6. Chapter 6
June 26, 2011
9:23 am
Hailey had nearly cried at the sight of her sister the night before and was taken aback when Sara first opened the door. She hadn’t been prepared to see that Sara was no longer a teenager, but a woman.
She had taken in Sara’s petite frame and wild dark hair. Natural brown locks now took the place of what was once dyed icy blonde. Her once bright, hazel eyes were etched with anger and suspicion. She had a scar on her neck that hadn’t been there before her arrest; Hailey heard rumors about a prison fight.
Hailey hardly knew the woman who had stood in front of her. Though, maybe she had never really known the real Sara. Her sister had been toxic, only revealing what she wanted you to see.
Growing up with Sara had been painful for Hailey. She had loved Sara with every fiber of her being, while, simultaneously, hating her with those same cells and molecules.
Strange how those two conflicting emotions could coexist.
And Hailey had been content hating Sara because Sara had made Hailey’s life difficult. Her twin always came flying in like a gust of wind from a hurricane, demolishing anything she touched. For Hailey, hating Sara was easier than trying to make sense of the destruction and chaos. It was safer that way. Keeping Sara at arm’s length ensured Hailey wouldn’t be collateral damage. She just didn’t know Sara would become a casualty of her own chaos.
After driving around to calm herself, it had been nearly eleven o’clock by the time Hailey had gotten back to the Gallagher Estate. Thankfully, Trinity hadn’t cared that Hailey had disappeared for a short time. It gave her a chance to relax without Hailey breathing down her neck. Apparently, Hailey suffocated her daughter. She nearly laughed when Trinity had said it (typical teenage antics).
Unfortunately, she hadn’t slept well, her fight with Sara plaguing her throughout the night. She had anticipated Sara’s anger, she had every right to be upset, but Hailey hadn’t expected the hostility that seemed to seep from her twin.
But today was a new day and Hailey decided she would clear her sister’s name with or without her help. She owed it to Sara and their mother.
Hailey threw on jeans and a pink blouse and applied her makeup. Trying to find her hairbrush, she dug around in her suitcase until she clutched the bristles. She quickly ran it through her hair and assessed her reflection.
She planned to talk to Sara again, after they both had some time to calm down. It’s what Hailey had always done while they were growing up, anyway. They would have a huge fight and the two would go their separate ways. And, like clockwork, Hailey would inevitably apologize to Sara and the two would go on with life like nothing happened.
Hailey hoped it still worked after all these years.
Until Sara agreed to help, Hailey would have her work cut out for her as she pieced together the facts of that night. Of course, she needed to figure out what to do with Trinity. She didn’t need Trinity finding out about Hailey’s past.
To make matters more complicated, she still had family dinner with her father and Lauren later, something she desperately needed to mentally prepare for.
Hailey sighed and made her way downstairs.
She was nowhere near ready to have a family get-together for the first time since she left. If Hailey had it her way, she wouldn’t have to speak a word to the man who was neither kind nor loving to her growing up.
He claimed to always have his family's best interest at heart, but both Hailey and Sara saw right through his facade. David Gallagher was a selfish man who would do anything to stay ahead and look good in the public eye, even if it meant misery behind closed doors.
And misery it was.
She thought about inviting Sara just to stick it to her father. She’d pay good money to see the look on his face if Sara were to walk through the door. If they weren't fighting, Sara would do it just to piss off the old man.
Once downstairs, Hailey beelined for the back patio where Trinity was swimming. Lauren was sunbathing on the far side of the pool, her tan skin glistening in the sunlight. She smiled and waved, and Hailey returned the gesture. Trinity was swimming laps with another young girl in what looked like a race.
Coming up for air, Trinity spied Hailey. “Hey, Mom!”
“Morning. How’d you sleep?”
“Good!”
With that, she was back to racing her friend.
Genevieve came out of the door after Hailey, carrying a tray of orange juice and toast. “That’s my granddaughter, Cecilia. I figured Trinity would like to have someone to hang out with.”
Hailey was glad Trinity had made a friend, especially because it looked like they would be staying a little longer. “I was actually wondering if you’d be willing to watch her on and off over the next few days. I need to meet with some people, and I don’t want Trinity to go with me and be bored.”
Genevieve’s face beamed. “Does that mean you’re staying longer?”
Hailey smiled. “It does. So, I may need some help with Trinity if you’re willing.”
“You know she’s always welcome to stay with me. I’ll make sure I bring Cecilia along.” Hailey gave the woman a hug. She had missed Genevieve when she moved away, but her stubbornness was stronger than the empty void she had felt. And she hadn’t kept in touch, something she now regretted.
Hailey walked over to Lauren and sat in a chair next to her.
Lauren said, “Hey, Sugar. Did you sleep okay? I know it must be weird being back in your old room.”
