Chapter 8
GERUD INSISTED HE take Adele to breakfast before they started their trip to Los Angeles to meet his father. She objected at first, but Gerud had always been good at convincing his mother about things she should have never said yes to. This was one that should have been an immediate yes, and so they sat at the trendy diner just outside San Diego proper.
He had memorized a list of questions he wanted her to answer first.
“So what’s he like?” Gerud asked.
“Well he was an athlete in college, so I remember him as tall and fit. He wore a business suit better than just about anybody at the office.”
She’d gotten that far away look again he’d seen just about any time Gerud had brought up Peterson’s name.
“It took a lot to distract me, I was so darned busy in those days. Then one day, he waltzed into my office and asked me to lunch. I told him I had work to do, and he told me to take the afternoon off. Well, we went to lunch, and then we went to the movies of all things. I’d never been to a matinee before. Honest.”
“Swept you off your feet.”
“Not at all. He said he was rescuing me from an early grave.” Her fragile smile began to show her age. “I think he probably saved my life. Your fath—Burt and I were so driven to make it with the new business, we hardly talked. Hardly did anything together. Rob showed me a little concern and attention, during that summer when Burt was away, and, well, I was certainly ripe for it.”
“So how did you get together then?”
“We used to talk. That’s how it all started. I came in early, as soon as I’d drop Jake off at the sitter’s and then work until past dinner sometimes. He’d bring me these wonderful fish tacos from a little taco truck he knew about. Otherwise, I’d skip my meals all day and only eat dinner. He was right, I was being reckless with my health.”
“You said Burt was traveling?” It felt funny to call the man he’d always known as his father “Burt”.
“He was gone that whole summer. Off to Africa with the Boys from the club. Jerry, and Bob and his friends. They golfed together, went on golfing vacations together and I supposed got into trouble together and always covered for each other too. We all knew it. The wives never spoke of it in public, but we all knew.”
“Must not have been very much fun.”
“Oh, it was just the way things were then. I didn’t like it at all, but Burt was brilliant in business, and so driven. I allowed his excesses, as long as they didn’t interfere with the family.” She checked her wedding ring, flipping it around her finger loosely. “We had some fights, some read bad ones. But I think it was sheer stubbornness that kept us together all these years.” She frowned, looking down at her nearly untouched plate of food. “But recently, well, you know. His drinking increased. He just couldn’t seem to get away from it. I had hoped Jake could get him to meetings, but he was the most stubborn man I knew.”
She smiled at her son.
“Thanks mom.” He felt warmer to her today, just sitting across the table from her than he had in years. The dark cloud that was Burt’s stormy personality was gone.
“For what?”
“For being honest.”
“Oh that. Well, death has a way of softening the resentment I felt toward him these past couple of years. Everything was just slipping away from him. I felt sorry for him. But God, not that I could tell him so.”
“You ready?” Gerud asked her. “You’ve barely touched your eggs.”
“No time like the present.”
As they walked to Adele’s car, Gerud asked her one more question. “Do you have any idea what we’re in store for once we get there? I mean, is there an agenda?”
“Not that I know of. Just a chance for you to meet your father. That’s all it is. Something I should have allowed to happen much earlier in your life. I know I’m going to regret that the rest of my days, Gerud. Let’s hope he’s the same man I remember.”
“Either way, I’m kind of nervous.”
They both buckled up and Adele continued toward the freeway. The morning traffic had thinned and the bright blue sky was still clear. By the time they would arrive in Los Angeles, the blue would turn a light brownish gray.
THE RESIDENTIAL STREET Peterson lived on was wide, lined with massive old trees, which only barely hid the huge mansions behind them. Gerud hadn’t seen so many large beautiful estates ever. Crews of landscapers were working several front yards on. Even the vehicles traveling down the quiet streets were expensive.
Adele’s GPS announced they had arrived. It was a light tan Spanish style stucco mansion with tons of ornate plaster bric-a-brac dripping all over the front of the two-story structure. It looked like the type of home that would have been featured in a 1930’s gangster movie involving a Hollywood mogul with a backyard full of starlets.
“Holy cow. I guess he has done very well. Did you have any idea?”
“No. I mean I figured he’d done well, but this will be a first time for both of us.”
Although they were going to park in the street, a young man appeared at the front door, and then motioned for them to drive up onto the driveway to park.
As Gerud approached the entrance, he heard classical music inside. Outside was the distant sound of a freeway somewhere, but the birds nearly drowned out that sound. He traveled the intricate brick pattern of the walkway and stepped up onto the stoop.
“I’m Alex, Rob’s attendant today. You’re Gerud?”
The young man extended his hand and Gerud shook it.
“Yessir. Thanks, Alex. This is my mother, Adele Green.”
“Yes, we’ve been expecting you. Rob is very excited. He’s having a good day today, and now since you’re here, it will be even better.”
He opened the door and motioned for them to follow him inside.
