Chapter 11
"Tell me what happened to your brother," Ben said quietly as he and Elle sat opposite to each other over cups of coffee.
Elle licked her lips once and took a deep breath. "My dad used to be a cop," she started. "On the summer Evan graduated from high school, he and my dad went for a fishing trip like they usually did every year. They were at the convenience store buying some essentials for their trip when a gunman came in and fired straight at them both. My brother died on the spot and my dad spent two weeks in the hospital." Ben was silent, so she took it as her cue to continue. "Turns out the gunman was an ex-police officer who had been sentenced to jail for graft. My dad had testified against him. He wanted revenge," she said and took in a deep breath. "My mother blamed my father for Evan's death."
Ben hesitated before saying, "But I don't understand. Your mother should know the dangers it comes with the job."
"She does," Elle said. "When she and my dad were first married, my dad worked as a mall security. When she was pregnant with Evan, my dad went to apply in the force, mainly because it offered better pay and retirement plan and it was all he ever knew. My mother had her doubts, though; she had been happy with my dad's old job. She had a job as well and thought that both their salaries combined would provide a comfortable life for our family. But my father was adamant to change; he wanted to provide a better life for his family. And as he moved up the ranks, my mother pleaded with him to quit. She was always nervous whenever he was called out, especially during the night. And when she was pregnant with me, she'd threatened to divorce if he didn't quit by the time I was born."
"Did he?" Ben asked.
Elle shook her head and smiled sadly. "He'd wanted to, though. He was assigned to a case at the time and he'd told my mom that he would quit as soon as he was done with it." She glanced up at him. "The case wasn't resolved until eight years later because his colleague had been feeding information to the gang members."
"The same colleague who would later kill your brother," Ben said.
"Yes," Elle said. "My dad had to testify against him in court and he was sentenced to jail. Unfortunately, the gangsters got to his family first and his kids were murdered. He vowed the same fate would befall my dad. And that was what he did the first thing when he was released from prison." She sniffed once. "My mom never forgave my dad because of it and she never let him forget even for a day. I was fourteen at the time and I remember asking him why he didn't file for divorce. He'd told me then that he didn't want to leave me alone with her. He realized that if he divorced my mom, she would use Evan's death against him in court and the custody would most likely be awarded to her." She gave Ben a sad smile. "I love him so much because of that even though my mom drove him nuts."
"No wonder you were reluctant to stay at home," Ben said.
She nodded. "My father was sorry that he couldn't give me a more normal upbringing and for not being able to help me out with college. But I never once blamed him for it. And he was proud that I have made something out of myself."
"You're still in touch with him?" he asked.
"No, not for the past year. We don't talk all that much," she admitted and smiled. "Maybe I should give him a call."
"You should," Ben agreed. "It's never a bad thing to maintain a relationship with your parents as long as it's a healthy one. Besides, you and your father had each other's back after Evan's passing. You guys were a team. I'm sure he would love to hear from you."
***
That night when Elle was home and in her room, she thought about her talk with Ben. She did miss her father and wanted to hear from him. She had been so distracted with her busy life that she hadn't stopped to think about her father.
It was still quite early; just past 10 o'clock in the evening. She could call him. She dialed his number and to her disappointment, it rang a few times before going straight to voicemail. Not knowing if he still kept this number, Elle hung up without leaving a message. She went to the bathroom to clean up before bed and her phone was ringing when she returned to her room.
She answered quickly. "Hello?"
"Hello, Elle," Isaac's familiar deep voice rumbled in her ear. "I'm sorry I missed your call. I was outside."
"It's okay, Dad. It's nothing important," she said.
"How are you doing these days?" he asked.
"I'm still working at the hotel," she answered. "And I've gotten a part-time job at a diner. Oh, and I'm volunteering at an animal shelter as well."
Isaac laughed. "My, what a busy life you're leading! I hope you have plenty of rest."
"Don't worry about me, Dad," she said. "How's your road trip going? Where are you now?"
Isaac hesitated for a moment before answering, "I am actually in Delaware now." Elle's heart stuttered at the thought at how close her father was from her now since he'd left almost five years ago. "I am thinking about visiting your mother, to see how she's doing. And I would like to see you as well if you're okay with it."
"Oh, Dad, of course, of course, I am okay with it," Elle said. "When do you think you'll be here?"
"Not for a couple of months, at least," he said. "I need to save some gas money."
"Are you still driving that old truck?" she asked disapprovingly. "You know it doesn't have good mileage."
"Nah, I sold it off since the last time we talked," he said with a chuckle. "I'm driving a cute little wagon now."
"I wouldn't describe a wagon as 'cute' and 'little'," Elle said.
"Hey, no knocking on my ride," he said jokingly and sighed. "I'm real glad to hear your voice. I miss you so much, Elle."
"I miss you, too, Dad," she whispered as tears formed in her eyes.
Isaac cleared his throat. "It's getting late, sweetheart. Get some sleep. I'll give you a call again sometime."
"Okay, take care, Dad," she said. "Good night."
Chapter 12
Elle took a half-day off from work to go to the clinic to have her annual full body check-up. She requested to have her blood checked for STDs. Now that she was in a committed relationship, she needed to make sure she was healthy. She and Ben had been together for more than three months and she was more than ready to take the next step in their relationship. She had always enjoyed sex and she had a feeling being with Ben would most likely be phenomenal.
Elle fell into a routine where apart from working, was also spending more time with Ben as well as with River. Ben had spoken to Karen about River spending more weekends with him and she consented to every other weekend for now. Elle babysat River when Ben had to work and she bought a variety activity books for him as something that they could do together during those times.
