Page 31 of A Change Of Heart

Nicole nodded as a tear ran down her cheek."They’ll be in soon.Being Sunday, Heu took Rhys to the skating rink and then he'll buy them lunch."

"What time did you get here?"

"Nine thirty, but it takes them awhile to get me hooked up."

Stephanie again glanced at the door, but no Jason."I don't want to rush you but was there a reason you asked to see me today?Jason made it sound so mysterious."

"He told me you were staying in my upstairs apartment and ...and I have to ask you something."Nicole picked at her broken nails, bitten to her cuticles.

"Whatever I can do to help."

"Under the bed is a loose tile and I left an old journal there.I don't want Dad to see it.That's all.”Nicole squeezed her hands together.“If you find it, could you please bring it to me or give it to Jason?"

"Sure.I'd be happy to."She wondered what secrets the journal contained.Could it be something that might help the rift between them go away?From the way Nicole acted, it might create a wider divide.Nicole didn’t want her father to see whatever it was hidden away.

"Thank you."Nicole peered out the window.

Stephanie cleared her throat."I see a lot of people reading.Would you be interested in one of my books?I write romance, which is a wonderful escape.It took me years to get published!"

"Jason told me you’re an author and brought me one.I started reading it last night.It's so good I’m already at chapter five.”Her pale lips twitched.“Does she get the hot guy in the end?"

"Of course.As I said, it's a romance."Stephanie smiled and crossed her legs."I have a question for you."She lowered her voice as if Henry might pop up behind her."Did your mother ever meet your son?"

"Yes," Nicole sighed, "thankfully.She'd come to visit a few times a month, keeping it a secret from Dad.She'd forgiven me some time ago, but Dad just won't let it go.He's so ornery."

"You're right."Stephanie laughed gently."I think he has a split personality.Scrooge or Mr.Rogers, and you never know who's gonna show up."

"Never thought of him that way, but you have a point."Nicole picked at her blanket.

Steph had respected her boss and was quite fond of him, but this was unacceptable."He's very stubborn, I know."

Nicole gave her a small smile."He's entitled to his opinion.If he wants to hold a grudge forever, there's nothing I can do to stop him."

"Do you mind if I ask what happened between you?"

"I messed up in school.Started experimenting.Then it got worse in college."Nicole lowered her head."I'm ashamed about the things I’ve done."

"You're not the first kid to screw up and you won't be the last."Stephanie patted Nicole’s arm."You got clean and managed to pull yourself together...something very few people can do."

"I still remember the bad parts."Nicole chewed her bottom lip."I made a terrible scene at Thanksgiving dinner one year," she glanced down, her pale cheeks flushed."I embarrassed them in front of family and friends.I'll never forget it."

"I think almost every child does that at one time or another."Steph chuckled."It's a rite of passage."

Nicole laughed."I hope not.I'd hate to see Rhys act out like that."She put a hand over her mouth as her eyes welled with tears."No.I'd give anything to see it."

Death loomed like a shadow."Oh, Nicole.You will.Just keep the faith."

Right then a little boy burst into the room and ran to Nicole.

"Mommy, Mommy."He jumped up to touch her, but his father caught him around the waist."Can we go home now, Mommy?"Rhys looked at her arm hooked up to the machine."Are you done yet?"

"Soon, hon.Why don't you get one of the toys?I won't be long," Nicole smiled at her handsome husband.

"I'm an old friend."She stood and shook his outstretched hand."Stephanie."

His face was kind, clean-shaven, with a strong chin and short brown hair, darker than their son's.The little boy was thin, smaller than she'd imagined, and his cheeks were ruddy from the cold.Father and son had hazel-colored eyes and a slight tilt to their nose. "I'm Heulyn.Did you bring the flowers?"

She nodded."Yes.A little cheer goes a long way."

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