Hailey shrugged. “It wasn’t too bad. I was pretty tired from the drive here and the wedding, so I slept like a rock.”
That was a lie. Once she actually fell asleep, she had nightmare after nightmare. Triggered by her fight with Sara, no doubt. Some about her mother, others about Sara or Ryan or Trey. All of them had her waking up, heart racing and panicked. Lauren looked at Hailey, lifting her hand to her forehead to protect her eyes from the sun. “Well, I'm glad. Are y’all still joining us for dinner?”
Hailey wanted to decline but held her tongue. “We’ll be here. Six-thirty, right?”
“Mhm. Your father is very excited to see you. He’s happy you're home.”
Hailey wanted to roll her eyes but didn't. Lauren meant well, but she also didn’t understand what it was like living under the tyranny of David.
“Actually, I was wondering if Trinity and I could stay a few more days. There’re some people I’d like to catch up with, but I don’t want to outstay our welcome.”
Lauren’s face lit up. “Of course you can. Stay as long as you’d like.”
“Thanks, Lauren. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, Sugar. We’re family, remember?”
Again, Lauren was being kind, but Hailey still thought it was weird that David had married her, given the nearly thirty-year age gap.
Hailey went back inside to get a drink before leaving again. She wanted to talk to her Uncle Eli and get his thoughts on the video. Since he was the Chief at the time, and first on the scene, he would have a lot more insight into the situation than anyone else.
Genevieve walked into the kitchen and said, “I need to give you something.” She motioned for Hailey to follow her. When they got to the mudroom in the back of the house, Genevieve retrieved her purse and pulled out two books.
“You’re giving me books?” Hailey asked.
“Diaries. They were your mother’s and it’s the only ones I could sneak out of here before your father threw the rest away.” She paused for a moment. “I think Sara would like them too, but I don’t know where she is now or how to get them to her.”
Hailey didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t even known her mother had kept diaries.
“Have you read them?” Hailey asked.
“I wanted to. I miss her so much, but it always felt wrong. So, I saved them, hoping you’d come back. It might be nice for Trinity to read too, to get to know her grandmother.”
Hailey’s eyes misted. It was odd to think that Morgan was a grandmother, just one who would never know her grandchild. Hailey spent a great deal of time being angry that Morgan would never meet Trinity, or that she missed out on her first steps and first words. Morgan wasn’t able to come to any soccer games or dance recitals. And Hailey was still grieved she had to be in the delivery room alone when she should have had her mother there to hold her hand.
“You don’t have to read them now, but Trinity is occupied if you want to.” Genevieve kissed her forehead and left the room.
Hailey stood motionless, staring at the books. She wanted to read them. To see her mother’s words, to feel close to her again, but she was afraid of the rush of emotions it would surely bring. Thirteen years later and she was still grieving.
Yet, she was drawn in.
So she went back to her room, opened the French doors to the balcony and sat in one of the rocking chairs that was still in the corner.
Before opening the first diary, she traced its cover with her finger, reminiscing about a time long before their world was turned upside down. Then she took a deep breath and flipped to the first entry dated 1977 .
The journal started with everyday routines and a few personal thoughts of Morgan’s. Her handwriting was girly and bubbly, much like Morgan herself. Hailey smiled as she could recall many times when her father claimed that if Barbie could write, her handwriting would be that of Morgan Gallagher’s.
As Hailey read, she could almost hear her mother speaking through the pages as she told the story of meeting David for the first time. Eventually, the story changed and the two were engaged and then getting married.
The entries got shorter toward the end of the diary and were few and far between. Hailey didn’t read anything alarming until the third to last entry.
Morgan’s tone changed from a woman who was madly in love to that of a suspicious wife:
David has been acting strange. He’s staying late for meetings, isn’t speaking much during family dinner, and seems distracted. I continually ask him if something is upsetting him only to be met with excuses of new laws and political problems. I’m not sure I believe him.
What kind of a wife does that make me? A wife who doesn’t trust her husband isn’t a good wife at all. My heart is heavy with guilt for feeling this way, but my instincts tell me something is wrong.
I can only hope that in time he will be honest with me. I can only hope that I am wrong and foolish for thinking the worst of the man whom I've vowed to spend my life with.
I can only hope he is not having an affair.
Hailey re-read the entry, making sure she wasn’t misreading the words that had been written decades before, even before she and Sara had come into the world.
Morgan’s words didn’t change, and Hailey’s heart broke for her mother.
Though she was shocked to see that Morgan suspected David of having an affair, Hailey somehow wasn’t surprised by the accusation. He was, after all, the most selfish person she had ever met, and he cared very little about anyone but himself. Including his beloved wife, and especially his daughters.
David hated that he had daughters.
He had made that apparent since the twins were in diapers. It was no secret her father wanted sons to carry on the Gallagher name and family legacy. And much to his dismay, Morgan refused to have any more kids after almost dying while in childbirth with the twins.
