t remember her ever sounding this enthusiastic. She told him he would have been proud of the advice she provided. Brooke continued; Shane sensed his client had graduated. Feeling a strong sense of accomplishment, Shane actually patted himself on the back.
When Brooke paused to breathe, she asked, “What do you think?”
“I think you’re in love.”
Brooke stared at the bedside table holding Chase’s letter, then said, “I’m not sure you can call it love after four days.”
“You’ve known Chase for much longer than four days. And, I’ve known you for a long time. You should listen to your own voice—you’re head over heels in love…”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s a good thing. You’ve been so busy suffoca
ting yourself, let alone your relationships, that when true love hits, it feels foreign to you.”
“That didn’t sound encouraging…”
“Nonsense. You’ve made a giant quantum leap. Stop the analysis paralysis and start living your bliss.”
“But, it’s so soon…”
“There you go again. Don’t you dare short circuit your emotions. Be your bliss.”
***
“What the fuck has happened to you?”
“Henry, settle down—”
“Settle down? The board’s crawling up my ass and you want me to settle down?”
“Listen, I can explain everyth—”
“There’s nothing to explain. It’s all over the fucking papers!”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you about Heather, but you wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” Henry puffed his chest out, standing toe to toe with Chase. Chase had him by four inches, but feared the old man could kick his ass. Chase stepped back, then said, “All my life, I’ve wanted to be the perfect husband, father, and CEO. Then, the wife I thought I knew turned into a monster.”
“C’mon, Heather’s hardly a monster. She’s a stunning model.”
“To you, and to everyone else. But, once Parker was born, she changed. She hated her life, hated me, and hated herself enough to commit suicide.”
“The press is having a field day linking Stabilitas with her suicide attempt. I tried calling you all day yesterday—where were you?”
“Rescuing Parker. She kidnapped him.”
“Oh, and tortured him by taking him to Disney?” Henry crossed his arms over his chest.
Chase frowned, “Cut the sarcasm for a minute. I sent her to rehab. I tried everything. Then, she disappears and ends up with this creep. He pulled a freaking gun on me.”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? I trusted you. You were like a son to me. Now, this?”
“You know what? For the last three years, I’ve been living a lie. When my wife turned into a suicidal drug addict and took off, I went into survival mode. I didn’t dare mention divorce to this company. I did the best I could raising a son on my own and trying to do this damn job. You have no idea what that’s like.”
