Page 8 of Chasing Hope

‘Sorry what? Someone went to great lengths to pin the bastard. Who—’

‘Hope clicked these pictures.’ Brian’s voice rose. Ethan’s chuckle died in his throat. He slowly got to his feet and clenched his hand on the railing. His eyes burned as they stayed put on the sparkling sea below. ‘I swear Ethan, this daughter of mine has taken ten years off my life after last night. You should have seen the state in which she got back home. It was 4am when she and her friends dragged their feet home. With Himesh’s goons in their wake.’ Ethan’s eye twitched as Brian fumed and denounced Hope for her lack of sensibility. Brian was out of breath by the time he narrated the complete story. ‘This stubborn girl is going to get herself in deep trouble if she doesn’t mend her ways. What if Himesh had harmed these girls? I’m scared for her, Ethan. Hope is taking too many unnecessary risks. She now has an unhealthy obsession with the “masked vigilante”.’ Ethan’s heart crashed against his chest just like the waves below crashed into the rocks. ‘Hope said she has to prove a point to a certain someone who thinks she doesn't have it in her to be a serious reporter.’ Annoyance spread like wildfire within him. That silly chit. The previous showdown they had came to mind. What did she think she would gain out of venting her spleen in this fashion? ‘You have got to speak with her, Ethan. Drill some sense—’

Ethan barked a bitter laugh. ‘That’s a good one Brian. And what makes you think she is going to reason with me? There is no one she hates more than me…oh, maybe Himesh, but I come in a close second.’

‘Son, but—’

‘Come on, Brian, she already feels you're biased towards me. So much so that she says I’m your first child. She is not going to take it well.’

‘Son, you know how protective I am of her. She is my only child. I need you to look out for her.’ Ethan rubbed the back of his neck where a nagging pain had settled. Although Ethan had been in association with Hope only for the last year, he knew everything there was to know about her life through Brian. Hope was born to Sheela after twelve years of their marriage. Brian did not lose hope and they continued to try for a child through numerous expensive treatments. Hope – the name was befitting of the circumstances under which she came into this world.

Brian called out to him again and Ethan tunnelled his way out of his thoughts. ‘Brian, let me get this straight. You are assigning me with the task of “chasing Hope” to God knows where? You know better than anyone how fiercely independent Hope is. If she even has the slightest inkling that you have appointed me as her keeper, you will have hell to pay.’ Ethan gruffed a humourless laugh. ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

A defeated sigh came through the speaker. Ethan shut his eyes and inhaled the sweet rose-perfumed air. He needed to prepare his heart for the shocks it was sure to face in the coming days. Because knowing himself, he would do anything for Brian. Even if it meant chasing his impish daughter all through town at ungodly hours. Nothing was ever simple with Hope. It was a good thing that he hardly slept at night. His heart already rebelled as it drummed inside his chest.

‘Son, you have to set right your indifferences. It can’t continue this way. I met with my lawyer yesterday, and after my retirement, First Up News will be yours and Hope’s. You two will be equal partners. I will share the news with Hope when the time is right. In the meantime this stays just between the two of us.’ Ethan rocked back. His breath froze in his lungs.

‘Brian, you can’t be serious. I can’t possibly—’ For the first time in a very long time, Ethan was at a loss for words.

‘Son, there is no one I trust more in this world than you. And of course Hope,’ he added in quick succession. Ethan didn’t know what to make of this. Brian had broken the news to him without a warning and Ethan had yet to wrap his brain around it.

‘Brian, I—’

‘Son, you don’t need to make the decision right away. God willing I will be around for many more years to come,’ he chortled.

Ethan did not see the humour in this. Brian was like a father to him, although Ethan’s father was still alive. To Ethan, his father died the day Ethan held his mother’s bleeding body in his arms. That fitful day when his fourteen-year-old self wept and screamed at the gates of the church begging God to bring back his mother. That was the day Ethan lost faith in everything good and holy. As far as his father was concerned, Ethan was numb. He no longer had any feelings for him, not even hate. On the other hand, the undying love of his grandparents saved Ethan from drowning in the depths of misery. Ethan missed his grandpa every single day. Matthew was a self-made man. He toughened Ethan up and showed him that there was nothing one couldn’t achieve if they put their mind, heart and soul into it. In those tormenting times, no matter how hard Ethan tried to shove Aarav away, the stubborn goat refused to budge. Ethan loved him like a brother. And Aarav had given him the most precious gift in life – Phoenix. Ethan woke up each day grateful that he had these handful of people – and a dog – who would stand by him come hell or high water. They were his entire world.

