House Divided

by Peel, Jennifer

  I could tell Kendra and Benjamin were uncomfortable and a little tense, but Kendra saved me. “Caroline, I don’t think that’s something Miss Ellie wants to talk about.”

  Caroline was not giving in. She looked right at me. “Don’t you like Uncle Brady, because he told me he really likes you?”

  “Of course I like him, sugar.”

  “Then you can be his girlfriend.”

  I wanted to say, “If that’s all it took, then I would love to be his girlfriend.” I loved her innocence, and I hoped she would keep it as long as possible. I hoped she never had to learn the rules, and I hoped she could grow up and marry the person she loved the most without having to worry about whose heart she was breaking in the process or that she would be hated for the rest of her life by her husband’s family. I hoped she never had to see the man she loved be in love with someone else. Anyway …

  “Caroline, let’s talk about something else, darlin’,” her daddy said firmly.

  That worked for me.

  Kendra and Benjamin both looked at me as if to say they were sorry.

  I smiled to say it was ok.

  “Ok … How about puppies?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. So did her parents.

  “How about we talk about Miss Ellie’s aunt?” Benjamin suggested.

  She just shrugged her shoulders.

  I was waiting for this. I was all ears.

  Benjamin set his silverware down and looked over at me. “So, Ellie, when I came back here over seven years ago to take over as president of the bank, the economy was in a nosedive and the bank was losing more money than it was making. People were defaulting on their loans left and right, and we were losing our reserves, therefore unable to loan to those that were still in good financial shape. We plugged along my first year, but your aunt is no dummy, and obviously her money, and now yours too, make up a substantial part of our reserves. At the time, her money was the only thing keeping our bank afloat, but it also came at a great risk to her. She knew this and made the decision to move her funds, which in turn would have required us to dissolve the bank and sell any remaining assets.”

  “I had no idea,” I said quietly.

  He smiled half-heartedly. “I don’t blame your aunt for her decision. I can’t say if I was in her shoes that I wouldn’t do the same thing. But I will say this, and I hope it won’t offend you, I think it gave her great satisfaction knowing what she was doing.”

  I shook my head. “I can only imagine.”

  “Yes, well, I will admit, at first I was very ungracious toward your aunt, given the history between our families.”

  I narrowed my eyes and set my fork down. What does he mean, the history? You mean the history of the Jackson men being unfaithful to the Eaton women, that history? Or the one where you all ganged up on me and made the only man I have ever loved break up with me?

  I think he must have noticed the coldness in my features. “Please, Ellie, I think that came out wrong.”

  Kendra touched my arm. “Ellie, what my idiot of a husband means is that he came to realize how wrong he had been, especially in regards to you.”

  In regards to me? “How did that come about?”

  Benjamin cleared his throat and looked like he was carefully constructing his next words. “Well, Ellie, during all of this uncertainty I met Kendra, who at the time was helping Brady with some torn ligaments, and let’s just say she was not my parent’s idea of a suitable match.”

  Kendra rolled her eyes. “What he means is that they would have hated me had they known we were seeing each other.”

  “Mommy, grammy and grandpop don’t hate you.”

  “Of course not, honey.”

  Kendra looked at Benjamin. This probably wasn’t the best conversation to have in front of a five-year-old. Kendra and Benjamin must have agreed.

  “Maybe we can talk about how we got together later,” Kendra said.

  “Good idea,” Benjamin agreed.

  Benjamin turned my way again. “Ellie, can I just say upfront I owe you a huge apology.”

  “It’s really not necessary. It was a long time ago.” I felt like I kept saying that.

  “For some of us, it’s not that long ago.”

  “I keep hearing that.”

  Benjamin smiled.

  The rest of the dinner conversation was much more pleasant, it mostly centered on puppies. The mysteries were still not solved, but I guess they could wait. Besides, puppies were much more interesting. I wondered if Caroline would be successful in convincing her parents to get her one for Christmas. It sounded like she had her work cut out for her.

