Chapter 30Our fault?
Chapter Thirty
OUR FAULT?
Emmanuel would have preferred to fly into a bigger airport then drive to the remote cabin.
Whose idea was it to fly to this dinky airstrip? Oh yeah, security.
Although Darsh made arrangements to meet with the nurse, he was not completely convinced that she was trustworthy. The woman barely had a digital footprint. It had been difficult to find her. Much less verify more about her. This was particularly true given how impatient Emmanuel was to speak with her.
The trip wasn’t starting off on the right foot. Between the fog and the remote landing strip, the descent had everyone’s hearts in their throats. He was certain they would make it on an episode of Mayday. The only thing that kept Emmanuel from freaking out was remaining calm for Ivy. She had a death grip on his hand.
Despite the harrowing landing, Leonardo checked his phone the moment they touched down. When he made a comment that Jasmine still did not contact him back. Ivy gave him a conspiratorial look. Emmanuel just shrugged in return. He honestly didn’t have any empathy for Leonardo. His twin was lying in the bed he made.
The fact that Leonardo was upset by the consequences of his actions was the icing on the cake for Emmanuel. His brother would have to figure things out with Jasmine, with no help from him. Personally, he thought Jasmine Journee could do better than Leonardo. Either way, other than his legal obligations, he was staying out of it. He only hoped Ivy would do the same.
Darsh, Roy, and another security agent accompanied them on the flight. Two large SUVs were waiting for them when they landed. Emmanuel, Leonardo, Ivy, and Darsh were in one vehicle. The other men drove in the other vehicle. For once, Emmanuel was happy not to be driving. He was still recovering from having his life flash in front of his very eyes.
“Hey Darsh,” Ivy called, “is there another way for us to get out of here? I would very much like to see my children again.” She was only voicing what everyone was feeling.
“It will mean a longer drive to another airport,” Darsh answered.
Without even looking at Emmanuel, Ivy immediately agreed. He couldn’t help but smile at his wife’s enthusiasm. After an hour of driving, he wondered how long of a drive they had ahead. Eventually, they pulled up to a quaint cabin about half a mile from the main road.
“After I make the introductions, the guys and I will wait out here in the SUVs.” Darsh updated before they exited the vehicle.
Ivy had agreed to be with him while they spoke to the nurse, so Diana Portland’s small porch was full. There were no warm greetings on this trip, as she cautiously opened the door.
“Ms. Portland. My name is Darsh Khana.”
“Mr. Khana, good to put a face to the voice. Are these men with you Connie’s boys?” Diana Portland’s voice was raspy.
“Yes. And are you still willing to speak with them concerning what you know about their birth?”
“Yes. Come on in then,” Diana instructed, as she opened the door for them to enter. Once she noticed Darsh wasn’t joining them, she inquired, “you aren’t coming in?”
“No, thank you, Ma’am. I will wait outside while you all speak.”
The older woman in a plaid shirt two sizes too big and worn jeans, with gray hair braided down the middle of her back, wasn’t what Emmanuel was expecting.
“First off, we can sit in the den over there.” She said, pointing to the front room. “Please call me Diana. Everyone does. So, who is who?” Then she took a seat in an armchair that faced the sofas.
“My name is Emmanuel Scott, this is my brother Leonardo Baldi, and this is my wife, Ivy.” Emmanuel took a seat on the sofa. Ivy sat beside him. Leonardo sat beside Ivy, although an armchair was available near Diana. Emmanuel wasn’t too pleased with the seat his brother had selected. Could he have left things the way they were? Yes, but fuck it. Emmanuel switched seats with Ivy, so he sat beside Leonardo instead.
Diana just raised an eyebrow at the action. “Well, it’s nice to meet you all. I have lemonade, chips, the good kind, ruffled, plain though, and oatmeal cookies. They are homemade but I didn’t put any raisins in them. That is as hospitable as I can be. Also, I smoke. A lot and as this is my house and all, I smoke right here in my favourite chair.”
