Chapter 6

GREGORY AND Fillian had settled on the following Tuesday as the night for them to have dinner with Fillian’s parents. The thing was, they still lived in the same house, and Gregory found it strange to return to the old neighborhood. The house he had grown up in looked much the same, though the landscaping had been updated and the yard was immaculate. The huge porch where he retreated when his parents were fighting looked amazing, with wicker furniture and even a porch swing. He wondered if the pool was still in back and if the family who lived there had children.

“Come on in,” Fillian said as he stepped out the front door. “Mom is putting the finishing touches on dinner.” He held the door, and Gregory led Weston and Marnie inside. The house was much the same as he remembered from the very few times he’d been inside: homey and lived in. This was a place that exuded warmth, from the living-room fireplace to the scents drifting in from the kitchen. None of his memories from the house next door included any of those feelings.

“Gregory, it’s so good to see you,” Mrs. O’Connell said as she came out of the kitchen. He almost held out his hand, but she took him in a hug, and he closed his eyes. It had been quite a while since he’d been held so gently and caringly.

“I’m glad to be here. Thank you, Mrs. O’Connell,” he said softly as she released him.

“Please call me Verona.” She smiled, looking down at the kids. “They both look just like your brother.” She got so serious for a second and then shook her head slightly. “Now, do these two have anything they don’t like?”

“Just blue cheese mac and cheese,” Gregory told her, and chuckled when she made a yuck face.

“Who makes that?” Verona asked.

“Grandma,” Weston piped up. “She says it shows good taste, but it’s yucky.”

Marnie stayed close to Gregory and seemed to be going through a shy moment. He kept his hand on her shoulder and let her decide when to come out of her shell.

“Well, there won’t be anything like that. I made a beef roast with mashed potatoes, some green beans from the garden, and some rolls. I didn’t make them from scratch, though. I get those at Costco. Jim, are you finishing up?”

Fillian’s dad came down the stairs. He looked much the same, only with a few extra pounds and more snow on the roof than the black hair Gregory remembered. “Dad, you remember Gregory. And these are Weston and Marnie.”

Gregory got a firm handshake, and each of the kids got a smile. “It looks like we’re ready to eat.”

“What were you doing?” Fillian asked.

“I got a new job. I substitute teach at the high school. I took a couple of classes, and they took me on. I teach three or four days a week, and it’s great. Lately I’ve been teaching algebra, and I’m having so much fun. I don’t think their regular teacher is very good at explaining things so they can really understand it. I’ve been working with them for a week, and I have another week before the regular teacher comes back, so I’ve been working on sheets to help make sure they have the basic principles down pat.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Gregory said. “I used to hate math, but now I use it each and every day, and I never really think too much about it, I just do it.”

“Daddy does ’lectricity,” Marnie said.

“That’s really important,” Mr. O’Connell told her. “Otherwise we can’t turn on the lights and we’d all sit around in the dark with nothing to do.” He smiled, and Marnie moved away from Gregory slightly. “What do you like to do?”

“I draw and color. Weston plays Legos and makes things,” she answered. “I want to take dance class too. Daddy says that I can start in the fall.”

“What kind of dance?” Verona asked. “I took ballet when I was a little girl. I was pretty good at it too.”

“I didn’t know that,” Fillian said. “Is that why I’m such a good dancer?”

His mother snorted and scowled at him. “You’re a terrible dancer. Every time he tried, he stepped on my feet,” she added, and then invited everyone into the kitchen and got them settled around the table.

Gregory didn’t know what to expect. Growing up, when there was some sort of family meal, which wasn’t very often, his parents were quiet. His mother mostly heated up food, and once Gregory was older, she left him to his own devices. There was food in the house all the time; he just had to make it. As a result, he became a decent cook, but nothing he ever made smelled as enticing as the table of food in front of him.

“How much would each of the kids like?”

Gregory helped Verona make up plates for each of them. Marnie took a few tentative bites and then dug in. Weston wasn’t as hesitant. Gregory wondered if Fillian’s family was going to think he never fed them by how fast they ate. “No one is going to steal your food, and there’s plenty.”

Verona cut the meat and passed plates. From there, everything was passed, and Gregory was in culinary heaven.

“Do you like being an electrician?” Jim said, probably as a conversation starter.

