Family Bonds

Chapter 21, Episode 2

Chet left a message. "Mom, you need to come to the beach house before Jane and I leave. Maybe on Sunday afternoon? We have to go home on Monday. Please call me back."

"Do you think she'll come?"

"I hope so. She wanted us to have time here together, but I can't just leave and then have her meet Denis by herself."

Long after they settled for the night, Chet imagined what his mother would do, what she would say, when he told her. But she didn't call him back. Where was she?

For the next two days, Chet and Jane explored the beach. The man they had met was not among the other beachcombers. Idly, Chet wondered if he'd imagined him.

When they returned from a leisurely excursion Sunday afternoon, Trish's car, filled with boxes and extra suitcases, was parked behind Chet's.

"You look like you're moving in," he said as he walked up the stairs. The news he wanted to share ate at him.

"I am. Bitsy and I talked—during our retail therapy. I decided it would be easier if I just stayed here. I should have called ahead after I got your message, but I've been so busy packing things, getting ready."

She handed him a box. "Eddie called when I was driving down. He said your father roared like a wounded lion when he was served on Friday—at the office." She laughed. "I didn't plan for it to happen quite that way, but it did, and I'm kind of glad. Now he can't deny it."

"What about Ed? What else did he say?"

His mother's eyes were extra-bright. "He said he wasn't surprised and if I needed anything, wanted anything, he had my back."

"I'm glad." Good for you, bro. "So, you're going to stay here until it's over?" I have to tell her.

"That's the plan, at least for now. I doubt your dad will think of this place. Even if he does, it won't matter. Malvina got a call from Oliver, confirming receipt of the papers. She said he won't represent Richard. He's referring Richard to people who do family law. I don't care who. Malvina will chew him up and spit him out in little pieces, according to Bitsy."

Chet chuckled. "Then I guess it wouldn't be good if I watched the fireworks." Nothing compared to my news.

"Your father would have a conniption if you showed up. Don't even think about it."

"Want to hike on the beach tomorrow?" Chet asked as he glanced at his mother. "Before Jane and I leave?" He wasn't sure how to break the news to her, not wanting a repeat of the scene at her house when Jane had so abruptly told his mother what Richard had done.

"Of course. I love to walk in the morning, before anyone makes footprints in the sand. But you two don't have to get up early. In fact, why don't I turn over the breakfast making to you? Later, I'll show you some of my favorite places. And there's the lighthouse on the point. I'd love for the two of you to see it."

Chet fidgeted for a moment. Jane took his hand under the table and squeezed. He cleared his throat. He couldn't wait any longer.

"Mom, Jane and I met someone. I was hoping you might want to meet him, too. He said his name was Denis. Haider."

Silence met his declaration. His mother's face turned pale, and she seemed to be having trouble catching her breath. "What are the odds—two people with that name," she murmured.

Jane rose from the table and placed her hands on Trish's shoulders. "He said he wanted to meet you. He's here—with his relatives. If you want, we could talk to him first. Or bring him here. Unless you don't want to see him."

"It can't be the same person. He died. I told you that, Chet. It's not that I don't believe you, but I need to go for a walk to clear my head. Alone." Trish reached for her jacket and walked outside.

"What do you think she'll do?" Chet asked.

"Go for a walk. Isn't that what she said?" Jane pointed. "See? There she is, walking." She turned away from the window. "Maybe she'll meet him on the beach."

"Maybe." He nodded and wrapped an arm over Jane's shoulders. They waited for more than an hour. His mother had not returned before the fire died down to embers and Chet closed the glass doors fronting the fireplace. He and Jane looked at the moonlit waves. The roar of the surf serenaded them as they talked.

"Maybe I should look for her," Chet finally said.

"She won't get lost. She knows this beach. She'll come back. Maybe she met other people she used to know." Jane switched off all the lights except for the one most easily seen from the beach. "The news we gave her had to be a shock."

Ten minutes later, Trish returned, quietly shut the outside door and retreated to the downstairs bedroom without coming up to talk with them.

~ ~ ~

"Your mom said we were to cook breakfast," Jane announced after Chet came out of the shower. "What should we make? My mom used to love having breakfast in bed—I did that for her on Mother's Day." She continued setting the table. "When do you suppose your mom will be up? Want to wake her?"

"No. She'll come up when she's ready. Maybe she's extra-tired from all that hiking on the beach last night."

When breakfast was ready, and there was no sign of his mother, he said, "Let's eat. We'll put the rest away and she can nuke the French toast when she gets up."

They were about to head for the beach when Trish walked into the kitchen, her cheeks flushed, and her hair mussed by the wind. "It's glorious outside. You two must go for a walk. While you're gone, I'll plan lunch."

"We thought you were asleep—after that long walk last night," Chet said.

"I love the beach when it's not crowded." She brushed her hair back. "On my way home this morning, I watched some people crabbing—especially this one darling little girl." She waved them toward the door. "About the news last night? We'll talk about that over lunch."

Chet nodded, relieved.

"We left your breakfast in the fridge—in case you're hungry," Jane offered.

"Thanks."

Jane grabbed the cloth bag to store treasures she and Chet might find on the beach. The sun was climbing into the sky, the fog over the ocean sliding out to sea as they headed for the sand.

They hadn't walked far when they saw Denis.

"Did you talk with your mother, tell her I was here? May I speak with her?"

Chet nodded. "She arrived last night. Why don't you come back with us?"

The three of them walked toward the beach house. Chet and Denis walked together, each periodically looking at the other as they strode up the beach. Jane followed.

"Trish, look who we found," Jane called out, as she approached the stairs and saw Trish sitting on the deck, facing the ocean.

The woman stood up when she heard Jane's voice and looked toward the men. Then she seemed to collapse onto the deck.

"Oh, my God. Mom!" Chet began to run. "Wait at the stairs," he shouted over his shoulder at the older man.

Minutes later, Chet continued to pat Trish's hand, while Jane offered her water. Denis remained at the bottom of the steps.

"I'm okay, you two. Really."

Chet glanced down at the man. "It really is him, isn't it?"

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