“No,” Hunter stammered. “She can’t be.”
“Well Hunter, like it or not she is, and we’re going to open our arms to welcome her as part of this family,” Sylvie said brooking no argument.
Hunter sat down heavily. “Her mother tried to kill our father. How can you welcome her into this house?”
“That was her mother. You cannot punish the child for her mother’s misdeeds, Hunter,” Sylvie reasoned with him.
He refused to tell his parents that he had her investigated, knowing that his rush to judgment would only endear her to them that much more, but no matter what was written on that piece of paper, he refused to trust her.
“Dad we know nothing about her,” Hunter argued. “Just give her some money and send her on her way.”
His father frowned. “Hunter what’s going on with you? Why are you so dead set against this girl?”
What could Hunter say? That he was attracted to her and he wanted her, and that couldn’t happen if she was his sister? “I don’t trust her.”
Chapter 4
It had been several months since her meeting with the Trent's and two months ago, after Mya was laid off from the manufacturing plant due to lack of work, she lost her apartment. She did manage to find a job at the local fast food restaurant, but she only worked there three days a week. When she wasn’t there, she cleaned bathrooms at the bus terminal for two days, and was actively seeking another job to fill in the last two days of the week when she wasn’t working. The choice to move into the homeless shelter was the only option she had available to her right now, but she was very optimistic that it would be a temporary move. Every cent of her two paychecks was deposited her savings account, and when she saved enough money, her decision was to then move to a state where the jobless rate wasn’t so high.
Feeling a little melancholy, she lifted her face to the sky, thankful for the warmer weather. She had not heard from the Trents after her emotional outburst in their home, nor did she expect to. Although it never really began, that part of her life is over, and it was time to think about her future alone. If it were possible to feel two emotions at the same time, hers would be the regret that Henry Trent was not her father, and anger at her mother for the endless lies she told that nearly ruined Mya’s life. She convinced herself that it was better this way. If she did happened to be his child, the Trents would never fully trust her, namely because of her mother, and she would not accept any handout.
She went to her favorite spot in the park and sat on a bench, wanting to stay close to the homeless shelter so she would be able to find a bed for the night. The times that she was too late to get a bed, she would sit up in a chair without sleeping. Having serious trust issues, she usually kept to herself and never talked to anyone, and on the days that she didn’t work, she would go to the park and sit on her favorite bench reading an old newspaper or one of the paperback books she bought from the thrift shop. At least at work, she could wash up and change her clothing. Suddenly the sun hid behind the clouds, and a second later, Mya felt the first few drops of rain. Slipping her backpack over her shoulder, she ran to the closest shelter she would find, but by the time she got there, she was soaked through.
“Thank you for your help,” Hanna, her boss at the fast food restaurant, said.
“You’re welcome,” Mya’s said softly.
Hanna smiled. “I wish I could give you more hours.”
“That’s alright. I’m just thankful for the hours I do have.”
Hanna watched Mya closely. She didn’t look well at all today. Her skin was a pallid shade, dark circles were under her eyes, and she appeared to be having difficulty breathing. Anyone could see that the poor child needed some care immediately.
“Can I take you home?” Hanna asked, hating to see her walk anywhere in her present condition.
“No thank you, I just live up the street.”
“Okay Mya… then I guess I’ll see you in a couple days.”
Mya nodded and left the restaurant, and as she did, Hanna watched as she slowly made her way up the street. Other employees had told her that Mya lives at the shelter and sometimes she would get a room at the boardinghouse, although they wouldn’t have come by that information from Mya herself for she rarely talked. She just came in, did her job, and went home. Seriously concerned for her well-being, Hanna locked up, and discreetly followed her in a car from a distance. When Mya arrived at the homeless shelter, and went through the doors, Hanna shook her head and drove off.
Henry tossed the stack of contracts onto his desk and rose up from his chair. It has been a few months since Mya walked out of his house, and he was worried about his daughter. He needed to take care of her if she would allow it. He shook his head, unable to stop thinking about the things she had said at the house that day. If only Ione had told him about his daughter, Mya would not have gone through so much suffering at her mother’s hands, and the mere thought of what she had to endure broke his heart. He’d have given Ione anything she wanted. He just prayed that Mya was willing to accept his love and the life that she deserved. He let his family convince him to give her time, but it didn’t feel right then any more than it feels right now. Something was wrong and he knew it. The few times he drove past her apartment she wasn’t there, and when he finally did stop by to check on her, the property owner told him that she had moved out and he didn’t know where she had gone. Where she went didn’t matter. Henry just prayed that she was well.
Hunter watched as his father walked over to the large picture window in his office with his back to him. He couldn’t help noticing his father’s distraction, and even mom had been concerned about his father’s detachment. The problem was that his father had such a compassionate heart that he felt obligated to take care of everyone around him, and Hunter knew it bothered him that he allowed Mya to walk out that day.
Out of nowhere, Henry suddenly turned around to face him.
“Hunter, I want you use those resources you have to find Mya,” he ordered.
“Why Dad?”
