Love Will Find a Way (30 page)

There was no point in denying an obvious truth. “Does that bother you?"

Larry thought for a moment. “No. I've reconciled myself to my parents’ divorce. All I want now is for both you and Dad to be happy."

Emily pushed her half-filled can aside. “And you think I'm happy with Dennis?

"It would appear so.” Larry's discomfort was evident. “If you are happy with Dennis, go for it.” He swallowed, awkwardly. “Kevin feels the same way."

"Does he?” Emily's eyes widened. “And when did he tell you this?"

"The day we talked to Dennis, after we had a talk with Dad."

This was news to Emily. She wanted to ask for specifics. Instead, she smiled and said, “I see.” She didn't. But one thing was becoming perfectly clear. Dennis Morrison had come to exercise a tremendous amount of influence over both her sons. “Why did you decide to talk to Dennis after you'd talked to your dad?"

"Kevin and I were both still confused and unsure about some things."

Emily knew she shouldn't ask, but she did. “What things?"

Larry crushed the aluminum can in his hand. “Dad made Kevin and me promise to keep what we talked about in strictest confidence."

"But you told Dennis what was said?” Was this the person she had so recently assessed as being mature?

"Mom.” Larry was making an effort to placate. “Dennis is a counselor. What we tell him doesn't count."

Emily had used that same argument to justify confiding in Dennis at every turn. Awareness of her own duplicity made her voice harsh. “And who told you that?"

"Mom, I'm not stupid. It's okay to confide in your counselor. Besides, Dennis is also an ordained minister."

"True,” Emily conceded, “but he's not neutral in this situation. That makes him less than objective."

Larry argued with conviction. “Dennis wants what's best for everybody concerned."

Emily wanted to believe that. “Maybe Dennis is not objective enough to know what is best for everyone.” She made an effort to control her impatience. “I'm not sure there is one definitive solution. What's best for one person might not be best for another."

"Mom, you're talking in generalities."

"Maybe that's because I don't know any of the specifics.” Emily's tone softened. “There is one specific I'd like explained. What did you mean when you told me to ‘go for it’ with Dennis?"

"I approve, Mom. I like Dennis. I know you don't need my permission to have another man in your life. I want you to know that I'll respect and support any decision you make."

Somehow Emily knew those words were an echo of phrases that had come originally from the mouth of Dennis Morrison. “I couldn't ask for more than that."

Larry stood. “I'm happy that we had this talk and cleared the air."

Emily squelched the urge to tell him that she was more muddle-minded now than she had been at the onset of their little conversation. Instinct told her it was better to leave well enough alone. “Lock the door before you go to bed."

Larry pushed his chair under the table. “I'm going out again. I'm meeting Gus and some of the guys at Tony's Pizza Shack."

Emily refrained from reminding him that it was late and he'd had a long and tiring day. “Then I won't see you again before you leave for Austin."

"I could get up and have breakfast with you in the morning,” Larry offered.

"That's not necessary.” Emily gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “Lock the door when you leave and when you return."

Obviously relieved that Emily was not going to object to his going out, Larry strode toward the living room. “Goodnight, Mom. I'll call you tomorrow evening.” The silent house vibrated with the slamming of the front door.

As Emily cleared the table and straightened the living room, a host of conflicting thoughts rolled around inside her head. What she needed now was a hot shower and a good night's sleep.

The shower was accomplished in short order. Sleep was another matter. It was a long time after she laid her restless head on her pillow before she was able to find her way down the dark corridors of slumber.

She awoke the next morning with a clear head and renewed resolve to put the past behind her and get on with her life. A busy morning in her office helped her forget the events of the day before. It was almost noon before she glanced at her watch for the first time and wondered where the morning had gone. Switching off her computer, she decided to have an early lunch.

She was scarcely seated in the diner when she looked up to see Robert striding toward her table. He sat down before Emily had time to protest. “I thought I'd find you here."

Something was wrong, she could tell by the look on his face and the tone of his voice. “Has something happened to George?"

"Dad's fine. It's Aunt Beth.” Reaching across the table he took both Emily's hands in his. “She died in her sleep last night."

