Family Bonds

Chapter 18, Episode 2

 "And I met Richard. At first, your uncle John admired him for how quickly he'd grown his company and recently taken over another one. Vince never liked him, never trusted him. Your grandfather had his doubts, too. Only after Richard proposed did Papa tell me what he thought."

Chet nodded. "Do you regret marrying Dad?"

"I wouldn't have two sons if I hadn't. Eddie is my son, too, you know."

He rose and hugged her tightly, feeling her rapid heartbeat. "But you didn't say you love him—Richard, I mean."

She brought a hand up to Chet's face and caressed his cheek. "It doesn't seem like such a bad thing now, my leaving him, after acknowledging what's he's been doing for so long. What I didn't want to accept." She reached for a napkin. "The difference between Richard and Denis ... Denis loved me with his whole heart. He made me feel I was precious, as if I were special. He called me his American jewel. I'm not sure Richard ever really loved me that way. He needed a mother for his son, someone to help entertain his clients." She sighed.

"Denis—how tall was he?"

The look in his mother's eyes told Chet she was remembering the young man she had met and loved so long ago. "Not quite as tall as you—Richard's height, actually. His hair was like yours, though, wavy and thick, dark brown." She stopped. "Being with Denis was like a dream—my dream. I thought of him every day, after I came home. Whenever I see you I see him."

Chet squeezed her hands. "Is he—is Denis why we never went to the beach house? Is his family still there?"

She frowned and shook her head. "Not that I'm aware. There were days when I wanted to go back with you and Eddie, but the thought of it when you were very young was too painful—and Richard always refused to come with us."

She gazed at him, and the sadness in her eyes told him what she was feeling. "I went back the last time after your grandmother died. She loved the beach house. I went there by myself. To escape. To sit there, watch the waves and listen to the surf. I never saw his cousins. Maybe they sold their place." She stopped talking. "You aren't mad at me—for not telling you all of this sooner?"

"I didn't need to know it before. You're my mother. How could I be mad at you? I love you." He hugged her and kissed her forehead.

He paused and his pulse skyrocketed. "Do you know if Dad had any other children—besides Eddie, I mean?"

She seemed startled by the question. "Oh, I'm sure not. I think I would have known that." She was looking at him more intently. "That's a funny question, Chet."

"I guess." He glanced down, wanting to say more, afraid to do so.

His mother continued, "Part of me wishes I could see past what your father did with those other women. I guess I'm just not strong enough to do that."

He patted her hand. "Don't call him my father. He's not. I'll never call him that again." He took a deep breath.

"I want to change my name, Mom—to Haider."

She gasped. "You can't! What will the rest of the family think? Eddie and Richard ... they'll hate you."

"I don't have a choice, Mom. It will make it easier—to build my own family. I want to come see you—at the house. So we can talk again."

His mother smiled. "That would be nice, dear." She patted his face. "Why don't you bring Jane with you? I can tell you love her."

He nodded, hugged her again and she left his apartment. The meeting with Jane and his mother had to go well. He had to tell her who Jane's father was. He'd meant to do it, but the words wouldn't come. What would Mom do when she knew? What if his mother couldn't accept Jane? His stomach began a slow roll and bile rose in his throat at the thought. I should have told her before she left.