It was then he noticed the spread she spoke about on the coffee table in front of them. In the middle of the table was a jug full of lemonade, ice, and thick sliced lemons. A stack of red plastic cups which put him in mind of the kind they used for beer back in college, a bowl of chips covered with plastic wrap, and a plate stacked with cookies, also covered in the clear wrap and a stack of napkins. Beside her was a lamp with a built-in shelf and on it was a glass ashtray. It surprised Emmanuel that he hadn’t smelled it before. It had more than a few discarded butts in there already.
“I think it would be easier if I told you what I know. If you have questions, I’ll answer them. Not to be rude or anything, but after today I don’t want to rehash the birth again.”
Emmanuel found he liked Diana’s matter of fact, no nonsense manner. She looked at them, waiting for their response. When they agreed, she began.
“All I ever wanted to do was be a nurse. I graduated when I was twenty. When you two were born, I had only been a nurse for a couple of months. I was wet behind the ears. So sheltered. Until then, I thought people were mostly kind. I knew evil existed, but I could pretend that it didn’t because I hadn’t encountered it.
A doctor I had a crush on asked me to be in the delivery room with him. It wasn’t normal practice, but I was so excited. The moment I walked into the room, I knew everything was wrong. It wasn’t a normal delivery room. I learned later it was a private suite.
There was a tall man in a suit. Later, I found out his name was Chester Ellison. At first, I thought he was the father. Back then, it wasn’t common for fathers to go into the delivery room, but a few were starting to do it. Many stood to the side, like Chester. I’ll tell you, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.”
She stopped and grabbed a clear plastic box and took out a hand-rolled cigarette. Diana was old school and lit it with a match. He did not know they still sold those. He watched her take two long drags before she continued.
“Connie looked so young and was scared. She kept calling for her Mamma. It broke my heart. Still does when I think about it. She was so unprepared. The doctor didn’t have much bedside manner. He kept yelling at her to push, and she told him she didn’t know how. ‘Looks like you want me to cut those babies out of you.’ The look of terror on her face. He even felt bad. Needless to say, being in the delivery room with him killed my crush.
Anyway, when he stepped out, I helped coach her. Thank God, my aunt was a midwife, and I helped her for as far back as I can remember. By the time the doctor got back in the room, we were sailing so much smoother. Connie was still crying, and all but had a steely determination. Everything went well until the first baby was born. That is when all hell broke loose.”
When Ivy squeezed his hand, it reminded him she sat beside him. Emmanuel had been so absorbed by Diana’s story that he had forgotten she was sitting beside him, much less that he was holding her hand.
Diana finished her cigarette, put it out, and immediately lit another one.
“The moment the first baby was born, Chester Ellison finally stepped out of the corner. The umbilical cord was just cut. Then he was barking at me. ‘Clean the baby up. I have to get him to his father.’ Connie was hysterical. Apparently, she didn’t know that they were going to take the firstborn or that she wouldn’t get to see him or hold him. Which one of you has the small crest on the left heel?” Diana asked as she looked between the two men.
“I do,” Emmanuel answered.
“Ahh, so you are the firstborn which ended up with Chester Ellis’s rich client. Connie was shattered and begged him. ‘Mr. Ellis, please just let me see my baby.’
He was so heartless. ‘This one will look like the other one. You agreed to give up one of the babies.’
I can still hear her. ‘You never said I couldn’t see him.’
That poor girl wailed so hard. I think it softened him just a little.
‘I wish this could be different, but this is what his father requested. Just try to be happy with your other baby and use the money to have a good life.’
‘I don’t want the money. Please, just let me have my son.’
All his kindness vanished, and he yelled at her.
‘Everything is already signed! I’ve told you, Concetta, you cannot back out. You will go to jail, and the father will end up with both babies. Don’t make this harder on yourself.’ Of course, he was full of shit. I used my hush money to go to law school after I quit nursing. Chester Ellis should have been disbarred for what he did to your mother. He had no business representing your father and her. No one had her best interest at heart.” She pressed her fingers to her lips and shook her head.
“Connie was so despondent after you were born.” Diana pointed to Emmanuel. “Emmanuel, was it?”
He nodded in confirmation.
“After Chester Ellis whisked you away, she was so despondent. I was so worried about the second baby. It felt like she gave up after that. It was the saddest thing.” She sighed and reached for yet another cigarette, but seemed to think better of it. Instead, she got up and poured herself some lemonade. After she gulped down one glass, she poured another and sat down.