Emily closed her eyes. “I suppose it was inevitable. Did she suffer?"

Robert's hold on her hands tightened. “No. She passed away peacefully."

Emily opened her eyes and stared into the distraught face of the man seated across from her. “How's George?"

"Not well, I'm afraid. Aunt Beth was like a mother to him after he lost his own parents."

In the face of this tragedy, her differences with Robert paled into insignificance. “Where are George and Clara now?"

"They're at home.” Robert's frown deepened. “Are you all right?"

Emily got a grip on her emotions. “I can cope.” Her mind turned to more practical matters. “Did you get in touch with Kevin?"

Robert nodded. “I called him earlier this morning. I talked to Larry, too. He's postponed going back to Austin. He's coming out to Mom and Dad's as soon as he ties up some loose ends."

"And Kevin?” Emily asked.

"Kevin is cutting his honeymoon short. He and Stacy will be home tomorrow morning."

Tears filled Emily's eyes. “Only yesterday Aunt Beth said she was not long for this world. I thought she was being melodramatic.” The terrible finality of what had happened was beginning to sink in. “Get me out of here before I fall apart."

Robert put his arm around her shoulder and led her toward the door. “Where would you like to go?"

"I should be with George and Clara and so should you. I'll call my office from there."

"I have a cell phone in my car.” Robert ushered Emily toward the parking lot. “Can you leave on such short notice?"

"This is a family emergency. They will have to understand.” After calling her office, Emily settled back and stared out the window at the passing traffic as old memories made her heart ache. She could never remember when Aunt Beth hadn't been a part of her life. Often sharp-tongued, sometimes cynical, she had been that unfettered relation who showed up at birthday parties with special gifts, the spinster aunt who made holidays special with outings and presents. Despite all her generous gestures, she had remained on the periphery of the family unit, distant and somewhat aloof. Had she made these overt demonstrations of thoughtfulness toward others because her own life had been bleak and unfulfilled? Words Aunt Beth had spoken to Emily only yesterday returned to bounce around in her head.
Don't pity me. I made my choice a long time ago, and I never regretted it.

Robert's voice broke into her melancholy reflections, “A penny for your thoughts."

Emily turned to stare at his profile. “I was remembering something Aunt Beth told me yesterday. She said she'd made a choice a long time ago and she'd never regretted it. I don't know of anyone else who could make such a statement about any decision they ever made."

Without taking his eyes from the road Robert asked, “Do you have regrets, Emily?"

"Doesn't everybody? I'm sure Aunt Beth did, too. She was speaking about a specific choice she'd made. It concerned her relationship with a married man. She told me she was in love with him. Do you know who he was?"

Robert stopped for a red light. “I haven't the faintest idea."

How little Emily really knew about a woman who had always been a part of her life.

"Aunt Beth raised Dad after his parents died. She was my grandfather's only living relative.” Robert slowed for an intersection. “When Grandpa and Grandma died, she moved in and took over. Some of Grandma's sisters took her to court later, trying to get custody of Dad. They lost. It soon became apparent that Aunt Beth had a will of iron, some very influential friends in high places and a seemingly endless supply of money."

Emily's curiosity was piqued. “You don't know the name of the man she had the affair with?"

Robert sped around a slow-moving vehicle. “I have no idea."

"I always assumed she was a spinster in every sense of the word.” Emily wondered how many of her other assumptions about Aunt Beth had been dead wrong.

As the car pulled into the driveway of George and Clara's home, Emily suddenly remembered her dinner date with Dennis. “May I use your telephone again?"

Robert shrugged. “Be my guest."

She picked up the phone and waited hoping Robert would go inside. When it became obvious that he intended to stay until she completed her call, Emily asked, “Do you mind? This is private."

Robert didn't budge. “I don't mind, go ahead."

Emily dialed Dennis's office. His secretary answered and told her Reverend Morrison was out. “I'll call back later.” She dialed the parsonage and got the housekeeper who explained that the twins weren't home. Emily handed the phone to Robert. “Thank you.” She half-expected him to ask her questions. He didn't.

