Finding Carson: Falls Village Collection

by Rae B. Lake

  She ran a hand into my ponytail, pulling it softly and gave me a small smile, “No, dummy, they are here for you. You may have spent most of your time trying to stay away from everyone, but you’re one of us. You can always call this place home no matter where you go.”

  “Nowhere.” I grabbed her face and kissed her. “Baby, I’m not going anywhere. I know I have a lot of shit to figure out, and I will do whatever I have to do to make sure you aren’t hurt by the craziness that’s my family, but I’m not going anywhere.”

  “You better not.” She put a hand over my hand and leaned into my touch.

  The operation was successful, and even though my father refused to see anyone apart from my mother, my neighbors made sure to get him anything he needed. Flowers, magazines, special heart-healthy snacks, they made sure that he had it. Frances stayed with me the entire time, making use of the on-call doctor's room and shower so she wouldn’t have to leave me. My mother finally seemed to be coming back around after he made it out of surgery. I was relieved to see it.

  Finally, the day after the surgery, he allowed me to come in. I stood up stiffly when my mother motioned for me to come, the stress and grief seemed to settle in my joints. Frances tried to let my hand go, but I held on tight.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t.” She said as she tried to pull away. “Your father was quite clear about how he felt before all of this.”

  “Frances, I watched you walk out one time too many. I want you by my side, always.” I tugged on her arm again, this time she stood up and slowly walked with me.

  “I don’t care what he says, just get them to push back the meeting until next week.” My father was arguing with someone on his cell phone. “I don’t care; make it happen.” He hung up the phone and let out a long breath before he focused in on me. “Carson.”

  “Yeah, Dad, how are you feeling?”

  “Well, I just had a heart attack so I could be feeling a-” He stopped suddenly and craned his neck to look behind me. “What is that woman doing here?”

  Any shred of respect I may have had lingering for my father vanished right then. “Dad, are you serious right now?”

  “Dom, she’s the one who saved your life.” My mother said from where she was sitting next to his bed.

  My father put a hand on his chest, “No wonder my chest hurts so much. Luckily this hospital had some competent people to take over where she failed. She’s dismissed.” He waved his hand in the air, and I felt Frances rip her hand from mine as I took a step toward my father. I wanted to murder him, the ungrateful bastard.

  My mother jumped out of her seat, her chair flying backward into the wall. “Frances, don’t you take one more step!” my mother bellowed.

  The sound of her raised voice stopped both Frances and me from moving.

  “You stupid, foolish man. I spent my life in your shadow because I’ve always known you would be great, always known it would be an honor to be married to someone as powerful as you.”

  “And you are-”

  “Shut the fuck up!” My mother cut him off. She moved closer to his face. “I was wrong. You are nothing but a sheep, a weak and dickless man whose self-worth is dependant on the approval of people who would crumble to nothing if they were tested. Is that the type of man you are, the type of legacy you’re to leave when your miserable body is dumped in the earth because if you die right now, that’s what it will be. This woman fought tooth and nail to bring you back to us when she could have simply left you there to die in your own filth. Yet you have the nerve to dismiss her? This town you are so eager to get out of has spent the last day caring for you, worrying for you, helping you, yet you think you’re better than them?”

  She stood and motioned around the room, “Where are the flowers from the members of your board? The flowers from all the charities you help? You say you are this great and powerful man, but to who Dominic? Who?” My mother's voice reached screeching heights before she let it die back down. “All my life, I have stood by your side, allowed your way of thinking poison our sons, me. I have followed you on this path of selfishness, disingenuousness, and downright evilness but no more Dominic. You have more than anyone could ask for, and it is a shame you can’t see past what your own prejudiced, small-minded father wanted and see the good you can do. So here is what is going to happen, Carson will live where he wants to live, have access to whatever money he wants to have access to, support whatever charities he wants to support, and love whoever he wants to love, and you will say jack shit about it. In fact, all my children will. If you so much as try to stop them one time, I will drag your name through the dirt and fling it around in the papers for all to see. I’ll publish all those court records you wanted destroyed. I’ll talk to every tabloid that will let me, and then I will take you to court, divorce you, take half of everything you own and still give it to my sons so they can do what they want.”

  My father’s mouth was open, but no words were coming out, I was almost scared he was having another heart attack.

  “And if you think I wouldn’t, or that I don’t have it in me. Remember, my beloved; I have been by your side all this time. I have copies of everything I need. I was never a conniving or ruthless person until I was with you. I have learned from the best. Test me, Dom. Test me, and I’ll make sure to destroy everything and do it with a smile on my face.”

  My mother stood up straight, ran a smooth hand over her clothing, and walked out of the room.

  I quickly glanced at Frances, who was at my side, her mouth slightly open in shock as well.

  “Carson, can you and …your friend, give me a second alone?” My father turned his head and crossed his arms over his chest lightly.

  “Sure, Dad.” I grabbed Frances's hand, but before I opened the door, I turned back to my father. “That’s one strong woman you got there.”

  He shot me a scowl and then almost imperceptibly; I saw his mouth twitch upwards. A smile.

