Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Returning, I find my father sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch of the cabin.
My stomach drops. He’s waiting for me. Mom clearly gave him an ultimatum, which never leads to meaningful conversations.
Dad’s always been emotionally constipated.
For my empathetic mother, that’s a great balancer, but it created a strange disconnect between the two of us.
I could never bridge that gap. Parking, I take my time walking up the dirt path.
Shoulders slumped; I met his steely blue gaze. “I don’t want to fight with you, Dad.”
Standing, he waves me off. “Neither do I. Let’s take a walk.”
“Okay?” This is a different approach for him.
Silencing the urge to strike up a conversation and ease the awkwardness between us, I let the tension grow. I spent enough of my childhood trying to control the narrative. As an adult on a healing journey, I’m coming at things from a different perspective.
The rhythmic gait and familiar surroundings help ease the disquiet brewing between us. I focus on the trees on either side of the path. The pine needles seem to brush my arm in comfort. Reaching the opening we pop out by the lake. Water flows in the background, soothing my frayed nerves.
“Growing up, my father and brother were two peas in a pod. They shared the same passion for films and all things outdoors. They had an uncanny ability to read each other’s minds.
It left me feeling as if I were on the outside looking in.
I enjoy being in nature, but it’s never held the same lure for me.
” He smiles at me. “You’re a lot like them in that way. A lot of ways, honestly.”
Is he going to blame me for the state of our relationship?
“I think that’s why I always felt unsure of how to handle you.”
“Handle?” Like I was a problem to be solved.
“Interact with.”
“Ah.” I get it.
“Over time, I grew to hate this town. I wanted to have a life on the cutting edge. That’s why I became an engineer. Not just because I was good with numbers.”
It’s like seeing my father for the first time. I remain quiet as he continues to share.
“I tried to raise you to value the things I did. Your uncle is brilliant. Staying here always seemed like a waste of his talents. So, when you took a shine to numbers and became fixed on a path in aviation, I encouraged it. For me, it was seeing myself in you.”
His words surprise me. “Really?”
He nods. “For me, it felt like my work was tied to my ability to succeed. Well, my version of success. So many of my decisions were made with making you proud and continuing the Stormbourne name in mind.”
“I’m able to see that now.” He stops at the end of the path, facing the river. “And I was wrong for that.”
I jerk my head to look at him so fast; I make myself dizzy. My jaw drops.
“I’m sorry I made you feel that way. There’s a lot I bottled up, and it boiled over.
The time Ralph had with Dad bothered me after your grandfather passed.
I needed to prove I did the right thing, even though I based my life outside of Chance Falls and missed out on the extra time I could’ve had with my parents.
When you chose here as your place to find peace, it felt like a personal failure for me. ”
“Dad.” I shake my head.
“No, that was on me. Believe me. I’ve heard about it from your mother. We’ve had our own therapy sessions going. Turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks after all.” He offers me a gentle smile.
“You’re in therapy?” I stare at him, feeling like I’m seeing a new person.
“Contrary to popular belief, your mother steers this marriage. And I didn’t want the distance between us to grow.
I know I wasn’t the best father in a lot of ways.
But I am trying to improve that. I love you.
I support whatever you need to do to be happy.
Just.” He exhales. “Go easy on your old man. There’s a lifetime of unhealthy habits I’m trying to unpack and change. ”
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit.
Reaching over, he grips my shoulder. “It’s enough that you listened. I overstepped. I apologize for that.” He smirks. “Your young lady is a keeper. If looks were bullets, I’d be dead right now.”
I snicker. “Phil. Her name’s Phil Joiner.”
“Good family.” He nods his approval.
“Where do we go from here?”
“Only direction you can go, really, forward.”
I cover his warm hand with mine. He’s a flawed human being just like the rest of us. But he’s willing to try, which is all I can ask.
“I’d like that, Dad.”
A tentative peace settles over us.
“How about you show your mom and me the revamped store? It’s part of the reason we came to see you in person, actually.”
I take a deep breath. “I can do that.”
“Alright, let’s go get Mom. She’s probably wondering if we’re still alive.” He pats my back.
An hour later, I’m watching him anxiously as we enter the building. I turn the lights on and hope for the best.
His face lights up, and something eases in my chest. Spinning in a slow circle, his eyes mist over.
“Wow,” he whispers, craning his neck as he tries to take it all in. “This place looks so much bigger.”
“We re-arranged the shelves to maximize space. The new carpet and fresh paint help too.”
“This makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.” He runs the tips of his fingers over the Lost Boys poster.
“I can still remember seeing this in the theater when it came out,” he says, eyes unfocused as he returns to the past.
“Multiple times,” Mom’s unenthusiastic tone makes me laugh.
“Did you make this piece?” Mom touched the princess cutout.
“No. That was all, Phil. She actually helped me with all of this.”
“I’ll be honest, when you told me that, we assumed Phil was a man,” Mom admits.
