I lightly touched the piano. “It’s a beautiful instrument, Mr. Jackson, and you play well.”
He just kept staring at me. It wasn’t a cold stare, like his wife, but it was still a little unnerving.
“You know, Ellie plays too, and she has a beautiful voice,” Brady said.
It took some effort, I wasn’t sure it was because of his health or the hate he had for me, but he eventually responded to his son. “I think I remember you mentioning that.” Either way, so far this was much better than his momma, which was surprising. The last contact I had with them was in Pastor Norton’s office, and his momma came off as weak and his daddy came off as bold and overbearing. Thinking back now, I think his momma was putting on an act.
Brady pulled me close to him. “Ellie, you should play and sing something for us.”
I looked at his daddy. He seemed confused. It was really odd.
I looked back at Brady’s sweet face. “Um, I don’t know … I haven’t really practiced in quite a while.”
His daddy shocked me and slid over on the bench. Brady smiled and helped me sit down next to him.
I took a deep breath. I wasn’t expecting to put on a show or be this near to his daddy, but Brady seemed awfully pleased, and I didn’t want to disappoint him.
“Ok. Any requests?”
His daddy put some sheet music up in front of me. I had to stop myself from acting shocked. It was “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. The same song my Aunt had sung in the talent show she told me about, the one where Mr. Jackson noticed her. I wondered why he would choose that. Did he remember?
I couldn’t look at Mr. Jackson, but I looked at his son before I began. “I haven’t performed in a while, so no teasing.”
He kissed my head. “Go ahead, darlin’.”
I did a couple scales first to get used to the feel of their piano. It was a little tight, but workable. I was more worried about sitting this close to his daddy. It was more than a little weird.
There was a small piano solo at the beginning of the song, and as I played, I began to think I was a little crazy. I had to put my ancient sight reading skills to use to sing and play the correct notes. When I got to the part where I was supposed to sing, “I was crazy for loving you,” I winked at Brady, and he gave me that country boy smile I loved so much.
It wasn’t perfect, but for on the spot, it was passable. Brady loved it and clapped heavily. I finally braved looking at his daddy; he looked at me thoughtfully. “You sound like …,” he began to say.
But he was interrupted by Mommy Dearest, and she did not like the scene in front of her at all. She looked at me with her eyes ablaze. I swore she looked like she could breathe fire. She gave new meaning to ‘if looks could kill.’ Brady looked between me and his momma. I stood up and immediately wrapped my arms around Brady.
He didn’t even hesitate. He wrapped me up tight. “Beautiful and talented. I’m the luckiest of men,” he whispered in my ear.
I think we both were trying to ignore the woman that bore him. To be honest, she kind of scared me. In fact, I think she kind of scared Brady and Mr. Jackson too.
“Dinner’s ready,” she announced scathingly.
Brady released me, but kept a hold of my hand. I still couldn’t believe we were eating at a table that sat at least twelve people. His parents each took an end and Brady and I sat in the middle, but across from one another. His daddy struggled to his chair. He moved slowly, with a cane, and it seemed to take great effort. Brady looked sadly at his daddy. I felt for him. I knew how hard it had been for me to see my Aunt Lu lying in her hospital bed after her surgery. I could only imagine how Brady felt. We hadn’t really talked about his parents; I guess I should be a better girlfriend and ask him.
Once we were all seated, a sweet looking young maid rolled out a cart of food. I didn’t know they had a maid. I mean, I guess we had a housekeeper, but she never acted in this capacity. His momma looked at me haughtily, like I should be impressed. I just smiled as sweetly as I could, but I was anything but impressed with her. She sneered at me. I looked at Brady to remind myself why in the heck I was putting myself through this. He beamed at me, and I felt the warmth spread through my body.
Their maid’s name was Annabelle. She came around and began to fill everyone’s wine glasses. I turned mine over and politely declined. I never drank. My aunt watched my daddy kill himself with that stuff, and it broke her heart. She ranked alcohol with the vilest of all vices. Brady knew how I felt about it, and he turned his glass over too.
This seemed to offend his momma. “So now you don’t drink?” she scoffed.
“Momma, you know I was never one to drink. And I wouldn’t drink tonight anyway, I’m driving,” Brady defended his decision.
She just glared at me like I had created a monster or something. I wanted to say, “I know it’s horrible that your son doesn’t drink alcohol. I’m evil and must be destroyed.” I could see I would never please this woman. I didn’t even think I wanted to. My perception of Brady’s home life was being shattered. I assumed he had grown up like me, with adoring parents and a happy, love-filled home. And maybe he had, and she only acted like this because I was here, but I got the feeling it wasn’t just me. I’m just saying, maybe her second car was a broom.
The dinner was very formal, too formal for my taste. It was served by courses, and hardly a word was spoken. I tried to eat as much as I could, but his momma’s constant scrutinizing glares and glances made my stomach turn. I knew Brady was trying his best to be reassuring with his loving looks, but that just irritated his momma more. Anytime he would look at me or say something to me, his momma would try and direct his attention to her. It was almost as if she was jealous. His daddy sat silently at the end, drinking enough wine for both Brady and me. I almost couldn’t blame the guy. I was desperate for an escape too, but I knew alcohol never helped a situation. To say I was uncomfortable was an understatement.
