Heart of the Matter (Coming Home Book 3)

by Stephens, Amy

  I stop for a moment and ask myself how I feel about having a teenage stepdaughter. If she were a part of our life, would I be a good stepmother to her? I realize I’m jumping to conclusions already because right now, Brian’s merely asking for Jennifer to allow Chloe to meet his parents. I think he realizes how this would impact everyone’s lives. There are so many things at stake here and lots of what-ifs to take into consideration. I know it won’t happen overnight or even in a few days, but can this transpire? Can we all put the past behind us and move forward? Even if not for Brian, but for the sake of my dying father-in-law.

  I pull out the top drawer to our desk. Right on top, I spot the folder that contains all of the information from Mr. Steadham about Jennifer and Chloe. I flip through the paperwork and stop at the two pictures buried in the middle. I wasn’t aware Brian had opened them. I knew they were sealed separately, but I had no idea he’d seen them. He and his daughter have the same eyes and there’s no doubt she’s taken after him. I really hate that Brian missed out on her childhood, but going forward, we can change that—we can make this happen.

  I am going to do everything I possibly can to make sure Jennifer gives every bit of consideration.

  The very last page contains personal information—Jennifer’s address, telephone numbers, and email. I reach for my phone that I tucked into my back pocket earlier and slide it on. I scroll through the list of the phone numbers on the paper and stop on one that I assume is the home telephone number. The other two numbers are a couple of digits off so I’m pretty sure those are probably cell numbers for her and her husband. Without thinking further, I dial the number. It rings and rings, at least eight or nine times before an answering machine picks up. I listen to the message then hang up. I just don’t feel this is the type of message that should be left on voicemail.

  I look back at the paperwork again. Out of the other two phone numbers, I’m not sure which one belong to who so I opt for the number on the bottom. With trembling hands, I punch in the numbers and listen for the phone to ring. Just when I think no one is going to answer from this number either, suddenly, a woman picks up the phone. She sounds out of breath like maybe she had to run just to reach the phone in time before cutting off.

  “Hello?”

  For a brief moment, I can’t form any words.

  “Hello, is anybody there?” the voice says again.

  “Yes. Hi, I’m trying to reach Jennifer Williams.” I glance down at the paperwork again just to make sure I get her last name correct.

  “Speaking. May I ask who’s calling?”

  “My name is…Grace.” I pause, not exactly sure I want to say my last name. I’m careful with what I say next. “I’m friends with someone you knew a long time ago.”

  “Excuse me? Who did you say you are?” I can tell by the reserved tone of Jennifer’s voice that this conversation may be headed for trouble.

  “Look, who I am is not important.” I feel myself getting tense and I raise my voice without thinking. “Someone close to me sent you an email that I think you need to read. Just promise me you’ll think about what’s being asked.”

  “Who is this? Is this a joke or something?”

  “Just listen to me. Check your email.” I end the call abruptly and drop the phone down on the desk. I’m a nervous wreck and can’t believe I actually did it. I can’t believe I called Jennifer.

  Now, what do I do? God, please tell me I did the right thing.

  Chapter 7

  Jennifer

  July 2nd

  I mute the TV because I think I hear the phone ringing in the kitchen. I’m not sure why we even keep a house phone anymore because seldom does anyone call us on it anymore. I have the volume shut off on the one in our bedroom just so it doesn’t wake us up. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I even heard it ring.

  I glance over to the phone on the table and sure enough, the caller id screen is lit up. I don’t recognize the number and there’s no name with it so I’m pretty sure it’s just someone trying to sell me something. I can’t believe telemarketers still call this time of the night. I know eight o’clock isn’t necessarily late, but it’s too late for me to be bothered. If something had happened with Todd or the girls he would have called me on my cell.

  I few seconds later my cell phone starts to ring. The number is the exact same one that just showed up on my caller id. I think twice about answering it but end up doing it anyway. I’d hate for something to be wrong knowing I’d ignored the calls.

  “Hello?”

  I can tell someone is on the other end but no one says anything.

  “Hello, is anybody there?” For crying out loud, if you’re going to call someone the least you could do is say something, even if it is the wrong number.

  “Yes, hi I’m trying to reach Jennifer Williams.” The voice on the other end—a female for that matter—finally says something but I don’t recognize it.

  “Speaking. May I ask who’s calling?” I’m a little taken by surprise since she called me by my name, and I immediately bring up my guard. It’s just a little too personal for me. The voice still doesn’t register, but she sounds as though she’s familiar with me.

  “My name is Grace. I’m friends with someone you knew a long time ago.”

  Grace. Grace? Do I know anyone named Grace? I don’t recall ever meeting anyone by this name although she did say she was friends with someone from my past and not actually with me. Could it be someone I worked with back at the hotel or maybe someone I went to school with?

  “Excuse me, who did you say you are?” I ask again, just in case I heard her wrong the first time.

  “Look, who I am is not important. Someone close to me sent you an email that I think you need to read. Just promise me you’ll think about what it’s asking.”

  “Who is this? Is this a joke or something?”

  “Just listen to me. Check your email,” she demands rather gruffly.

