Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Henry
Picking up my phone from my desk, I dialed Frankie.
“Hey, bro.”
“Hey, Frankie. Ellie told me she’s coming to see you today.”
“Yeah. She is. We’re going over my website design, and she’s bringing in some of her artwork. Why?”
“Just remember she can’t hear you, so you need to look directly at her when speaking. Also, don’t talk fast.”
“I know, Henry. I have a notepad ready just in case.”
“Good idea. By the way, don’t mention Kirsten. I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet.”
“Seriously, bro? That should have been the first thing you told her.”
“I know, and I’m going to.”
“You better do it soon,” he said.
“Listen, I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to visit my dad in the hospital.”
“Okay. I’ll call you later, bro.”
I ended the call, grabbed my suitcoat, and walked out of my office.
“June, I’m heading over to the hospital to see my dad. I’ll be back.”
“Okay, Henry. Tell him we’re thinking about him.”
I gave her a small smile as I left the building and climbed into the back of the limo. When I walked into his room, my mother looked up from the magazine she was reading and then looked back down.
“Hi, Dad,” I said as I approached his bedside. “How are you feeling?”
“Like shit. How are things at the office?”
“Good. You don’t need to worry about the office.”
“Well, I am worried. I always worry.”
“Which is why you had a heart attack, Carlyle. Henry can handle things. At least for now.” My mother glared at me. “Henry, can I speak to you out in the hall?”
“Sure, Mom.”
I followed her out into the hallway, and she stood there with her arms folded.
“I want you at my house tonight at six-thirty and don’t even think about telling me you have plans. You are to be there, or else.” She pointed her finger at me.
Tucking my hand in my pants pocket, I slowly shook my head as she turned around and walked back into the room. I didn’t have a choice. This situation needed to be discussed, and it was better just to get it over with tonight so I could move on.
As I walked out of the hospital, I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent Ellie a text message.
“Hello, beautiful. I’m sorry, but I can’t see you tonight. I was just at the hospital visiting my dad, and my mother needs me to come over tonight.”
“Hi. It’s okay. I totally understand. Family comes first.”
“Again, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow night. Are you free?”
“I am.”
“Excellent. I’ll text you later.”
I took in a deep, solid breath as I placed my hand on the door handle of my parents’ townhome. Stepping inside, I walked up the stairs to the living room, where I knew my mother would be waiting for me. Just as I suspected, she was sitting in my father’s favorite winged-back chair, holding a glass of wine in her hand.
“Pour yourself a drink, Henry,” she said when I entered the room.
Stepping over to the bar, I poured myself a double scotch.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? The embarrassment you’ve caused this family?”
“Why? Because I’m not in love with Kirsten?” I asked as I took a seat on the couch.
“You were until you met that deaf woman,” she scowled.
“First of all, her name is Ellie Scott, and second, I never loved Kirsten. I only asked her to marry me because of you and Dad. You have no business telling me who I can and cannot see.” I pointed at her.
She brought the glass up to her lips and took a sip of wine.
“Don’t be a fool. She is a remarkable woman.”
“Then why the hell don’t you marry her?!” I shouted.
“Watch your tone with me, Henry!” she spoke through gritted teeth. “People are already talking about you and this family. Rumors are being started all over the country club.”
“Of course, they are because those snob-ass people have nothing better to do with their lives than to gossip about everyone else! It’s what they live for.”
“That is enough!” she shouted at me. “Your father and I are so disappointed in you.”
“Why, Mother? Because graduating at the top of my class at Yale, running the company with Dad, and doing exactly what you’ve both told me to do my entire life isn’t enough? I don’t love Kirsten. I’m not in love with her, and I never will be. Why can’t you understand that?!” My voice grew in intensity. “You cannot make me love someone!”
“He’s right, Mother. You cannot force us to love the people you want us to,” Addison spoke as she stepped into the room.
“This is none of your concern, Addison. Go to your room,” my mother spoke.
“No. I’m an adult, and you can no longer tell me to go to my room. I’m happy Henry called off the wedding because I don’t like Kirsten. I never have, and I never will.”
I didn’t want her involved, so I needed to stop her.
“Addison, go upstairs, and we’ll talk later,” I softly said to her. “Go on. I’m okay.”
“Actually, I’m going out. Call me later,” she said.
I gave her a nod, and she walked out of the room. After I heard the front door slamming, I turned my attention back to my mother.
“So that’s it?” my mother asked. “You’re choosing that deaf girl over the woman you’ve been with for the past three years?”
“Stop calling Ellie that. Is that how you would have referred to Abigail if she were still alive?”
She went to speak but stopped herself and stared at me with a narrowed eye.
“Is that why you’re so infatuated with that woman? Because of Abigail?”
“No! Of course not! Ellie is a magnificent woman, Mom. My God.” I got up from the couch, slammed back the rest of my scotch, and walked over to the bar.
“She’s not right for this family, and you better never bring her around.”
“Why? Because she doesn’t come from money or from a well-known family? Or is it because she’s deaf? Because if you even hint that’s the?—”
“That is enough, Henry,” she scolded as she got up from the chair. “If you want to continue seeing her, there will be consequences, and you won’t like them. Consider yourself warned.” She walked out of the room.