Corra threw her hand up trying to calm Eric down. “I don’t believe it. You’re arguing over some high school shit! This is crazy.”
Chris realized something for the first time tonight. Eric envied him. Not just because he’d come into Corra’s life, but his resentment went all the way back to high school. He blamed Chris for him not having a successful baseball career. All the years of rudeness, sneering at him, and talking negatively about his mother in high school, was his way of dealing with losing his position to Chris.
There were no words that could change what happened years ago, but Chris understood Eric better now. For Chris, his position on the baseball team was just another sport to excel in. For Eric, it may have been his future.
Corra and Eric kept arguing until Chris stepped back in. “Eric, I’m sorry, man. I never meant to take anything away from you. If baseball meant to you one tenth of what football meant to me, then I’m truly sorry.”
At first Eric frowned at Chris. Then he started laughing and wagged his finger at him.
At the same time, a taxi cab pulled to a stop in behind Eric’s car.
“You’re good. I guess you think that apology is going to make up for everything.” He pointed to Corra. “This is what you want? A thief.”
“Oh, Eric, go home. I’ve had enough. Get in the cab and go.”
Eric applauded. “Bravo, Mr. Williams. You win tonight. But don’t think for one minute I’m giving up on what’s mine.”
Chris didn’t say another word. Instead, he walked out to the taxi and instructed the driver to take Eric wherever he wanted to go. He slipped him the money without Eric noticing.
With a little coaching from Corra, Eric staggered down the steps, closed his car door which was still open, and slid into the back of the taxi.
After the cab pulled off, Chris walked back up on the porch.
“If he causes you any trouble when he comes back for the car don’t hesitate to call the police. I doubt that he will, but just in case.”
“I will.” Corra stood inside the storm door.
Afraid to speak, Chris looked into Corra’s eyes hoping to see relief that he’d gotten rid of Eric for her. Instead, he saw narrowed eyes, locked and loaded, and aimed right at him.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said, her tone sharp.
“Sure. Will I see you tomorrow?”
She looked away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He nodded. Okay, so she needs a little time to think about it. “Sometime this week then?”
“Chris, I’ve got a lot on my plate with the upcoming wedding and all. Maybe it’s best we do our own thing for a while.”
He tilted his head. What the hell did that mean?
* * *
After a two-week setback, the contractor finally finished Chris’s house. The interior decorator he hired completed the final touches a few days later, just in time for a reporter to come out and take pictures for the local paper. His first guests, as promised, were his family. He gave them the grand tour, pointing out how he’d preserved so many of the historical interior details.
“Oh, Chris. This is simply amazing.” His mother, Dakota, stood in the foyer admiring the new traditional Schonbek crystal chandelier.
His mother’s pain level was a three today, which made Chris happy. Dakota insisted on taking the stairs by herself. Nathaniel and Pamela followed them.
“See the intricate carvings on this banister?” Nathaniel ran his hand along the wood as they went upstairs. “I worked on that for hours, getting it just right.”
Chris shared a smile with his mother.
In the master bedroom, Pamela opened the balcony doors and walked out. “Wait until Darlene sees this place.” She stood against the railing with her arms spread out wide and yelled, “Look, Ma, I’m on top of the world!”
Chris laughed, then playfully closed the doors on her.
After the tour and lunch, the women were eager to explore the property more, while the men kicked back by the pool.
“Son, I don’t mean to be nosy, but what happened to the Coleman woman with the two children?”
Chris took a deep painful breath and leaned back in his chair. “She’s not speaking to me right now.”
“Why not?”
Chris replayed what happened Sunday night two weeks ago. Since that night he hadn’t slept well, nor been able to fully concentrate on anything. He’d let Corra down. In the weeks that followed, he’d put all his focus on completing the house.
“Don’t beat yourself up. I know you had plans for your future that included them.”
“How do you know that?” Chris asked.
“Because, I had kids of my own. Your guest rooms upstairs are painted for a little boy and a girl. And I’ve never known a man who needed a shoe closet. Just have faith that God will bring them back to you.”