“All so conveniently timed.”
“Yes, now I realize how it was, but then I didn’t. I wasn’t ready to believe the only person who stood by me after Dad’s death would hurt me.” He had the good sense to lower his gaze, not wanting to see the disappointment in her eyes.
“It’s history, James, we can’t go back. What will you do now?”
“Well, first I’d like to invite you up to Hunter Mountain to meet Joey and Daniel. You should see him, Mom, what a kid. Joey did a great job.”
She smiled and laughed at his pride. “I know how you feel James. Watching you graduate from college, then law school, was all quite overwhelming.”
“You were there? I can’t believe I never saw you.”
“You weren’t meant to see me, nor was Benjamin. At that point I was still trying to hide from him, afraid if he knew where I was, he’d arrange another rest for me.”
“God, I hate that man so much right now, I don’t know how to vent it.”
“What sent you here, James?”
“Joey. She told me to come and see you, hear your side of things. Only then will she consider talking about us having a future, when all the ghosts are out of the closet.”
“Fresh start for all three of you sounds like a good idea. Do you really want the day-to-day life with her and your son or what you image it will be? I can tell you one thing for sure, James. I loved your father from the moment I met him until the day he died. I still love him with all my heart, but there were occasional times when I absolutely hated him with all my being for some of the more stupid things he did. And in all fairness, I drove him to similar feelings, but we worked through it because deep inside, we loved each other.”
“I remember how you and dad used to banter,” he said with a smile. “Growing up, it never seemed like you two were fighting.”
“Love that strong was enough to override any bad mood or stupid comment. Benjamin I wish the worst life can offer and, if possible, in his future lives too.” She paused and reached to pet the dog sitting beside her chair. “Maybe that’s how we all got cursed with him in this life. He pissed off other people in past lives and wound up here! I wish I could send him back to the beginning and give him a conscience to start with.”
“I doubt his body could handle one,” James said, the irony not lost in his voice.
“I used to dream those things. Now it takes too much energy to stay angry at Benjamin all the time. My best revenge was to find a life for myself and make it work. I’ve never once asked him for anything, James. That’s what made my life after the institution tolerable.” She got distracted with her own thoughts and James whispered her name. “Knowing I wouldn’t crawl back under any circumstances, that’s how I got by each day. Now we have to figure out how to get your family back without his interference.”
“We’re all of the same mind then.” He hesitated then pulled the folded envelope from his back pocket, slowly sliding it across toward Beverly. Gently she took it from him, pulling the photos out, staring at each one for a prolonged period, her lips curling into a smile before letting her eyes meet his.
“He’s you and your father and a bit of your JoAnna. And he’s definitely a Montgomery. He’s got pride and attitude.” Beverly told her son openly. “I’d love to be a fly on the wall in five or six years when he thinks he knows everything and you have to persuade him he doesn’t.” She sighed and flipped through the pictures again.
“Thanks, the kid already scares me with some of the stuff he comes out with.” James hesitated than added, “Joey had him tested last year, and he’s reading on a fifth grade level.”
“Said the proud papa?” Beverly teased her son, resting her hand on top of his. “What do you need from me?”
“Forgiveness and perspective. Tomorrow morning Joey and I have to walk into a court room and find a way to get Benjamin out of our lives permanently.”
“When was the last time you ate anything?” Beverly asked, starting to pull together the makings of breakfast. James didn’t answer, instead he sat at her table, looking at the photos Joey had sent, similar to the ones Danny had put together in his album, yet a bit different. He excused himself to the bathroom when she phoned to change plans. By the time he came back, she had bacon frying and eggs were being beaten.
It was too surreal a moment, and he pushed past her, using the sliding glass door to her back yard to escape, hoping air would fill his lungs. James was wiped. He was tired, both physically and mentally. Before Dr. Harris dropped his bomb he was already beat from working too hard, the only way he found to keep his mind centered. Any down time became painfully empty in too many ways. He realized at that moment he had no real friends anymore. There were plenty of acquaintances to socialize with when he was in the mood, but nobody he could count on.
