6. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Gene

A s soon as the door closes behind us Connor turns around and starts talking to his sister in a tone I don't particularly like.

"I'm not doing it, Lilah."

"Connor, you were caught stealing. There's evidence. You could go to jail." I say.

"Who is this guy? And what is he doing with you?"

"I'm the one who is going to represent you if things escalate. Let's not let them get that far."

"You're not the boss of me."

"Is this how you've been getting the money to help me?" Lilah asks.

"If you hadn't made that payment this week we would have been evicted, Lilah."

My heart breaks when Lilah starts crying, hands on her face. I pull out one of the chairs and guide her into the seat.

"Connor, I'm Gene Mitchell. I'm a friend of your sister."

"Mitchell? Mitchell! It's your fault people don't buy my sisters flowers anymore."

"Yes, I didn't know about that until today. I'm going to try to fix that."

"What do you want with Lilah, anyway?"

"Right now I'm trying to help her. She's very distraught about this whole situation."

"I'm the one trying to help her. I'm the only family she's got left."

"I know you are, but you are going about it the wrong way. If you go to jail there'll be no one to look after your sister."

That was a total lie. I would always be there for Lilah, but I needed this kid to snap out of his stubbornness. He bites his lower lip and looks at where his sister is still crying, all because of him. I try to maintain my cool, because he is Lilah's brother after all.

"How can I apologize if I needed the money to help my sister?"

"That's exactly how you do it. You tell the man you are sorry and that your sister needed help. And then promise you won't do it again."

I can see in his features that he's definitely going to do it again.

"Connor."

"I need to help her."

"If you go to jail things will be worse for her. She doesn't need that."

"Stealing is wrong, Connor. No matter what the reason. What would mom and dad think of you stealing?" Lilah says.

"Don't do that. Don't bring them into this."

"I'll talk to the bank. We'll figure out a way, but I want you to never steal again. And take this punishment. I think its the best deal you're going to get."

The room goes silent and we all seem to be deep in thought.

"I agree with Lilah that the business owner is being very kind. You're also very lucky that they are not trying to link you to any other thefts, but everyone will be suspicious of you from now on."

"Connor, please." Lilah begs.

"Alright. But no more hiding your finances from me. We are family and need to stick together."

Lilah stands up and hugs him tight. He's tense but after a few moments puts his hands around her as well. We go back to the officer's desk and I tell him Connor is willing to meet the business owner's terms. Things move swiftly from that moment as the gentleman in question was in the waiting room of the station.

I put an arm around Lilah as if to protect her from the world. She seems to want to talk to the business owner as well, but I convince her that it's better he only deal with Connor. I look down at her and see her eyes and nose are red from all the crying.

I'd give anything to ease this woman's worries for the rest of her life. I should be so lucky. I've got to remind her that I'm the cause of most of her troubles and that at forty five I'm old enough to be her father. Once Connor has said his peace, we leave and go back to Lilah's flower shop. She lives on the top floor of the building with her brother.

I park in front of the building and both Lilah and her brother get out. Connor goes on up, but Lilah comes up to my window and taps it. I lower the window and see that she looks better now and maybe a little bit determined.

"I want you to stay with us during your visit. I've got a spare room with clean sheets."

"I couldn't impose."

"You are my friend and you've just done me a huge favor. Please accept my invitation."

Staying in the same place as Lilah could be torture for me, but I've never been a coward. Besides, being near her makes me feel complete somehow. Her beauty, her kindness, her everything fill me with joy.

"Okay, thank you."

I step out of the car and get my bag from the trunk. We go up the stairs to the top floor and go inside the apartment after her. The place is small but tidy and has little touches that I'm certain Lilah has added to make this place a home for her and her brother.

She shows me to the spare bedroom and I place my bag inside. She shows me where the bathroom is and I take the chance to clean up a bit. I wash my hands and look at myself in the mirror. I know I'm good looking as the ladies have always been drawn to me.

