42
Beckett
I pull my car around the circular driveway, staring up at a house I wasn’t sure that I ever wanted to return to.
The last time I left Selah’s mother’s home it wasn’t on the best of terms, to say the least. But after I told Selah last night about my plans to move to Upwood permanently, we also spoke to Edison about our plan once we got home. I knew after all of this what my next step needed to be.
I wasn’t sure how happy Bianca would be to hear from me when I got her phone number from Selah’s contacts list and called her. Thankfully, she wasn’t nearly as hostile as I thought she might be when I called, and she agreed to meet with me today at her home.
Selah is starting to do some prep work at school for the new school year, and Edison is in his last week of summer camp, so this was the perfect opportunity to take off on my own to Charlestown.
I get out of the car and take out the flowers I got from Mary’s shop, and a small, wrapped package from the back seat, before heading to the front door. I ring the bell and hear the familiar barking of the tiny dogs on the other side before the door pulls open.
Bianca gives me an uncertain smile, her posture a bit tense, “Hello Beckett, come on in,” she offers, stepping aside.
Her dogs dance around my feet as I come inside and hand her the bouquet of assorted flowers, and package. “Hello Ms. Garrett. These are for you. Thank you for having me over,” I say.
She takes everything from me, smiling more genuinely now, “How thoughtful of you. Let’s go to the kitchen,” she says.
I follow behind her, trying to ignore the pictures in the hallway as we pass by. I need to keep my cool this time and remember the purpose of why I am here today.
She sets her flowers and package down on the counter and moves over to the cabinets. “Would you like some espresso, or tea?” she offers.
“Espresso would be wonderful. Thank you,” I respond, sitting down on a chair at the island.
She sets to work getting our drinks and I look from the kitchen into the open living room, glad to see that Carey must not be home today, probably out at one of his dealerships.
She hands me a demitasse cup filled with espresso and takes the seat next to me in her own chair, waiting for me to speak.
I take a sip of my espresso, gathering my thoughts and trying to make sure I articulate myself without animosity in my voice. “I know when we first met each other I was a bit harsh with my comments,” I begin. “I want you to know that I didn’t mean any disrespect to you, or your husband. It’s just that when it comes to Selah I am very protective, and I don’t think you truly understand how much your words impact her.”
She glances away from me to the teacup in front of her, “I know that sometimes I can be a bit of a nag when it comes to her weight, or her job. I just really want what is best for her,” she sighs.
I shake my head, “What is best for her, is to support her, be loving, and accept her for who she is. She doesn’t feel any of that from you. And it affects her mentally more than I think you understand. She is such a beautiful, intelligent woman. I don’t know what more you can ask of her to make you satisfied, or give her the love she wants from you.”
Tears form in her eyes and she nods solemnly, “I guess critiquing is all I really know as a mother. It’s what I grew up with,” she explains, sniffling quietly.
I get up and go over to the counter, retrieving some tissues and bringing them back over to her. She mumbles a “thank you” and blows her nose. I wait patiently for her to continue.
“I was never skinny enough, or pretty enough for my mother. When I met Selah’s father, my mother told me I was making a mistake, because she had always taught me to marry for money so that I’d have financial security. I guess I passed all of the negativity I grew up with on to Selah. It wasn’t always just her either. I can be a bit naggy to my stepchildren as well honestly. I never considered how much my words hurt until our dinner the other night,” she admits.
I nod in understanding, knowing too well how easy it is to continue the bad habits we learn from our families when we are young. I watched Charlie continue the pill addiction that he watched his mother battle with on and off until she left him behind, passing down her lack of affection towards him onto Edison in turn.
It’s hard to break the generational behaviors and habits that get ingrained into us when we’re young. But someone has to be the one to make the changes, and I know that Selah is going to be the woman from her lineage that won’t treat her children with the same judgement that she was given.
“I think it’s important that you tell Selah all of this. It will be a big weight lifted off of her shoulders, and it could really change the dynamic between the two of you. But you have to make the effort to speak to her more respectfully, and get to know her for who she is. I can’t stand to see her hurting.”
I don’t get into all of the ways she’s damaged Selah’s self-esteem, and how her words have affected the way she eats, and views herself. I think that will be Selah’s story to tell when she’s ready.
“I promise I will tell her,” Bianca agrees, dabbing her eyes and smiling sadly. “I think it’s long overdue that we set some things straight with one another.”
