Page 138 of Forever Wild
Clearly surprised, he takes a second as if letting my words sink in, then says, “He doesn’t want that.”
“How can you say that?” Anger and frustration make me feel hot all over.
His jaw is tight as he stares straight ahead at the TV. The announcers are saying a few last words about the game as the starting lines take the ice. The camera pans and I get a glimpse of Jack, looking out at the crowd as he prepares for the puck drop. The same way he does before every game. I’ve never asked him about it, but I think it’s because deep down I already knew he was looking for someone. It just didn’t occur to me until recently who he was looking for.
“Do you know that before every home game he does that?” I ask. “He skates out and when he gets to center ice, he looks up at the seats he leaves for you at will call to check if you’re there. Every game.”
I can’t tell if he believes me or if anything I’m saying is getting through to him. With my own parents I gave up on trying to get through to them, but for some reason I feel compelled to make Jack’s dad see how much his actions are hurting his son. And him.
“Your son is the best guy I know,” I say. “He puts everyone else’s needs before his own and shoulders the responsibility for every bad thing that happens to the people he loves. He has everything he could ever want, but he still needs you whether he’ll ever tell you that or not.”
“I try my best not to be a burden to him. He should have stopped coming around years ago, but he’s stubborn.”
“He loves you. He’s never going to give up. So why are you?”
“Jackson has the chance to do the things I never could. I’m justan old man. Too much time has passed to turn it around.” He lets his head fall back on his pillow. I feel the weight of his pain.
“It’s not too late. Wouldn’t you rather spend the next forty years differently than the past twenty?”
He doesn’t answer, but his expression softens.
“You think I got forty years left?” He huffs.
“I think you Wyld men are stubborn. Use a little of that for something good.”
The following Friday morning I’m dragging when I get to the office. I stayed up too late last night talking to Jack. His dad had a minor setback mid-week, and the hospital decided to keep him for a few more days. It’s been hard to be here where I can’t do anything, but he did travel with the team last night for an away game. His old coach, John, came and sat with his dad while he was gone.
I’ve barely set my purse and laptop on my desk when Heather calls for me from her office doorway.
I take a long drink of coffee and then head in with a smile.
“Morning,” I say as cheerily as I can.
“How was your night?” she asks as she shuts the door and then rounds her desk to sit in her chair, motioning for me to take the one in front of her.
“It was good. Yours?”
“Good.”
I smile nervously as our polite chitchat comes to an end.
Heather rests both hands on top of her desk as she stares at me. “I wanted to see you this morning before the rest of the office trickles in. I made a decision on the full-time position.”
“Oh,” I say when understanding dawns. “You’re going to offer it to Lisa.”
I hate to admit it, but I’m more disappointed than I thought I’d be.
“No, you misunderstand,” Heather says, lips curving. “I’m offering it to you. Full time, benefits, starting as soon as the internship is over. Hank in Human Resources will be sending you the official offer this morning to look over.”
“Oh wow. Really?” My emotions are on a tilt-a-whirl. The disappointment I felt moments ago turns to excitement. But it settles quickly.
“Really. I think you will be a great addition to the team. You’ve already shown you’re more than capable and with more experience, I think you could be helping me design properties all over Briar Lake.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what to say.” My brows pull together as I let this news sink in. It’s flattering and I can’t deny it’s tempting. It’s all I know. I’ve never really let myself dream of anything else.
By lunch time, Lisa has received the news as well. She stops by my desk and hugs me tightly. “Congratulations.”
“I’m sorry,” I say to her.
