Chapter 17

Amy

I got called into work early this morning—apparently it’s a ‘business emergency.’ I wish I could have gotten out of it, but they need me. I’d much rather spend the day with you. I’ll be back this evening, as soon as I can escape. I left you the keys to one of my father’s vehicles and you still have my card, so you’re not stuck. Enjoy your day, beautiful, and I’ll see you tonight.

-Derek

Derek left the note on the bathroom mirror for me to find when I woke up. I read over it a couple of times, trying to contain my disappointment. It wasn’t fair for me to want to have him to myself. But I only had one week with him, so even a single day was precious.

Even if I had more time with him— even if I had an infinite amount of time with him— one day without him was one day lacking.

Still, I was determined not to waste the day. I took a quick shower and got dressed in one of the more casual outfits that Charlotte had given me. It was still more elegant than anything I had ever owned. When I was ready for the day, I made my way downstairs.

Derek’s father was in the sitting room by himself, sipping coffee and reading a newspaper. I knocked on the door to alert him of my presence. He looked up, and immediately a smile spread on his withered face.

“Amelia,” he said, setting his cup down. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Walter,” I said, smiling as I entered the room.

“Do you have time to have a cup of coffee with me?” he asked hopefully.

“Of course!” I responded. “Derek had something pressing at work, so I’m on my own for the day.”

“Work? I thought he’d taken some of his vacation time.”

“He did,” I said. “Apparently it was an emergency.”

Walter sighed. “That boy and his work. I’ve never met anyone with a more industrious spirit. He spends all his time at the damned firm. He’s letting his life pass him by.”

His concerns surprised me, so I prodded a little.

“It seems to me that he’s taking after you.”

“Me? Of course he is. I spent my whole life in that building, and you know what? I hated it. It ruined all my marriages, ruined my relationships with everyone in my family. I’m proud of my work, I won’t lie. I was successful. I was good at it. Derek is too. But he ought to learn from my mistakes, and spend a little more time living—especially when he has someone like you to spend his days with.”

The strained relationship between Derek and his father was making sense to me now that I’d had a chance to get to know the two men. Derek had watched his father and yearned for his approval, so he tried to be just like him. Walter, however, only wanted his son to live a better, fuller life than he had. It was a misunderstanding the whole time.

“I think,” I said, choosing my words carefully. After all, this was their relationship, and I should keep my nose out of it. “I think he is. I think he will.”

“I know I snapped at him last week,” Walter said. “About the family ordeal. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so harsh, but I wanted him to get it into that thick skull of his, to understand what is really important in this life.” He counted on his fingers. “Family and honesty. I had neither.”

“You have a son,” I said.

“A son. I’m afraid I messed that up too, and I don’t have enough life in me to set it straight.”

He looked so wistful, full of regret.

“It’s not too late,” I said. “I may not have known Derek for as long as you have, but I know enough about him to see how much he cares about you. You’re his father. And you did set him up to have this amazing, wonderful life full of opportunity and luxury that a lot of people would do anything for. You did a lot for him.”

A sad smile appeared on his face. “I tried. I really did. I never looked back. Not until I discovered I was dying. I didn’t always have regrets. But now all I can think of are the should-haves and could-haves… all the things that I messed up.”

I reached forward and squeezed his hand. “Please don’t. If you’d done anything differently, and he were a different person, I might never have met him.”

“You’re right,” he said, sitting back. “I suppose I have done something right, to have you as the mother of my precious grandchild.”

His words felt like a punch to my gut. I didn’t hear the rest of what he was saying as he continued speaking. I was frozen, zoned out, and reeling with guilt.

“So,” Walter said, setting down his cup of coffee. “What are your plans for the day?”

It took me a few moments to respond. “I’m not sure. Any suggestions?” I forced a smile onto my face, hoping he couldn’t see the guilt in my eyes.

“I recommend going to the Cliffside Diner for lunch,” Walter said, nostalgia shining in his voice. “It’s out a ways in the countryside. The drive is beautiful. Lydia, my second wife, Derek’s mother, we used to go there all the time. Every week, at least once. It was her very favorite place. Did they ever have a marvelous peach pie.”

“You should come with me!” I said. “You need to get out of this house for a while.”

He shook his head. “Oh no, dear. I don’t go out.”

“Why not?”