  Then the phone goes silent. I look down at my phone log and immediately redial the number. The phone rings and rings but no one answers.

  What did she say about an email that I needed to read?

  I waste no time pulling up my email on my tablet since I have it with me. I need to figure out what the heck is going on and what the purpose was for the phone call. At the prompt to sign in, my mind draws a blank and I can’t remember our email password. Dang it, I’m stumped.

  Since we never log out of our email on the home computer, I get up from the bed and hurry down the hallway to the spare bedroom. As the computer boots up, I stop for a moment and wonder if I should wait for Todd to come home first. Maybe it’s something we should read together. I can’t believe I’ve let a phone call about an email get me so riled up. What’s Todd going to think when I tell him? That I’ve lost my mind? And if it turns out to be something stupid, or better yet, entirely nothing at all, I’m really going to feel like an idiot.

  I click on the email icon and a list of messages pops up. Now, to figure out which one this Gwen or Jean or Grace person was referring to. The more I think about it, I can’t believe I’m even checking in the first place.

  It’s unbelievable how much junk mail is here and I pause before I start deleting them just in case I accidently delete the wrong one. I’m halfway down the list when a name I recognize glares at me from off the computer screen. Brian Collins. Why is that name on my computer? Why? And who the hell is this woman that called me? What’s her connection to Brian and why would she even know there was an email for me?

  I grab my phone and redial the number again. I need to speak with this woman. I need answers. Now!

  The phone rings and rings and rings. Of course she doesn’t answer and her voicemail is full. Grrr. I can’t decide if I’m livid or scared. How is it we went years without any mention of him, then, here it is just weeks after the episode on the highway, it comes up again. I continue to call, again and again.

  Sick joke or not, I start to get scared. With trembli
ng hands, I dial Todd’s number. I’m shaking so badly; it takes all I can to hold onto the phone.

  “Hey babe. Did you think of a movie you want me to pick up? We just left but I can turn around and go back.”

  God, Todd won’t shut up. “No,” I cry out. “You’ve got to come home. Now! Please.” I feel myself going over the edge, and I scream, “I NEED YOU TO HURRY!”

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  I hear Todd on the other end of the line, but I’m at a loss for words. My head becomes all fuzzy all of a sudden and I sit down before losing my balance.

  This phone call…

  This email…

  I don’t know what to do. I reach up to grab my head. He can’t be trying to contact me after all these years. Please, say it isn’t so. He can’t have my baby. Nooo!

  “I need you…now,” I manage to say in between sobs.

  “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  “Hurry.” I barely finish saying the word before I fall from the chair and hit the floor with a loud thud.

  ****

  I feel something wet on my forehead and I reach up to find out what it is. I blink a couple times to clear my blurred vision and lift off a cool washcloth. Todd is sitting next to me on the floor and a pillow is wedged underneath my head. I feel a dull ache in my neck and my head pounds.

  “What…what happened?” I mumble.

  “You were obviously upset about something when you called me. I got here as quickly as I could. God, please tell me what’s going on?” Todd uses the washcloth to gently pat the side of my face.

  Suddenly, I’m very warm and I feel like my body is on fire. I’m almost certain sweat is dripping from my pores. I attempt to sit up but the pain keeps me from going anywhere.

  “I need something to drink. Can you get me some water?” I’m not sure how long I was passed out, but my throat is parched.

  “I’m going to try and prop you up, okay? As soon as I get you situated, I’ll grab you something to drink. I dropped the girls off at mom and dad’s house. The lights were still on when I pulled in the driveway so I told them I’d come get them once I knew everything was okay.” Todd is doing everything he knows to do to keep me comfortable. “I was just so scared. You’ve not been yourself since we got back from vacation, but I didn’t want to upset you.”

  I reach for Todd’s shoulder and try to use him as leverage to pull myself up. I deal with the pain in my head as best I can, hoping it’ll ease off once I’m in an upright position. I bring my hand up to the side of my head and feel a tender spot just behind my left ear. Maybe it’s where I fell and landed on something? Or, I could’ve caught the corner of the desk or the chair. I barely remember anything and it frightens me.

  When I’m propped up and resting against the wall, Todd stands up. He runs his fingers through his hair, then looks around the room. He looks worried and concerned about me. “I really wish one of the girls were here to help. I’m scared to leave you alone.”

  “No, I don’t want them to see me like this.” I quickly cry out. “They’ll worry and it’s not necessary. I’ll be fine.”

  “Shh. Don’t get upset.” Todd kneels back down and gently caresses my cheek with his hand. “You are still so pale.”

  “Seriously, I’ll be okay. I just need something to drink.” I tell him again although I’m not sure, either. I don’t think I’ve ever passed out before.

  “Just sit still and I’ll hurry,” he assures me before making a mad dash to the kitchen.

  I look around and wonder what happened to me. What made me so upset that I lost control and passed out? Even though it hurts to move my head, I glance up and see the computer screen. Then it comes to me—I was looking at something on my email.

  “Todd,” I call out. When I don’t hear anything, I call him again. “TODD!” My head throbs even more.