***

‘Is this your Sunday best?’ Martha said, with a shake of her head.

Ethan looked down at his white Jordans, faded blue jeans and black Ralph Lauren t-shirt. He lifted a broad shoulder and dropped it in a careless shrug. ‘Cut me some slack will you. I’m dressed in formals six days a week.’

Martha dragged in a deep breath and drew her olive wood rosary beads close to her heart. Ethan sighted the sign of the cross and his eyes went hard. Martha closed her eyes, whispered a prayer and placed the beads on her bible resting on the side table. She eased out of her chair and ran her hands over the invisible wrinkles on her tan-coloured slacks. Her hair was combed back from her face into a neat chignon. Hesitation marred her grey eyes as she nervously tugged at the collar of her pastel-pink top.

Ethan approached her and tugged her soft palms in his hands. ‘What’s the matter, Grandma? Why are you looking so worried?’ Martha’s gaze met his and Ethan's breath hitched as he took notice of the flash of sorrow in them.

‘This is the first time I’m hosting a lunch for my church friends without my Matthew,’ Martha whispered as tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘I miss him every day.’

‘I miss him too.’ Ethan enveloped her in a hug and they stayed that way for a long time. The ever-familiar scent of jasmine floated through his nostrils. Ethan had to hand it to his grandparents; out of bitterness towards God and everyone, Ethan gave his grandparents hell growing up. But they never gave up on him. In fact, they taught him to let go of the bitterness and to learn to live again. Ethan pulled back and his dimples winked at Martha. ‘I’m sure your new friends will love you. ‘Cause, come on, what’s not to love?’ Ethan bent low to kiss her soft cheek.

‘Thank you, son, for agreeing to host the party at your place. I appreciate you helping me.’

‘Hello, aren't you forgetting something? I’m the one who suggested we host a barbecue,’ Aarav butted in, sounding miffed. He clumped towards them doing a great balancing act. He had a tray full of patties in one hand, a pack of soft drinks in the other and a humongous bag of buns clamped between his teeth. The circus would have been a better fit for him. Even there he would be working alongside animals. Ethan grinned at his own silly joke. ‘Aren't you supposed to be helping?’ Aarav unclamped his teeth and the bag of chips landed on the white leather couch.

‘Jesus Christ, man, Phoenix has more etiquette than you.’

‘Ethan, do not use the Lord's name in vain,’ Martha scolded.

‘Sorry.’ Even though Ethan believed otherwise, he kept his mouth shut. After a really long time, Martha was excited about something, and Ethan did not wish to dampen her mood. Martha’s faith in God was stronger than the Great Wall of China. Aarav ripped open the chips packet and, right on cue, Phoenix barged out of his room and skidded to a halt in front of Martha. He tipped his head up and blinked at her innocently.

Martha shifted her gaze to Phoenix and her mouth curved into a smile. The laughter lines around her mouth curved deeply. ‘Oh my sweet boy. You look so fresh and tidy. How was your visit to the spa?’ She bent low to pet him. Phoenix acknowledged her affection with happy barks. ‘I have a surprise for you. Come.’ Phoenix’s ears sprang up at the word ‘surprise’. They trooped towards the breakfast nook and Martha pulled out a box of treats she had especially ordered for Phoenix from the overhead cabinet. ‘You, my sweet boy, deserve a treat.’ The devil dog slid a sideways glance at Ethan and smirked. Ethan put on a stern expression that had no effect whatsoever on Phoenix. He wagged his tail and licked Martha’s face. Martha hugged him and laughed. His grandmother’s heart stored more love in it than the Pacific Ocean had water. Martha touched the cross on her chain and the wealth of compassion in her eyes held him hostage.

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’

Her words resonated through his being.

Life, eternal or otherwise, meant nothing to him.

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