Return to Sender

by Fern Michaels

  Reaching for the phone, Nick called Trevor.

  “What? I…Yes, I knew your mother was hospitalized. Yes, I do recall she was pregnant, but the baby died. Bruises? I never saw any, but I never saw your mother that often, either. Yes, your father had a terrible temper. No, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to find it all true.”

  “Thanks, Trevor.” Nick hung up the phone.

  What else had that mean son of a bitch who was his father done that he wasn’t aware of? At that moment Nick was glad that he was at the twilight stage of his life. He didn’t know how he could stand to live while that son of a bitch who called himself a father rested peacefully. And in a gold-rimmed coffin.

  If he hadn’t been so damn sick, he would have dug up the old bastard just so he could piss on his corpse.

  “And the shit just keeps on coming,” Nick said out loud.

  Lin said to her son, “If that’s what you really want to do, then we’ll make it happen. Being with family during the holidays is the best. Of course I can come back to New York. It’s Christmas. We’ll go see the Rockettes or a show. I can ask Sally and Lizzie to come.”

  “That wasn’t what I had in mind when I said I think the family should be together at Christmas.”

  “Then exactly what did you have in mind? We’re the only family you have.” Well, damn, I set myself up for that one.

  “I know, but you know what I mean. Don’t you think it would be the perfect time? We talked about Thanksgiving, but you were too busy huddled up with Evan in Colorado.”

  “We weren’t huddled up, as you put it. We went snow skiing, and I’m going back right after Christmas, and before you ask, yes, I’m going with Evan.”

  “That’s cool, Mom. I like him. You deserve to be treated like a queen after what you’ve been through.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say. I’m just so sorry for the way I told you. I needed for you to understand that my life wasn’t a bowl of cherries.”

  “I’m over it. Enough already! I’m almost nineteen. You don’t have to protect me from the big bad wolf anymore, okay?” He laughed into the phone, the sound so sweet, Lin’s eyes filled with tears. For a few days at the beginning of November, she hadn’t been sure Will would ever want to talk to her again, let alone laugh with her. She should have trusted her son.

  “Okay. I’ll come to New York.”

  “Alone this time. No Sally.”

  “All right. I’ll call you with my flight info, so you’d better cancel any dates with all those ‘hot chicks’ you keep telling Jack about.”

  “You tell Jack I said he talks too much.” Will laughed, knowing his mother was smiling.

  “Okay, son. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I knew I could count on you.”

  He could, couldn’t he? How wonderful that her son still knew he could count on her for anything.

  Lin knew Will was hoping for some sort of magic moment, but she knew Nick was dying, and she didn’t have the heart to tell Will. He’d have to see for himself, which was why she’d agreed to return to New York. Evan would be there, too. She couldn’t forget that.

  Dear Evan, who’d stormed into her life, or rather she’d stormed into his office. And she knew without a doubt they were meant for each other. They’d spent the Thanksgiving holiday skiing. It had been the most wonderful, exciting four days of her life. She didn’t even give Sally all the glorious details when she’d asked, preferring to hold it all close to her heart. Her time with Evan was too precious to her. She wasn’t ready to share their special moments just yet. Maybe she’d never be ready to share them. And if that was the case, that was okay, too.

  Before she got caught up in her daydreams, something she seemed to be doing a lot of lately, she called the airport and booked a flight to New York. She was beginning to love the city as much as the old-timers but could never see herself living there. She’d told that to Evan, explaining that she was a Southern girl at heart. He’d said he was happy with the way things were for the moment. Lin was happier than she’d ever been in her life. She now knew what it meant when a person said he or she felt complete. Evan completed her, complemented her.

  The next trip to New York would be like coming full circle. Never imagining her brief relationship with Nick would turn out this way, she was actually looking forward to closing that part of her life and moving forward to the future. Even with no clue as to what the future held for her, other than that she would always be honest. At present that was enough.

  Three days later Lin found herself ensconced once again at the Helmsley Park Lane, only this time Evan would be meeting her for dinner as soon as he finished making his evening rounds.

  Tomorrow was the big day. She was nervous, but she would handle it, because she had to handle it. There were no other options at this point in time. Will was excited, but she knew he was as nervous as she was. Together, they would get through the meeting, with Evan as their backup.

  She took a long, leisurely bath in the giant-sized Jacuzzi. She was getting her hair and nails done before dinner. Lin wanted tonight to be special because she had something so very special to share with Evan.

  After soaking for more than an hour, her skin pruned. Lin slipped on a pair of jeans and went to the salon where she’d had her first French manicure when she brought Will to New York. While it was only four months ago, it seemed like a lifetime to her.

  The manicurist painted her nails a bright red. They both laughed when they saw what the color was named: “I’m Not Really a Waitress.” Lin giggled when they suggested a pedicure with the same bright shade of red.

  She asked the stylist to leave her hair long and loose, flowing around her shoulders, the way Evan liked it. She’d gone to Prada, where she’d bought a smashing red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She also had a pair of ruby red slingbacks to complete the outfit.

  Back in her room she slid into the sexy red dress. She eyed her reflection in the mirror. The dark circles and jutting cheekbones were long gone. She looked just like the old Lin, only better.