Halfway through the main course of lamb chops, his momma decided to go in for the kill, and guess who the prey was? She’d had plenty to drink by this time too.
“So, young lady, our son informs us that he may be moving, even though this is where his family and career are. Don’t you think that’s selfish of you?”
Brady immediately came to my defense, but I looked at him and told him with my eyes I could handle it. I looked at his momma and told myself not to flinch. “Mrs. Jackson, Brady and I haven’t made any final decisions about where we’ll live once we’re married.” She definitely did not like me saying the “M” word, which made me want to say it all the more. “Any decisions we make will be mutual and for the benefit of our family. And I realize Brady has a career here, but I have one too.”
She sneered. “Yes, I guess you think since you’re famous now, your career takes precedence and Brady should follow you.”
“I don’t believe any such thing. And fame has nothing to do with why I wouldn’t want to live in Kaysville.”
Her face quickly turned the shade of the deep red wine she was drinking. “And what is that supposed to mean, young lady?”
“I won’t insult your intelligence or mine with a response to that question.”
She had a lot of nerve to ask why I wouldn’t want to live in Kaysville. So much for me winning his parents over. While his momma sat there seething, I looked at Brady. I mouthed I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell if he was upset with me or just the situation. I couldn’t stand the thought of him being upset with me. I knew I shouldn’t have risen to his momma’s obvious attempt to unnerve me, but I didn’t deserve her accusations or implications. She had no right to judge me or talk to me like that.
I couldn’t eat anymore. I placed my linen napkin on the table and stood up and excused myself. I asked Annabelle to please direct me to the restroom. Brady stood as I left. I tried my hardest not to cry as I silently followed her to the nearest restroom. As soon as I entered the restroom, I locked the door and leaned against it and took several deep breaths. I never wan
ted to leave a place more. The whole house seemed cold and sterile. Sure, it was beautiful in appearance, but there was a terrible feeling here.
A few tears escaped as I thought about Brady and what he must be thinking about me right now. I knew it was too good to be true to think that Eatons and Jacksons could be together. I forced myself to get it together. I knew I couldn’t stay in the restroom all night. I just wanted to go home.
The only person’s feelings in the room I cared about were Brady’s, so with my head held high (because I was danged if I would give Mrs. Jackson the satisfaction of seeing she got to me), I opened the double doors with my fake confidence to find Brady and his momma in a heated discussion that involved me. They didn’t notice me right away, so I took the opportunity to look at his daddy. His daddy looked at me too. Maybe I was mistaken, but his daddy almost looked like he was sorry. He also looked worn out by life. And oddly, I had a desire to talk to him and ask him why, but that chance didn’t come. Brady finally noticed me. He immediately rose and walked my way. I still couldn’t read him. All I knew was that he wasn’t happy.
When he reached me, he softly stroked my cheek. “Are you ok, darlin’?”
“Are you upset with me?” I whispered, so hopefully his parents couldn’t hear.
He embraced me. “Never.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
“Please,” I practically begged.
Brady released me, and I immediately missed the comfort of his arms. He turned back toward his parents. “We’re leaving,” he said simply.
“What do you mean you’re leaving? You barely just got here, and we haven’t even had dessert,” his momma protested.
Wasn’t this the woman who just over an hour ago turned her nose up at my dessert? I couldn’t imagine why she wanted us to stay other than she enjoyed torturing me.
“We’ll leave some of the cake,” Brady offered.
“Don’t bother,” she sneered.
She really was messed up.
I again turned my focus to his daddy. I had no idea why. I should hate the guy, but for some reason I was drawn to him, and he seemed to be drawn to me too. I found myself walking toward him. I could see Brady in him, and maybe that’s why I felt so comfortable in my actions. He continued to stare thoughtfully at me as I neared. I wasn’t sure what I should say or do once I got there, but I felt like I needed to do this. “Thank you for letting me play your piano.” It was the only thing I could think of to say.
He surprised me by taking my hands. “Thank you. You remind me of a girl I once knew,” he said quietly.
I knew who he was talking about, and for some reason, it broke my heart. I desperately wanted to ask him why he left my aunt. She deserved answers after all these years, but then I heard his wife screech, “Isaac!”
He dropped my hands and immediately turned to his wine glass and drained it all. He didn’t look at me again. I quickly retreated back to Brady, and we promptly left. I didn’t even bother saying goodbye or thank you. We walked back to the kitchen where Annabelle was. I did thank her and complimented her on the food. Brady retrieved the cake that I had gone to so much trouble making, and we escaped as quickly as we could.
As we left, all I could think to myself was, Houston, we have a problem.
Chapter Seventeen
We didn’t say anything as we walked out. In fact, we didn’t say anything until we were on the main road and Brady asked if it was ok if we went back to his place. I said that was fine, but honestly, I just wanted to go home and be by myself for a while. I think Brady knew it and that scared him. The night probably couldn’t have gone any worse. It was a reminder of why we probably shouldn’t marry, and why I’d been so hesitant about it.
