The Empty Lake House
Chapter 14 - The Empty Lake House
Nathan found Evelyn at the family's old lake house two hours away.
The place had been closed since Richard died.
Evelyn sat on the back porch facing the water.
She didn't seem surprised when Nathan arrived.
"You always come here when you're angry," he said.
"I used to."
Nathan sat several feet away.
Neither spoke for a while.
Finally Evelyn said, "Are you here to forgive me?"
"No."
She looked at him.
"I'm here because you're my mother."
"That's inconvenient."
"Very."
A bitter smile crossed her face.
Nathan looked toward the lake.
"I loved you my whole life."
Evelyn's eyes filled.
"I know."
"That's why what you did hurt so much."
She looked away.
"I was afraid."
"So was Elena."
Silence.
"She was pregnant with three children."
Evelyn flinched.
"And you made sure she was afraid alone."
"I thought you would resent them."
"You didn't give me the chance."
"You were injured."
"You didn't give me the chance."
"The company—"
"You didn't give me the chance."
Evelyn finally broke.
"I couldn't lose you!"
Nathan stared at her.
"You lost me anyway."
She began crying.
Not the controlled tears Nathan had seen his mother use at funerals and board meetings.
These were ugly.
Human.
"You were lying in that hospital bed," she whispered. "Your father was dying. Everything was falling apart."
Nathan listened.
"I thought if I removed one problem..."
"My children were not a problem."
"I know that now."
Nathan shook his head.
"No. You knew it then."
Evelyn closed her eyes.
That was the truth.
Fear explained what she had done.
It did not excuse it.
Nathan stood.
"I'm stepping away from the company."
She looked up sharply.
"No."
"Yes."
"Your father built it for you."
"My father built a company."
Nathan looked toward the lake.
"I need to build a life."
"What happens to me?"
The question sounded almost childlike.
Nathan looked at his mother.
"You live with what you did."
Evelyn lowered her head.
"And maybe, someday, if Elena agrees, you meet your grandsons properly."
Hope flashed across her face.
Nathan immediately added, "But you don't get to demand forgiveness from them."
She nodded.
"And you don't get to buy it."
Another nod.
"You earn whatever relationship they're willing to give you."
Nathan walked toward his car.
Evelyn called after him.
"Nathan."
He stopped.
"I did love you."
Nathan's eyes filled.
"I know."
He looked back.
"That's what makes this so sad."
When he returned to Elena's house that evening, an ambulance was parked outside.
Nathan ran.
And saw Elena standing on the lawn, crying.
"What's wrong?"
May you like
She looked at him.
"It's Sam."
