48. Chapter 48
forty-eight
Osterville, Barnstable, Massachusetts
This had been the most pleasant visit Chris had ever had with his father. George Sullens was like an entirely different person. No, he was like the father Chris remembered growing up, before they’d lost his mom.
To think about it now as an adult and at this stage of his life, Chris realized losing Mom had affected his dad in a way he hadn’t comprehended before. He wished Dad had allowed them to grieve together, and maybe they wouldn’t have wasted two decades avoiding each other.
Sitting at the breakfast table with Dad and Rosemary, Chris watched as his dad took a pillbox out of his pocket, slid three pills out, and showed them.
“I told you I’ve been in therapy weekly for a year now, and my doctor prescribed me this.” He took it with some water. “It took several trials and dosage adjustments, but I’ve never felt this light. As if a weight has been lifted off my heart. I buried myself in work all these years, thinking it’d pass. Instead, it festered. I wish I had listened to my mother then, but I was too proud to admit I needed help.”
Chris nodded, taking in his dad’s story. George said the other two were for blood pressure and a low-dose aspirin .
“For someone my age, I’m lucky I only take three pills daily. You should see my friends. Some of them are carrying a pharmacy.” George laughed.
Rosemary smiled as she listened to his father. Chris watched the interaction between her and his father and wondered if something was going on.
When did Rosemary start sharing meals with Dad?
For all he knew, Rosemary had always respected the boundaries between an employer and an employee. And Dad had had no interest in other women since mom had passed. But he supposed when people shared living space for a long time, they might develop a bond that hadn’t been there before.
Like him and Rowan.
Chris felt the bond. He thought she’d felt the same. He couldn’t be that wrong, could he?
“You look like you have a lot on your mind, son,” George said.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Rosemary stood and gathered the empty dishes.
“Please, stay, Rosemary,” Chris asked. “I need to know something.”
Rosemary curiously sat back down.
“Do you have something to do with my father starting therapy?” Chris asked.
“I might’ve suggested it,” Rosemary confirmed. “When my Thomas passed four years ago, I was devastated. He was my world, you know. We weren’t blessed with children, but I never regretted it. I cherished my life with Thomas. So I had a hard time dealing with my loss. My friends suggested a widow/widower support group. It helped to share my grief with people who understand it.”
“Last spring, I came here to escape because I couldn’t stand being in the city anymore with all its demands. One day, I asked Rosemary where she was going. She asked me to join her. It led to me staying here, figuring out what I had repressed for years. However, seeing my depression was more acute. They referred me to my psychiatrist,” George finished.
“That’s fascinating.” Chris almost couldn’t believe it. “I’m so glad for you, Dad.”
But Chris had another question. “And when did you start sleeping together? ”
The old dad would’ve roared at him. This finally happy-again dad grinned sheepishly as he covered the blushing Rosemary’s hand on the table.
“How did you figure that out?” George asked
Chris scoffed. “I see that magic blue pill left in the box.”
George guffawed. “The cat’s out of the bag.”
“Please.” Chris rolled his eyes at the beaming older couple. “Like I can’t see the secret glances, subtle touches, and the disappearing acts. You kids might think you’re discreet, but I have spidey senses.”
And I’ve just done the same thing in the past week.
“We might as well tell him.” George smiled at Rosemary before turning back to Chris. “This past year, Rosemary has shown me there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been in the dark for far too long, son. We bonded over our losses, and she reminded me there was still time to live and love.
“She brought light back into my life. Though I’m sorry I couldn’t find this light by myself, so I could be a better father for you when you were younger…” George trailed off.
“I’m just glad you’re happier, Dad,” Chris assured him.
They couldn’t go back in time, but he’d be damned if he didn’t embrace his dad now.
“I am happy. And now that you’ve agreed to take your place in The Sullens, I’ll retire as soon as possible because I can’t wait to start my life with Rosemary.” George looked at Rosemary’s face with adoration. “We are getting married.”
Chris had to pick up his jaw from the table. The news shouldn’t have shocked him, but it did. And the funny thing was, he didn’t question it at all. Not after the two weeks he had where he fell in love in no time at all.
Chris stood to hug Rosemary and his father, congratulating them on their newfound love and companionship. If they could find love at this later stage in life, maybe he shouldn’t give up on himself just yet.
“This calls for a celebration. Should we pop a bottle of champagne, Ro?” George asked.
“At nine in the morning?” Rosemary laughed.
“What did you just call her?” Chris did a double-take and stared at his dad.
“It’s just your father’s little nickname for me. Is something wrong with that?” Rosemary said, looking concerned .
“No.” Chris laughed at himself. “It’s just I also call Rowan Ro sometimes.”
“This is the friend you were helping in Maine?” Rosemary asked.
“I think she’s more than a friend, isn’t she, son?” George said.
“I don’t know. I’m technically engaged to her.” Chris suddenly couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about Rowan.
Rosemary gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth in delighted shock.
“Well, technically, because she has Mom’s ring,” Chris started.
“You gave her Mom’s ring?” His dad’s eyes went overly sharp at the reminder of the wife he’d lost, and for a second, Chris feared he’d digress. Instead, George said, “You must be serious. You better tell us why this young woman isn’t here with you now.”
“Brace yourself for a wild ride.” Chris poured more coffee into his cup. “It started as a simple favor for Dean’s wife and became anything but.”