“Yes. I completed my journeymanship three years ago, and I have my own business now. Though there are a few construction companies that are looking for full-time help.”

Jim met his gaze sternly. “Work for yourself if possible for as long as you can. I know there are disadvantages, but at least you can take the jobs you want.”

“Lately, it’s been the jobs no one else wants,” Gregory said softly, not wanting to complain. “Though things are picking up, and I’ve been working steadily for the past few weeks. It’s hard with the kids and childcare.”

“What do you do?” Verona asked.

“The kids spend time in a program at the Y. There are camps and a day care that they’re enrolled in. They also have after-school programs during the school year.” He took a bite of the roast, which was amazing. “It’s always a bit of a jumble putting all the pieces together, sometimes with various programs.”

“Your mother doesn’t help?” Verona asked.

Gregory cleared his throat. “My mother has her own ideas about how things should be, and they aren’t mine or what Arthur and Stephanie wanted for them.” He skirted the issue and found himself eating more quickly just because the dinner was so amazing. He couldn’t remember ever having a meal like this one.

“Mom is an amazing cook,” Fillian said softly. “She tried to teach me some of her secrets, but I just don’t have the knack for it.”

“That’s because you never stayed still long enough to really learn,” Verona said without any heat. In fact, her tone was almost proud. “You always blazed your own path.” Yeah, she was a proud mother. “Is the food okay?” Verona asked both kids, who nodded and kept eating.

Jim and Verona talked a little about their day. Fillian leaned close and spoke softly.

“I found out a few things about our person of interest. He was called before the judge and told to stay away from others in the case. His bail wasn’t revoked, but he was given a warning.”

Gregory leaned in too. “Do you think that will make any real difference?”

“It should if he doesn’t want to spend months in jail waiting for his trial,” Fillian said.

Gregory wasn’t sure that this guy really cared. He had tried to tell the police how the guy had acted, but it was hard to describe. Mostly it had been things that Gregory thought and felt—conjecture rather than facts. The man seemed scattered and at loose ends, like all the stuff in the house could somehow keep him grounded. “I know. But….” He leaned closer. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” He was really worried that this wacko would try to hurt him or the kids. He certainly had a fascination with Gregory. “I just want him to go away and leave us alone.” Every time he showed up, he made Gregory feel more like a victim, and he hated that.

Fillian rested his hand on Gregory’s leg, the heat seeping right through his chinos. “It will be okay. I was able to talk to some of the senior guys, and they called in a few favors from the local police and alerted them to the issue. So it isn’t just us but the Carlisle department that’s on the case.”

“What are you whispering about?” Jim asked.

“Nothing, Dad,” Fillian told him. “Mom, this is amazing, really.”

“Yes,” Gregory added. “It really is.”

Weston cleaned his plate and asked for more meat, while Marnie wanted more vegetables and potatoes. Verona beamed, and Gregory helped the kids with small portions.

When dinner was over, Gregory tried to help clean up, but Verona would have none of it and shooed everyone out into the living room. He sat next to Fillian on the sofa while the kids sat on the floor with coloring books that Gregory had brought along. He had learned quickly never to go anywhere without something for the kids to do.

Once they were settled, Gregory leaned back and found himself comfortable and relaxed. Fillian took his hand, while Jim flipped through the television stations until he found one of those cooking competition shows. The kids ignored it, but the show seemed to work for the adults. Verona joined them and scowled at Jim, who flipped off the TV, making the room quiet.

Gregory knew he should feel awkward at the silence, but he didn’t. Fillian leaned a little closer, and Gregory reveled in something he never seemed to have in his life: quiet.

“I guess I have to ask. Are the two of you dating?”

“Verona,” Jim said, rolling his eyes. “Anyone can see that they are.” He shook his head. “And before you get yourself all worked up, leave the two of them alone, okay?”

She snapped her head around to Jim. “Is it wrong for me to want Fillian to have someone in his life?” She looked at her husband as though he were crazy.

“No. But there’s no need to push,” Jim said levelly and with a slight smile. “This whole exchange is being pushy.”

“And neither of you would do anything like that,” Fillian interjected, rolling his eyes before turning that gaze on Gregory with an innocent smile that made him wonder just how innocent he really was. “Just ignore them, okay?”