Hailey checked her phone for the time and realized an hour had passed. She had been so immersed in her mother’s thoughts and life that time seemed to stand still as she read the secrets that were being revealed in the pages.
Moving to the next diary, things appeared to have settled between Morgan and David. Morgan’s entries had simply become that of daily updates along with any accolades David received as Mayor. The entries were still few and far between, but nothing was alarming.
Every so often, Morgan would make known her regret of dropping out of nursing school. She wholeheartedly wanted to be a nurse but was convinced David deserved a doting wife. So, she gave up her dreams for him. She wrote that she sometimes felt lost, as if she had given up a piece of herself and didn't know how to get it back.
As time went on, the once bubbly woman now seemed to be losing her love for life. Hailey hated that Morgan’s light was being diminished by the man who was supposed to ignite it.
Wanting to confirm her suspicions, Hailey began skimming the entries for anything that may lend itself to the truth of an affair. Much to her dismay, she found what she was looking for.
Dated two years before Hailey and Sara made their appearance into the world, Morgan wrote:
The love of my life has betrayed me. I’ve known for some time, but he admitted his infidelity and I can no longer live in denial. I can no longer make excuses and now have to face the truth.
The affair started shortly after we were married.
Part of me doesn’t want to live anymore.
And to make matters more humiliating, his mistress is pregnant. My heart has shattered into a million pieces. I have been trying to conceive for a year now and I still have yet to feel the kicks of a sweet babe. But how easy it was for this woman to conceive my husband’s child. I feel awful for feeling such hatred toward the unborn child; they have done nothing wrong. But I can’t help but feel that something special has been taken from me and my future children. My children will not be his first born.
I have promised not to divorce him under the condition that he remains faithful and leaves his mistress and his child. It is a selfish condition, but I feel no remorse in asking. David has agreed and we will move forward in our marriage.
Hailey’s jaw dropped and her hand flew to her mouth. She found herself heartbroken for her mother.
Looking back, she had seen her mother be the doting wife who made sure the family was taken care of. She was always by her husband’s side for all his events and campaigns and photo-ops; her arm linked in his, placing a sweet kiss on the cheek every so often.
That was who Hailey remembered Morgan to be. The loving and dedicated wife and mother.
However, the more she thought about it, the less she could recall any moments in which her parents kissed, or touched, or even laughed together. Sure, they were loving while in the public eye. But behind closed doors, the two were cold toward one another.
Now she understood why.
She then realized she had a half sibling. One she spent thirty-one years knowing nothing about.
Before she could read any further, she heard Trinity’s footsteps. Trinity was about to greet Hailey when she saw the diary.
Trinity perked up, her curiosity getting the best of her. “What’s that?” She quickly came and sat next to Hailey in the other rocking chair, eager to know more.
Hailey didn’t know how much she wanted to share with her daughter. She didn’t want Trinity to bear the weight of family secrets Hailey had desperately tried to shield her from. Nor did she want her finding out about new ones.
But she also knew Trinity would not stop pestering her if she didn’t give her some sort of an answer.
“Not much. Just some of my mother’s diaries.”
“Read anything juicy?” Trinity lifted a brow and rocked back and forth, wanting to hear more.
If she only knew.
Hailey kept her response short, hoping to keep the questions at bay. “Nothing yet, but I don’t think there will be anything interesting in there, anyway.”
Trinity gave Hailey a sideways glance. “We tell each other everything, remember? So cut the crap, Mom. I know there’s something going on that you’re not telling me. When we left Alabama, you claimed to hate this place and now all of a sudden you need to go get coffee with people?” She rolled her eyes. “Give me a break. What are you really doing?”
Hailey squared her shoulders. “There’s a lot of bad things that happened here and I don’t want you knowing about certain people or situations. When you’re old enough, I’ll tell you about it, but now is not the time.”
“When I’m old enough? When’s that, when I’m eighteen?” Trinity crossed her arms. “Does it have to do with my father?” It didn’t take much to get Trinity worked up and her attitude was a force to be reckoned with, compliments of Hailey.
Though Hailey was blindsided by the question, she shouldn’t have been since Trinity knew her father lived in Auburndale. She definitely couldn’t tell her about Trey until she at least told Trey… if she told Trey.
Hailey considered her daughter for a moment and sighed. “No, it doesn’t have to do with your father.”
Trinity threw up her arms. “Then why are you being so secretive? I’m not going to leave it alone. I swear I’ll start climbing out windows and hiding in your car if I have to.”
Hailey stared at Trinity. It both amazed and aggravated Hailey how much her daughter mirrored her…how much she mirrored Trey.
