***
All’s well that ends well, huh?
I wonder about that as I walk back to my apartment.
Well, frankly, I’m not sure how this is going to end well. I still feel hurt that Jack’s truck got sold, after all.
And I’m sure my dad’s hurt, too, that I said all those things to him. I even disowned him. Well, technically, I disowned myself. But I was still the one who cut the ties.
How can I put it back the way it was? What if he doesn’t want to talk to me ever again?
The moment I return to my apartment, though, my worries vanish.
My mother’s waiting for me outside the door.
“Mom?”
She gives me a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry I showed up without telling you. I actually came to your apartment last night but you weren’t here, so I returned early this morning. I hope you don’t mind.”
“It’s okay,” I say as I open the door.
I don’t mind. I’m just confused.
“But why? What are you doing here, Mom? And where’s Dad?”
“Your father went back to Rumney already this morning. He has some animals to take care of, after all,” she explains as she enters my apartment. “But believe me, dear, he isn’t mad at you. On the contrary, I think he wants you to forgive him.”
I say nothing, picking up Siberia as she comes up to me.
“You will forgive him, won’t you? After all, no harm’s been done.”
I give her a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”
“Well…” She sits down, her hands clasped on her knee. “After your heartfelt speech, George decided not to buy the truck and your father took down the ad. He decided not to sell it.”
“He did?” I sit down beside her.
“Your father loved Jack, too, you know. And he loves you.” She places a hand on my shoulder. “Very much.”
“I know.”
“So, you’ll forgive him?” she asks hopefully.
I nod. “He’s my father. In fact, I’ve been thinking that if he wants to sell Jack’s truck, he can.”
Mom looks surprised. “You sure?”
I nod. “Jack wouldn’t want Dad to have a hard time. If he needs the money, then—”
“Actually, speaking of the money, a man called your dad this morning. He was asking if he wanted a loan.”
“A loan?”
“It’s strange because we didn’t apply for a loan, although we were thinking of it.”
Strange indeed. I already know what happened.
Or more precisely, who’s behind it.
There’s only one man with enough money and with ties to banks who might want to help me. Nathan.
“Your father suggested it might have been someone you’re dating.” She pets Siberia as the cat scoots over to her. “He said otherwise, why would a stranger want to help us or even know of our problems? Is that so?”
I shake my head. “I’m not dating anyone.”
Even if it was Nathan, it doesn’t matter. I’m not falling for his tricks anymore, regardless of how elaborate they are.
Mom sighs. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“A relief?” I’m confused. I thought my mom was secretly wishing for me to get married.
“Your father said if someone you were dating was offering us a loan, he must be asking for something in return, something he wasn’t sure he’d want you to give him.”
For a moment, I don’t speak, my father’s words sinking straight to the core.
Something he wasn’t sure he’d want you to give him.
Then as if those words are the nail in the coffin, I break, the tears I’ve been holding at bay since I left Nathan’s apartment flowing free.
I do what I haven’t done in a long time — I cry like a baby in my mother’s arms.
“Sam?”
I tell my Mom all about Nathan amid tears and sniffles — how he exploited my weakness, how he played me like a damn fiddle, how I wish I hadn’t slept with him or ever even met him.
My mom just listens as she wraps her arms around me, stroking my hair as she rocks me back and forth.
“I wish Jack was still here,” I tell her when I’m done crying.
“I know.” My mother kisses the top of my head. “But he’s always watching over you, you know.”
I know. He must be feeling frustrated right now, having been unable to protect me. But I’ll show him I’ll be fine.
Now that I’ve had a good cry, I feel brand new and my mind is clear, my heart strong.
“I’ll be fine, Mom.” So what if Nathan doesn’t need me anymore? I don’t need him. “I still have my job. I’m going to work hard.”
If ever I run into Nathan at a party, I’ll pretend nothing ever happened. I can do that if he can.
“And one day, I’m going to get my dream job. I’m going to travel the world, taking pictures of the most amazing and most elusive creatures on Earth.”
And that will be more than enough.
My mom gives me another hug. “I’m sure you’ll be able to do all that, sweetheart.”
From this moment on, Nathan Landers will be nothing more than a bad memory. And soon, he won’t even be a memory.
Nathan Landers who?