Page 110 of Free to Believe
“Then talk to her after she’s lifted her no-communications ban, Jake. Jenna can’t read your mind. Tell her what your feeling and why you’re so concerned.”
“It’s completely irrational—”
I cut him off. “No, it’s not.” Taking a deep breath, I admit, “I still have panic attacks every time I’m in traffic.”
“Damn, baby. What does Sam say about that?” Now his concern has transferred to me.
“That once I’m home and driving again, it will ease up some. It’s part of being out of control.”
He thinks about that. “It makes a lot of sense.”
“What? Feeling the way you do about Jenna?”
“No, what you’re still dealing with. All the travel, new cities where people drive recklessly, and you weren’t driving when you were in the accident, Em,” he concludes softly.
“Worry about fixing things with your daughter,” I advise him.
“I’m in a perpetual state of worry about fixing both of my women. I’m used to it,” he retorts.
Okay, it wasn’t the Atlanta heat that just melted my heart. It’s the man on the other end of the phone. “I have to go soon,” I say regrettably. “Tell me something that made you happy today.” It’s how we end each call now.
“Jenna submitted her final application for college, so I’m not going to go into the poorhouse anytime soon.”
“Like that was going to happen.” My voice is full of derision. Shortly after New York, Jake admitted to me he helped cowrite some of Brendan’s songs. He wasn’t just a musical genius who could seduce me by opening his mouth, his brain allowed him to secure an excellent future for his daughter while still allowing her to grow up comfortably.
“Tell me something that made you believe today, Em.” His husky voice comes back at me.
I don’t have to think. “A bridal party came in today. The bride wanted high-end design but has a sister whose measurements don’t conform with the rest of the party. They all fell in love with ‘The Lynne.’ I was meant to be there with you all, to design that dress.”
“Yeah, you were.” The deeper register of his voice tells me my words mean so much to him. “Where are you off to next?”
“Tomorrow, I fly home for Thanksgiving. Then…” I hesitate. “What would you think if I flew up to see you and Jenna for a quick visit before I head to Toronto?”
“I think you just found the perfect way to end this call. Go back to work, sweetheart. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Night, Jake.”
“Night, honey.”
I disconnect the call before heading back in.
68
Jake
Iam officially a mess. Em’s plane is an hour late due to high winds. I’m pacing the waiting area at Memorial Airport waiting for her flight from JFK to land so I can hold her in my arms for the first time since New York.
“Dad, will you calm down? Everything is going to be fine.” Jenna is completely over me losing my cool.
“I just want her to get here safely,” I mutter.
Standing, she walks over and plants her hands on my chest before shoving me in a chair. “Calm down before we have to call someone to give you a pill or something. Jesus. It’s not like she’s never been here before.”
While that’s true, it’s so different. This is a new beginning with the woman I’ve visited in my dreams every night since we’ve been apart. This is the woman whose forgiveness has made me become a better father and a better man. This is the woman who showed me that the storm of the ocean felt so right because she was on the other side, that music was worth making because she couldn’t make her own, and that love was worth any risk. As long as it was with her.
This is Emily.
I’m about to open my mouth when I hear something over the PA system. “Flight 5921 arriving from JFK operated by Cape Air has now landed. As soon as the plane has a spot to park, the passengers will be able to disembark.”