Lilah is at another level, though. Completely out of my league. I've never met someone as amazing as her. I leave the bathroom and go to the kitchen to see Lilah moving around.

"What are you doing?"

"Making dinner for Connor."

"Did he tell you he was hungry?"

"No, but I needed to do something with my hands, so a sandwich it is."

"You're a good sister."

"I don't know about that. He's been getting in trouble a lot this year. I thought that would happen after our parents died, but that first year was okay. We leaned into each other a lot."

"Do you think it's those kids he's hanging out with?"

"I'm sure of it. I'm going to ask him to introduce me to them."

When she finishes fixing up Connor's dinner she goes and knocks at his door. He shouts something that I can't make out and she comes back, a frown on her face.

"Was that a yes, maybe or?"

"He'll be out in a minute."

"How are you feeling? You look better. Talk to me. How can I help?"

"I don't want to burden you with my problems, Gene. That's not what our friendship is about."

"It depends on how you define friendship. We've definitely become close in the past two years. Even though our texts and phone calls haven't been that deep I feel a connection with you."

Her eyes snap towards me when I let out this confession.

"I feel it too."

"Come sit down. Let's talk."

"Let me make us some hot chocolate first."

"With marshmallows?"

"Of course. What do you take me for?"

"An evil temptress."

It was a joke but her cheeks gain some color and I think she's embarrassed. Her movements in the kitchen are swift and certain, like she has done this a hundred times over. I'm a little enchanted by her. So much so that I'm startled when she hands me the cup of hot chocolate.

It's got Christmas designs on it and she put a ton of tiny marshmallows in it, making me drool. I'm heading for the living room, when Connor comes out of his room and sits down at the table. We sit at the table with him while he eats.

"Why are you guys staring at me? And why is he here?"

"Connor, you didn't really promise me you won't steal again or do anything illegal for that matter." Lilah says.

He bites his sandwich and chews for a bit looking directly at his sister. If I were to guess as to what he was thinking I'd say he's trying to think of words that would appease her but that at the same time give him leeway to find a way to get her more money. But then, I don't know this kid that well.

"Lilah…"

"Connor, please."

"I need to be able to help you with this. We're a family, right?"

"Yes, but I had hoped you'd have more time to grow up and find your own way in life. Not be burdened with my failures."

"You're not a failure, Lilah." I interrupt their conversation.

"I can barely keep food on the table, Gene. If we're not careful social services might intervene and take Connor away from me. He'd go into the foster system."

"No! Never that! My friends have a horrible foster family. That's why they keep stealing and saving in order to have enough to run away." He jumps up in agitation.

"Wait. Sit down. Are these friends the Mcallister boys?" Lilah asks in a gentle voice.

"Um, yeah."

"I'd like to meet them. Talk to them. You've been spending a lot of time with them this year."

"Are you going to embarrass me in front of them?"

"I'll try my best not to, buddy."

With that he takes the remaining half of his sandwich and stomps back to his bedroom. Lilah looks at his retreating form and sighs then turns to me.

"Want more hot chocolate?"

"I'm good, thanks."

"Let's sit in the living room."

I follow her like a puppy after it's master and sit down next to her on the couch.

"Thanks, Gene. For your support."

I search her face to see the truth. See how she's really holding up after all of this, but I find nothing but a placid smile.

"He still didn't give you what you asked for."

"I'll keep at him, don't you worry. Right now I want to know how you are doing."

"Me?"

"Yes. Seeing your mom like that isn't easy for anyone, much less someone that loves her as much as you do."

"I…don't know what to tell you."

"Just open up to me, like I did for you."

She turns her body so she's facing my side and grabs my large hand into her tiny soft ones. An electric current passes between us and I almost take my hand away. Her face doesn't show that she felt the same shock I did. Should I feel relieved about that?

"I shouldn't have left her, but things got out of control really fast here. You saw how it was. Hell, you've been living with the consequences."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not about to let people talk badly about someone I care about."

Her words hit me hard in the feels and I don't know if she realizes what's she's said about me.