“Mom, please. You can trust me,” Trinity pleaded. Hailey’s heart softened to the hurt in her daughter’s eyes. She was no longer simply curious but was now feeling like Hailey was lying and being secretive, something Hailey tried not to do since she had kept her paternity a secret.
Weighing her options, Hailey reluctantly said, “It has nothing to do with your father. I think your Aunt Sara was wrongly convicted.” She paused and then said, “Listen, that’s all I’m going to say until I get this mess sorted out so don't keep asking.”
“Are you serious right now? My whole life you said she murdered my grandmother and treated you like crap. Now all of a sudden you think she’s innocent? What’s with you? This place makes you freaking weird.”
“Whoa, lose the attitude. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I was wrong?”
Trinity shook her head in disbelief. “Well, that sucks. If she didn’t do it, she just spent thirteen years locked up for no reason.” Trinity asked, “So what are you going to do, go to the police?”
Hailey hadn’t even considered it. Was it possible Trey could help her? Did she even want his help? Her daughter had unknowingly given her an idea that may or may not have dire repercussions.
“I have an old…friend who is the Chief now. I’m going to see what he thinks. If he doesn’t think it’s a good idea, we’re going home. There won’t be much more we can do anyway.”
“And what if he does?” Trinity raised a brow, eager to play detective.
Then Hailey would soon find herself in the exact situation she wanted to avoid. She didn’t even want to see Trey, let alone talk to him. Funny how he may be the one person who can help her clear Sara’s name. She just hoped he didn’t hate her as much as she hated him. If he did, she’d be wasting her time trying to hunt down an elusive killer.
Hailey shook her head. “I’m going to take it one step at a time. But I do know you won't be helping.”
Trinity crossed her arms and pouted. “That’s not fair. What are you gonna do, ship me back home? I can help.”
“If you don’t reel in the sass, I might. Go hang out with Cecilia while I make some phone calls,” Hailey said, signaling the conversation was over.
Trinity huffed back inside, and Hailey fetched her phone. She gripped it, steeling herself for the ripple effect this one call could have for her. If Trey didn’t want to help, she wasn’t sure she had the capability to prove Sara’s innocence on her own. Her sister would be forever branded a murderer.
But if he agreed, she would have to put her own feelings aside and trust him. She would have to tuck the past away like he didn’t single handedly rip her heart into a million pieces. If he agreed, she would have to prepare herself for the inevitable conversation they would have about Trinity.
But she would have a better chance at finding out who killed her mother. Sara would finally be free from the past Hailey knew haunted her. And that was enough to convince Hailey to punch in the number for the police station.
“Auburndale PD, this is Belinda. How can I direct your call?”
“Hi, Belinda,” Hailey said. “I need to speak to Chief Harbor, please.”
“I’m so sorry, but he’s out of the office today for training. Can I leave a message?”
Hailey hesitated. “Yes, just tell him Hailey Gallagher called.” She rattled off her cell phone number.
She hung up the phone and let out a deep breath then instinctively placed her hand over her chest to steady her heartbeat. She wasn’t sure how she’d be able to get through a face-to-face conversation if she was this anxious about a phone call. Grow up and stop being dramatic .
Hailey hoped he’d call back before dinner so she could have an excuse to miss it.
When she left Auburndale, she was glad to never dine with her father again. The last time they had a family dinner was a few weeks before Morgan died, when Hailey had told her parents she loved Trey and wanted to marry him.
An argument had ensued as David told Hailey she couldn’t see Trey anymore. And, for the first time, she had defied him outright, saying she didn’t care what he said. It had escalated the more Hailey refused to back down and eventually her father had smacked her so hard she fell off her chair. David had then slammed Hailey into the wall, knocking family photos to the ground.
Hailey touched her palms, vividly recalling the sting as shards of glass penetrated her skin when he had thrown her to the floor.
David had loomed over her. “Don’t you ever defy me! I am God in this house, and you will do whatever I say.”
At that point, Sara had jumped up to defend Hailey, only to be shoved away. The drink glasses had crashed to the floor as she collided with the table. Though Morgan rarely defended the twins from David's blows, she had that night and paid for it with a split lip and black eye.
Hailey had continued getting punished as he beat her with his belt. Through tears and screams, she had refused to stop seeing Trey. Eventually, David had grown tired and stopped tormenting his daughter and retreated to his study, leaving Hailey, Sara, and Morgan to clean up the aftermath of his violence.
Of course, he had always made it a point to hide his rage from the world, only hurting them where the bruises and caked blood could be hidden. But not that night. That night, he had lost control and all three of the Gallagher women conjured up stares from those who were nosey enough to gawk but not kind enough to intervene.
After that night, Hailey swore she’d never sit at a table with him again.
Yet here she was. Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Because, as much as she hated it, she still longed for her father’s love and affection.
Hailey just hoped she wouldn’t have to wash blood off her body like she did thirteen years ago.