“Don’t forget to help yourselves.
Where was I? Oh yes. I didn’t think I could snap her out of the state she was in. The doctor wasn’t showing her empathy. I convinced her she would hurt the baby waiting to be born and herself. The second birth she was sombre. Somehow, she got through it, but that poor girl was so riddled with grief. When I finally gave her the baby to hold, she held on, but she stared at the door as if willing the other baby to return. I’m going to be back. I have to head to the washroom.”
It seemed like it took hours for Diana to tell the story of what happened at the birth, but when Emmanuel glanced at his watch, only forty minutes had passed. He looked at Ivy and her tear-filled eyes were there, waiting for him.
Not for the first time, he felt badly that his past… his family’s past was such an unholy mess. Every step of the way, she was by his side. His heart filled with gratitude.
Her eyes moved past him.
Leonardo’s head was back, and his eyes were closed. His hands held a death grip on his knees. For the first time, Emmanuel didn’t think of what his brother put him through. Instead, he imagined how devastating it was to hear that his mother grieved so much over losing him, she barely had enough strength to give birth to Leonardo. Being the child which she kept wasn’t the prize he imagined it to be.
“Leonardo, are you okay?” Emmanuel asked.
“Yeah. How could they do this to her?”
It didn’t escape his notice his brother’s focus was on how his mother felt. He remembered back to when they had first met and how fiercely protective Leonardo had been of her. The mother and son had a relationship forged in grief. The sorrow Concetta expressed in her journals seemed so much more vivid.
When Diana came back, she continued the heartbreaking account of what Concetta went through.
“Back then, they didn’t immediately release mothers and their babies as soon as they gave birth, but they released that girl in less than twenty-four hours. When I asked the doctor about it, he told me she was being sent to another location to recover. I volunteered to go with her to help and made sure she had medical care if needed. He agreed. It wasn’t clear whether she’d be sent away alone or if someone was supposed to accompany her. I never asked. I was just glad I was with her. The other location turned out to be a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Way worse than here.”
Emmanuel could feel his blood boiling at the way they discarded her like an unwanted pet. She was a young woman who had just given birth to twins. He remembered how hard it had been on Doc. Each delivery was different, but each took a mental and physical toll. That was with the best medical care, a loving partner, friends, and family.
“I taught her how to breastfeed, change diapers, give baths, and how to take care of herself. We were there for twenty-one days. Then they flew her clear across the country. Every once in a while, I would hear from her. She always sounded so chipper and upbeat. Well, except for the last time. Connie finally admitted she had been struggling for years. I helped her find that rehab centre. I had a friend who worked there. Well, you know the rest. She never made it there. A freak accident. Ahh, she really wanted to make things right. To watch you graduate. Connie referred to you as her Little Light. So, that’s pretty much all I have. You boys have questions?”
They did, and most of the questions were regarding their paternal parent. What did Connie share with Diana about Larson? The whole arrangement to have the children separated. It was second-hand information, but they felt like Connie finally had a voice. Emmanuel wanted to take a trip to the nursing home and shake the shit out of Chester.
By the time they flew out of Quebec, Emmanuel was determined to expose Larson’s dirty secrets. Concetta’s life and what she went through would no longer be swept under the rug.
Thanks to Darsh’s ingenuity, they flew out of a better airport, and they didn’t have to drive for hours to reach it. He found a place for them to rent a helicopter which flew them to the new airport. Mother Nature cooperated as well. The fog lifted. Everything came together to ensure that they were home in time to accompany his Mom to visit Larson. It was weird how quickly he came to view the place where he grew up.
Emmanuel hadn’t seen Larson since it had been revealed he was his biological father. Coupled with the visit to Diana and he was struggling to keep his hands to himself. The only thing which brought any semblance of calm was the surprise they were bringing along to the meeting.
The surprise was really his mother’s idea. Emmanuel looked forward to Larson finding out that detail.
