Page 105 of Fortune's Control
“She’ll be home tonight,” I said.
“Mother. I should have known you’d be involved in this. You tried to control me, and now you’re doing the same to my daughter. I gave up my life to keep her out of your claws, and now you’re digging in at the first chance you get.”
“Do you believe you did her a favor?” Evelyn put her thumbs through the belt loops of her pants, reminding me of an old-fashioned cowboy. “All you did was cause your daughter pain. Spend today with me, so we can get to know each other. You’re here, and that implies some level of care. Do it for your daughter, Sarah Jane.” She offered her hand.
Sarah Jane didn’t accept.
My turn. “I can’t figure out why, but your daughter loves you, and that makes you my responsibility.” I put my body between Sarah Jane and the glass door to prevent her easy exit. Evelyn smirked, noticing. “Lilah is on her way to the state capitol with my sister to deliver a presentation. It’s amazing, just like she is. Lilah will return home tonight, either giddy or miserable. If you want to see her, be ready for both options.” She opened her mouth to interrupt. “I am not done. You will be a positive influence. You will listen and support her. Do you understand this so far?”
“I listen,” she said.
“Listen, my ass. Assuming that is true, you will be a better mother than you were before. If you need lessons on how to do so, your own mother is next to you. Learn from her. When you arrive tonight, assuming I allow you into my home, you will ask her questions and listen to her answers. You will not interrupt. If you perform to my satisfaction, you may return. If you don’t, you’ll learn just how big an asshole I can be. Am I clear?”
“Mom.” Sarah Jane stuttered the word and tooka step back.
“That’s the response I hoped for—oh, and one final warning. I’d better believe your behavior tonight is sincere. If it’s not, we will have another talk, and it will be unpleasant. I married your daughter, and that will not change. So, welcome to the fucking family. Now, apologize to your mother, and try to repair whatever can be repaired. She deserves it, and maybe you do, too. Maybe there’s something in you worth saving.” I put my hat on and took my last sip of orange juice. The diner made it fresh every morning, so I refused to leave any in its glass. “Other than that, it’s terrific to meet you in person. “
“Sarah, honey, why don’t we find someplace to talk and catch up?” Evelyn placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulders.
“Jack, it’s time for us to go. I want fresh bass for dinner.”
“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked once we were outside.
“Wasting time when I promised my wife freshly grilled fish tonight? Yes, I kind of did.”
36-Lilah
Sophie moved from one slide to another. “As you can see, Fortune’s Creek’s long history presents several ways to grow its local economy and increase tourism. Since numbers leave me confused,” she started, and everyone in the room, besides me, tittered. “I’m giving the rest to Delilah Mayberry, who brought that part together.”
I shivered from the room’s sudden chill as my stomach dropped. The polite clapping drew me to the front of the room until I stared at a sea of men in matching gray business suits. Couldn’t they have inserted a blue or black one to mix it up a little? My cheeks burned, and I probably looked redder than a tomato.
Only a few short hours ago, Shane showered compliments all over me. He’d called me amazing and cheered on all my career plans. He gave me space to grow and figure it all out while making no demands of his own. I didn’t want to return home and tell him I had frozen up and blown this entire effort, and not because of his disappointment, but because Shane’s pride in my efforts wouldn’t change a bit.
“I always say the best part of numbers are found at the bottom line.” That corny joke drew another round of laughs. More confident, I continued in a stronger voice. “As you can see from the next slide…”
The rest of our presentation passed in a blur, with the three of us answering questions and sharing all our plans, until we found ourselves back in Sophie’s car, and on our way home to Fortune’s Creek.
“That was fantastic! You were amazing, Lilah.” Sophie gave a celebratory honk of the horn.
“You both were. That was worth giving up a date with my beloved fishing pole,” Sam said.
“We were all incredible,” I said. Sophie glanced at me in the rearview mirror, and our eyes met. “We’ll celebrate tonight.”
My mother hadn’t called or texted, which was fine with me. This was a party night, and misery didn’t belong.
“How long until we hear the results?” Sophie asked.
“Well, now, that’s the important question.” Sam took his beloved captain’s hat from where it sat on the dash and planted it on his head. “Not long. You’ll be the first to learn the results. That’s a promise.” He twisted in the front seat to face me. “If it comes through, I hope we can talk about your continued role. This effort needs someone to manage it, and I can’t imagine anyone better suited than you.”
My eyes bulged. “I look forward to it.” A restrained response, while I inwardly screamed.
*****
Sam asked us to take him home, claiming he needed an early bedtime to prepare for his newest fishing date. Sophie and I guessed he wanted to give the younger folk, as he called us, a chance to celebrate and drink tonight.
Sophie turned onto the long driveway, and a familiar truck followed behind. I rubbed my hands together, anticipating the rest of the night. We didn’t know if Fortune’s Creek had received the grant money yet, but the gray-suited men acted like we had. The tingle in me hadn’t faded, and for once, I trusted those instincts.
“You once mentioned managing this project if it happens. Are you bothered I might do it instead?” I wanted it, but this entire effort started with Sophie, and she deserved the chance if she wanted it.