  I helped Kendra clean up while Benjamin played Candy Land with Caroline. I was happy to get to spend some time alone with her. I really liked her.

  “So, Kendra, I have to ask, what grand pageant did you win to overcome your Auburn heritage?”

  She laughed heartily. “You wouldn’t catch me dead in a pageant.”

  I almost dropped the plate I was rinsing in the sink. “So, you broke rules one and two?”

  She stopped laughing and looked sincerely at me. “I can’t stand those rules.”

  “Yeah, me too,” I said quietly.

  “I bet you can’t.”

  “Well, at least your last name isn’t Eaton.”

  She looked at me like I should be pitied. “Can I tell you something, Ellie?”

  “Sure.”

  We both dried our hands off and she led me to a stool around her island. I sat down and she took the stool next to me. She looked at me thoughtfully. “Ellie, when I met Brady …”

  So much for not thinking about him tonight.

  “… he surprised me. I thought, ‘here’s a guy that should be on top of the world.’ He was a top-ranked athlete and he was dating Miss Alabama.”

  I cringed at the mention of Amber.

  “Yeah, I feel the same way about her,” Kendra said.

  “I knew I liked you,” I said with a smile.

  She smiled wide and told me the feeling was mutual. “But you know what, Ellie? He was a pretty melancholy guy, except for when he talked about a girl he used to know with grey eyes.”

  “He would talk about me?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “What would he say?”

  “Oh random things like when I wore my Auburn gear, he would say, ‘Ellie would love that.’ Or when a song you liked came on the radio he would mention it. But it wasn’t until Amber showed her truest colors that he told me how he really felt about you, at least in words. But he didn’t have to tell me; I could see it in his eyes the whole time I knew him, whenever he talked about you.”

  My emotions got the better of me and a tear escaped. I tried to quickly wipe it away. I didn’t want to hear things like this. It was confusing.

  She patted my hand. “Then his leg broke, and I thought during my first appointment with him after the accident I would find a broken man that was even more sullen than before. He surprised me. He was the happiest I had ever seen him. He looked like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders. But I’ve never seen light in his eyes until yesterday when he dropped Caroline off.”

  “Well, he loves Caroline.”

  “Oh, I know you’re smarter than that, Ellie. Yes, he loves Caroline, and he’s the best uncle ever, but Ellie, you have to know how he feels about you.”

  “Kendra, I’m sure Brady has fond memories of me, but that’s as far as it goes.”

  “Ellie, I know you don’t believe that.”

  “Why would I believe anything else? Have you ever loved someone that has left you and acted like you’ve never existed? Not only that, you have to see them with someone else? Someone that they said they could never have feelings for? He was engaged to her, Kendra! So please tell me why I should believe anything different.” I didn’t mean to get so upset. I hardly knew this woman and was a guest in her home, and now I was raising my voice and crying. It was very unladylike and rude. I was raised better than th
at. I looked into her wide eyes. “I’m so sorry. I should probably just go home now.”

  She surprised me by getting up and putting her arms around me. That only made me cry harder.

  “It’s ok, Ellie. You have every right to be upset.”

  “It was a long time ago. Why can’t I just get over him?” I didn’t expect her to answer that. It was just one of those unanswerable questions.

  She sat back down and handed me a tissue. I thanked her.

  “Maybe you’re not meant to,” she replied.

  I smiled sadly as I dabbed my face. “Spinsterhood it is then.”

  She smiled kindly, but shook her head no. “You know, I have a brother-in-law that would be happy to solve that issue.”

  “Oh, Kendra, don’t you see, Brady and I can never be together.”

  “Why? Because he was forced to make a terrible decision when he was a kid?”

  I raised my eyebrow. “He was forced to get engaged?”

  “Maybe forced is a bad word, but definitely coerced. You have no idea the amount of pressure his parents, and especially his mother, placed on him, and Amber was extremely manipulative. Ellie, he didn’t love her.”