Becker greeted the group and directed them to the sitting room. However, not before informing the guests, this was his last week employed in the household. Becker had been a part of the house since Emmanuel was ten. Many of his formative memories included Becker. In many ways he played more of a paternal role than Larson. The house wouldn’t be the same without him. It was what Larson deserved. What did he know about hiring household staff?
“Grace! I was told you arrived—” As he took in the room’s occupants, Larson’s greeting died on his lips. All the occupants. Grace, Emmanuel, and of course Ivy was by his side, but so was Leonardo.
Larson looked ashen. Like an apparition who had met a violent end. His hand shook slightly as he pointed to Leonardo. “What is he doing here? Why would you bring him to my home?”
“Why is he here?” Emmanuel mocked. “I thought it would be a heartwarming moment for you to see both your sons together. Let me make the introductions. Larson, meet Leonardo Baldi.”
While he spoke, he gestured between them both. Emmanuel ignored the look of censure on his Mom’s face. Or the outrage on Larson’s.
“Leonardo, this is the man behind us being split up at birth.”
Leonardo stepped forward. “Larson, I’m sure you can understand why, under the circumstances, I don’t share the heartwarming sentiment. You destroyed my mother’s life.”
“She destroyed her own life! I do not know why you brought this scammer here,” Larson sneered.
“Scammer or not, he is your son,” Emmanuel countered as he put out his arm, barring Leonardo from reaching Larson.
“No, he is Connie’s son. It is what we agreed to. There is no reason for him to be here or you…” Larson pointed at Emmanuel, then at Ivy “… or you!”
Emmanuel pushed Larson’s hand away from the direction of where Ivy stood. Things were escalating. The control Emmanuel was holding on to was slipping.
Emmanuel’s mom must have sensed this, so she intervened and quickly de-escalated the situation.
“You asked for me to visit. Then promised, if I did, you would give me the answers I needed. Since I am not the only one seeking the truth, I brought along the boys and Ivy. They need answers as much, if not more, than I do. Let’s all have a seat so we can get those answers.”
As they sat, Emmanuel took time to really take in Larson’s appearance. The old man didn’t look at all like himself. Emmanuel had never seen him unshaven, or his shirt untucked.
“This isn’t what I meant. Of course, I will tell you whatever you need to know so we can save our marriage. They…” he said, waving his hand in Emmanuel, Ivy, and Leonardo’s direction. “…do not need to bear witness to our discussion. We have had a lifetime of talking things out between us.”
“Larson, we aren’t doing revisionist history tonight.”
Her tone was biting, and it surprised all the occupants in the room. His Mom gathered herself with a cleansing breath. When she continued, she sounded more like herself.
“I don’t want to be… angry. It is just that you seem to have forgotten none of those conversations were truthful. A huge lie festered between us.”
“Grace, that isn’t true. Other than…” He flicked his hand between the two men. “…them and the situation that brought them about. I have never lied to you. I have been honest with you.”
“Good, because that is what I and the boys need. Your complete honesty.”
“Grace, please don’t make me do this. Not like this… in front of them,” Larson pleaded.
All his attention was focused on Grace and getting her back.
“I must insist. It be exactly like this. It’s important to me, Larson.”
Right before his eyes, Larson conceded. His shoulders slumped, and he shook his head in defeat. “Fine. What do you want to know?”
His mom straightened up in her seat. “How did you meet Concetta?”
“I don’t know why that is important,” Larson answered.
The sentence was barely out of his mouth, and his mom was on her feet.
Her features were pinched, in a mix of disappointment and anger.
“Let’s go,” she announced to the other occupants in the room. Apparently, today wasn’t the day to waste her time.
“Wait. No. Please sit,” Larson pleaded.
She folded her arms over her chest.
“Connie worked as a cleaner at the office.”
His mom resumed her seat.
Encouraged, Larson continued. “I know I was wrong. At the time, I was in a poor frame of mind. All your thoughts were on your goal of becoming a mother. I felt like there was no room for me.”
You son of a bitch.
Emmanuel wanted to say something about the direction this conversation was heading in. As if, sensing his desire, Ivy placed a hand on his thigh. When he looked at her, she shook her head ever so slightly.
“Go on,” his mom prompted Larson.
