Watching Glass Shatter Page 21

  “I'm always in the mood for a party.” Diane snickered.

  “Given all that's happened, I need to bring everyone together and find a way to heal our family. We've shattered into too many directions, and I'm sick and tired of wobbling on the edge of a cliff, one step closer to falling over every time I learn a new secret about my family.”

  “It's been rough, Liv, but things are getting better. Are Caleb and Jake sleeping in?” Diane joined her sister at the table.

  “No. Caleb took Jake for a drive around Brandywine to show him where he grew up.”

  “Are you okay with Jake being here?”

  “Yes. They arrived so late last night I only had a few minutes to talk with them before Caleb ushered him off to sleep. We haven't found an opportunity to discuss how to introduce Jake to the rest of the family.”

  “I'm sure you'll figure it out before everyone else arrives. When are you expecting them?”

  “I've asked everyone to be here at three o'clock today. I've also decided what to do about Ben's letter. It's about time I took control of the situation.”

  Diane watched her sister closely. Ever since they were children, Olivia's domineering personality clouded each of her relationships. She had insisted on being in charge of their school groups. She'd constantly told Diane how to dress, which classes to enroll in, or what to read. It suited Diane, as she'd hated choosing on her own. Olivia often assumed it was why Diane had stayed unhappily married for such a long period. While Olivia tried to govern the relationship that she'd built with each son, it always fell one rung short on the ladder that connected each of their lives.

  “You've always been a good leader, Liv.”

  “It's taken me some time and several acts of patience to understand Ben's death. It never made sense to me, and you know I've never been one to accept that actions just happened. There had to be a reason he was in the car at that moment. A reason it occurred before he could enjoy retirement. A reason it unfolded before he could tell me about Rowena himself and not through a ridiculous letter.” Olivia pushed her plate away waving the envelope at her sister.

  “I know what you mean. Sometimes things happen for a specific reason,” Diane said.

  “The family had fallen apart. None of us trusted one another to talk about our problems. We had no idea what was happening around us and never would have until too late. That's why the accident happened when it did.”

  “To wake us up?”

  “Yes. To show us we've been blindly living our lives without ever stopping to consider what we're doing. We never discuss our emotions and concerns with one another. We decide in a vacuum, or we don't decide at all and let situations go for far too long. You would have lived the rest of your days as an unhappy wife catering to a life of subservience had Ben not pushed you to end your marriage.”

  Diane glanced across the vast expanse of the table focusing on the hope appearing in Olivia's eyes for the first time in months. “You're right. It's hard to accept that the motivating factor for any of us to move on, or for you and the boys to change, was if Ben died. That's unfair. He was a good man.”

  Olivia nodded. “Sometimes our choices dictate a path or a destiny we cannot change. Ben chose not to tell me what happened with our baby. He chose not to tell me my child died. Look at what's happened. I learn another son has an inoperable brain tumor, and I have to watch him die with no ability to change the outcome. What if Ben told me our baby had died, and we chose together to switch children with Rowena? Maybe Ethan wouldn't be suffering those consequences now. Maybe he wouldn't be dead in a few months. I'm not saying one thing caused the other, but what if it were destiny for me to lose a child… and this is karma?”

  Diane comforted her sister. “Liv, we'll never know what would have happened if Ben took a different path. This is where we are now. You gotta decide how you want to handle the situation. You can't test fate and get a different future just because you don't like the first outcome. What're you gonna do with everyone this afternoon?”

  “I'm going to be a leader. I'm going to fix everything. I'm going to do what any good mother would do to protect her family.”

  * * *

  Hours later, Ethan's taxi dropped him off in front of Olivia's house. He paid the driver, stepped out of the back seat, and walked toward the trunk to grab the bags. He had several suitcases packed given he planned to stay for whatever amount of time he had left in his young life.

  Matt and Margaret soon arrived. Matt's nerves danced with adrenaline, his skin percolated a sour sweat, as though he hid behind the doors of a closet that a burglar was about to open. Olivia hadn't yet told Margaret what happened with her youngest daughter, but Matt knew his mother wouldn't keep it quiet much longer. Diane let them into the study to the right of the front hall foyer.