  “Okay, get your tail downstairs before you really lose it.”

  Downstairs, she spied Evan in the hotel lobby, and her heart started a wild dance in her chest. Damn, he’s good-looking. She ad mired him, loved the way he treated her and Will. But most of all she admired the fact that he respected her. The feeling was new, unique to her, coming from a man. She was sorry her mother hadn’t lived to find someone who loved and cherished her the way she de served to be. But that was the past, and as good old Jack always said, “The past is prologue, kiddo.”

  “You’d give Julia Roberts a run for her money. You’re the prettiest woman I’ve seen all day. All week. Ever. Come here.” Evan wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck.

  “You better stop, or we won’t make it to dinner. Then I’ll have wasted three thousand bucks on this sexy dress, which I want you to become familiar with later. The zippers and clasps, to be precise.” My God, did I just say that out loud? she thought. Her face flushed to a rosy hue, and she laughed, the sound tinkling across the lobby. Evan grinned from ear to ear.

  They both had the prime rib for dinner with wasabi mashed potatoes and a Caesar salad. Evan ordered a bottle of wine, but Lin passed on it, explaining that wine gave her a headache.

  They spent the night in each other’s arms, and when Evan left to go to the hospital, Lin relished the scent he left behind. She slept for two more hours before getting up to meet the day and whatever it was going to hold for her and her son.

  The day she’d been dreading had finally arrived, but she knew that Evan would be available if she needed him.

  She dressed in jeans and a bright red sweater to match her bright red fingernails. She didn’t want to look too made up for fear both Nick and Will would think she was trying to make an impression.

  Her cell phone rang. “Hello?”

  “I’m making sure you’re up. I know Evan spent the night at the hotel.”
r />   “Of course I’m up, and how do you know Evan spent the night?”

  “He told me when he called two minutes ago.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’ll meet you at the hospital in an hour. You sure you’re okay with this?” Will asked his mother for the hundredth time.

  “I’m fine. I’ll see you in an hour.”

  Lin snapped the phone off, grabbed her purse and the messenger bag that she’d carried with her for so many years. Forty-five minutes later she was waiting in the main lobby of Presbyterian Hospital, after having stopped off for a minute at Evan’s empty office. Will burst through the glass doors like his pants were on fire.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I screwed up and had the taxi drop me off on the wrong block. I ran so I wouldn’t be late.”

  “Take a deep breath and relax, because we don’t have an appointment. We have as much time as we need. Remember, this was your idea to come here so early. Before you say anything, I know it’s your first day of Christmas break and you want to enjoy every last minute of each day.”

  “I did say that, didn’t I?” Will laughed at her words

  “At least twenty times. Catch your breath and comb your hair. I know this day has been a long time coming, Will. I’m still sad that it came to this, but I can’t change my life. I don’t think I would if I could.”

  “Me either, Mom. No matter what happens upstairs, I want you to know that you’ve been the best mom and dad a guy could want. Don’t cry. You’ll ruin that mascara you wear all the time now.”

  Lin sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Let’s go meet your father.”

  Neither spoke on the elevator ride, each lost in memories of what was and what would be. The silver doors swished open. Lin took Will’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He squeezed back.

  Together they walked down the dim hallway. When they reached room 267, they stopped outside the door.

  Will leaned over and whispered, “You don’t think this’ll shock him into a heart attack or anything, do you?”

  “No, not at all. Evan said it wouldn’t affect his health. So before you chicken out, I think you should walk in first. Okay?”

  Will nodded and slowly pushed the heavy door inward. Lin remained in the open doorway, where she could watch her son meet his father for the first time.

  Will looked like a little boy on his first day of school. He glanced in her direction, his eyes pleading for guidance.

  She nodded. “Go on,” she whispered.

  He walked back to the doorway, where she stood. “I want you with me.”

  He wasn’t so big, after all, Lin thought, suddenly glad that he’d asked her to share this moment with him.

  Together they walked toward Nick’s bed. He appeared to be sleeping.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t wake him,” Will whispered.

  “And maybe you should,” Nick said. He rolled over in bed, then pushed himself into an upright position. Even though he was critically ill, he was still as handsome as ever. “You all must have the wrong room. Sorry.” He laughed, and Lin smiled herself.

  “I don’t think so.”

  Nick looked at her, really looked at her. Then he looked at Will. “Do I know you? I’ve seen you before. It’s the eyes.” He shook his head from side to side. “No, that’s impossible.”

  “What do you mean, that’s impossible?” Lin asked, her heart throbbing in her throat.

  “Look, you’re in the wrong room,” Nick replied. “I wish you were in the right room.”

  Nick stared at her as though he was trying to figure out where he’d seen her. Lin wanted him to figure it out, felt a small perverse delight in watching him.

  Lin waited for Will to speak up, but he seemed to be in a state of semishock. “Dr. Reeves gave us your room number. He told us to visit.”

  “What are you? A brother and sister comedy team?” Nick asked with a hint of a smile.

  Whatever had Will in such a strong hold broke loose, because he burst out laughing. “Did you say brother and sister?”