“I caught her reading when she was supposed to be working. She apologised. From there, we started talking. It was amusing at first that she didn’t know who I was. For once, I wasn’t the heir to Scotts. It was refreshing.” He stopped and cleared his throat.
“Alright, so that is how you met. How did it escalate from there?” His Mom pressed when Larson wouldn’t continue.
“I saw her eating in the break room. I would join her. Then one day she brought me some food as well. I wanted to return the favour. I took her to a restaurant a few times. Back then, it was one of the few places open so late. It was beside the Lancaster…” He trailed off.
It was then it became clear what it was costing his mom to get the answers. Before she closed her eyes, he saw the pain flashing across her face.
“Being that close in proximity moved things along. How long did it go on for?” she asked.
“Twice,” Larson answered.
Emmanuel’s mom arched her eyebrow in challenge.
“I won’t go into any further detail about what went on between us. This is bad enough. I failed you when I broke our wedding vows. It was twice. Of course, I shouldn’t have let it get that far. As soon as we both realized that neither of us understood what the other wanted, it was over.”
What kind of double talk was that? Emmanuel wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
His mom wanted clarifications. “Larson, what are you talking about?”
“Somehow, Connie didn’t realise I was married.” The admission left a stain of embarrassment on his cheek. As well as it should have. If Concetta didn’t know, it was because he didn’t tell her. Even as a child, Emmanuel hadn’t understood his father’s habit of not wearing his wedding ring.
Larson continued, “She wanted me to meet her parents. Once I cleared up not only my marital status but also let her know I would never leave you. Connie felt deceived. We didn’t speak again until she told me about the pregnancy.”
Emmanuel knew Larson wasn’t being completely forthcoming. Something about his tone made it sound like it was in fact Concetta who put an end to things. He needed to take another look at the diaries. His brother wore a ‘can you believe this shit?’ expression. Emmanuel's internal response was no, he couldn’t believe this shit either.
“How did she get a hold of you then?” Emmanuel’s mom inquired.
“She called my office and asked to speak to me.”
“I thought she didn’t know you were a Scott?” It was like she was voicing his own thoughts.
“I had eventually told her by that point. When she told me about her condition, I offered to pay to take care of it.”
This was a new piece of information. Emmanuel would be lying if he said it wasn’t a bit of a gut punch. Ivy must have sensed it too, because she gave him a reassuring pat to his thigh.
“Connie immediately refused. She said she was Catholic. Although she had sinned by having premarital sex, she would not make it worse by murdering her child. She wanted nothing from me. I was so relieved because you had just told me you were pregnant again. Then I was surprised to hear from her a couple of weeks later. Her father kicked her out. By then, my father had caught wind of what I had done.”
“Your father knew?” Both Emmanuel and his mother asked at the same time.
This was yet another strike against Larson. Another deceit. Although thinking about it, Emmanuel wasn’t surprised Larson Sr was made aware of the situation.
“Yes. He called Philip Ellis, and he put his son Chester in charge of handling everything. From there, Chester handled all the arrangements with Connie. The plan was for Connie to keep both babies. Then when Grace miscarried. We came to an arrangement which would work for everyone.”
“You thought it worked out for everyone?” Leonardo asked.
“It should have. If Connie had just kept it together. Chester was there to save her and keep her out of trouble. If it wasn’t for him, she would have been in a world of trouble. She still couldn’t keep it together.”
“Maybe it was because she was barely an adult when you met her,” Leonardo countered.
“Well, I didn’t know that at the time. I only found out later.” Larson dismissed with a scoff.
“Alright. I’ve heard as much as I can stomach.” Emmanuel’s mom stood.
“Wait!” Larson cried out in panic. “Where are you going?”
“Back to Emmanuel’s house. I am going to be fairer to you than you ever were to me, Larson. This marriage is over. My lawyer will be in touch.”
“No, please, you can’t.” But she was already moving from the room.
Emmanuel, Ivy, and Larson were following her.
Larson turned on them. “You two! This is your fault.”
“Our fault? No, but what happens next? We will happily take responsibility for,” Emmanuel answered.
Wait until everyone gets introduced to Larson’s other son. Life was about to get uncomfortable for him.