A smile broke through the scowl on George's face when Emily came through the door. He pulled her into a bear hug.

"Is there anything I can do for you?” Emily asked.

"Just having you here helps.” George shook his head. “I'm going to miss my little Auntie.” Irrelevantly he added, “Debra says she's better off now."

"Where is Debra?” Emily looked around the room.

"She and Mike are on their way home. They should be here before dark."

From behind her, Robert urged, “Go in and see Mamma. I'll stay here with Dad."

Emily hurried down the hall with the thought that she had been traversing this passageway since she was a little girl staying over for the night with Debra. Clara was lying on her bed. Her legs were covered with a patchwork quilt. She smiled when Emily entered the room. “I'm glad you came, although I know it is an imposition."

Emily sat on the bed beside the frail little woman. “It's not an imposition. Aunt Beth was very dear to me, just as you and George are."

"Aunt Beth was good to me, you know,” Clara confided. “After George and I married, she was always good to me, even though she didn't approve of me at first."

Startled by such a revelation, Emily blurted out, “Aunt Beth didn't approve of you?"

"She thought I was too young and flighty for George. Those were her exact words. ‘The girl is too young and flighty for a man like George.’”

"I'm sure she didn't mean it.” Emily found herself in the strange position of wanting to find fault with such a blatant affront and still not wishing to speak ill of one so recently deceased. “Or maybe you misunderstood."

"It was difficult to misunderstand Aunt Beth. She always said exactly what she thought. But I grew to love her.” Clara wiped at a tear. “I understood after a while why she was so protective of George. He was all she had after Morris McCray passed on."

Emily's mouth fell open. “Morris McCray the ex-governor of our state?"

Clara sat on the side of the bed. “He was once a United States Senator, too. And he was very wealthy.” She felt around under her bed. “Now where did I put my slippers?” Finding her shoes, she slipped her feet into them. “I have to go back to Dad now. He needs me."

Emily understood. This was Clara's way of saying the conversation about Aunt Beth's lover was closed. She helped Clara to her feet. “He's in the living room."

As Emily was helping Clara settle on the couch beside George, Larry came through the front door.

He greeted first his grandmother and then his grandfather with a sad smile and a big hug before turning to face his father, “Hi, Dad."

Robert nodded. “I'm glad you're here."

Such formality, Emily thought sadly. They could have been casual acquaintances greeting each other in passing.

Larry came to stand beside Emily. “How are you, Mom?” His anxious eyes searched her face, before he gave her a quick hug.

"I'm all right.” Emily dropped into an overstuffed chair.

"Are you sure?” Larry leaned against the wall and put his hands in his pockets. “Dennis says this will be hard for you. I promised him I'd take care of you."

"You talked to Dennis?” Emily was surprised that he had taken the time, “When?"

"I went by to see him on my way out here.” Larry was obviously not aware of the tension that suddenly hummed through the room. “He got the message you left for him. He says to tell you not to worry about Boo. He and the twins will look after him."

For now, the less said about Dennis Morrison, the better. “That was kind of him.” Emily changed the subject. “Did you lock the house when you left?"

"I locked the door. Don't worry.” Larry sank down on his haunches. “Dennis wants you to call him."

Before Emily could answer, Clara intervened. “You can use the telephone in Dad's study. There's more privacy there."

Four pairs of eyes fastened on Emily. Since she could think of no appropriate answer to the silent questions she saw there, she excused herself and slipped down the hall to George's study.

The phone rang only once before Dennis's deep voice sounded in her ear. “Reverend Morrison here.” He was, as always, cool, self-assured and totally in command.

"Dennis?” Some of Emily's tension floated away. “Larry said you wanted me to call you."

"I did. I'm concerned about you, Emily.” The dulcet tones of his deep voice reached out like a caress. “I know how fond you were of your Aunt Beth."

She hadn't been Emily's Aunt Beth, except by marriage and that marriage was no longer valid. Emily didn't remind Dennis of that fact. “She was very dear to me. I'll miss her."

"I talked with Stacy. She and Kevin are on their way home.” Dennis seemed to have the situation well in hand. “I sent someone over to clean their apartment."