The foyer was as large as the living room at the Green’s home in San Diego. A walnut paneled stairway switched back on three sides leading to the top floor. The entry had a stained glass dome, letting in a shower of colorful light patterns on the marble floor. Leaning next to the doorframe leading on to the living room was a handsome, but frail-looking man. His legs were crossed at the ankles, his arms folded chest-high. He’d been staring at Adele, but his focus switched to Gerud.
Carefully, and with great focus, he walked toward them both. His attendant appeared in the doorway behind him, watching his feet. His forehead bore sweat from the exertion he was making, but Gerud could see how important it was that he walk on his own. Though the man’s skin was sallow and had lost its dewy radiance, his eyes sparkled with some fire from within. He first smiled at Adele, and then turned his face to Gerud, extending his hands.
Gerud gripped the gnarled cool hands of a man in pain, yet working hard not to show it. The connection between the two was unmistakable as Gerud held firm and gave the man the gift of his youth and strength. His eyes were the same as Gerud’s own eyes, the shape of his nose long and slender like his own.
“Nice to meet you, son, if I may call you that?”
“Of course. I—I’m still getting used to all this, so—”
“You can call me Rob. It is enough that we meet, at last. What you call me is unimportant.”
He adjusted his upper torso with difficulty and addressed Adele. “And you look as lovely as I remember.”
Gerud watched his mother bite her lower lip as her eyes filled with tears. “Rob, it’s been a long time.”
Peterson was going to reach for her, but his grip became unsteady and instantly the attendant was there to help him stand, and then led him to the wheelchair nearby.
“You did very well, sir,” he told Peterson.
The older man gave a dismissive wave off. “I’m afraid these days of being able to walk are growing rarer.”
Gerud instinctively took his mother’s hand and squeezed it.
Alex turned Peterson around in the chair and headed toward the rear of the home. He looked back at the two of them. “We’ve prepared some refreshments for you. He likes to go outside on the patio where it’s sunny this time of day. Will you join us?”
From the back, Peterson’s slouching form made him look twenty years older. Gerud was grateful they hadn’t waited any longer to meet.
“Are they coming?” Gerud heard Peterson ask Alex.
“Yup, right behind us, sir.”
A painted white table with a striped multicolored umbrella secured in the center was set for four. Peterson was positioned up to the table in his wheelchair. “Gerud, Adele, please sit on either side of me so I can hear.”
Alex took his seat across from Peterson.
“So, now that we’re all together, I’m afraid I’m a little shy. I’ve thought about it for so many years, and I was worried—well, you know.”
It was unsettling to meet his father for the first time, and also experience that he was leaving them at the same time. Visions of the funeral flashed through his mind, the sight of Burt Green’s body lying stiff and unnatural in front of him being most prominent. It felt like that scene was happening all over again, despite trying to wipe his memory of it. He could feel something bubbling up inside, some emotion he couldn’t put a name to. All of this was uncharted territory.
“You want to ask me any questions, Gerud? I have no experience in this, so forgive me if I just make pleasant conversation until, hopefully, we can feel more comfortable being around each other. At least, that is my goal for today.”
Gerud’s heart was about to burst wide open. His eyes stung and he held a tight rein on any emotion that dared to escape. What was this going on inside him? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Gerud cleared his throat, which had become dry and parched. “Do you have a family?” he finally found the courage to ask.
“I always thought I would. But I was just working. Very involved in my business and my real estate investments. I had good friends I traveled with, and worked side by side with. But one day, I turned around, and everyone had gone. They’d gotten married, or I’d lost contact with them. I never paid attention to that until it was too late. I figured maybe some day Adele would come visit me.”
“I’m sorry, Rob. I truly am.”
“No, you were honoring the deal we made. I signed on to it too. We kept to that agreement, for Gerud’s benefit.”
Adele examined her lap.
“But you got my cards, right?” He turned to Gerud. “Not sure if your mother told you but I sent cards on your birthday every year, just so she’d know I was still alive.”
“She told me.”
“I saved them all, Rob. Burt never knew.”
“I was sad to hear about Burt. I know you loved him very much. Did your other son tell you I was at the funeral?”
“Yes, he told me. I didn’t realize until you had gone that you were even there.”
“Well, Burt had been good to me, and if it weren’t for him, I’d have never met you. So it was only fitting that I pay my respects to you all.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Gerud and his mother stared at each other as if deciding what to ask or what to say. He thought of something.
“I was told you invest in real estate. I have a Broker’s license as well. My fa—Burt was teaching me things.”
Peterson covered Burt’s hand with his. “It doesn’t bother me. You should call him your father because he was. He raised you, Gerud. I’m fine with that. He is owed the respect you show him by calling him such. Who knows? Maybe I would have been a horrible father!” He grinned. “Now, please go on.”
“Well, I also am learning about investments. Probably not nearly like you do, but I’m interested in it.”
“That’s good.” He tapped Jake on the hand. “How do you like the house? You want a tour after lunch?” Peterson asked him.