  Sarah and Teddy walked the side path having parked in the back entrance to steal a few moments of solitude before any drama began. Sarah's face glowed with excitement hoping to talk with Olivia about Teddy being the baby's real father, but Olivia hadn't been able to find time the last few days. Sarah also wanted to tell Zach about her baby's paternity, even though they agreed never to speak about it again, as her news meant they could pretend it never happened—removing nearly all guilt over what they had done. There was no need for her husband to know what occurred with Zach at this point.

  Teddy walked toward Matt to discuss the financial situation at the law firm, since Matt had artfully avoided him the last few days, leaving them unprepared for the upcoming meeting with the partners the following week. While Teddy's anger grew evident in his determined and deliberate stride, it exploded with noticeable fury in the hard-set grimace displayed between his clenched jaw and narrowed eyes. Just as he began to admonish his brother, Olivia entered the study.

  “Hello. I'm so glad everyone could attend.” As her eyes traveled the room, she monitored Diane, Matt and Margaret, Teddy and Sarah, and Zach, each standing around looking for a clear sign of the future to come.

  The front door opened, and Ethan called out. “We're here.” Emma followed soon afterward, hiding her left hand in her pocket so no one would notice the engagement ring until Ethan was ready to tell them she'd said yes to his marriage proposal.

  While his brother walked into the study, Caleb led Jake down the steps. “And so are we.” A nervous strain accompanied his voice.

  Margaret was the first to notice Jake. She mentally gave herself a high-five for being right in recognizing he could be secretly gay.

  Diane jogged over to Caleb anxious to catch his attention. “Jake's even cuter than the picture you sent me. Yum.”

  Caleb hugged his aunt and whispered, “Back off, he's mine.”

  Zach grinned, exuding sheer relief today's focus would no longer center around his actions. His brothers could take front stage where they belonged.

  Olivia, energized and ready to take control, jumped in. “Excellent, everyone's here. Let's sit. I have many topics I want to talk about today before we celebrate your father's life. First, we need to welcome Emma and Jake. They are both new to this family, and I'm sure you are wondering who they are. All will be revealed soon. Please let me say a few words first.”

  Everyone took their seats. Olivia leaned against the desk toward the front of the room where she could maintain a clear view of everyone. She relaxed her shoulders, rested her hands clasped together on her lap, and began the speech she'd rehearsed earlier that morning. It was going to be her marionette show this time.

  “It was important for me to have the whole family together for Ben's birthday. It has been hard for me to accept his death, especially today, knowing he would have been seventy years old and only a few months away from retirement.” She paused to sip her tea. “But I have to accept it, as do each of you, and move forward with a life different from the one I'd expected. I resigned from my positions with the charities this week. Betty will take over. It was time for me to begin my own retirement.”

  A few surprised expressions
appeared, and some family members said congratulations.

  “I miss your father, boys. Just as I'd miss my own breath if it had been taken from me like he was. We spent over forty years together as husband and wife, as best friends, and as parents to each of you. We loved each of you since the moment you were born, through your childhood, and especially as each of you grew into the man you are today.” She paused and looked around the room noticing Emma hiding her hand behind Ethan's waist. Jake appeared to study everyone's face, mentally comparing them to pictures he'd seen or descriptions he'd heard, given the lack of any formal introductions to Caleb's family. Olivia knew they thought she failed to notice what really happened around her in the past, but she'd always known enough.

  “Some of you gave us lots of gray hair.” Her eyes focused on Zachary, as she recalled the highlights of many historical arguments, but also their recent progress.

  “Some of you raised yourselves and ran toward your own extraordinary goals and dreams.” She glanced at Ethan and Caleb, comforted by memories of their good natures and loving personalities.

  “Some of you stayed close to your father and joined the law firm to stand by his side.” She looked back toward Matt and Teddy, gratified and honored over all their accomplishments.

  “I'm proud of you all for everything you've done, for the grandchildren you've given us, and for the strong and honorable men you've become. I know there have been times when it appeared as if your father and I were disappointed or upset with you. We only wanted the best for you, to challenge you to achieve greatness in your lives. Over the last few months since your father passed away, I've learned parents cannot always protect their children from what the world dishes out. Sometimes the inevitable happens. Sometimes people make poor decisions. Sometimes the truth hurts.” Olivia observed each of her children's reactions, noticing the tense, arched shoulders in some. Relief filled other's expression. Her own mind battled finding strength and controlling her tears.