As soon as we pulled into his drive and he turned off his truck, he turned to me. “Please say something, Ellie.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Just tell me what you’re thinking.”
I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to hear what I was thinking, but it needed to be said, so I let it out. “Honestly, I think your momma’s crazy and we’re crazy for ever thinking this could work.”
Brady took the stupid cake out of my hand and placed it in the passenger seat. He took my face in his hands. “I’m going to start looking for a job in Atlanta on Monday.”
“Brady, us moving away isn’t going to make any of this better.”
“Then tell me what to do, Ellie. I’m willing to do whatever it takes for us to be together.”
I grabbed his shirt, pulled him closer, and kissed him deeply. I didn’t know what to say to him because I didn’t know what he could do. I didn’t know what either of us could do. I just wanted to get lost in him and make this whole ugly situation go away. I poured way too much emotion into that kiss. It was the kind of kiss that could get you into trouble if you weren’t careful, and honestly, I had thoughts of not wanting to be careful. For a moment, I was tired of being careful. Thankfully Brady was always careful with me, and he gently removed himself from me before anything happened I would regret. But I noticed even he hesitated to pull away.
As we sat there trying to catch our breaths, I stupidly began to cry. I hated this. I wanted to be with Brady, but in doing so, I was making practically everyone around us unhappy, and even maniacal based on his momma’s actions tonight.
“Ellie, I’m sorry, I would never take advantage of you.”
“Is that why you think I’m crying?”
“It’s not?”
“No, I’m crying because, for a moment, I wanted you take advantage of me, and because I’m tired of always doing what’s expected of me and I’m tired of always trying to do the right thing and please everyone.”
He took me in his arms and held me close. He didn’t say anything for a several minutes. He just let me cry and get it out of my system. “Do you really want me to take advantage of you?” he asked once my crying ceased.
“Yes … I mean no. Am I terrible?”
He laughed softly. “Ellie, if that makes you terrible, then I’m really horrible. I don’t think a day has gone by since I was teenager when I haven’t thought about wanting to make love to you. But, darlin’, I know you; and I know you would regret it if we don’t wait, and I don’t ever want that to be something you regret.”
I started crying again. “I know it was a stupid thought, a weak moment.”
He held me tighter. “Ellie, you’re anything but stupid. You’re just upset, and after the way my momma treated you, you have every right to be.” He kissed my head. “I would love nothing more than to take you in my arms and know you in every possible way, but I’m going to put a ring on that pretty little finger of yours first.”
I loved that he was so committed to keeping our relationship the way that we had promised we always would, and that in a moment of weakness, he was strong and nonjudgmental. It made me want to marry him all the more, but after tonight, I just didn’t know how that was going to work.
“How can we get married when it will do nothing but cause unhappiness for our families?”
“Ellie, I’m sorry, but I don’t give a damn who it makes unhappy. I’ve spent the last ten years regretting every day I wasn’t with you. I’m done with regret, Ellie. We deserve to be happy too.”
I didn’t know if I’d ever heard Brady speak so forcefully. We sat there for several more minutes, with him just holding me in the silence of the night, but it was December, and even in Alabama it gets cold at night. We finally made our way into Brady’s house.
We set up on his couch, because seriously, where else could we? He had no furniture. So there we sat, contemplating our future (which basically meant Brady begging me not to let the experience at his parents’ dissuade me from marrying him) while stuffing our faces with that dumb cake that tasted like heaven. Neither of us had eaten much at his parent’s house, so we were both pretty hungry. I think we devoured half of the cake.
Brady
turned to me. “Darlin’, I never want to hear you say you can’t cook. I’m beginning to think there isn’t anything you’re not good at.”
I laughed. “You know I had help. And I can think of lots of things I’m not good at.”
He set his cake down and inched closer to me. We had been sitting on opposite ends of the couch. I think we’d both needed to cool off for a while.
“Let me tell you some things you are very good at,” he said as he worked his way over to me. The way he looked at me took my breath away. He had learned how to be very sexy these last ten years. I went from being cooled off to feverish in like ten seconds. He came within inches of me and stopped, he just stared into my eyes and then he ran his strong hand though my hair. “Number one, you’re good at driving me crazy.”
I raised my eyebrow at him and he amended. “In a very good way. You’re all I can think about day and night.”
I smiled, and he continued.
“Number two goes with number one, and it requires a demonstration.” He smiled wickedly before kissing me softly and briefly.
“I think I may need another demonstration.”
“My pleasure.” He kissed me one more time, this time a little longer.
“Ok, where were we? Number three, you sing like an angel. I had forgotten what an incredible voice you have. You even had my daddy mesmerized. I’ve never seen him like that. I think he was very taken with you.”
He sounded so happy about it. I wondered if I should tell him why I thought his daddy was so taken with me. I wondered if it would bother him that I reminded him of a woman he used to be in love with, and that he chose a song that meant something to him and that particular woman that wasn’t his momma.
“By the way, darlin’, what did he say to you before we left?”
Well, so much for not telling him. I wouldn’t lie to him.
House Divided Page 18
