Chapter 24 #2
“Oh dear.” The priest’s brow crinkled. “When Martin told me about the trip, there were other people around who could have overheard, so I didn’t think it was confidential. I hope I didn’t betray any confidences.”
“No worries.” She tried for a casual tone. “I expect Lucas will mention it the next time we talk.” Although why he hadn’t texted or called with that news was beyond her, given their more frequent contact now.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Shaun came up beside them. “Father Murphy, after you’re finished here, I have a question about the music for the wedding on Saturday at St. Francis.”
“You two go ahead and talk. I have to call someone before rehearsal gets underway.” Diane moved off to the side, rummaging around in her purse for her phone.
She’d have to be careful how she framed her queries with Lucas. The last thing she wanted to do was undermine the progress they were making in their relationship. But she needed answers about Martin’s trip, and her son was the only one who could provide them other than her husband.
And contacting him was out of the question.
After sequestering herself in a quiet corner, she placed the call, foot-tapping a staccato beat on the floor as she leaned a shoulder against the wall.
If he didn’t want to talk about his father’s visit, it was possible Lucas would let the call roll—and leave her in limbo until he was ready to chat. There was nothing she could do about that, other than resort to texting and hope he’d—
“Hi, Mom. I was going to call you later. I thought you had play practice tonight.”
She straightened up, pulse stuttering at his swift pickup.
“I do. We’ll be starting soon, but since I haven’t heard from you for a few days, I decided to touch base.
” If he’d been planning to call her, maybe she wouldn’t have to pose the questions hovering on the tip of her tongue that could come off as accusatory if she wasn’t careful.
“You aren’t going to believe what happened last weekend. Dad came out here.”
She exhaled.
Now that he’d raised the subject, she wouldn’t have to find a way to bring it up.
“I just heard that from a third party. Tell me what happened.”
“He showed up at my apartment Saturday morning and stayed in town until Sunday afternoon. I would have called to tell you sooner, but I needed a couple of days to think about it. When did you last talk to him?”
“About three weeks ago. The night he stopped by my place and tried to convince me to come home. Why?”
“He seemed . . . different. I was suspicious at first, but he actually apologized. He also asked for another chance.”
She listened as Lucas recounted his father’s visit—the coffee, dinner, church service, and brunch they’d shared, as well as their conversations and Martin’s support of his career choice. Best of all, Lucas had agreed to stay in touch with him.
That was huge.
Her throat tightened.
This was what she’d prayed for.
No matter what happened in the long run between her and Martin, her son deserved to have a father who was part of his life.
As Lucas wound down, she exhaled. “I’m happy for you.”
“Me too—if it lasts. But I think he may really have changed, Mom. You might want to talk to him, see what you think. You don’t have to go back to the house or anything, but you could listen to what he has to say.”
If Martin had managed to soften Lucas’s skeptical heart, it was possible her son’s assessment of his dad was accurate.
Plus, the other news she’d gotten tonight about Martin’s volunteer efforts for the show and renewed church attendance were promising.
Still, leaving had been a huge step, and no amount of cajoling from her husband was going to shake her resolve to launch a new chapter in her life—with or without him.
Until . . . or unless . . . she was convinced he’d had a major change of heart and realigned his priorities, she was keeping her distance.
“I’ll have to think about that, Lucas.”
“I hear you. I didn’t make any promises, either, except to keep an open mind and see how it goes. But it would be nice to get back to how it used to be with him, like when I was a kid.”
Yes, it would.
However, trying to recapture the past could be an exercise in futility. One filled with disappointment and heartbreak.
“Don’t you think so, Mom?”
At the prod, Diane drew in a breath. No need to share her pessimistic attitude with him. “Yes, it would. Those were happy days.” In the background, Shaun launched into “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’’’ on the piano. “The practice is starting, Lucas. I have to go.”
“Have fun. Let me know if you decide to talk to Dad.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Back at you.”
He ended the call, and Diane lowered her cell.
Lucas and the clerics had given her a lot to ponder on this summer evening.
But she wasn’t going to get her hopes up, not after fourteen painful years spent watching her marriage and her family disintegrate.
So until she was certain any changes Martin made were permanent, she was staying the course she’d set the day she walked out.