Page 32 of Rhett & Moses
The bar was closed for the morning, but as we approached, I spotted a few reporters lingering outside, cameras and notepads at the ready. Bronwyn must have seen us coming because she appeared at the door, ushering us in quickly and locking it behind us.
“It’s been like this all morning,” she said, leading us to the back office. “Phones ringing non-stop. Even had the Asheville Gazette call for a statement.”
“What did you tell them?” I asked, sinking into the chair behind the desk.
“That my business partner was unavailable for comment but would be issuing a statement soon.” She gave me a pointed look. “You are planning to make a statement, right?”
I hadn’t actually thought that far ahead, but she was right. Silence would only allow others to control the narrative.
“Yes,” I decided. “A brief one, though. Just the facts, no embellishments.”
“Good,” Bronwyn nodded approvingly. “Because there’s something else you should know.” She pulled out her tablet,bringing up a social media post. “Soren released this about an hour ago.”
The post was a classic non-apology: acknowledging ‘misunderstandings’ and ‘youthful indiscretions’ framing the allegations as a politically motivated attack on his family.
“It’s getting mixed reactions,” Bronwyn continued. “Some people are buying it, saying it was all so long ago, and people change. Others are calling Mayor Hayes out for the non-apology on the blackmailing too.”
“There’s one more thing,” Bronwyn said, her expression softening in a way that immediately put me on alert. “Your mother stopped by this morning.”
My head snapped up. “My mother? Here?”
“She wanted to know where you were staying. I didn’t tell her, but she left this for you.” Bronwyn handed me an envelope with my name written in my mother’s elegant script.
I stared at it, not quite ready to open it, to face whatever judgment or recrimination it might contain.
“I’ll give you a minute,” Bronwyn said tactfully, heading for the door. “Rhett, want to help me inventory the gin shipment that came in yesterday?”
Rhett glanced at me, a silent question in his eyes. I nodded, letting him know it was okay to leave me alone with the letter. Once they were gone, I took a deep breath and opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of my mother’s personalized stationery, the letter brief but devastating in its implications:
Moses,
Your father has asked me to inform you that he expects a full retraction of your statement regarding Soren Hayes. It is hard enough to deal with knowing you damaged something so sacred to the town, but The Hayes family has been part of Gomillion’s foundation for generations, and these allegations,whether true or not, serve no purpose but to tear down good people.
He has tried to call you but received no response. If you do not issue a public retraction by this evening, he will be forced to make a statement of his own, disavowing your claims and, regrettably, your place in this family.
I hope you will reconsider your course of action.
-Mother
The coldness of it, the complete disregard for what I had endured, for the truth, felt like a physical blow. I had expected disapproval, perhaps anger, but not this outright ultimatum; retract or be disowned.
I was still staring at the letter when the office door opened, and Rhett returned, his expression shifting instantly to concern when he saw my face.
“What is it? What did she say?” he asked, crossing to me in two quick strides.
Wordlessly, I handed him the letter. His face darkened as he read it, jaw tightening with barely controlled anger.
“They can’t be serious,” he finally said, his voice tight. “Even after everything that came out yesterday, they’re still taking Mayor Hayes and Soren’s side?”
“They’ve always been more concerned with appearances than truth,” I replied, surprised by how steady my voice sounded despite the turmoil inside. “The Hayes family has been their social connection to Gomillion’s elite for decades. My father’s business depends on those connections. It’s just how Vanessa’s family are too.”
Rhett crouched beside my chair, taking my hands in his. “I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this.”
“Don’t I?” I laughed bitterly. “I’m the one who stayed silent for twenty years. I let everyone believe the worst of me rather than face the truth. Maybe this is exactly what I deserve.”
“No,” Rhett said firmly, his grip on my hands tightening. “You were a scared young adult faced with an impossible choice. What Soren did, what your parents are doing now, those are choices made by people who knew better, who had power and used it to hurt others.”