Joey had been his best friend, and he’d lost her. He never tried to replace her with another woman or a man for company. Instead, he closed himself off to the world, defeated and beaten. Only now, he was realizing he was being given a second chance. James thought about the life Joey had managed to pull together. While he accepted Alan as her friend, he was much more comfortable around him since he started dating the woman from the bank. Pearl, who worked in her shop, was the grandmother of the group, while Joey was the youngest. Her friend Carol would scratch his eyes out if given the chance. She was Joey’s best friend and hated him for betraying her, even though apparently she’d never known the exact story, only that he’d hurt her friend and deserved a hard time.
In the back of his mind he knew what he would ultimately do, but to say the thought aloud was frightening. He wouldn’t make any more decisions until he had Daniel and Joey safely away from Benjamin. And now he felt the protective bond with his mother. He’d definitely keep Ben away from her. How he was going to manage any of it still remained a mystery.
Beverly was calling him in to eat. Spike the dog was still wary of him. When his stomach was full and the table cleared, Beverly suggested they take a walk with Spike for fresh air. The complex was reasonably new and kept up. Lawns were maintained and there was an easy feel about the place. People drove their golf carts from the course to their front door. Some waved, some said hello, and others just watched him carefully, trying to figure out who he was.
“Will it help if I come back to New York with you?”
“I don’t know, but to be honest I didn’t have the guts to ask. I mean, after everything that’s happened, to ask you to confront Benjamin again with no warning,” he glanced ahead and let out a sigh. “I’m leaving my job at the company obviously. I’ve already started turning over projects to the juniors and haven’t taken on anything new.” He took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly, accepting the decisions he’d made, saying them aloud for the first time. “I’ve efficiently ended my relationship with the company as of tomorrow morning. The board will find my resignation waiting for them, my desk and conscience are clear. I’ve rented a condo at Hunter so I’ll have a place to stay when I’m there. Plenty of room, two bedrooms and two baths.”
“Daniel should have his own room in your place.”
“Daniel and I should be living with Joey as a family!”
“Well, if you play your cards right, it may happen one day, or some reasonable version of it. She hasn’t married?”
“No. And apparently other than a few friends from church, hasn’t socialized much in the last years. I guess being in love with me turned her off to men in general.”
“So at least she’s single. It’s not like you’d be breaking up a marriage to be with her.”
“No. But I’m not sure she wants me around full time.”
“She probably doesn’t know what your plans are. Have you thought about how being with your son will change your everyday life? Are you ready to be a full time father? I’m asking only because Daniel will see you as that, and expect it to be full time unless you and Joey make it clear you’re a weekend dad right from the start. You say he’s a smart kid. He’s p
robably already thought about it in his own way, just hasn’t verbalized it to you yet.”
“I want to be a full time father, and I don’t want to think about the rest of my days without both of them beside me.”
“Then I’d better make a few phone calls and pack a bag. Can you get me a seat on your flight back?”
“I think that could be arranged. I used Ben’s to come down over night. And we can take Spike too. That will really piss him off, finding out we had the audacity to take a dog on his precious plane.” They both laughed and decided a small revenge was acceptable.
“All right, let’s make this happen. I’d like to meet my grandson and your Joey. And if it’s all right with you, I’d like to spend some time with all of you.”
“I couldn’t ask after…after abandoning you without question, but I was hoping you’d offer to come back, even if just temporarily.”
“I live and work here now. I have a job I like, my home is comfortable and I have friends I enjoy spending time with. It’s the closest I’ve come to feeling like I was in a real home since your father passed.”
“You could come up a few times a year, and we could fly down occasionally.”
“We’ll work something out, James. First things first, let’s take care of Benjamin Montgomery once and for all. Then we’ll worry about visits and all the rest.” As they approached her home, she paused. “Your Joey might not like having me around.”