Walter shrugged. “I haven’t in years. It’s more trouble than it’s worth. I’m not much of a people person, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

“If you say so.” I sat back, studying him. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course. You’re family. You can ask me anything.”

“What happened to Derek’s mom? I’ve never heard him talk about her, but you mentioned her. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I know it’s personal.”

Walter nodded, looking somber. “It was a long time ago. Derek hadn’t even reached his first birthday before we got a divorce. We’d both been married once before, when we were younger, and we had both waited another decade before looking for love. At the time, we thought we had finally found the one. But love isn’t that simple, as it turns out, and neither one of us were willing to put the effort and energy into it—me especially. After she had Derek, it only got worse. She was frustrated and I was busy. It fell apart, and soon after she took Derek and moved out.”

I sat back, listening quietly as he told the story. I could hear the sorrow in his hoarse voice.

“A few months after that, she got into a car accident. It was a head-on collision. The other driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. Derek was completely unharmed, but she… she was dead before the medics arrived.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

Walter sighed. “Like I said, it was a long time ago. I never told Derek this, but his mother and I were planning on getting back together. We decided that we should be putting him before ourselves and we’d been talking and spending time together, rekindling the love we once shared.”

Even though it had been over thirty years, I could still feel his heartache.

“And Derek doesn’t know?”

“No. He had to grow up without a mother as it was, it wouldn’t be fair to tell him he missed out on a family, too.”

“It’s never too late,” I said, trying to be comforting. “He has one now.”

“Do you think that’s enough?”

“I do,” I said. “I really do.”

* * *

I almost turned around and went back inside when I saw the Rolls Royce that Derek had set me up with. The car had to be more expensive than a house, and it looked like it had never been driven. There wasn’t a single mark on it.

It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, I told myself, unlocking it.

I sat in the driver’s seat for a few minutes, enjoying the luxury. It was a beautiful car, almost too beautiful to drive.

I turned the key over, and it hummed to life.

After entering the address into the GPS, I set out. The diner that Walter had suggested was forty-five minutes away. I turned on some folk rock and started down the road.

Walter wasn’t lying when he said the drive was beautiful. It was all hills, grass, and trees. There were no other cars on the country roads. It was a very enjoyable ride that passed quickly.

Before I knew it, I had arrived.

The restaurant was absolutely gorgeous. It was located on the edge of a cliff, and was constructed of wood. It was the only building in sight, so it had a secluded feel that complimented the seaside vibe very well. The smell of the ocean and the whisper of the wind on the tall grass completed the scene beautifully. It was easy to see why Derek’s mother loved it so much.

Since it was a little past the typical lunch time, there were only a few other cars in the parking lot. After carefully parking and inspecting the vehicle for damage, I got out my camera and took a ton of photos, hoping to preserve the allure of the setting.

The interior of the building was somehow even more charming than the exterior. The design embraced the ocean theme, but in a classic, vintage way. The paintings on the wall portrayed images of sailors, ships and abandoned beaches. Everything was made of wood, almost as if we were on an actual boat.

There was a comforting solitude about the place. It was quiet, but warm. Simple and nostalgic, invoking memories of a different time and place.

A hostess greeted me and led me to a small table by the window. I had a perfect view of the ocean and the cloudy sky.

I took my time looking over the menu before settling on salmon and a salad. While I waited, I sipped iced tea and watched out the window, daydreaming. I wondered if Derek had ever been here. It was easily one of the most enchanting places that I had ever stumbled upon—just as he was certainly the most enchanting man I had ever met. He would fit in well here. I knew without a doubt that he would love it as much as I did.

The food was brought out quickly, and it was absolutely delicious. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

When I finished, I asked for a slice of peach pie, plus a whole pie, to go. Walter was right, it was irresistible. I planned on bringing him the full pie, so he might remember his little nook of the world.

After paying, I headed out, intent on getting back to the mansion and giving Walter the pie. I was excited, sure I’d come up with a nice treat for the old man. It would put a smile on his face. Something genuine—a brief pleasure, but a solid one.

I set the pie in the passenger seat, and took another long look at the ocean before heading out. I vowed to myself that I would come back to this place as soon as I could, with Derek, or my sister perhaps, even by myself.

I drove back along the snaking roads and twisting hills, feeling—for the first time in a while—completely at peace. There were no doubts haunting my mind. I was happy to be alive.

By the time I saw the truck approaching from the corner of my eye, it was too late.