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Shocked, no one spoke for a minute. Then Justin had his chance.
“Does this have anything to do with my mother’s mental illness?” Justin asked.
Appearing surprised at the question, Emily’s quirks never seemed to be an issue with their sons and now Justin brought it up and called it mental illness. Vic chose his words carefully.
“Justin, Emily’s formal diagnosis was avoidant personality disorder. But frankly, I’m so introverted, we got along great. It didn’t cause any issues between us. She was a great mother”
“I agree, she was a wonderful mom,” Dave said ardently.
Justin didn’t reply, but there was an obvious tick in his jaw, a telltale sign all the Chastain men had when they were annoyed or contemplating or upset.
“Emily loved the clinic, the animals, and was a champion for the underdog.”
“I remember she fed a homeless guy who stopped by the clinic from time to time,” Dave replied.
“I’m glad I didn’t know about that.” Vic looked at Maggie. “She’d be so happy you’re riding her horse, too.”
Maggie nodded her head, too emotional to reply. This kind of confrontation was anathema to Maggie, hating any kind of intrigue.
“Why did Val get away with rape?” Justin asked, regretting the recent times he’d allowed the man to step foot on Bayou Cottage property. “He’s been insistent on helping with the barn, too.”
“Yeah, that’s got me creeped out now,” Maggie replied. “Do we even want him around us?”
Vic thought about it for a moment. “I think he wants to ingratiate himself to the family so that when the son comes around, he’ll be included in the gatherings.”
“How’d you and Mom deal with him being around?” Dave asked.
“Remember, he wasn’t. When he returned to the US with his wife, they moved and started a restaurant out of town. He never came around again until last summer.”
“Aunt Elizabeth is so upset,” Rose said. “This took place when she was involved with him.”
“He’s so much older,” Maggie said, flaring her nostrils. “And kind of creepy, if you ask me. Mrs. Chastain was a young woman when it happened.”
“She wasn’t twenty yet,” Vic said. “Rose doesn’t remember any of it because she’d probably already left Cypress Cove for Florida.”
“I feel awful I wasn’t there for her,” Rose replied.
“She wouldn’t have been free to accept your help,” Vic said. “Her family went nuts. It was horrible.”
“Was it a public scandal?” Maggie asked.
“No, because she was kept in confinement by her family. I knew about it and didn’t care. I wanted to take care of her, but they didn’t want any reminder so they forced her to give the baby up. She never forgave herself for the adoption. We were married shortly after that, but it was too late for them to make amends even if they wanted to because Emily had mentally separated herself from them all.
“She was estranged from her family for the rest of her life.”
“Oh, how awful,” Katrina said, finally speaking up. But then she looked at Vic. “Does this mean you can drop the story about moving away? It would be awful if you two left. I’d be so upset and Maggie would be, too.”
Vic sighed, sitting back in the chair. “We can stay. What about it, Rose?”
“Yes, we can stay. If my aunt leaves, I’ll have to move in with you. Are you boys okay with it?”
“It’s fine,” Dave replied. “I never had an issue with you being there. I just want to emphasize that Justin and I want to look over anything you are going to toss that might have belonged to our mother.”
“Yes, and be prepared for that brother you never knew existed trying to make a connection.”
Baby David began to fuss and Dave had had enough.
“Let’s go.”
