Find Your Next Hold
At home, I told Mom everything.
“Maybe you should leave it alone,” Mom suggested.
“Patricia has hidden enough from me.”
“You’re frightened.”
“Of course I am.”
Mom squeezed my hand. “Remember what Dan always told you?”
I swallowed.
“You don’t have to see the whole route. Just find your next hold.”
“Will you watch Jack while I’m gone?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Just be careful.”
“I will, Mom.”
Outside Patricia’s house, I sat in my car for five minutes. Twice, I almost drove away.
Then I remembered Dan’s words.
‘Just find your next hold.’
I got out and rang the doorbell.
Patricia opened the door and frowned. “I thought I made myself clear.”
“You did. Now it’s my turn.”
“Leave.”
“Tell me what happened to Dan’s money.”
“There is no money!”
“Then why are you so desperate to end this conversation?”
“Because I’m tired of your greed!”
“All I’m asking for is the truth.”
“Dan had a secure future waiting for him. The dealerships, a good salary, everything! Then he met you, and suddenly flying planes and climbing rocks mattered more than his family.”
“Dan made his own decisions, Patricia.”
“And you encouraged every one of them!”
My hands trembled, but I stayed.
“I was six months pregnant when Dan died. You never even asked whether Jack was healthy.”
“That wasn’t our responsibility!”
“You hated your son’s choices so much you decided his child should suffer for them.”
Patricia’s eyes filled. “How cruel can you be?”
“Not cruel enough to abandon my grandson.”
“Get out!”
A voice interrupted. “What’s going on?”
Richard, Dan’s father, appeared in the hallway.
“She’s demanding money again!” Patricia cried.
“I’m asking about the money Dan saved for Jack,” I explained. “Michael told me about it.”
Richard went still. “Michael knows about the money?”
“He knows Dan saved something for Jack. That’s all.”
Richard looked at his wife.
“I know exactly what money you’re talking about.”
She stared. “Richard, what are you talking about?”
May you like
He turned toward me.
“Emma, we need to talk.”