“Good,” I respond. “I came here to start over with you so we could have a better understanding between us. But I also came here for another reason.”
I stand up, going into my pocket to retrieve a square, black, box.
Bianca gasps, standing to her feet. “Oh my goodness! Are you going to..”
I open the box so that she can see the ring inside.
It is a six carat, Asscher cut diamond I had shipped in from New York. Natalie helped me get it designed by her father who is a jeweler in Manhattan. It’s big enough that another man can see it from down the street, but still as demure, and uniquely elegant, as my beautiful woman.
“I want to ask you for Selah’s hand in marriage. I’m moving here to Upwood, and I want to keep building my life with her. I’ll take care of her until my last breath, and I don’t just mean financially. I mean in every way she wants and needs,” I promise confidently. “I know it’s customary to ask the father, or stepfather, but..”
“But Selah and Carey are not close. I know, Beckett,” Bianca finishes for me. “Something else I need to make right.”
She gently puts her hand on my arm, “Her father would have loved you Beckett. You remind me of him in a lot of ways. He was a good man, and I can tell you are too. You more than have my blessing to marry her.”
I give her a small smile, pretending to be relieved.
The truth is I would have married Selah even if her mother stood on top of her house and condemned it for the entire city to hear. But it will be good to start the next chapter of our life together as husband and wife being on good terms with everyone.
“Thank you, Ms. Garrett,” I respond, putting the ring back into my pocket.
I finish my espresso and we talk for a few more minutes before I stand up and take both of our cups to the sink. I pick up the package I brought for her and bring it over to her, placing it in her hands.
“Please open it,” I say, putting my hands in my pockets.
She smiles and takes off the wrapping paper, and her eyes widen when she sees what’s inside.
It’s a framed picture I took of Selah and Edison from his birthday party. They both are happy and glowing, hugging each other as they pose by his birthday cake.
“She deserves to be on the wall in that hallway just as much as anyone else in your family. And Edison will be a part of your family now too,” I explain.
Bianca nods, placing it down on the kitchen counter. “I’ll go get a hook and hang it up right away,” she promises, smiling earnestly.
Bianca walks me to the door and I shake her hand before I leave, feeling a bit of a weight lifted off of my shoulders. My mission here is complete, and I’ve had more than enough time away from Selah today.
I hope that this will be a fresh start for their future.
I’m almost back to the cabin when a call comes through on my Bluetooth. I answer it quickly seeing it’s Daniel, Charlies lawyer, calling.
Today was the first day of Charlie’s trial, and Daniel promised to keep me updated on how things are progressing.
“Good morning, Daniel. How are things?” I ask.
“Good morning, Mr. Kade. I’m happy to tell you some good news finally,” he responds and I furrow my eyebrows.
“Charlie finally agreed to take a plea deal before his trial started today. It wasn’t as great as what the DA originally offered him, but better than the alternative. He will have a $15,000 fine and serve a 10-year sentence. With good behavior, he may be out in 8 years.”
I relax my hand, not even realizing the tight grip I had on the steering wheel. “That is surprisingly not the worst outcome. How did you finally convince him to negotiate?” I ask.
“I asked him to think about his life when he got out of prison fifteen plus years from now. I asked him to consider how much better it would be getting out when he was thirty-five, or thirty-seven, versus the alternative. I think it woke him up a little bit,” Daniel explains.
“You’re a good lawyer Daniel, and a much more patient man than I am for sure,” I respond. “Thank you for all of your work with him.”
We speak for a few more minutes until I reach the cabin, and park the car out front. I sit there for a few minutes thinking over everything that has happened with Charlie since I arrived here.
His future has always been so uncertain, but now he has a definite long stint behind bars for at least the next 8 years of his life. Part of me truly hopes that he uses that time to get himself clean, and think about what really matters.
If he wants to try to have a relationship with Edison when he gets out, he will undoubtedly have an uphill battle trying to build a relationship with a 14-year-old teenager, who at no point in time had a good relationship with him.
If he chooses to try to rebuild their relationship, I will be there to help Edison navigate it. I’ve always been as forthcoming as I can with him about the process his father is going through, but right now my focus is on being the best guardian possible for him, and making sure that he has a good life.
I have a meeting tomorrow to make things permanent as his care giver, and with Charlie’s signature already giving up custody of him, I think the process will go smoothly.