“Because she’s my daughter and I’m worried about her.”
Hunter looked at his father and noticed the strain in his eyes. Ever since he found out that Mya was his daughter, his father always seems to be lost in deep thought. Hell, he even found himself thinking about her a time or two, but he knew that giving Mya space was the right thing to do rather than force a family on her. His father was ready to open up his arms, but he still had his doubts about her. He was not going to stand around and allow some schemer to hurt his parents no matter how innocent she may appear. He didn’t trust her, and if his father decided to include her in the family, he would definitely be watching her closely… and maybe even push this ridiculous attraction he had for her away.
“Dad, what’s bothering you?” Hunter asked. He knew his father wasn’t his usual self, and it had nothing to do with the stack of contracts he was going over.
“Hunter, I can’t stop thinking about Mya,” he said shaking his head. “She’s had a hard life son, and I guess that I’m feeling a bit guilty.”
“Guilty? Dad why should you feel guilty about something you knew nothing about?”
Henry shook his head. “I know I shouldn’t son, but I do. She didn’t choose to live the life her mother forced on her. She had no say in how her life played out. I feel guilty because not once when she was telling the story did she ask for anything. She just wanted to know who she was and where she was from. I guess I feel guilty because rather than preventing her from leaving, I let her go. I admit deep down that like you, I didn’t trust her. Like you, I thought about her mother, thinking that maybe she was the reincarnation of Ione Taylor.”
“Dad she made her choice,” Hunter concluded.
“I’m not so sure she did son.”
“Very well. What do you want me to do Dad?” Although he still had his doubts, Hunter was willing to do anything to get his father’s spirits back up.
“Find her Hunter. Find her and bri
ng her home.”
“Okay Dad, I will do my best.”
Henry smiled sadly. “I know you will son. You always do.”
“Yeah Colin?” Hunter said as he answered his cell.
“I found her,” Colin replied.
“Where?” Hunter asked, feeling strangely elated.
“Meet me at 471 Union Road.”
“Union Road? Isn’t that where the homeless shelter is located?”
“Yes, and come right away before she leaves. Damn it there she goes.”
“I’ll be right there,” Hunter said, ending their conversation.
When Hunter pulled onto Union Road, he saw Collin’s car and pulled up behind him. The two of them exited their vehicles and met on the sidewalk, and after brief greeting, Hunter spoke up.
“So where is she?”
“In the park,” Colin replied, gesturing towards the park across the street.
They walked to the park and found her sitting on a bench with her thin jacket pulled around her. Her head was down, and she appeared to be trembling even though the temperature today was well over seventy-five degrees. They approached her quietly, and Hunter could see her long reddish colored hair pulled back in a ponytail, with tendrils of curls framing her face. The collar of her jacket was turned up. When they were closer, Hunter called her name, and when her head rose slowly, he cursed. Her face was greyish, her eyes were sunken, and her cheekbones were terribly prominent.
Mya had to narrow her eyes to focus, but the recognition was instant.
“No!” She responded, shaking her head. She tried to rise, but her weakened state would not allow her to move quickly enough. She fell back against the bench panting.
Hunter rushed to her followed closely by Colin.
“What do you want?” She asked. Despite her objection to his presence, her tone was coarse and she labored hard to breathe.
“Mya you’re sick,” Hunter stated, stooping down in front of her. He pressed his hand to her forehead and Mya pulled away, while pushing his hand away.
“You’re burning up,” Hunter growled.
“I’m fine,” she rasped. Once again, she tried to rise to her feet. This time Hunter stood and backed up, giving her plenty of room.
“What do…?”
“My father wants to see you,” he interrupted.
“Why?” She asked, looking at him suspiciously.
Hunter didn’t reply. It was not his place to tell her that Henry Trent was her father.
“There’s no need,” she said grabbing her backpack. She turned and slowly staggered away, but after a couple steps, she fell to the ground.
Hunter and Colin rushed to her aide. Hunter lifted her in his arms and took off in great strides to his car. Colin followed behind him.
“Where are you taking her?” Colin asked.
“I’m taking her to the hospital. Call my father and tell him I am taking Mya to St. Vincent’s.”
Hunter paced the waiting room inside St. Vincent’s infirmary.
“Hunter!” He heard his father call out to him. He turned to greet both his parents.
“How is she?” His father asked. The concern in his voice was overwhelming.
“What happened?” His mother asked.
Hunter shook his head. “I don’t know Mom.”
“Where has she been?” His father asked.
Hunter led his parents to the waiting room.
“Son what’s going on?”
“I had Colin locate her, so he went to the apartment where she lived, and the neighbors said she moved out some months ago.”
“Where has he been living?” His mother asked.
“At the homeless shelter,” he answered.
“What! She’s been living in a homeless all this time? My God that poor child,” Sylvie said shaking her head.
“Wait, I thought she worked at a manufacturing plant?” Henry asked.
“She got laid off.”
“Mr. Mason,” the nurse said, speaking to Hunter as she entered the waiting room. “The doctor will be out in a minute.”
“Thank you.”
