Page 57 of Park Avenue Princess

Chapter 16

Lynne

Although I wish I could’ve convinced Guy to skip out on responsibilities for the remainder of the day, I know we can’t avoid the inevitable. With a new phone in my possession, we’re sitting in a taxi on our way to my parents’ home. I hadn’t bothered to text my father, knowing he wouldn’t recognize the number and likely wouldn’t open the message. And I wasn’t going to get into another shouting match if I had tried to call. I did however, send a string of texts directly to my mother, hoping beyond hope that she’d open them and really read them. If not, then oh well. If preparedness doesn’t give us an advantage then maybe the element of surprise will still give us the upper hand.

I scoff, thinking about the confrontation to come as if I’m going to battle.

Which may not be far from the truth.

I then sigh as tension builds behind my eyes, surprised I don’t have a migraine after all the revelations, truths, and secrets that have been revealed. All the stress that’s occurred in just twenty-four hours is bound to catch up to me.

Guy strokes my cheek and lifts beneath my chin so we face each other. “I know this isn’t going to be easy, but we’ll get through it.”

I nod before he kisses my forehead. He’d been doing his own work on his phone during much of the drive. Within moments, we arrive, and I wipe my sweaty palms on my slacks. After paying the fare, Guy escorts me through the lobby and to the elevator for the ride up. My parents have lived in their condo for ten years, and even after I moved out, they never bothered changing the security codes. No doubt my parents are already aware we’re here, given the security cameras. Arriving at their floor, the door opens and before us stands my father. And he certainly doesn’t look happy.

“You’ve wasted your time coming here. Your mother and I have nothing to say to you, and certainly nothing to say to that man other than to get out of my sight.” He flicks an angry gaze at Guy before his narrowed eyes train on me. “I cannot believe what you’ve done, young lady. I cannot—”

“What she’s done, Terrence, is fall in love.” My mother’s soft voice startles my father, causing him to jerk around which opens the door wider. I grab Guy’s hand to pull him over the threshold and past my father who begins to bluster again.

“Now just a minute—”

“Terrence, be quiet.” My diminutive and demure mother, at five feet two inches to my father’s six feet, who would never consider talking back to her husband, stands just beyond the entryway, looking weary yet no less elegant. Her blonde hair is swept up in a loose knot, her makeup is light, and she’s wearing eggplant slacks with a cream blouse. “After all,” she continues, “you can’t help who you fall in love with.” She then turns to my father. “Isn’t that so, dear?”

Dad’s lip pinch as silence permeates the space while we all stand awkwardly about, wondering what the next step is. Apparently, it’s my mother who is going to take charge as she waves us toward the living room. “Come and sit down, Lynne, and introduce us to Guy.”

“Rachel, you can’t honestly say you want this man in our home or for our daughter to continue this charade?”

“What charade is Lynne continuing? Terrence, if anyone’s putting on a charade, it’s you and me. It is well past time our family had this conversation. And if our daughter wants to include the man she loves, I have no objections. The fact that he’s Michael Hamilton’s son was admittedly quite the surprise, but Guy is not the enemy.”

Beyond surprised yet thankful that my mother actually read my texts, I give Guy a reassuring nod as I lead him to a couch. My mother takes her seat across from us on the matching furniture as my father steps hesitantly into the room, only to remain standing.

“Guy, Lynne has only recently told me a bit about you and how you two met in Hawaii nearly six years ago.” She then gives me a sly smile. “Like, this morning recently, in a series of texts, pleading for me to listen to the two of you.” Facing Guy again, she gives him a lovely smile. “I’m eager to hear this story.”

“Thank you, Mrs. DuVall, for having an open mind and an open heart.”

“Please, call me Rachel.”

Guy dips his head, smiles, and we take turns launching into the story about our time in Hawaii. Fast-forward to only yesterday, with our unexpected meeting, along with the information we now possess, and my parents are caught up.

“Lynne, there is so much I’ve—we,” she turns to her husband, “have needed to tell you.” She turns back to me with such sadness on her face. “But as one year rolls into the next and life becomes routine, how does one just bring up the difficult discussions out of the blue that have remained silent for so long? Saying I’m sorry can in no way even begin to dissolve this divide between us, but I hope it can be a start.”

“It can, Mom. I can’t even begin to understand what you went through, but I can sympathize. And I want to help in any way I can.”

She gives me a sad smile. “Your forgiveness and understanding are all the help I need.”

I turn to Guy. “I’ve learned a lot about forgiveness myself.” We exchange a smile before I turn back to mom. “I’m here for you.” I look up at my father. “For both of you.”

He nods his head and finally sits beside mom on the couch, taking her hands in his. “There’s nothing you can do for me, Lynne, other than look out for your mother when I’m put away.”

“Terrence!”

“There’s no running from what I’ve done, Rachel. I’ve known this for many years and I’ve made amends with this happening at some point. I’ve also made assurances with my finances so you’ll be set for the rest of your life. There are accounts in your name only that have had clean contributions, nothing by questionable or illegal means.” He turns to look at me. “And I’ve made sure that the wealth fund intended for Michael Hamilton and others involved has been shifted to the city’s pension fund, which the Comptroller’s office controls.”

I’m stunned at this news, yet relieved. And… proud.

My father turns to Guy. “Your father thought much of those assets lost when in fact I’ve put them back to where they belong.”

Guy simply raises his brow as I ask, “What? How?”

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