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“I’m honored. I’d love to open a card with you and your boys.” He cleared his throat, which had gone tight. “The reason I called is because I have a few errands to run in your direction. How about we meet at your place to work on the album today?” How about we always meet at your place because I can’t be trusted to keep my hands and other body parts off you if we’re alone?
“No problem,” she said. “We can go to the doggie beach for a walk before dinner like we did last week.”
“Perfect, I’ll be there at one.”
“Great. So … how did your Saturday night go?”
Huh? “Er … fine. How was yours?”
“Did you go on a date? Are you seeing someone?”
“Uhh …” She thought he’d turned down dinner with her because he had a date? Was it his imagination, or did she sound … tense? Thrown for a loop, his mind blanked, and he didn’t know what to say.
“Never mind. It’s none of my business.” She sighed. “I just … I want you to be happy, Caleb.”
Her tone definitely sounded strained. Did the thought of him seeing someone upset her, or did she feel relief? She didn’t sound relieved. “Thanks. I want you to be happy, too, Theresa.”
“Great. It’s settled then. We each want the other to be happy. See you in a few hours.”
His brow rose. Definitely not relief in her tone. “See you then.”
They ended the call, and he had to sit down and ponder what it all meant. Could it be the status quo was beginning to chafe for Theresa?
“Hmph.” No telling. He wracked his brain for places to go so he wouldn’t have told Theresa another lie. He’d needed a new showerhead for the master bathroom for the longest time, and that would be errand number one. Then he could stop at the garden center and pick up some more flowering plant seeds for his garden, and maybe a few shiny new garden tools. Both stops were in her general direction. Lunch somewhere along the way, and he’d arrive at Theresa’s right around one.
At some point, he could suggest they always meet at her house because of her kids. The boys would get home from school in the afternoons, and she’d want to be there for them, wouldn’t she? Working at her place, he’d have Elli and John standing in the way of Theresa’s bedroom … unless Elli had a class. That left John Clark. Suddenly, the term bodyguard took on a whole new meaning.
Growling his frustration, Caleb headed for his bedroom for a shower and a shave before setting out on his made-up errands. At some point he’d have to tell her how he felt—get it over with, and let the chips fall where they may, but … not this week.
* * *
“Thank you for squeezing me in this morning,” Theresa said as she slipped into the chair facing Dr. Grayson.
“No problem. Another client had to reschedule her appointment anyway, so it worked out.” Jenna set her tablet on the coffee table. “So, what would you like to discuss?”
“So many things …” Theresa gripped the arms of the chair. “I met with my mother on Saturday. Turns out you were right, and it was my father who kept her away. He threatened her life if she made any attempt to see us or to take us from him.”
Summarizing what she’d learned, Theresa described her parents’ tragic histories and what had happened. She told her therapist about the cards and the ritual her sons had created around opening them.
“So, it turns out I’m part Nez Perce. I’m excited about getting to know my mother and my relatives. Charlie and Jeremy are thrilled to have a new-to-them grandmother and extended family. We’re planning to visit her at the end of September.”
“How do you feel now that you have your mother’s side of the story?”
“At peace. It’s resolved. I sent my brothers their undelivered cards along with a letter explaining what truly happened twenty-two years ago. I think they need to know the truth, and sending the cards and my letter to them kind of capped everything off for me. I don’t expect a response from either of them, and that’s okay. I’ve done my part; that’s what matters.”
Theresa sighed. “My mother said she feels sorry for my dad, and I do too. The quality of his life could’ve been so much better if only he’d been able let go of his pride, fear, or whatever it is that keeps him stuck. At any point in his life, he could’ve faced his problems and sought help.”
“It is unfortunate.” Jenna nodded.
“Is it okay that I never want to see or hear from that man again for the rest of my life?” She frowned.
“It’s healthy to walk away from toxic relationships, Theresa. Self-care is an important step in your journey.”
“I thought about writing Dad a letter, too, but even the thought of reaching out to him caused a lot of anxiety, and I decided it wasn’t worth the time or the effort.” She twisted her hands together in her lap. “I think about everything he’s missing out on, what he’s lost, and it’s all because of the terror he experienced as a child at the hands of his own father. You’d think he’d want to leave that behind and set a different path for himself and his family.”
Dr. Grayson canted her head. “At some point, you might consider writing that letter for yourself. Expressing your thoughts and feelings can be freeing, and there’s no rule that says once a letter is written it must be sent. You can make that decision once the letter is completed.”
“I’ll give that some thought.” Theresa squirmed in her chair. “The real reason I wanted to see you today is because I’m having some confusing feelings about Caleb. I … He … Argh.” She scrubbed her face with both hands. “I think he might’ve gone on a date Saturday night, and it made me….” Her heart gave a painful thump. “I’m feeling jealous and upset. I find myself thinking that I don’t want to share him with another woman. He’s my best friend, and the more I get to know him, the more I want to spend time with him.”