"Growing up, it was just me and my mom. Dad passed away in a freak accident when I was three and left her widowed and me half an orphan. Mom had to work hard to keep food on the table. That's why I admire you so much. I know what that's like."

Memories of growing up with such a wonderful woman such as my mother flood my thoughts. They soothe me, but they also hurt me. I should have been a better son.

"You are a good son, Gene."

I didn't realize I said the words out loud. I feel her hands tighten around my own. Her skin is warm against mine and the desire to touch her almost overwhelms me.

"The thing is, Lilah. I did all those horrible things they accuse me of. The blackmail, the stealing, the manipulating. I did all of it."

Her tiny hands let go of my hand and I see a look of horror come into her face.

"There's a reason." I hurry to add. "Or at least what I consider a good reason. My mom was my best friend and biggest supporter. I gave her a good life when I was a hot shot lawyer in Austin, and she enjoyed herself. When she started feeling poorly I rushed her to all the best doctors in Texas. But there was nothing they could do."

I take a few moments to gather my thoughts. I want to tell it right, but I don't want all the rage and anguish to come back and overcome me.

"My mother accepted her prognosis like the angel she is, but the diagnosis left me bitter and angry. At the doctors, at God, at everyone. I was hurting and I wanted everyone else around me to feel the same way. She said she wanted to move here to Woodland Falls where things were simpler, so I packed us both up and came here. I thought I could care for her."

I'd been so sure I could handle caring for my ailing mother, but seeing her wither away hurt me deeply.

"Unfortunately I had too much time on my hands and got involved in politics and ran for Mayor. I've always been very charismatic so I wasn't surprised that I had made an impression in the town. Inside, though, I was sore and hurt. I don't know if like attracts like, but shady characters started approaching me because of my position of power, and they did not have good intentions."

"So what the Hoffers are saying is the truth?"

"Yes. I won't make excuses for myself. Not anymore. I hurt a lot of people and the town ended up hating me. I was the biggest asshole that they've ever met."

"You sound regretful."

"I am. If I hadn't acted the way I did, I would have been able to spend more time with my mother. Even though she was bedridden when I left, she still had moments of consciousness."

"Yes, I remember. She told me she was glad I was your friend."

"She did?"

"Yes, but that was after grilling me about my life and work and intentions."

"Intentions?"

Her cheeks turn pink, making her look like a china doll. I love seeing her like this.

"She thought I might be seeking a husband and wanted to know if I was worthy."

"You are so worthy."

Her eyes grow wide as she looks at me. The words just come out of my mouth. Damn those filters.

"I'm sorry, but it's the truth."

She gets up and goes to the kitchen and fills a glass with water. I watch as she drinks it and wonder what is going through her mind. When she finishes she looks over to where I am sitting, but doesn't say a word. Not willing to let this moment go, I get up and join her behind the kitchen counter.

I get as close as I dare and lift her face towards my own with my finger. My hand floats back down to my side and I just absorb her beauty as if it was food for my soul.

"You've been nothing but kind and loyal to me, Lilah. You've cared for my mother in ways I have never been able to all the while taking care of your brother and running a business. You are more than worthy, sweetheart."

I want to put my hands on her shoulders but I'm afraid to touch her that way after she broke the contact between us earlier.

"What have you been doing the last two years?"

"I've been trying to make amends for what I did. I've been helping others doing pro bono legal work and mostly I've been stewing in my own guilt and remorse."

"So you regret what you did?"

"I do. I don't know if they'll forgive me, though."

"Just be yourself. Be the man I know and have grown to care about as well."

My heart starts beating faster at her words and my arms itch to hold her. I stand still, waiting for something to happen, when she goes up on her tiptoes and pulls me by the neck, then places a chaste kiss on my cheek.

"Goodnight, Gene."

I'm speechless. The innocent gesture shakes me and awakens other types of desires in my body. I go to my room and lie awake for several hours until sleep and exhaustion take me.