Page 60 of Save the Drama for your Mama
I nodded, starting to relax. “And you’re my father.”
His eyes moved slowly, studying every inch of my face.
And I did the same with him.
It was like looking into a mirror of my future.
Our mannerisms were eerily similar—the way we let go of each other’s hands and then ran them through our hair at the same time.
“Sorry to spring this on you out of nowhere,” I said. “I had thought about calling or sending you an email, but that just didn’t seem right. In the movies, you would be the character demanding a DNA test right about now. I won’t be offended in the least if you do.”
James surprised me when a smile formed on his face. “Why would I want to do that? You have the Blade look. There’s no doubt in my mind. Except for your eyes—those are from Sandra.” He shook his head, looking quite amused with our situation. “You have made my day.”
I blinked. “I wasn’t sure how you would take it, to be honest.”
James chuckled. “How could I not be happy? Sandra was a very special part of my life that I will always cherish. And now I have a piece of her I never knew existed. Sounds like I won the lottery.”
I nodded, thinking I like this guy already.
This guy who also was my dad.
Melody cleared her throat. “Look—I can let you two have some private time together to chat. I’m sure there is so much to say, and I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Don’t go,” I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her closer. “You’re the reason I’m here. And I’m so sorry for my manners. I haven’t even introduced the two of you. This is my friend, Melody.”
She gave me a look of surprise before reaching out her hand to James. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine,” he said, shaking her hand.
“I’d love to ask you some questions, if you don’t mind,” I said.
“Ask me anything.” James gestured to his desk. “Please—have a seat. Can I get either of you anything to drink? Bottled water? Coffee or tea?”
“I’m good,” I said, taking a seat in a chair across from him. “Thank you.”
“Me too,” Melody said, sitting in the chair beside mine.
“Okay then . . .” James went around the desk and took a seat. “What would you like to know?”
“I’m not sure where to start,” I said. “We’re renovating my mom’s house. And while rummaging through the attic, we made a few discoveries. Mom’s diaries for one, and some letters you wrote to her. I know my grandparents didn’t approve of you. I know about your plan to elope. But I’m curious what happened to you on the boat, for starters, and where you ended up after that.”
“That story could take hours, so I’ll give you the short version,” James said. “My dad and I were on our annual fishing trip off Baja when a fierce storm rolled in, capsizing our charter boat. I hit my head and was tossed into the churning sea before losing consciousness. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a Mexican clinic in a small village where I’d been in a coma for a year. The crew who rescued me had no idea who I was since I had lost my wallet in the ocean. Once I regained my ability to speak, I explained I was American, desperate to get word to my fiancée, Sandra. But over a year had passed since the accident. When I finally returned home, my dad revealed that Sandra had married a local doctor. They’d even had a child together. Then he implored me not to disrupt Sandra’s new family.”
“This sounds like one of those made-for-tv movies.” I shook my head in disbelief.
“You’re not kidding,” James said. “But I was thankful to be alive and determined to rebuild my life, no matter how long that would take. I found love again and got married, too.” He grinned. “To the nurse who took care of me in Mexico. Her name is Elena.”
“You got your happily ever after,” Melody said, dabbing her moist eyes.
“Indeed I did,” James said, handing me a picture of him with Elena. “She came to visit me three months later, to make sure I was all right. We had become friends, and I learned she loved me, so loving her back wasn’t hard at all.”
“Life is crazy sometimes,” I said.
“Crazy wonderful,” James said, nodding in agreement.
I handed the picture back to James. “And your dad?”
I didn’t want to come out and ask if he was still alive, but I also wanted to know about him as well. My grandfather.
