Page 52 of Saved By the Pitcher

“Boys,” Charles greeted. “Thank you for agreeing to see me. Please, sit.”

James and Billy exchanged another uncomfortable glance, then took seats on chairs as far from their father as the room permitted. “Father, we can’t stay long. We have things to do in preparation for tomorrow’s awards ceremony.”

Charles chuckled. “You’re in the driver’s seat now, aren’t you, James? Well, I admit it is nice to see you when you aren’t cowering. My regrets that I never congratulated you on your nomination. You proved me wrong. I guess you didn’t need to buy votes to secure it. I still think you would have had a better chance of winning tomorrow if you’d heeded my advice. At least with you taking William to the ceremony, you’ll have someone to console you when you lose.”

Billy bit his lower lip, trying to remain civil. “James never had to cheat to get what he has. He’s earned everything with talent and kindness. Unlike you. What did you want us here for, Father? I can see that it wasn’t to apologize for what you’ve done.”

Charles nodded, the cool façade cracking a bit. “Believe it or not, Billy, I have wanted to apologize to you. Perhaps my punishment was too extreme. My lawyers told me to stay quiet, though, fearing outreach would incriminate me further. But now I’ve pled guilty to the charges and there’s no reason to remain silent. I am sorry that you were hurt. I should have tried harder to find a different way to achieve the desired outcome.”

“You suck at apologies,” James blurted. “Don’t even bother.”

Charles pursed his lips. “I apologize for the tactics. However, my intentions were honorable. I was trying to steer the two of you on the right path.”

James snarled with a biting laugh. “The right path? You mean like the one you chose?”

Charles held up his hand in surrender. “As I’ve already acknowledged, some of my tactics were misguided. You know, I watched my own father and thought his ways were the keys to success. For a long time, they were, for both him and for me. I should have remembered that he went through multiple wives and died alone with me being the only one at his funeral who loved him. And now, it seems, history is repeating itself. Possessions, it seems, are built on sand. I’m afraid there will be nothing I can leave for the two of you. That is one of the reasons I brought you here. I wanted to inform you that there is no pot of gold coming your way. You’ll need to make your own ways in life. As for me, if it is any consolation, I recognize I’ll end up as my father did—dying alone.”

“You have Victoria and Lilah,” Billy muttered.

“Victoria filed for divorce,” Charles stated. “She would have been the first one on a lifeboat from the Titanic. And Victoria hasn’t let me see Lilah since she left.”

“I’m sorry,” James said. He wasn’t sure if he was, but it seemed the right thing to say, regardless of what had transpired.

Charles acknowledged the gesture with a sardonic smile. “Boys, I’ve had lots of time to reflect on things. I’ve reconciled myself to the probability of one son marrying into a poor, black family and the other ending up with a man. I won’t say that I love either scenario, but I recognize your decisions are out of my hands now. You may not agree with what I thought was best for you, but I did what I did out of love.”

“Oh, come on,” James spat. “Your reputation with your base had nothing to do with it?”

“Yes, but the two were aligned, James. My politics represent my beliefs of what is best not only for you, but for this nation. I understand you don’t agree, and that is your right. You are grown men now. So, I’ll just say that whatever you decide for yourselves, I do wish you success and happiness. Contrary to what you may think, I do love you. Therefore, live your lives as you see fit. You can’t end up worse than me in the end.” He paused, looking out the window for a moment to compose himself. “I’ll be going away. I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that you’ll never see me again.”

The sons exchanged looks of surprise. “What do you mean? You think you’ll be given a life-sentence?” James gasped.

Charles shook his head. “I’m not going to prison. I’ll be in a witness-protection program. I’ve shared the names of every corrupt political, judicial and law enforcement official I know, as well as how we worked together. I also named organized crime actors and arrangements we had. I will have a target on my head for my remaining days, but the Feds are giving me a new life, albeit a much more modest one. As part of that deal, once I’m relocated with a new identity, I can never contact you or anyone I know from this life again. I wouldn’t, anyway. It would put you in danger.”

James wasn’t sure if he felt sorry for his father or thought he was getting off too easy. “Will they come after us anyway?”

“I doubt it. I said some things during my testimony that were lies.” James frowned to hear that even after his father’s arrest, he had continued breaking the law. “I know. I perjured myself under oath. Just chalk it up to another instance where I did what I thought was best for you, even if the tactics were less than honorable.”

“What lies? What are you talking about?” Billy inquired.

“I told them that I had no problem doing the things I did to the two of you because you were embarrassments to me. I denied I cared about either of you,” Charles explained. “That was the lie.”

“I don’t understand.” James swallowed.

Charles stiffened his back, appearing uncomfortable with being vulnerable and emotional. “My enemies have no reason to harm you if they think I wouldn’t care. But as I told you, I do love you and would care if something bad were to happen to you because of me. I gave Victoria and Lilah the same cover by testifying that my wife is a greedy bitch and my daughter is an ungrateful little brat.”

James and Billy shared another look—they didn’t see how that part was a lie.

“When will you leave?” James asked.

“Tomorrow,” Charles responded. “That was the other reason I wanted to see you. I wanted to explain myself for past actions, as well as why you won’t hear from me again. It would be a great favor to me if, in time, you both could forgive what you perceived as cruelty and consider my motives.” He rose from the chair, pulling each son into an awkward embrace. “But I realize that time is not today.”

* * * *

The moment had arrived to announce the winner for lead actor in a musical. James heard his name mentioned along with the other nominees just as Billy grabbed his hand with a supportive squeeze. James was prepared to hear another actor’s name announced. The disaster made by his father and the crimes he committed couldn’t have helped him during the voting process.

“James Vicksburg,” the Broadway veteran actress announced to thunderous cheers.

The world blurred. James wondered if he had imagined the moment until Billy was shouting in his ear, “You won! James, you won!”