  “None of this makes sense. And even if it did, we still can’t be together. His parents hate me. Did you see how they looked at me today?”

  “Yes, but if you get back together, I’ll no longer be the least favorite.”

  I laughed, like really laughed. She joined me.

  Benjamin walked in as our laughter was dying down. “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “Oh nothing, I was just trying to get Ellie to sacrifice herself so I would no longer be the black sheep in your family,” Kendra responded.

  Benjamin wrapped his arms around Kendra from behind. “My parents like you.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  I really liked her.

  Caroline joined us, clad in bright purple footsy pajamas. She was seriously adorable. She came right up to me, and I picked her right up and placed her on my lap.

  “Will you read me a story and tuck me into bed?” she asked me.

  “I would love to.” I looked at her parents to make sure that was ok and that I wasn’t stepping on any toes. They both smiled and nodded.

  I let Caroline lead me to her room. It looked like a Caroline room: loud, bright and fun. She had bunk beds with zebra-striped comforters, and her room was painted a bright pink, except for one wall, which was painted with chalkboard paint. That wall looked like it got plenty of use. There were several drawn pictures, many of which had puppies in them. I couldn’t help but grin. She handed me three books, all of which I was very familiar with: Aunt Calliope and Jane in Paris, Aunt Calliope and Jane in Rome, and my latest, Aunt Calliope and Jane in London.

  We started in Paris and ended in London. I loved snuggling with her on her bed and reading to her. Seeing her smile and hearing her laugh at something I created was also pretty amazing.

  “How come Aunt Calliope wouldn’t let Jane take the crown the Queen wanted to give her for saving the castle?” she asked as soon as I closed the book.

  “Well, sugar, Aunt Calliope wanted Jane to know that she didn’t need a crown to make her feel special, because Jane is special just because of who she is. See, sugar, it’s what’s inside of us that counts most.”

  She smiled at my response and then knelt down to say her prayers. I tried hard not to giggle as she prayed for puppies and babies, but then she prayed that her Uncle Brady and I would be boyfriend and girlfriend, because that would make her so happy. What was I going to do with this girl?

  She wrapped her tiny arms around me, and I hugged her tightly back. I tucked her in and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Caroline.”

  “Goodnight, Miss Ellie.”

  “Wait!” she called out before I could turn off the lights.

  I paused.

  “Would you come to show and tell and read to my class?”

  “I would love to.”

  “Ooooo, I can’t wait to tell my friends tomorrow.”

  “Ok, sugar, sweet dreams.” I seriously loved that girl. And to think, I could have been her aunt.

  Chapter Eight

  I spent a couple more hours with Kendra and Benjamin. With Caroline fast asleep, I finally got to hear how they got together. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight. She found him arrogant, and he found her obnoxious, but you could tell they had chemistry. They kept their relationship secret, even from Brady, for several months, and they only revealed it after they were engaged, and after Amber left Brady. I guess that helped soften the blow. The Jacksons weren’t as keen on beauty queens now that two had left their sons. It also helped that Kendra was essential in Brady’s recovery. I guess it took some convincing, but his parents gave their blessing.

  I didn’t say anything, but I kept thinking how ridiculous his parents were. Kendra was terrific, and you could tell she loved Benjamin. Isn’t that what should matter? Who cares where she went to school or if she had won a beauty pageant? It confirmed to me that Brady and I could never be together. If it took that much convincing for a non-Eaton, I’d never have a chance. How could you be with someone when their parents despise you? We tried that once, and it turned out very badly.

  I lay in bed that night, thinking about everything Kendra told me about Brady. I can’t tell you how confusing it all was to me. The Brady I knew wouldn’t have let anyone force or coerce him. She alluded to Brady still loving me, but if that were true, why didn’t he ever come after me, especially after his daddy got better? I just didn’t understand. I just hoped she was wrong about me not being meant to get over him, because being with him seemed like an impossibility, no matter how much I wanted to be with him.