I snicker. “So did I at first. Surprised the hell out of me when we actually met.”
Dad chuckles. “I bet. Especially if you looked at her with the same stars in your eyes. You’ve obviously got it bad, kid.”
“Yeah.” I don’t see the point in denying it.
The door swings open. “Uuuh. Am I late, boss?” Jerry pauses in the doorway. His overly long brunette hair falls into his muddy brown eyes. His Reel Haven shirt is untucked over a pair of baggy jeans.
“No. These are my parents. I was showing them around. Jerry works part-time for us.”
“Oh, nice to meet you. Mr. and Mrs. Stormbourne.
“Likewise, Jerry,” Mom replies.
“Don’t mind us, son, do your usual opening procedures,” Dad insists.
“On Sundays we’re open 12-5 now,” I explain. “Gives me time to actually have a life on the weekends.”
Dad laughs. “Your uncle and I played many games of rock, paper, scissors over the weekend shifts. Show me the updated storage area you mentioned.”
“You two go. I’ll stay out here and take it all in. Once you start talking shop, it’ll be like I don’t exist anyway.”
Grinning sheepishly, I nod and lead him to the back.
“I wanted to keep the retro vibe, but offer new releases too, so I’m building up a recent release section. It’s lapsed a bit over the years.
“That should bring in the younger crowd more, with the spotty internet up here. It’ll be easier to rent.”
“That was my hope. I also hired Henry to attract his friends.
Dad laughs. “Clever thinking.”
“Hey Jerry, is Korren around?” Fletch sounds worried.
“Hang on, Dad. I’ll be right back.” As I exit, I find Fletch in the middle of the store.
“Hey man, what’s going on?”
“Some sketchy-looking dude in a suit’s been asking around about you since early this morning. He’s been hanging in Honey Moon, probably waiting for you to show up at opening.”
“Sketchy how?” My heart drops.
“Tape recorder, briefcase, and super-slick hair. I doubt he wants to rent a movie.” He studies me. “Should I be worried you’re into something illegal?”
“No.”
“That sounds like a reporter, Korr,” Mom whispers, grabbing my arm. The fear in her voice makes me sick.
I close my eyes. Sweat breaks out on my forehead.
“We’ve been giving him the runaround. I came down the minute I saw you show up.”
The room tilts. “Not again.”
“What’s going on?” Dad walks out to join us.
“I think a reporter found me again.”
“What? Where?” He looks around.
“Jerry. Man, if a guy comes in here asking for Korren, Ralph’s your boss, got it?”
“Sure, Fletch. Everything okay, Korren?” He peers at me from under his hank of shiny hair.
I look at the four watching me with concern.
“I was involved in a pretty high-profile plane crash that occurred during my shift as an air traffic controller. My co-worker was arrested and charged with negligence and involuntary manslaughter via aircraft sabotage. They haven’t left me alone since.”
“Say less, bro. We don’t let anyone mess with our own.” Fletch’s eyes darken with intensity. “Stay hidden in the back room. I’ll spread the word.”
Rooted to the spot, I stare. There are no follow-up questions or scheming to exploit and profit from the horrific incident. He’s protecting me!
“Go before he sees you.” Fletch bumps my shoulder with his. Nodding numbly, I let my parents guide me into the office. Spotting the white envelope, I rip it open. Scanning the letter, I roll my eyes at his half-assed apology.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. He wants me to agree to a tell-all book deal.”
“What?” Dad explodes in a roar.
“My guess is Mr. Slick is an agent or publisher of some sort.” Disgusted, I toss the envelope back onto the desk.
“I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about him long,” Mom whispers. “Look.” She peers out the window.
I crowd beside her, watching as a crowd gathers in front of the shop.
“Korren. Stormbourne? Never heard of him. Now Ralph Stormbourne runs the shop.”
“I have it on good authority he’s taking over,” Mr. Slick says. He shifts his weight, eyeing the people encircling him.
“You got false information. Why are you here again?” someone asks.
“That’s for me to talk with Korren about,” Mr. Slick insists. His beady eyes move from side to side.
“I think you have the wrong place, buddy,” Fletch drawls.
My heart fills with gratitude.
“I understand you might believe you’re protecting him, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime, lucrative opportunity.” He holds up his briefcase.
“Wait. I do know who you’re talking about.” An older man with graying hair steps forward.
I hold my breath. “It’s me. I’m Korren,” he says.
“No. I’m Korren.” A younger man in his early twenties’ steps beside him.
People argue back and forth, claiming my identity. My vision blurs. I rest my head against the wall beside the window. This is more than I ever thought I’d have after being so badly betrayed.
This is what I craved: a community where people look out for one another.
“I can see you’re in good hands here, son.
I’ll handle that mess with lawyers. He won’t approach you again, and neither will Jared.
” My father doesn’t make empty promises.
I know he won’t stop until he achieves this.
But it’s his defense that means the most. I’ve never been more certain that I’m exactly where I need to be.