Page 5 of Fake To Forever

There’s something in my dad’s tone that catches my attention. I look up with a furrowed brow and study his expression. He appears pensive, his lips pressed together in a thin line as he studies the paperweight. His thick silver hair is slicked back, and his face is clean shaven as usual. At fifty-seven, Paul Tallow can still turn heads with the best of them. Looking at him is like looking in a mirror with my reflection aged about thirty years. Same slender nose, same strong jaw, same blue eyes. My grandpa always said I looked just like Dad did when he was my age, and it’s easy to believe.

I’m not certain I’ll be able to say the same about Oliver.

Oliver’s smart as a whip and lively, but he’s small for his age. He was sick a lot as a baby due to vitamin deficiencies and severe allergies, including one to peanuts, all of which I can’t help but wonder if it had an effect on his growth. Though the doctors don’t believe so, all I can do is to be hopeful he will hit a growth spurt soon.

“Are you okay, Dad?” I ask, pushing aside my wandering thoughts to focus back on my father and his solemn silence.

He glances up at me and gives me a half-smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“It’s just going to be hard not to have you and Oliver around here anymore,” he confesses, his tone soft. “I’m going to miss you both.”

I give him a small smile and relax my shoulders. “It’s not like we’re moving out of the country. Blue Ridge is only a couple of hours away. You’ll be able to visit us whenever you want, and I’ll have to come back to Houston for work. Plus, I don’t know if this move is permanent. We might be back after things with Theresa have been worked out.”

Dad gives me a slightly relieved smile and nods. “I know, I know. I just will miss having my little guy around.”

“You could come with us.”

Chuckling, Dad shakes his head. “No, no, I need to stay here. Your grandfather needs me around, and someone has to keep an eye on the company over here while you get settled. It’s all right. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“I wish none of this was happening,” I confess, dropping into my leather desk chair and letting my head drop back with a groan. “I didn’t anticipate things getting so complicated so quickly.”

“That’s life.” Dad shrugs. He checks his watch and continues, “It’s about time to pick Oliver up from daycare. Do you want me to go get him?”

As much as I want to do it myself right now, I can’t. There’s so much that I still have to do and any help I can get, I’ll accept.

“If you don’t mind. I should stick around here and oversee the packing. Mrs. Hanson has the entire house staff preparing for our departure.”

Dad smiles. “All right, I’ll head out then. That does remind me, have you had any luck finding him a daycare in Blue Ridge?”

The question causes a sigh of relief to escape me.

“Actually, yes. Garrett recommended a place. Says his sister works there as one of the teachers, so he’ll be in good hands.”

“Oh, that’s excellent news,” Dad says. “At least you’ll be able to get Oliver to socialize with other children. He’ll be able to make friends faster.”

“Yeah.” I grin. “Yeah, it’s good. At the end of the day, this is all about him and making sure I’m giving him the best life possible.”

My dad turns to go, leaving me alone surrounded by my piles of books and files, and my mind full of worries. I need to protect Oliver and getting him out of the city and away from Theresa is the best way forward. I’m certain of it.

But, deep down, I know there’s a part of me that just wants to run. To take my son and go somewhere where no one can take him from me or mess up our lives. As much as this move is for Oliver, it’s for me too.

Blue Ridge is going to be my family’s safe haven… and I’m not going to let anyone threaten my family.

Chapter Three: Momentary Distraction

Haven

It doesn’t matter how many times I come here, hospitals still freak me out.

I’m not sure why, but the sterile smell of antiseptic and the harsh fluorescent lighting makes my stomach twist and my skin crawl. For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt his way every time I step inside a hospital. However, I’m not letting my aversion to the place keep me away. Clutching a bouquet of daisies in my hands, I make my way down the hallway to my mother’s room.

The words from the doctor still ring within my ears and every time I think of her like this, I can’t help but want to cry. Pausing at the door, I release a long breath and force a smile on my face.

I can do this. Just smile.

Stepping into my mom’s hospital room is like stepping into a cave. The lights are low and the curtains drawn. Not a single bit of sunshine that usually surrounds my mom lingers here. A constant reminder of what we’re all facing.

I softly shut the door behind me and move closer to the middle of the room. She’s lying in the bed, surrounded by pillows to help prop her up. My heart clenches at the sight of her. Something I’ll never get used to seeing. Especially with knowing how strong and resilient she used to look. Now, she’s thin and frail, and in place of the curly red hair she’s long since lost is a bright pink scarf wrapped around her head.

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