Chapter 27
Daniel knew that this day was coming, and he dreaded it. Now he had to face the facts. Holly needed to know what had happened to Laura. His telling her she had died suddenly and in a tragic manner was true, and those words had stuck in his daughter’s mind. It was up to him to explain exactly what he’d meant when he used those words.
She had an active imagination, true. But if she really thought him to be the crazy person she described in her note, he had to dispel the idea that he was holding her captive, and Holly certainly needed to know there were consequences when accusations like those in her note were made. Fortunately for him, he knew they were not true, as did anyone who knew him at all.
“Am I in trouble?” Holly asked as soon as she returned to the kitchen.
“Have a seat,” Daniel said. “We need to have a talk.”
Holly looked at Ivy. “Now? With company?”
“Ivy is welcome to hear what I’m about to say. That is, if she wants.” Daniel looked over at Ivy.
She shrugged, opening her eyes a bit wider, but said nothing. He gave a slight nod.
Daniel took the note from his back pocket and gave it to Holly. “Ivy found this on the floor at the store.”
Holly turned red, then white, when she saw her note. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her face like two silvery rivers. “I’m sorry,” she said in a whisper.
“No, Holly, I am sorry,” Daniel said.
She looked at him, waiting for an explanation. “If I had told you the truth a long time ago, you would not be writing notes like this. It’s my fault. You know I would never hurt you in any way, right?”
Holly’s red-barretted head bobbed up and down.
“I have always wanted what’s best for you, and maybe I’m a bit too strict sometimes.” He held up his hand. “Don’t say anything. I know I am strict most of the time.” He glanced at Ivy, who waited patiently for his explanation. She looked slightly uncomfortable. This was a family matter, he knew, but for some odd reason, he needed Ivy to hear his explanation, too.
“You were so young when your mother died. You already know that. Your mother was a wonderful woman, and she loved you very much, no doubt about it, but she also loved her career.” Daniel paused, unsure if his words were coming out as they should, but he went on. “She had gone to Charlotte to audition for a Broadway musical.”
Holly’s eyes doubled in size. “What?”
“She had received a callback from a famous producer, but she had to go to Charlotte for the final audition. So she went to Charlotte.”
“And she never came back? She didn’t want me? And you just pretended she died so you wouldn’t hurt my feelings?” Holly asked, her voice high-pitched.
“No, Holly.”
“Just tell her what happened, Daniel,” Ivy suggested.
“You’re right, Ivy. Laura booked a flight to Charlotte, went on her audition, and was on the return flight home when the plane crashed.”
A heavy silence hung in the air.
Tears gushed down Ivy’s face, for she knew firsthand what Daniel had experienced.
“Oh, my God!” Holly said, breaking the ominous silence.
Daniel nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Holly asked, her face displaying myriad expressions.
“I don’t know. I suppose, in my own way, I was trying to protect you.”
“Dad, is this why you won’t let me have a computer?” Holly asked.
Ivy gave him a little half smile.
“No.”
“So what did she do? Was she an actress?” Holly asked, her curiosity aroused.
Daniel cleared his throat. “Your mother was a singer. She had a beautiful voice.”
Holly’s jaw literally fell open. She stared at him, but she did not say a word.
“I need to go,” Ivy said. “I told my father I’d stop over.” She stood to leave, and Daniel touched her arm. “Thanks, Ivy, for, you know”—he looked at the note—“bringing this to my attention. And for thinking of Holly. It means a lot. To both of us.”
“It does?” Holly asked in typical eleven-year-old fashion.
Ivy laughed, and so did he. He had not felt much genuine laughter in a very, very long time. He liked the way it made him feel. He liked the way his daughter looked at him when he laughed. And he liked the way he felt when Ivy was near him.
“Yes, it does,” he finally answered, never taking his eyes from Ivy. “More than you know.”
“Oh,” Holly said, smiling. “So how did it happen?” His daughter’s question brought the past back full force, putting a halt to any thoughts he currently had of asking Ivy to stay for dinner.
“I really do need to go,” Ivy said. “Holly, I’ll look forward to your party, and maybe I’ll see you before then?” she told Holly as she walked toward the door.
“Can she, Dad?”
“Of course she can.” Daniel paused and decided there was no time like the present, words that had been preached to him on more than one occasion by his good friend and coworker, Jay Johnson. “Would you like to go to Ollie’s with us tonight? For pizza?” Daniel asked before he could call back the words.
Ivy stopped and turned to look at him. He knew his face was coloring; he just wasn’t sure if it was red or white. Either way, he was toast.
“Ollie’s, huh?” Ivy asked. “Pizza.”
“You have never been to Ollie’s?” Holly asked. “They have the best pizza in Pine City. And subs, too, right Dad?”
Ivy seemed to be considering his invitation. “Only on one condition.”
“Okay. And what would that be?” he asked, a bit tense.
“That Holly wears her hair down and keeps her sparkles on,” Ivy said teasingly.
“Holly?” Daniel looked at his daughter. “Your call.”
“Are you kidding? Of course I’ll keep my sparkles on! Eating out twice in one day? OMG, I cannot wait to tell this to Roxie. Can I call her now?”
Shifting the mood from morose to excited in a matter of seconds, Daniel gave up. “You can call. Ten minutes, and not a minute more. Got it?” he said as Holly practically flew out of her chair.
“Yes, you can set the timer, and does this mean you’re going with us, Ivy? I will even wear a dress, if you want,” Holly said.
“Yes, and no, you do not have to wear a dress.”
“Woo-hoo!” Holly shouted. Before she ran out of the kitchen to call Roxie, she gave Ivy a hug; then she gave her dad the biggest, brightest smile he’d seen on her face in a very long time. His chest swelled with love for this beautiful little girl who was his daughter. And he had to admit, if only to himself, he was just a little bit too excited about going to Ollie’s for pizza.