“Well, you did bring me and my kids to dinner, so I figured you were serious about things, but I didn’t know how serious.” He decided to play along and have a little fun. “But if meeting the parents is some sort of huge relationship milestone, then maybe you and I should….”

Fillian put up his hands. “I know you’re having fun with me, all of you, and you can stop now. God, if I would have known.” At least he didn’t seem upset.

“What’s going on?” Marnie asked.

“Nothing, sweetheart. I was just teasing Fillian a little.” He shared a smile with her and then glanced at Fillian, resting his hand on his leg.

The house phone rang, and Verona went into the kitchen to answer it. Her voice trailed in, getting louder. “What do you mean there’s a man watching the house?” Her tone grew sharp, and Fillian got to his feet and hurried to the front window. He peered out and then headed outside as he pulled out his phone.

“Stay here,” Gregory told the kids and followed Fillian. As he reached the door, Fillian was coming back inside. “Was it him?”

Verona was still on the phone, talking to whoever had called her. “It’s okay. Thank you for letting us know.” She ended the call. “Louise says that whoever they were hurried down the sidewalk toward Bedford as soon as they saw the front curtains move.” She sat back down.

“You need to tell us what’s going on,” Jim said. “Why is someone following you?” He looked at Fillian. “Is this some sort of police protest thing?”

“It isn’t me that’s involved,” Fillian said levelly. “It’s a suspect who’s following Gregory. I was hoping to get a good look at him so I could have the evidence necessary to get his bail revoked.” Tension radiated from Fillian so strongly Gregory could almost feel it. “I hate that I can’t make this go away.”

“You have to work within the boundaries of the law. You can’t do anything else,” Jim said, and Gregory found himself nodding. He wouldn’t want Fillian to do anything else. “Has he actually done anything or made threats?”

Gregory nodded slowly. “He has, and he seems to show up wherever I am… watching, like he wants us to know that he’s there. I think he may have done more, but I can’t prove it.”

“He’s creepy,” Weston cut in. “But I’m not scared of him. I’m big now.” Marnie nodded.

Gregory was relieved that the kids weren’t afraid. After all, he was scared enough for all of them. All he kept thinking about was what would happen if this guy got his hands on Weston or Marnie.

“I’m glad, but remember that you promised to tell your daddy or me if you see him again,” Fillian said, and both Weston and Marnie nodded.

“Can we talk about something else?” Gregory asked. He needed something to take his mind off this situation. All he’d done was take a job and then turn down a guy who wanted something he had no right to. How was he supposed to know that he’d end up picking up a stalker? Though after he saw the condition of that house, he should have refused to go inside and gotten the hell out of there.

“What do you want to talk about?” Verona asked, turning to Fillian. “I have plenty of stories about this one as a child.”

“Like us?” Weston asked. Verona nodded, Fillian groaned, and Weston grinned. “I wanna hear.” And just like that, Verona told a story about Fillian, watermelon, and a very wet diaper.

“Mom, is this really necessary?” Fillian asked.

“At least your mother has stories to tell about you,” Gregory said, and Fillian nudged his shoulder and let his mother continue.

As she regaled them with story after story, laughter filled the house, and Gregory realized that this was the type of family he wanted—and wanted the kids to be part of. This happiness and closeness had been missing from his childhood, and he didn’t want Weston and Marnie to have the same kind of upbringing.

After a dessert of chocolate cake, they all moved back into the living room. Marnie and Weston sat next to Gregory and Fillian at first, but soon slipped onto the floor as Verona brought out some of Fillian’s old toys. Soon they were putting pegs into the old Lite-Brite, making pictures with light and having a grand old time.

“What is the plan with this stalker?” Jim asked once the kids were occupied. “You know that he isn’t going to be content with just watching. This guy wants something.”

Fillian slipped his hand into Gregory’s. “We know. The thing is that he may not even know what he wants, at least not yet. And the guy, while acting creepy, hasn’t done anything other than watch. He hasn’t even tried to talk to Gregory. I know it’s unsettling, but there is nothing illegal about standing on the public sidewalk. That’s what’s so frustrating. I have the sheriff’s department as well as the local police on alert, but other than that, my hands are tied until he actually does something.”

And that was what had Gregory scared. But it seemed there was little they could do about it… at least until something happened.