  I shook my head and took Frances out into the waiting room.

  Chapter Seventeen

  As the days went on, my mother continued to be the doting wife she had always been. There was a subtle shift occurring in the attitudes of both my parents. My father started doing small things that looked as if he was trying to shake the years of elitism and prejudice from his back. At times looking to my mother after he addressed an employee to see if he was properly conducting himself. It was a sight to see.

  “Carson, can we chat for a minute?” My father asked from his chair by the window. He had been in the hospital for almost a week now, and the doctor’s hoped he would be able to leave tomorrow.

  “Sure.” I walked over to where he was sitting and waited for what he had to say.

  He looked over to where my mother was sitting reading her book. He wanted to have a private conversation. She took the hint and excused herself.

  “Sit down, son.”

  I sat on the bed. My father’s and my relationship was in a strange place. I had not forgiven him for how he treated Frances or me for that matter, but I also was so happy he was getting better, I didn’t want to upset him by fighting with him.

  “Do you think what your mother said is true?”

  “What do you mean? About your diet?” I asked, thinking about the last thing I’d heard them talk about.

  “No, about me being a sheep. About my life and legacy being nothing more than a fart in the wind when I die?” He looked me straight in my eye.

  “Dad, I… I mean you.” I clamped my mouth shut. I didn’t want to fight, but nothing I could say was going to stop it from happening.

  “Carson, no pretense, no judgment, please. I want you to be truthful. I know it’s cliche to say, but I was dead and was given a second chance at life. What good is it if I keep making the same mess I did before. I know I’m wrong. I know I am wrong about a lot. Unfortunately, it’s all I know. I can’t say everything will be different, but I am going to try. I need to know if everything I’ve worked for is for shit.”

 
“No. Everything you’ve worked for is not for shit. You have expanded on each one of the family assets, and you employ tens of thousands all around the globe, but your dispensable. Anyone can do that, especially if you’re born into the type of money we’ve been born into Dad. You have lived all these years, and you haven’t left your mark on anyone or anything. You’ll be forgotten before your body even decomposes in the ground.” I put my head down. It was harsh, even for my ears.

  When I looked back up, my father was gazing out the window, with his shoulders slumped. “I don’t want that. I have never wanted that. I just thought if I were the most elite, the richest, or connected to the right people, I’d be looked at like a leader. Someone powerful.”

  “Dad, it’s not your money or your last name that makes you powerful or a leader. It’s what you do with all you have. It’s the love and respect you gain from everyone, rich and poor, and it’s not caring what the rest of the sheep think about you. You want to be remembered? We have to give them something for them to talk about.”

  “Like what? Just going against everything I know? Isolating myself from people I know? I don’t see how that is going to help.”

  “No, it doesn’t have to be so extreme. How about helping people who are not as fortunate as us? Seeing people as humans and not as dollar values.”

  He chuckled, “Like your Frances, huh.”

  I felt my body tense up. I wouldn’t tolerate him any longer if he had something negative to say. “Frances is one of the best people I know.”

  “Me too.”

  “Wait. What?”

  “She is, Carson. I put her down at every turn. Disrespected her. Yet I bet she’s been here today to check on you. The woman saved my life when she could have spit in my face and left me to die. I know for a fact some of my so-called friends in my social circle wouldn’t lift one manicured finger to help me. She’s a good woman.”

  I was speechless.

  I never thought I would see the day. “Yeah, she really is.”

  “You sure she’s who you want to be with?” He asked, straightening his back. “I mean, have you checked into her background. How do you know she isn’t just after you to get a piece of what you have?”

  I put my hand up to stop him. There was a little taste of the old dad. “I have no access to find out anything about her background, remember, but she knows about me. She knows I’m broke and basically homeless, yet she still stayed.”

  “You were never homeless, don’t be absurd.” He looked at me, “Right? You’ve been here this whole time?”

  “What happened to you know everything?”

  “I do.”

  I raised an eyebrow at the man, waiting for him to tell the truth.

  “Fine, I had no idea until that video surfaced. What made you think to come here. I pretty much forgot this place existed until that day.”

  “Don’t be mad.”

  He shook his head no.

  “Mom reminded me about it.”

  He fell back into his chair slightly, “That woman.” He didn’t even try to stop the smile that crept up his face.

  “I am happy she did. I have learned so much about myself here. I’ve learned what I think I want to do with myself, and it’s not just attending gala events or auctions.”

  “Is that so? You going to tell me what it is, or are you going to leave me in suspense?”

  I looked at my father to try and gauge what he was thinking. I’d spent most of my life worrying about what I said, and it was hard just to tell the truth. “Well, I don’t even know how it would work, but I wanted to try and start up some type of emergency services department here.”

  “Doing more stuff like what you did in that video?”

  “Hopefully, not something so dramatic, but if the need arises, yes. I want to help people no matter who they are or where they come from. That’s all I want.”

  “Maybe you could talk to the mayor, wouldn’t you need to have at least one city emergency service employee on the team?”