  In a matter of seconds, he rushes back in, a bottle of water clenched in his hand. He kneels down and grabs ahold of my arm. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  I hear him but I can’t seem to make the words form. Slowly, I bring my knees up to my chest and secure my arms around them. I begin to rock back and forth.

  “I...” I begin. “I…I had a phone…call.”

  “Do what? Someone called you? Who?” Todd asks as he brushes my hair away from my face.

  “I…I don’t know. I don’t remember. She, she…she told me to check my email.”

  “Your email? Are you sure she said email? That’s crazy isn’t it?”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s what she said. Yeah, my email.”

  “And that made you upset?”

  Todd’s just as confused as me.

  “Look. See for yourself.” I point to the computer. “It’s got Brian’s name on it.”

  Just the mention of his name and Todd jumps up. He runs his hand over the keyboard, bringing the computer out of its sleep state. I want to see it, too, but then again I don’t. I just know that trouble always followed Brian and there’s no room for trouble in my life. Not now.

  “Want me to check it out first?” he asks.

  I nod my head even though I’m not a hundred percent sure. How the hell did he, or that woman, get my email and number?

  Giving it another attempt, I manage to stand all the way up this time. I’ve got to see that email, too. I’m a little wobbly, but so far, so good.

  Todd helps me slide the chair over to the desk again and I take a seat in it. He leans over my shoulder and together we scan the list of emails. I watch the curser hover over Brian’s name, the clicking sound of the mouse echoes throughout the room. As soon as Todd clicks on it, an ungodly long message pops up.

  The one name I’d tried to forget is back.

  Why?

  Chapter 8

  Todd

  July 2nd

  Other than the episode the other day, I don’t think I’ve seen my wife this upset since the night she called me all those years ago. She was a basket case then and is close to being that way again. It pains me to know that someone may be playing some sick joke by sending her an email with her ex-husbands name on it. Who would do something like that?

  I look down at the computer screen and see his name—Brian Collins. I admit, it sends shivers throughout my body, too, but I know I have to keep my composure for Jennifer’s sake. I have to be the one who remains calm and thinks clearly and rationally before getting worked up if this is, indeed, a legitimate message from her ex. After all these years, why?

  I help Jennifer get situated in the chair and slide it closer to me. I even wonder if viewing the email is the right thing to do. Maybe I should I read it first and see if it’s something she needs to know about? After all, if there’s really nothing to it, why put her through the emotional turmoil.

  I look over at my wife’s pitiful state. “Do you really want me to read it, honey?”

  All of these years we’ve never heard one thing from Brian. We’ve lived our lives as a family and never once felt threatened by him. It was almost too good to be true considering everything Jennifer had to go through to get away from him.

  I drop down on one knee and wrap my arm around Jennifer’s shoulders. She leans her head over to rest against my chest and I feel her trembling.

  “Let’s just get this over with.” She tells me with a quivering voice.

  Using the mouse, I click on the screen to make it full-size and easier to read. I guess I was expecting to see some kind of link show up inviting me to click on it, which would send me to a spam site. Looking back at me from the computer screen, though, is a very long, lengthy message that looks like it took quite some time to type.

  I read the words carefully even rereading some of them just to make sure I’m reading them correctly. When I’m done with the first page, I look over to Jennifer to see if she’s ready for me to scroll further. I see the computer image reflecting off of her eyes that are now glossed over with tears. It’s any wonder she’s able to read the words at all. Bringi
ng her clenched hand up to her chin, she nods her head signally she’s ready to read more.

  As I finish reading the message, I’m at a loss for words. I’m not believing it—the man who was so horrible to Jennifer all those years ago truly sounds like a genuine human being now.

  “NO! No, you can’t see my baby.” Jennifer says angrily between gritted teeth.

  I stand from my kneeling spot beside her and touch her shoulder. “Jenn, I’m not going to let anything bad happen to our family. Not to you and especially not to Chloe.” I know these are just meaningless words to her right now but I will do my damnedest to make sure Brian Collins does not interfere with our family.

  “How can he just think I’m going to let him back into our lives?” She asks. “He’s lying. I know he is. This is just a sick scheme of his to get back at me.” I hear the pleading tone in her voice.

  “Let me print out a copy of this. I know it’s a holiday weekend but I’ll put a call in to George and see if he can recommend someone who specializes in this area. He usually just handles all the legal stuff for work but I’m sure he can put us in touch with the right person. Don’t worry, dear. It’s going to be okay.” I make my best attempt to assure her our family will not be put through this; I just hope I don’t let them down. I hope there is something I can do to stop this nightmare before Brian does do something first.

  I print out the email while Jennifer stares blankly at the computer screen. She reaches up to scroll down the page and I realize she’s reading it all over again. Tears slide over her cheeks and I notice her eyes are already beginning to show signs of puffiness. There’s no way I can bring the girls home tonight. They can’t see their mother upset like this.

  “How can he, after all these years, want to see her now? How?” Jennifer continues staring at the monitor and I feel every emotion she is struggling with, too. “Damn you, Brian!”