“Feels like a big old school building. It’s huge.” Gerud blurted out. “I mean—I’m sorry if that sounded—”
Peterson laughed, clasping his hands together. “Yes, kind of ridiculous for one person, I agree.” He leaned into Gerud’s side. “I used to get lost in my own house at first. But I bought it because it was a good deal, and because I could. Now that I’ve had it, well, that just takes one more thing off my bucket list.”
Gerud returned Peterson’s smile.
“My list is a lot shorter than yours. Things are getting kind of rushed these days,” Peterson added.
Adele took his hand. “Rob, please. No more talk about all this. I don’t want to spend our time here talking about—”
Just then, two staff members brought out lunch on trays, along with some ice tea and a pitcher of ice water. Gerud grabbed his glass and nearly downed it without coming up for air. Peterson raised a tall glass filled with what looked like a green smoothie.
“I get the super power lunch. Sorry I didn’t offer. Alex and his buddies have me drinking buckets of juiced kale and claim to be able to perhaps cure me.”
Alex smiled and continued eating. “You never know, sir. It could happen.”
“No harm in trying. I have pancreatic cancer and it goes very fast once it takes hold.”
“And responds well to good, clean food. Lots of greens.”
Peterson whispered, “I’ll be the healthiest looking corpse in the funeral home.”
Adele burst into tears. Gerud got up and put his arms across her neck and shoulders, leaned forward and pressed his cheek against hers. “Don’t, mother.”
She accepted his hug at first, and then waved him off. “Oh, this has been building,” she said between bouts of blowing her nose and wiping her eyes. She let out a big sigh. Alex handed her a box of tissues. “Rob, this is so hard for me. I’m not sure I can do it any longer.”
“Sure you can. You’re the toughest I know.”
“Would you like something else, Mrs. Green?” asked Alex.
“No. I’m good.” She lightly pushed Gerud away. “Go sit down. I’m fine now.” She took in another deep breath and stared at Peterson. “Damn you, Rob Peterson. Cool as a cucumber in the face of—” She melted again and more tears came. “I can’t even say it!”
Peterson watched her. He didn’t console, but just watched with eyes that sparkled as if he was watching her take a bath or swim with her long graceful body. Gerud saw more love in those eyes than he’d ever seen.
When she settled down, he asked her, “You okay?”
“Yes. I think I’m about cried out now.”
“Of course. I’ve had weeks to get adjusted to my outcome. You two didn’t know until the day before yesterday. I’m so sorry. It was thoughtless of me.”
Gerud looked over the well-manicured lawns and formal gardens behind, full of blooming plants. In the center was a swimming pool twice the size of the one they had in his mother’s yard. It was a garden oasis.
“I can see you like it here, Gerud. This is my favorite place in the whole property. I try to eat breakfast and lunch right here because it makes me happy. I like to watch living things grow. When it’s too hot, I sit just inside, right there by the window.”
Gerud watched his mother’s lower lip quiver occasionally and heard her deep inhales and measured exhales. She avoided eye contact with him because he’d recognize the sadness that emanated across the table and enveloped him. If Peterson noticed, he didn’t show it.
“So now to some unfinished business. First, Gerud, let me tell you what an honor it is to finally get to meet you.”
“Likewise, sir.”
“I’ve wondered over the years what it would be like to have a son. Wondered what you were doing. Wondered what your challenges in life were. I’ve second-guessed our decision many, many times. But, on the whole, I think we made the right choice. Don’t you agree Adele?”
She nodded, but looked up at Gerud to show him she’d calmed down. “I’m sure your dad would have made me leave the house. I couldn’t abandon Jake. That I couldn’t do. Forgive me, Gerud.”
“Not my place to forgive, mom.”
“So, I’ve given lot of thought to our promises, our arrangement and the future, whatever we all have together. I wasn’t there for your growing up, Gerud. But I’d like to help you with the rest of your life. I couldn’t be your father. But I can make you financially independent. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to make you a very wealthy man—to be able to enjoy the things I won’t be able to enjoy going forward. And nothing gives me more pleasure than the thought of this.”
“Mr. Peterson.”
“Rob.”
“Rob. You don’t have to do that.”
“But I want to. This house, this will be for you and your mother to have. Or, to sell it and move anywhere else you want. I have funds set up in your name already, Gerud. I’m providing for your mother as well.”
“But that’s not why we came to visit. We weren’t looking for a handout.”
“I know that. But you’re not going to turn me down, are you?”
Gerud hesitated.
“I want to do it because I can. That’s the best reason of all. Consider me an investor in your future, your advisor in the clouds, so to speak.”
He reached for and grabbed Adele’s hand, putting it to his lips.
“Just knowing that your mother will enjoy seeing you live well and not have to struggle is the greatest joy I could ever receive.”
Now Gerud felt he was on the edge of an outburst. Instead of holding them back, he let the hot tears roll down his cheeks.
“And sir, I promise to make you proud.”
“I know you will, son.”