Park Avenue Player(101)

We sat on the couch, and Hailey played with a strand of her hair—something she did when she was nervous. I put my hand under her chin and lifted so our eyes met.

“Uncle Hollis and I lost someone who was close to us. We’re just sad.”

At least that’s what I hoped. Though the last few days, I’d started to lose some of my confidence that we’d get through it.

Hailey nodded, but it looked like she had more to say, and for some reason I didn’t think it had to do with Hollis and me being a couple. “Hailey, have you ever lost anyone close to you?”

She shook her head. “Is what your friend had contagious?”

“Oh God, no. Definitely not. Bree had a rare disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Not only is it not contagious, but so few people have it that there have only been something like four hundred documented cases in the United States.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

Hailey still had that look on her face.

“Is there anything else you want to know?” I asked. “We can talk about anything.”

She looked away for a moment. “What happens to you when you die?”

That was a tough question to answer. But I knew Hollis and his brother had been raised Catholic, so I gave the answer I thought they’d want me to. In truth, it was what I’d believed for most of my life. Though the last few days, I’d been questioning everything.

“Well, your soul goes to heaven, and you’re freed of any sickness and pain you had here on Earth.”

“So Anna isn’t sick anymore?”

I smiled. That was the one belief I’d held on to tightly. “No, she’s not.”

“That’s good.”

“It is. I’m glad she’s at peace now.”

“What if…Uncle Hollis got sick?”

“Oh honey, Uncle Hollis is very healthy. You shouldn’t worry about that.”

“But Anna was healthy, too, right? Before she got sick.”

She had a point. And I knew from personal experience what it felt like to be uncertain of what would happen to me if my alcoholic mother didn’t wake up one morning. Even before my dad died, I’d always felt alone. When nothing in life feels secure, you tend to think about your next move an awful lot.

I looked at Hailey. We’d only known each other for a few months now, but I loved her with all my heart. “If something happened to your uncle Hollis—which it’s not going to—I’d ask your father for permission to have you come live with me.”

Her eyes lit up. “You would?”

I cupped her cheeks. “Yes, I absolutely would.”

Hailey visibly relaxed. “Thank you.”

“There’s absolutely no reason to thank me. I’d be lucky to have you, kiddo.”

***

The doorbell rang at almost eight o’clock. Hollis had texted only a half hour ago that he wouldn’t be home until late tonight. I hadn’t expected him so soon, but thought he must’ve forgotten his key. But when I looked through the peephole, a man I didn’t expect to see stood on the other side of the door.

I opened it. “Richard? Is everything okay?”

He smiled warmly, but looked tired. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m good. Could I come in?”

I stepped aside. “Of course. Of course.” I assumed he’d come to see Hollis. “Hollis is working late tonight. He’s not home yet.”

“I figured that. I just left him at his office.”

My forehead wrinkled. “You went to see him at work?”

Richard nodded. “I had to drop off something.”

“Oh. Okay.”

He looked around. “Hollis’s niece lives here with him, right?”

“Yes. She’s in her room with a friend. Did you want to meet her?”

“No. No. I just hoped we could talk for a minute in private.”

“Oh. Of course. Can I get you something to drink? Water or maybe wine?”

“I’d love a glass of water. From the tap is fine.”

I walked to the kitchen and Richard followed. He took a seat at the counter where Hailey had been earlier. I filled a glass with ice and filtered water from the refrigerator door.

Passing it to him, I watched as he guzzled almost the entire glass and then made a loud Ahhh sound. “I miss New York City water. Damn Connecticut water doesn’t taste the same.”

I smiled. “Fewer rats in the sewer system. Connecticut’s so fancy.”

Richard reached around to his back pocket and took out an envelope. He put it on the counter in front of him. “Listen, sweetheart, I’m going to cut to the chase. I know you’re a straight shooter and don’t like smoke blown up your ass.”

“Okay… Thank you, I think.”

“Bree wanted me to give this to you. She owes you some answers, and I think you’ll find them in here.” He pushed the envelope in front of him across the granite.

“She wrote me a letter?”

He nodded. “I don’t have to tell you my daughter loved you like a sister. You’re the one good decision that bum of a stepson I have ever made. His loss was my baby girl’s gain. You were good for her soul, Elodie.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “She was good for mine, too.”