“You’ve not met my Joey. She was the one who put me on the plane last night with the photos and a mission. Get my act together before I go back and attempt a life with her and Daniel.”
“She sounds like a smart lady. Come on in. I’ll use the phone in the bedroom while I pack, and you can make your arrangements about the plane.” She paused in the hallway and added, “I suspect JoAnna is probably pretty nervous right about now, wondering how your encounter with me went. Why not let her know you’re bringing company home?”
“Same thing I was thinking. Bring warm clothes, Mom. Whatever you don’t have we’ll get you up there. Remember it’s March in the mountains. There’s still snow on the ground.”
“I’ll see what I can come up with. Just relax, give me an hour and I’ll be ready to go.”
“I’ll call the pilots and Joey.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and started making calls.
JoAnna let Daniel answer the door, knowing it was James and his mother. She wasn’t sure what to expect, only she’d try to make her feel welcome. When he’d reached her earlier, relief flooded through her at the sound of his voice, his calm and relieved tone. Letting a pot roast simmer all afternoon had the apartment smelling like home. She’d baked an apple pie and fresh yeast rolls to serve with the roast and herb noodles.
Joey had explained to Daniel that James was coming home and was bringing a guest. JoAnna had sat him down in the afternoon and talked openly with her son. He had a few questions, like was James always going to be around? She’d answered truthfully that she just didn’t know. All he had to remember was she’d always be there for him. And above all else, he was to steer clear of Benjamin Montgomery until further notice. She’d explained until there were some ground rules in place there’d be no other visits. He didn’t seem upset at the loss so she let it drop.
“They’re here, Mom,” he hollered across the apartment, his voice echoing in the high ceiling. The stereo was on low in the background, Henry Mancini seeming like a good choice for a cold, snowy night when meeting your almost mother in-law. JoAnna watched as he pulled open the door, ready to launch himself into James’ arms. She came from the kitchen area, wiping her hands on a towel and watching the whole thing.
Poor Daniel. He’d gotten two steps away from his father and realized there was another diversion. Not the adult woman standing beside him, but the small dog on the leash she held. He skidded to a halt and looked from the dog to James and then back to the dog. James knelt down and pulled Danny into his arms.
“You came back with a dog…and a lady,” he said, wrapping his arm around his father’s neck as James stood, taking Daniel with him.
“Daniel, this is my mother, Beverly Montgomery.” There was a long pause before he acknowledged her.
“Hi, is he your dog? Can I pet him? I won’t hurt him, really. I’ve held kittens and chicks up on the farm and haven’t squished any yet.”
“Hello, Daniel.” JoAnna watched her pull back an emotional sob. “Yes, you may play with him gently, but you have to remember he’s kind of old in dog years. His name’s Spike.”
Squirming from James’ arm, he knelt down before the animal, reaching his hand slowly toward him. “You got to let them smell you before you try to touch them, that’s what Uncle Henry says.” Spike appropriately sniffed Daniel’s hand and accepted his pet to the head.
JoAnna moved forward, reaching toward Beverly. “Hi, I’m JoAnna, please come in. Danny, why not take Spike into the living room? Can you take off his leash too, please? Why not get him a bowl of water? Use the green one under the cabinet by the mixer and put it near the back door.”
With a mission to accomplish he disappeared. “Sure, come on Spike, we’re going this way.”
“So much for anticipation,” James said, relaxing beside his mother. Joey laughed and lifted up on her toes slightly to kiss his cheek.
“Welcome home, James. Beverly, why not come in and get warm. We’ll get you settled in the guest room and have something to drink. Supper’s almost ready.”
“Joey, Mom’s going to stay at the condo with me for a few days.”
“All right. But let me show you to the room anyway. You must want to freshen up after the day I can only imagine you’ve had.” Joey took the classic camel hair coat from Beverly and continued on. “James, there’s wine in the fridge to be opened if you’re in the mood. Coffee’s ready if you’d prefer that. I’ll get Mrs. Montgomery settled and be right back.”
