Chapter 14
STONE
Just when I thought I had everything figured out, it suddenly went all to hell.
I had planned on taking Desirae out to dinner after the show, and then hopefully back to her place.
The night we spent in her bed was incredible.
I’ve never been with such a passionate lover, and the way that she’s so in tune with her body, and not afraid to say what she wants, is so incredibly sexy.
But that didn’t happen. Unfortunately, sweet Mrs. Reilly, who I had escorted on stage only moments before, experienced a medical episode and mistook me for her son.
The son who’s been dead for over forty years.
According to the paramedics, her blood sugar suddenly dropped, leaving her in a state of confusion.
Once they got her stabilized, she was fine, but it was a frightening situation.
Desirae insisted on seeing her home and making sure she followed up with her doctor.
I didn’t want to confuse Mrs. Reilly any further by sticking around, so we agreed I would touch base the next day.
And now she’s not answering my calls or texts. I’ve been ghosted and I have no idea why.
I’m in Pelican Point tonight to see my mother, and to show my face around town, since it’s the kickoff of the annual fall festival.
We’re strolling down Seabreeze Avenue, which has been transformed with lights and decorations, giving it a fall flair leading into the holiday season.
It appears most of the town is out tonight, as folks nod and wave, a huge contrast to the earlier hostile vibe at the town hall meeting.
It appears the show left a positive impression of Stone Development, which was the goal.
The activity from locals and tourists and the sights and sounds of the small businesses remind me of simpler times walking around town with my grandfather, who taught me that true wealth isn’t always about money.
At some point, I obviously forgot about that lesson, although Desirae has consistently reminded me.
As we approach the storefront of Coastal Couture, I admire the updated displays in the windows. Desirae must have worked all day to transform her boutique into what looks like a festive fairytale. So why the hell is she avoiding me?
During another heated argument with the board earlier today about the project, something clicked inside of me.
I realized that because I never knew my father, I always felt I had to do more, and do better, to compensate for not having him in my life.
That’s been the driving force behind my relentless pursuit of success at any cost—no matter who or what might be destroyed.
When did I lose sight of what’s truly important?
The callous disregard by the board for the people and history of Pelican Point has opened my eyes.
Now that I’ve become personally invested—because of Desirae, my mother, even Mrs. Reilly—I get it.
My musing is interrupted by my mother, as she comes to a stop in front of Desirae’s store.
“Looks like she’s open. We should go in.”
“She’s not speaking to me. And before you ask what I did, I don’t know. And I don’t want to disrupt anything for her tonight.”
Mom squeezes my arm. “Oh, son. I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but after everything that happened the other night after the show, I do know this.
Life’s too short to miss out on something because of miscommunication.
Don’t let it fester. Take it from me. Don’t live with regrets like I have. ”
We resume our stroll arm-in-arm. “I have a feeling you’re not just talking about Desirae and me. I saw your reaction to what happened with Mrs. Reilly. Is there something you want to tell me?”
As we walk along, all the sights and sounds fade away as I focus on my mother’s words. Her voice is nostalgic, with a touch of sadness.
“When Mrs. Reilly called you Christopher, I was taken aback. Although I hadn’t really focused on it before, you look exactly like your father. And his name was Christopher.”
I stop in my tracks. “Mom, what are you saying? That Mrs. Reilly’s son is my father? What happened? Why did my father leave you all alone?”
“If Mrs. Reilly’s Christopher is your father, then apparently he didn’t leave me.
And he didn’t know I was pregnant. Through some searching on the internet, I found out her son was lost at sea.
He was a commercial fisherman working out of Palm Beach.
So was my Christopher. We’d been dating for a few months, and before he left on a week-long trip, he promised to introduce me to his parents when he returned.
But I never heard from him again. No phone call, nothing.
I just assumed he changed his mind or was seeing someone else.
Back then, if you didn’t want to be found, it was easy to disappear.
About a month later, I realized I was pregnant.
I had no idea how to find him to let him know.
So I raised you on my own and never looked back. Until now.”
Damn. Everything I thought I knew was based on an assumption.
The bitterness. The overcompensating. The hatred of a ghost. But that’s nothing in comparison to what my mother’s been living with for the last forty years.
Yet she never let it show or let her feelings interfere with the love she always showered on me.
I steer my mother toward a quiet spot in a doorway of a building and wrap her in my arms.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Sorry you had to carry such a burden and so much hurt all these years. And I’m sorry if when you look at me, it brings up painful memories.”
She pulls back and shakes her head. “Oh honey, no. You are the most important person in my life. My biggest accomplishment. I’m so proud of you and I always will be.”
I grin, in an effort to lighten the mood. “So you’re telling me that Mrs. Reilly, the owner of the building I was planning to demolish, might be my grandmother?”
Regina nods. “It’s certainly possible. Everything fits.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I already decided I’m not touching that building.”
“See? I always knew you’d do the right thing.”
I pull out my phone, searching for DNA testing companies in the area. I’d really like to know if she’s my grandmother; but even more, I want to give my mother the gift of closure. And maybe, if she’s open to it, Mrs. Reilly might gain something as well.