The Lifeguard

Chapter 28

He was right, and I was wrong. Everything he said was true. He was not lying nor making up stories. He had every right to accuse my father. He had reasonable reasons to keep grudges, and to seek for revenge. My father is a killer. As much as he keeps denying it, I could see through his eyes. He was lying on my face. He was hiding it, but I know him. He's tense when he feels uncomforable.

"Hey, are you alright?" Mom asked. She put her hand on my shoulder as she walks by. "What were you and your father fighting about?"

I breathed out. "Nothing. You know Dad, he gets mad with everything," I lied. I got up from the high chair in the kitchen island to place the empty bowl on the kitchen sink. "Mom?"

She looked at me. "Yes?"

"Do you remember Mr. Dawson? He is Dad's friend, right? That makes them a family friend. Do you remember him?" I asked, hoping she remembers. "Do you know anything about them?"

There's a pucker between her eyebrows. "Yeah. He was a friend of your father, but we don't consider them as family friends anymore."

"How come I don't know about them? I mean. I know I was young but," I paused.

"You met him before, don't you remember?" she asked. I shook my head, no. "He was the one who saved you when you were drowning in the ocean."
I was surprised. She began rinsing the grapes on the sink while I walked back to the kitchen island. "If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell your father?" she asked. I nodded in response. "Do you remember when you were little? It was your first day in first grade, and I took you out after school. Do you remember where we went?"

I shook my head. "No. I don't."

"We went to the Dawson's resident."

My eyes enlarged, shocked. "We did?"

She nodded. "We did. We saw a boy around your age outside the house. He told us to go inside, but you saw him ran to the back so you asked me if you could go with him. I said yes. You were so excited, so you ran after him while I went inside." She offered me some grapes, but I refused. "While you were playing with the boy, I was inside talking to his guardians."

"What were you talking about?"

"Mr. Dawson and his wife died about two years ago from that day. I know they were accusing your father for what happened, and I don't blame them. I had my doubts too, but I was never sure. I offered them any help, but Mikael declined my offer because they did not want any more trouble. They were ready to start fresh, and they didn't want to go through hell again. They wanted to forget, and move on."

"You think Dad killed them?"

"I thought of it, but I still like to think that your father is not capable of killing someone." She took a deep breath. "I never told your father about our little visit. It's like it never happened."

I was thinking hard, trying to remember but I don't remember anything. "The boy, what was his name?"

"Connor."

Now, I am in complete shock. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Follow me." We both walked upstairs to their room. When we got there, she started going through her jewelry box. "Do you remember this?" she asked while showing me a bracelet. "When we were in the car, you showed me this. You told me it was from Connor that he gave it you because he wanted you to keep it. I was scared that your father would see it so I asked if I could hide it for you." She handed me the bracelet. It's a silver bracelet with Connor's initial, a tiny letter c charm.

"Why are you just giving this to me now?"

"You forgot about it, so I never gave it to you. I think now is the best time to give it back. I know all about you and Connor." She smiled while putting the bracelet on me. "Don't worry, your father does not know. He doesn't even know Connor." Mom chuckled.

"How?" I asked still feeling surprised.

"Olivia. She's not loyal to your father, she's working for me. She's on my side, sweetheart."

"Connor, he works at the Anderson's. He told me he met Dad before. How come Dad doesn't know him?"

"Your father only know the other boy, Alexander. He never met Connor when he was still friends with his dad. Connor got in the hotel because of me. I was the one who saw his file, so I hired him. He used his aunt's name, so your father would never know, but I recognized it." 

"If you know Alexander, does that mean you also know about Chloe's death?" I asked.

"I do, although your father thinks I don't know what happened. I just found out a year ago. I did my own investigation and until now, I am still trying to figure out everything."

"But why are you still with him? Shouldn't you be angry? Why didn't you leave him?"

Mom gave a half smile. "I was mad. I still am, but he's my husband. He's your father. And I love him, Zoe. We don't have any proof that he is behind all of those deaths, but if he is, I know what I need to do. I will do the right thing." She sighed, while holding my hand. "I know you feel betrayed, but I want you to know that it was for your own good. I didn't tell you because it was the only way to protect you. I'm sorry."

There are million of questions and thoughts fighting in my head, trying to get answers. "Connor knows. He knows, and I didn't. I don't know what to feel towards him."

Mom pulled me close, while wrapping her hand around me. I leaned my head on her shoulder. "He did that for you, just like I did. You wouldn't be hurting if you don't love him. You know, I could tell. I know you love him. That's what you feel towards him. You feel pain because you love him. And that's okay. Love will not be real if you're not hurting."

Maybe she's right. Love is not only made of happiness, it is also made of different things and sadness is one of them.