Page 100 of Fortune's Control
“You decide on a particular action, convinced of your cleverness, and then you spend years doubting yourself. I often wondered about my own choices. Should I have stayed quiet about the wedding ring to keep her close? I knew you lived in Atlanta, so maybe a surprise visit would have mattered. Most of the time, a person lives with consequences they never see coming. It took a while, but I found you today, and isn’t that a lovely consequence? That’s the end of my story. Whatever happens next, you’d know better than I.”
She patted my hand while Shane squirmed beside me.
“She’s still in Atlanta. We moved a lot when I was young, when the rent check bounced.” What to say next? After this reunion, it felt wrong to tell her all my wretched stories. Sarah Jane wasn’t a perfect mother, but she was Evelyn’s daughter, and I didn’t want to destroy whatever little chance remained of their reunion. “She struggled, like many single parents, but we managed.”
“How is she? Is she healthy? Safe?” Evelyn asked once our food was delivered.
My desperation for information blinded me to how much Evelyn needed her own. She provided for me without once demanding any answers. “She’s healthy and safe. Her current beau, George, planned a cruise for them. She knows I’m here, and we spoke…two weeks ago. She works for a bank and has been promoted a few times.”
“Does she know about the two of you?” Evelyn waved a finger between us.
“Yes, I delivered the news two weeks ago,” Shane said.
“Did she visit during those two weeks?” Evelyn leaned back in her chair and flashed knowing eyes. “I’m old, and sometimes old people are stuck in their ways, and other times, they get stuck and sink lower. For now, let’s eat and enjoy each other’s company. Shall we do that?”
I grinned. “I would love that.”
“Once we’re done, we can decide what to doabout Sarah Jane.”
“Could you come to dinner tonight or tomorrow?” I blurted the question without considering Shane first.
“Or both?” he followed up.
She pointed a fork at him. “Now, that’s a good follow-up.”
34-Lilah
“Thank you for the update, Mr. McCormick. Have a lovely evening.”
I ended the call and planted both palms on my forehead.
“Is that a positive sign, or should I worry?” Shane asked. He started the dishwasher before working on the countertops. “The kitchen is almost clean.”
“Thank you for doing it. It’s my turn next.”
“A call from the lawyer is worth it.”
Mr. McCormick returned my message yesterday and provided a follow-up today. “Can you imagine calling so late at night? What are his work hours like?” I shuddered.
“It speaks to his dedication to his clients.”
“I hope that bodes well for Wilson Skane. He requested police records regarding the two cases we found, as well as my interviews with the police. I offered to be a defense witness.”
“I’m proud of you.”
Shane’s compliment settled over me. “I’m ready to call my mother now. I considered a longer delay, maybe after the big presentation, or once…I don’t know.”
We hosted dinner again tonight and invited my grandmother over. Jack and Sam Taggert joined in this time, and our simple meal turned into an impromptu dinner party.
“Emma plans another visit soon.”
Shane didn’t react to that statement, as mentioning my mother was explanation enough. “You know she’s welcome to visit whenever you want. This house has gone from empty to full.”
“I can’t tell if you’re disappointed.”
“Disappointed? No.” Shane flashed a big grin to prove it. “It’s like it used to be around here. Why don’t you head to the sitting room, and I’ll bring you tea.”
“You spoil me.”