  “Yeah, so?” Nick asked, joining Will in his fit of laughter, not sure why, other than that young people’s laughter was contagious.

  “Sir, this woman is my mother.”

  “Will, this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. You’re an adult, remember?” Lin was about ready to start laughing herself.

  “I’ll tell you what would be nice. Want to hear it?” Nick addressed the two of them.

  “Sure,” Lin said. “I’m waiting.”

  “Just tell me what you want,” Nick said. “Did Chelsea put you up to this? I swear, I rue the day I married that woman. She’s been nothing but an albatross around my neck from day one, but you don’t need to hear all that.”

  “Who is Chelsea?” Lin asked, even though she knew who she was since she’d had the pleasure of pushing her around Manhattan in a wheelchair.

  “Unfortunately, or fortunately, as the case may be, she’s my wife,” Nick said. “You’re sure she didn’t send you here to lace my morning tea with Ambien again? If she did, rest assured I won’t let her off so easy this time. Or you,” he added ominously.

  Lin winced. They’d made him angry, and that wasn’t in the plan. According to Evan, anger wasn’t good for his patient. “Look, Nick, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have allowed this silly banter to continue,” Lin said.

  “You know me!” Nick said, sounding surprised at the use of his name. “I think I’ve seen you somewhere. Have we met? And you.” He turned to Will. “You remind me of someone, too.”

  Lin and Will glanced at one another.

  Lin had hoped Nick would recognize her, but he hadn’t, and at this point in time it was okay. She thought she’d be embarrassed with Will observing her, but she wasn’t. If anything, Lin thought Nick was a bit embarrassed himself because he couldn’t recall how he knew either of them, or if he did at all.

  Taking a deep breath, Lin took a step toward the bed, moving closer so that Nick might instantly remember her from that infamous party all those years ago. “My name is Lin Townsend, and this is my son, William Michael. We call him Will.”

  “Okay,” Nick said, his eyes darting back and forth between them.

  Not wanting to drag the moment out any longer than she had already, Lin took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and looked Nick dead in the eyes. “We met at a party in Atlanta almost twenty years ago.” Lin paused, then continued. “Will is your son.”

  There. Done. Out in the open. No more lies. I can do this, she told herself. I am doing this.

  “The girl with the silver eyes! I remember you. You were the math whiz,” Nick said, awe ringing in his voice. “Did I hear you say this boy is my son? You gave birth to my son, and you never told me! For God’s sake, why?”

  Lin almost fainted. He did know her! And he was acting like he didn’t know about Will, and if he didn’t know about Will, then he had never received her letters. She had to say something, and say it immediately, that very second. “The one and only.” That was certainly clever, she thought.

  Nick dragged his eyes away from Lin to look at the boy again. “How old are you?”

  “Nineteen come January,” said Will.

  “And what do you want now, after all these years?” Nick asked. “Not that I’m offering anything.”

  Lin’s eyes narrowed. How like him to reduce this to money. “Actually, we don’t need or want anything from you. It’s way too late for that, anyway. You see, I’ve been carrying these goddamned stupid letters around in my bag for nineteen years! I had a wild hair crawl up my ass the other day and decided I’d hand-deliver them. Here.” Lin tossed the messenger bag at him, hitting him in the chest. She didn’t care how crude or crass she was coming across as. Nick Pemberton was a royal bastard, just like his father. How dare he assume she’d brought Will there to ask for something?

  “Mom, the man is sick,” Will cried out. “Watch what you say. Calm down.” He was stunned at his mother�
�s words, his mother, who never ever said one bad word to or about anyone.

  “I don’t have to watch my mouth, Will. Mr. Pemberton is still a bastard, sick or not,” Lin said, her anger red hot. “He hasn’t changed one iota. Everything in his whole life has been reduced to a dollar sign. How dare you even assume we came here to ask for something? I wouldn’t take anything from you even if you offered me my weight in gold. What do you think of that, you son of a bitch!” Lin shrieked.

  “You’re for real, aren’t you? This isn’t some hokey, cockamamy scam. Damn, this is truly for real. Come over here, Will. Sit down and let me look at you.” Nick ignored Lin’s outburst.

  Will walked closer to the bed. Lin felt like she was in some stupid grade-B movie, and any minute she would walk out of the theater, wondering what had made her go see the silly thing in the first place. Nope, this was for real. Big-time.

  “Seen enough?” she shrieked again. “He looks just like you. His DNA will match yours, as would that of any son and his father.”

  “I believe you, Lin. Cut me a little slack here. You just invaded my world and threw me a whammy I never expected. My body might be fading away, but my memory is still pretty sharp. I recall our time together. I often wondered what had happened to you. I tried to call you a few times. You were never home. I guess it was your mother who took my calls. She kept asking me to stop calling, so I did. I figured you didn’t want to talk to me and were simply using your mother to deliver the message.”

  Lin almost collapsed in a heap on the floor. She would have if Will hadn’t reached across Nick’s bed and grabbed her arm.

  Somehow Lin found her voice. “Did you read my letters, Nick? Please don’t lie to me. I need to know the truth. Did you read those letters?” She nodded toward the pile of letters heaped across the bed.