  I was up and at ‘em early the next morning. I was anxious to get to the hospital. As I dressed, I was reminded I needed more clothing. I decided I would stop by the Summit on my way back to the house and add to my wardrobe. I walked down the stairs to the smell of freshly-baked banana nut muffins. Oh how I had missed Doris over the weekend. When I entered the kitchen, there was already a plate with my name on it, with muffins and fresh fruit. I thanked Doris profusely.

  It took longer than I liked to get to the hospital, but I made it thirty minutes before they came in to prep her. Thankfully they didn’t need to put her under, but they did have to prep her groin area and numb it, and she was none too happy about it. The nurses seemed to be used to it and they took it in stride. The doctor came in before they wheeled her to the Cath Lab where they would do the procedure. “The procedure should take about an hour, barring any complications,” he informed us.

  The complication comment didn’t sit well with me. “Complications?”

  He smiled warmly. “I don’t expect any. Ms. Eaton is in great shape for a woman her age.”

  My aunt didn’t take too kindly to that reference, and she threw him such a dirty look. Thankfully she refrained from any commentary. I looked at her and winked. She looked great for a woman years younger than her, and she knew it.

  But the good doctor didn’t miss the look of loathing. He wrung his hands and looked at me. “We’ll send someone to get you as soon as your aunt’s in the recovery room.”

  I managed a small smile. I got up and walked toward my aunt, who suddenly looked small and frail. I kissed her cheek and tried to hold back the tears before they wheeled her out. “I love you, Aunt Lu,” I whispered.

  She looked up at me with her brown doe-like eyes and squeezed my hand. “I love you more than air, Ella Lu.”

  I watched them wheel her away. I suddenly felt very alone as I walked out to the waiting room, but I had a surprise waiting for me there. Let’s just say I didn’t feel alone anymore, but the person waiting for me was the one person I needed to avoid. He was standing there, holding two cups of coffee, looking more handsome than I had ever seen him in his dark suit and red tie. And he was wearing a grin that said, “How can you resist me?” I couldn’t, and that was my problem.


  He quickly walked over to me.

  “What are you doing here, Brady Jackson?”

  His sweet smile was out in all of its glory. “If my momma were going into surgery, I wouldn’t want to be alone.”

  I should have told him to leave, but his sincerity touched me and he was right, after all. I didn’t want to be alone, and if I could have anybody with me, it would be him. I knew it was wrong, and it could never go anywhere, but I needed him this morning.

  “Thank you.”

  He motioned for me to sit down and handed me a coffee. I wrinkled my nose a little. I hated coffee, but I didn’t want to be rude. He chuckled and leaned in close. “It’s hot chocolate.”

  “You remembered?”

  He tugged on my hair with his now-free hand. “I think it may surprise you what I remember.”

  I suddenly felt very warm. I took a drink of hot chocolate before I did something that would get me into trouble. “So how did you know what time to be here, and don’t you have a job?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Kendra called and told me, and Benjamin has things covered at the bank. By the way, Kendra really likes you.”

  “I like her too, and your brother, and of course Caroline.”

  He smiled that smile I loved too much. “Speaking of Caroline, she wanted me to give you this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to me.

  I took it and unfolded it. She had drawn a picture of what looked like me reading her a book on her bed, and there was a puppy on the bed. I smiled up at Brady. “I think someone needs to get her a puppy.”

  He laughed quietly. “Benjamin said that she talked of nothing but you this morning, and how she’s bringing you for show and tell. I told him I was offended. She’s never wanted to take me to show and tell.”

  I raised my left eyebrow at him. “And what would you show and tell?”

  He leaned in dangerously close to me. “There are some things I would like to show and tell you,” he whispered in my ear.

  I blushed deeply. “And what would that be?” I whispered back.

  He touched my cheek with his palm. “I plan to show and tell you later.”