Page 107 of The Challenge

Since Drew’s was on the way to the storage unit where my car was parked, we decided to pick Effie up first. That way I’d also get to say hello to her.

On the drive over, I continued to feel much calmer than I had earlier in the day.

But it was short-lived.

Millie called about a mile before we got to Drew’s house.

“Is everything okay?” I asked when I answered.

“I’m so sorry, Chloe. I tried to wake your mother up to eat, but…I think she’s gone.”

Chapter 39

EVAN

Despite a brief Thanksgiving Day reprieve at Drew and Maura’s, the remainder of that week was spent making arrangements for Judy’s service.

We’d arrived at the funeral home two hours ago on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and I hadn’t taken my eyes off of Chloe. Whenever it looked like she needed me, I rushed to her side, getting her water or whatever she required to get through the wake. I’d made sure I was never too far away.

A voice from behind me interrupted my guarding her.

“It’s been a long time, Evan.”

I turned to find Chloe’s dad standing there. I hadn’t seen him in ages. He’d gotten grayer and older, but overall, he seemed to be in good shape.

“Indeed, Phil.” I offered my hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

He shook with me. “I don’t deserve your condolences, son. If you’ve spent any amount of time with Chloe, I’m sure you already know that.”

“I don’t see things that way,” I told him. “You and Judy were married for a long time and shared a life together. Despite things you could’ve done differently, this has to be very difficult for you.”

He looked over at the casket, his voice shaking. “Judy certainly deserved better than the way I disappeared in her last days. I just didn’t know how to handle it. And that guilt is something I’m gonna have to live with for the rest of my life.”

I honestly didn’t know what to tell him, since I agreed on all counts. There was a hell of a lot he could’ve done better, but now wasn’t the time to unload my feelings about that.

He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I see the way you’ve been supporting my daughter. I want you to know that I appreciate you being there for her. Not just today, but ever since she came to town.” He paused. “How is your daughter?”

Effie had wanted to come with me to the services, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. She’d never been to a wake before, and I needed to be able to focus on Chloe. So I’d told her she and I would pay our respects to Chloe together in a more personal way after everything was over.

“She’s great. And no need to thank me for looking out for Chloe. I’ll always have her back.”

“From what she’s told me over the past couple of days, you’ve had her back for a while. Not only recently, but when you were living with us. I didn’t realize you two were so close back then.”

“Well, at the time, I didn’t think you’d approve.”

“I’d always thought something happened between you and my other daughter. Apparently, I had it all wrong.”

I nodded. “You did.”

“I realize that now.” Phil looked over to where Chloe and Fawn were greeting guests in the receiving line. “Getting to spend time with Fawn and Chloe this week has been the only light during this dark time. They’ve told me lots of stories I didn’t know. We’ve done our best to come together and support each other through this. I’m hoping to mend my relationship with my daughters. I haven’t been present for them in recent years, partly because they couldn’t handle me being with another woman. They still haven’t met Courtney, and I didn’t want to upset them by bringing her here.”

“Good call.” I was happy he’d had the sense not to push that boundary. Chloe wouldn’t have appreciated that in the least.

“It’s a hard balance trying to be happy and make everyone else happy, too,” he said.

“It’s never too late to make things better, Phil. You’re the only parent Chloe and Fawn have left now. They’re adults, but they’ll always need you. And they’ll always be your little girls for as long as you live. I understand that better than ever now that I’m a father. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my daughter.”

Phil clapped me on the back. “I’m proud of you, Evan. Chloe’s told me how much you’ve taken on and what a wonderful job you’ve done with Effie. Your mother would be very proud of you, too.”