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The crowd bursts out in laughter. Not me. I’m staring at Wyatt, my heart breaking for him. All this was because I left. Everything he’s accomplished is because I failed him. I don’t know whether to be happy for him or sad that things turned out the way they did.
“An idea struck me one night as I was walking through town, admiring the facelift so many businesses now had. Our town, even though we kept our classic charm, looked new again. It made me wonder what it was like a long time ago. Back in the days before technology and modern amenities. Back when a trip to the store was an all-day adventure.”
Stepping back, Wyatt moves to a covered easel, reaching up and taking hold of the white sheet.
My heart pounds in my chest as I hear the passion in Wyatt’s voice as he attempts to mask his heartache. Guilt consumes me, it has since the day I left, but in this moment, it’s overwhelming.
“That idea grew into a larger idea, and now, in less than a month, Old Fairview will open,” he says, drawing the sheet away and revealing a large photo of what looks to be a dusty town. “Our hope is not only to bring people to our wonderful town but to educate people on what life was like for the settlers. We’re planning a soft opening for those that live in town and want to see what it’s all about in two weeks. Each of you are invited. If you have any questions, you all know where to find me.
“Now, before I hand the microphone over, there are a few people I’ve really like to thank for helping make all of this possible. First and foremost, my best friend Adam Jones. Without him, none of this would have been possible. He was the one that encouraged me to funnel my grief into something positive. I was headed down a dark hole when he pulled me out. I’d also like to thank my mother and sister who have been working tirelessly to bring the town to life by running the Bed & Breakfast. And lastly, I’d like to thank the Warrens, Beverly and Joseph. When I purchased the land from them and told them of my plans, they encouraged me to move forward. Knowing Mr. Warren is a smart businessman, his advice meant a lot to me.”
My parents knew. We never spoke of Wyatt, it was forbidden, but they knew. All this time they had been working with him, helping him make something of himself, and yet he’s still not good enough in their eyes. They don’t respect the hard work he’s done or his achievements.
My anger rises when I see my father step on the stage and shake Wyatt’s hand. In public, he’s a grand man. Well respected in the community. In private, he’s an asshole. No one knows of his indiscretions, and he likes to keep it that way.
My pregnancy was one of those indiscretions.
Waving to the crowd, my father accepts the microphone from Wyatt and steps to the center of the stage.
“Good afternoon,” he begins. “I’m excited to be a part of the next chapter for Fairview. As Wyatt mentioned, Old Town will open in less than a month. In the meantime, we would like to encourage the community to find a way to become involved with the project. If everyone lends a helping hand, everyone succeeds. The Mayor and I will be holding a town hall meeting tomorrow night and everyone who would like to be more involved is welcome to join.”
People around me begin to clap but my hands stay at my side. That’s when I realize that the one holding on to Lola is empty. Looking around, I spot her just as she’s about to climb the steps to the stage, headed straight for her daddy.
Wyatt scoops her up as he accepts the microphone back from my father. They share a look, one I can interpret and I’m sure the rest of the town can as well.
There’s hatred in my father’s glare.
Their business relationship isn’t as friendly as they want people to think it is.
“Thank you all for coming out today,” Wyatt says, drawing my attention away from my father’s glare and back to center stage. “We hope you enjoy your afternoon and are as excited as we are for what’s to come for our town. Our home.”
Wyatt sets the microphone down and takes the steps one at a time, Lola laughing in his arms as they make their way over to us. All eyes are on him, and then us, as he sets Lola down and reaches for my hand.
“Ready to chat?” he asks, pulling me through the sea of people. They part as we move forward, whispers surrounding us.
We keep moving until we are out of the park and safely inside the bar. Releasing the grip he had on my hand, Wyatt flips the lights on, illuminating the bar. Lola wiggles free of my grasp and heads to the nearest booth, climbing in and grabbing a menu.
“Can I get food, Daddy?”
“Of course you can. What do you want?”
“French fries,” she declares excitedly.
“I’ll be right back,” Wyatt says to me before disappearing into the kitchen.
Taking the seat across from Lola, I take the menu from her, setting it aside. “Hey, sweet girl. Why did you go up on stage with Daddy?”
“I was going to say hi to Grandpa, but he looked angry.”
“Grandpa and I had a fight this morning, honey. He’s not mad at you, I promise.”
“He looked mad at Daddy too. Why is he mad?”
How do you explain to a four-year-old that her grandpa never wanted her? That he was angry when he found out that I was pregnant?
You don’t.
You lie.
For the first time in my life, I have to lie to my daughter. I’ve always told her the truth, no matter if I thought she would understand it or not.
“Your grandpa is mad because Mommy and Daddy are hanging out together. Remember how I told you that Daddy wasn’t around when you were born?” She nods, fully engrossed in our conversation. “Well, Daddy was here doing big things while you and I were in Denver. Mommy had to finish going to school so she could buy all your toys and stuff. Grandpa and Mommy had a fight about that before you were born. I didn’t want to live in Denver. It’s okay, though. You get to see your Daddy now, so Mommy won the fight. That’s why Grandpa is angry. He doesn’t like to lose. Does that make sense?”
“I guess so. Does this mean we’re going to live with Daddy now?”
“I don’t know, sweet girl. Daddy and I need to talk about that.”
We need to talk about a lot of things. Things that are going to be heart wrenching and tough. I’m not looking forward to it, but at the same time… this is going to be closure for both of us. Something we each need.
Closure on one chapter and hopefully the start of a new chapter. One where we get to write the ending ourselves.