“Where did you find her Hunter?” His mother asked.
“She was sitting on a bench in the park.”
The doctor entered the waiting room. “Mr. Mason?”
“Yes doctor?” Hunter rose to his feet along with his parents.
“Are you related to Miss Taylor?” The doctor asked.
“She’s my daughter,” Henry replied. “How is she?”
“Not good, I’m sorry to say. She has a severe case of pneumonia. How long has she been sick?” The doctor asked.
“Will she recover?” Sylvie asked.
“Yes, but I want to keep her for a while. Can one of you admit her?”
“I’ll take care of it,” Hunter offered.
“May we see her?” Sylvie asked. The doctor smiled and nodded his head yes.
“Are you aware if she is allergic to penicillin?”
“Doctor I’ve just discovered that she’s my daughter. I don’t know much about her, but I want the best care for her.”
“And she will have it Mr. Trent. Please follow me.”
As Henry and Sylvie stood at the side of the bed looking down at her, Mya looked so frail.
“Her lungs are heavily congested Mr. and Mrs. Trent, and that’s why she’s temporarily under the tent. I placed her on a heavy antibiotics regimen, which should help tremendously.”
As she slowly came to, Mya’s eyes opened and darted around room. Frightened, and having no idea where she was or what had happened to her, she started to struggle.
“Mya!” The doctor called to her, holding her arm with the IV. He quickly turned to the Trents to alleviate any anxieties the two of them may have had at that moment. “She’s alright, just a little surprised by her surroundings. The nurse will give her medication so she can rest.”
Mya looked up at the strange man standing over her. Why was she in a plastic tent? Her eyes darted around the room, not knowing where she was, and she still had not noticed Henry and Sylvie standing beside the bed.
“Where am I?” She croaked.
“You’re in the hospital,” the doctor answered.
“Hospital?”
“Yes, and your parents are here,” the doctor informed her.
Mya looked at the couple and tears began to roll down the sides of her face.
Sylvie took her hand beneath the tent. “Everything is going to be alright now,” she said softly.
“No…”
“Mya listen to me,” Henry interrupted. “I am your father.”
“You don’t have to…,”
Mya stared at them as the tears trailed down her face, and then slowly closed her eyes.
For a week, Mya remained under heavy sedation, and each time she awakened, there was someone sitting in her room. Mr. Trent and his wife came in daily. Bryan, Trevor, and another young man that she later learned was Chance, the Trent's youngest son, also paid her a visit. Hunter however, never came. She was now able to sit up, her breathing was almost normal and free of pain, and the fever had broken. Now that she was healing, she had to decide what she was going to do. Her plan was to move to another place, where she could find a job. She sighed. Just because the tests proved that Mr. Trent was her father didn’t mean she would be in his life. For the time being, just knowing that she wasn’t alone in the world was enough to satisfy her. She skimmed through the newspaper she asked a nurse to bring her, and found two jobs. The better of the two was for a server on the late shift for a 24-hour restaurant that paid $8.00 plus tips, and that would work just fine. Now all she had to do was find a day job.
A couple days later, the doctor released Mya from the hospital. Her father and Sylvie insisted that she come home with them and that they would not take no for an answer. On the way to her new home, Sylvie told her how delightful it was for her to have a daughter and the fun they would have together, but tears instantly filled Mya’s eyes.
&n
bsp; “What is it honey?” Sylvie asked.
“No one has ever wanted me,” she stated softly.
Henry took her hand in his. “We want you. Had I known…” He couldn’t finish.
Minutes later, they parked in front of the mansion she would call home temporarily. Mya walked in between Mr. and Mrs. Trent to the large double doors, and followed them into the only room she had known in the house. Henry pushed open the doors, and Mya’s breath caught in her throat with her hands covering her mouth.
“Welcome home!” Her brothers shouted. Bryan, Trevor, and Chance stood there grinning at her. Hunter stood aside quietly watching, and when her eyes met his she quickly turned them away. She then did something that she rarely did; she smiled.
Mya looked at Mr. Trent and Sylvie. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers coming from the high ceiling, and the table was filled with food and a beautiful cake.
“Come on honey and sit, you still have to take it easy,” Sylvie said, helping her to the chair of honor.
“Welcome home sis,” Bryan said kissing her on the cheek. “By the way, are you older or younger?” He joked.
Mya smiled. “I’m older.”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter; you’re still my little sister because you’re so tiny.”
Trevor greeted her, as did Chance, with kisses on her cheek. Hunter didn’t move.
“Now boys don’t tire her out, she still recuperating,” their mother warned.
Mya sat listening to her family as they talked to each other. Sometimes even Hunter’s baritone voice joined in.
“Tell me about your company?” Mya asked. Henry smiled.
“We are architects and builders except for Chance; he’s a lawyer, the outsider,” her father joked.
“When I finish this year and pass the bar I will be the corporate law for Trent and Mason,” Chance boasted.
“Why do you want to know?” Hunter asked suspiciously.
That was the first time he had spoken to her since she arrived.
Just To Be Loved Page 5