“Please, call me Beverly. Mrs. Montgomery makes me sound old like Ben.”
There, JoAnna thought. She’s given me an opening.
“I don’t know how much James had a chance to talk to you about.” Continuing down the hallway, she drew Beverly into the guest room, where fresh linens and flowers welcomed her. She pushed open the door to the Jack and Jill bath it shared with Danny and apologized for the dinosaurs and foam football in the bathtub.
“Not a problem,” Beverly said easily. “I raised James until he was sixteen.”
“I’m sorry. Nothing I’m saying is coming out quite right.”
“Then let’s be blunt, dear. James refers to you as Joey. Do you mind that or prefer JoAnna?”
“Either is fine. James is the only one who ever called me Joey. After that, it just stuck.”
“Fine, but let’s get something straight right now. I’m here because apparently you had the presence of mind to want James to have a settled future. For that I sincerely appreciate your efforts. And I’m here to be a thorn in Benjamin’s side!”
JoAnna kept a straight face for about three seconds before bursting out laughing. “Welcome to our home, Beverly. Why not freshen up and come inside. Wine or coffee?”
“Wine, definitely.”
JoAnna turned to give her privacy when she spoke.
“Joey, I saw you together at his graduation from law school.”
“You were there?”
“Yes, hiding in plain sight, you might say. If you two still have any degree of feeling left for each other like I witnessed that day, you both deserve a chance at happiness.”
“We’re working on it, Beverly. Maybe with your help, it will become a reality.”
“I’ll be right out. I just wanted you to know you don’t have to watch your words around me. Benjamin will always be a bitter old man to me, so feel free to rant and vent. If you do, then I can too!”
“Having you for a mother-in-law might not be so bad,” JoAnna said, leaving her alone.
In the hall way she wondered how she got so lucky. Beverly was obviou
sly on cloud nine about James finding her and even though she was a bit held back, she seemed to watch Daniel with a slight smile on her lips. What she saw next made her heart melt.
On the floor in the living room, James was sitting with his back against the sofa, his long, denim clad legs under the table. Across from him, Daniel sat in deep concentration over his next chess move. His left hand held his chin while his right lightly stroked Spike’s ears. It was a scene out of a movie. In real life, did these kinds of moments really happen? Beverly approached from behind, having fixed her makeup and wind blown hair.
Glancing over JoAnna’s shoulder she whispered, “What a sight.”
“One I never though to see.”
“ Your roast smells wonderful. Come, I’ll give you a hand in the kitchen and we can dish about life.” Taking JoAnna’s arm, they walked into the kitchen, within sight, but out of hearing range of the two chess players. Beverly poured wine into two glasses and offered to help. JoAnna motioned her to sit at the table, telling her everything was on automatic until the timer went off.
“I can only imagine how you felt when James turned up at your doorstep this morning. Something along the lines of having Dr. Harris show up here at the first of the year.”
“James has given me a basic outline of events.” Beverly sipped from her glass. “Maybe if I’d been stronger, fought Ben harder.” Shaking herself, she straightened her posture. “I know, we can’t go back, and it’s pointless to dwell on it. What we all have to do is figure out how to protect Daniel.”
“And now you, too. Coming back here has exposed you to him again.”
“I’m sure he knew where I was all along, or at least the last few years. As long as I didn’t rock the boat, he left me alone, small potatoes and all that.”
“But you’re not small potatoes. You’re a living, breathing woman who was wronged by him. He’ll go after you just for hell of it all.”
“He can try, but he’s getting older, and I’m in my prime. Between the three of us, I think we’ll make a very impressive display of resistance tomorrow. Daniel is wonderful, Joey, and the apartment feels like a real home. You’ve done well by yourself.”
Deceptions Revealed (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 17
