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“Hewitt.”
“This must be Luisa.” He stepped forward and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” said my sister, motioning me to join her in the living room.
“Excuse me,” I muttered.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell mom anything except that I knew where the formulas were. Then it started to rain, and Noah found us.”
I nodded. “At least she knows that much.”
When we returned to the kitchen, Hewitt had opened another bottle and poured three more drinks. “This was Seraphina’s idea, and I think it’s a good one.” He held up a glass, and my mother took it. Luisa did the same.
“Should we go into the other room?” I asked. “Or should we stay here?” God, I was so nervous I was shaking.
Noah walked around the table and pulled out a chair. “Let’s stay here, Sera.” When I sat, he took the seat next to me, then held my hand. After my mom and Luisa sat down, Hewitt did too.
“Can I start?” Luisa asked.
“Go ahead,” I told her.
“I don’t know exactly what this is about, but Seraphina mentioned our mom thought you had my father’s wine formulas.” She turned to Hewitt, then to my mom. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were looking for them. They’re at the apartment.”
“That’s what you said, but I don’t understand why you had them.”
“May I continue?” Luisa asked.
When my mother nodded, my sister reiterated the story she’d told me. Our mom’s eyes were wide, and by the time Luisa finished, I knew she’d realized her mistake.
“I’m sorry,” she said, looking directly at Hewitt. “I accused you of something unfairly. My husband had an envelope with him the night of the accident, and I overheard him demand you meet him. I assumed…And then, when nothing was found in the car…” My mother put her head in her hands.
“Leah, I know what was in the envelope,” said Noah’s father.
She moved her hands from her face and looked at him.
“It was the contract for the sale of the vineyards and winery. He wanted to get out of it, but I told him it was too late. The deal had been wrapped up two weeks earlier. The bank had been paid off, and the title company was finalizing the deed.”
“What happened to the contract?” I asked. “My mom sent the police to check the car, and they didn’t find it.”
“He took out a lighter and set it on fire.” Hewitt took a deep breath and looked down at his hands. “I walked out.” When he looked up at my mother, he had tears in his eyes.
“I’ve never forgiven myself for that night. I knew Joseph was drinking. I should’ve stayed.” Tears spilled over onto his cheeks. “Instead, I turned my back on him and left. I’m sorry.”
“Dad,” said Noah, putting his hand on his father’s shoulder.
Hewitt covered his face and shook his head. He took another deep breath, then lowered his hands. “I know there’s no way to make it up to you—”
“It isn’t your fault, Hewitt,” my mother said, and I gripped her hand as she stared into Noah’s father’s eyes. “It isn’t your fault,” she repeated.
Hewitt turned to Noah. “I’m sorry, son.”
“Don’t apologize, Dad. Not to me.”
He shook his head. “It’s my greatest source of shame.”
“I knew he’d been drinking. I’m the one who should’ve stopped him,” said my mom.
“I knew too. We all knew. And as much as we wish we could go back and change the events of that night, we can’t. My dad is the one who got behind the wheel of that car and drove to the bar in the first place. He shouldn’t have left the house. We shouldn’t have let him. Whoever sold him liquor, shouldn’t have.” I looked up at Noah’s father. “You weren’t the only person there the night it happened who could’ve stepped in and helped him. We all have regrets.” I got up and walked out.