  “Yeah, I think so. It would take a lot of doing, and we would need to think about obtaining an appropriate building and possibly enlisting the help of other people in the community.”

  “Certainly, though, I am sure there is available space here somewhere. Last I saw the whole town was being renovated.”

  “That just means I’m going to have to get in good with the politicians in the area.”

  My father smiled big and moved forward in his chair, “Do you know who they are? We can get them on our team.”

  We sat there for almost an hour, going over what we could do to get my plans underway. It was refreshing. By the time my mother returned, we were amped up and excited.

  “Carson, you have company.” My mother spoke as she took her seat next to my father.

  “Frances?”

  My mother only nodded once.

  I got up to go outside, but it seemed my father wasn’t through surprising me. “Can I meet her… properly, I mean.”

  I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud of my father. “Dad, her work means everything to her.”

  “I will do my best, Carson.”

  I stuck my head out the door, “Baby, come here, please.”

  “What’s wrong? Is he ok?” she hurried to the door but didn’t take a step in.

  “No, everything is fine. Dad’s fine.”

  She took a step back, “Then why would I go in there, Carson? My self worth has been beaten down enough for one lifetime, don’t you think.” She tried to turn around, but I grabbed her arm.

  “Please, one more time?” I pulled her slightly.

  She sucked her teeth and shuffled unwillingly into the room. She didn’t move past the doorway, though.

  “Mom, Dad, this is, Frances. Baby, meet my mother and father.”

  My mother got up from her chair and walked over to Frances to kiss her on the cheek. She squeezed her hand once and stood next to me when she was finished.

  “Frances, it is nice to meet you.” My father's brows furrowed slightly. “I guess I should thank you for what you did for me.”

  “Most people would,” Frances replied.

  “Why, though, isn’t that your job? Do you want a cookie?” My dad said.

  Frances threw her hands in the air and turned to leave.

  “Wait!” My dad yelled before she could take another step. “I’m very new at this. I am grateful. Of course, I am happy you used your talents to save me. So yes, thank you.”

  Frances looked at me for a second, then back to my father, “We really gotta work on that brain mouth filter thing.”

  “Yeah, so they tell me.”

  Frances laughed slightly and took a step toward my father.

  “So Frances, what is your surname? Are your parent’s still in the picture?”

  “My full name is Frances Hoffman, and my parents are still in the picture. They were also there when you had your heart attack.”

  My father looked pensive, then at me, then back to Frances. “Baby? Is that why my son calls you Baby? Are you named after that woman in Dirty Dancing?”

  I quickly reached into my pocket and played the Dirty Dancing theme song, and I sang along while I grabbed her from behind.

  “I hate you,” Frances responded deadpanned.

  For the first time in so many years, my father laughed loudly, which caused my mother to laugh, resulting in me laughing. Even Frances had to smirk a little.

  We didn’t stop until the pain in his chest from the surgery became too intense.

  Chapter Eighteen

  You’d be surprised how quickly things can be done when you have more money than half of the known population. My father decided he would stay in Falls Village while he was recovering. The house was completely updated and redecorated within a day.

  Along with the changes in the decor, there was a change in my parents. They were still poised and slightly aloof most of the time, but there were small cracks in their masks I couldn’t see before. I wa
lked in on them making out. It was disgusting and sweet in the same breath. Then it became even more disturbing when mom tried to move away, and dad pulled her back to him, commenting at the same time he thinks I need a younger brother.

  Frances came over often, and my father seemed to develop a fledgling relationship with her. It was still very tense, but at least they were saying more than one word to each other. I’d call that a win.

  “I love the love, but do they have to do it around me? Can’t they kiss in their room?” I complained. Frances had come over to spend time together after her shift at the clinic, as she had every day.

  “Carson, your parents love each other. Honestly, would you like it if you could only kiss me when we were in the room?”

  I rolled over and looked at her sex stained cheeks. There was no way I’d be able to resist her all day long. “It’d never work.”

  “Exactly. That’s just a symptom of love.” She shrugged and pushed my hair back.

  “Are you diagnosing what I feel for you as love?”

  She stopped what she was doing in my hair and stared at me for a second. “Oh no, the fuck you won’t. There is no way you are getting me to do that. If you want to say you love me, Carson, you use your own words.” She sat up in the bed and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for me to respond.

  It wasn’t hard, I wasn’t unsure, but I didn’t know the perfect way to tell her. The look in her eyes told me I didn’t need it to be perfect. I just had to tell her. “Frances, I love all that you are. From the way you run through every door anxious to see what's on the other side, to the way you see everything in rainbows, even the way you challenge me. I love that you bring out the best of me, and you’re not afraid to see the worst of me. I love you, Frances Hoffman.”

  She smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around my neck, “Gosh, gold and green everywhere.”

  I laughed. “Not exactly the response I was hoping for.”

  “Gold is love. I love you too, Carson. No matter what.”

  I don’t know if deep down I was expecting her not to say it back, but the minute she did, I wanted nothing more than to be deep inside of her. She laughed and pushed me back on the bed, her mouth attacking mine before I could make my move. You know what they say about great minds.