  “Since your father's gone, it's my responsibility to protect this family. As much as you're all grown men, you're still my children, and a mother needs to protect her young. When your father died and left me those letters, all the resulting changes swiftly opened my eyes to everything around me. I had become distracted by my work with the charities, in my social obligations, in my drive to tell you boys how to live your lives, unwilling to see reality. I had failed to recognize what happened in each of your lives. And what happened was much more important than what I had wanted for you.”

  Olivia fiddled with the set of pearls around her neck, twisting each perfectly round orb, comforted by the tightness they claimed around her. She took a few seconds to prepare for her next steps, focusing her eyes on the floor beneath her, recalling the times her sons crawled across the carpet to reach their father sitting behind his desk. The moments when they first stood and walked into her arms. The days when they brought their own children back home to continue the traditions of growing up in the Glass family. “It is time to remove the barriers holding us all back from being honest with one another. We need to learn to forgive ourselves, and others, for the mistakes of the past. We need to focus on the future.”

  She paused and tilted her head toward Caleb. “Caleb, I want to start with you. When you left Brandywine on your own and built that beautiful home in Maine, I had always thought I'd done something wrong to push you out. I was angry you stayed away and had only visited on Christmas. I'd never realized what went on underneath the surface. I apologize if I've ever been closed-minded or not recognized everyone is different. I take the blame for not creating an environment where you felt comfortable enough to tell us what was going on. I've lost years being open and honest with you. I've lost years getting to know the real you, while you've been pretending to be someone you're not. We can fix it today. I want to get to know you and your husband. I want Jake to be a part of our family.”

  “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else,” said Jake.

  Olivia said, “Judy Garland.”

  Jake smiled. “We're gonna get along famously, Olivia.” He turned to Caleb as his cheeks grew a rosier shade of red. “I love her already.”

  Caleb's eyes opened wide, his pupils dilated pools of jet black ink. “Mom, I don't know what to say. I'm glad you want our family to be different, but how did you know we were married?” Caleb reached for Jake's shoulder.

  Jake sat back mesmerized by the events occurring before him. He knew Caleb's family could be intense, but his expectations underestimated the drama scale of the Glass secret revelations.

  “At your house. You received a phone call the day I left, and the man asked to speak to Jake Glass. It became obvious before long.” She walked over to Jake. “Welcome to the family. I want to get to know you better, especially if you boys are going to adopt a baby.” She reached forward and hugged him, not noticing the pure look of surprise on his trepid face. Or not really caring. He belonged there now.

  Caleb's mouth dropped a few inches as did several other people's expressions in the room. He grew tired of the surprises launched upon him in his father's study that summer.

  Diane's face lit with joy as a child brought a blessing in her world, no matter how it came to pass.

  “What?” Caleb spit out his drink, spraying a fine mist across the room. “You know about the adoption? Do you know everything we're doing?” His voice both whined and laughed.

  “I know way more than anyone thinks I know.” Olivia backed away from Jake, her hands twisting once again at her necklace.

  Jake said, “Yes, we're going to adopt a baby when he or she is born in a few weeks. I appreciate everything you've said. And I want to be part of your family.”

  Ethan leaned forward. “Caleb, Jake, congratulations. I'm happy you found each other. I wish you had told me sooner, but I understand it's a process and takes time to get comfortable sharing it with your family. Be prepared as this generation has only produced girls.”

  Caleb said, “Yes, it's a bit strange. Mom and Dad had five boys, but so far, they only have granddaughters. I appreciate how happy you are for Jake and me. Does anyone have an issue with it or want to talk about it? Teddy, Matt?”

  They both shook their heads detecting a shared and connected discomfort sitting in the room, listening to their mother's words and worrying what else she may reveal that afternoon.

  Matt's desperation for another pill peaked, but his mother had taken the last bottle he had bought earlier in the week. And the kid he purchased them from the last few times wouldn't return his phone calls after Matt called him a dirty scumbag for raising his prices.

  Margaret spoke up. “My brother is gay. I also suspected you were, but I didn't want to say anything until you were ready. Congratulations on the adoption. That's exciting news. It will be great your baby will have lots of cousins around to help him or her out. And speaking of cousins, Matt and I have news.”

  Olivia interrupted. “Margaret, before you finish that thought, maybe I could continue with a couple more items? I'm sorry, I have a few important messages I need to get out in the open.” As she stepped forward, her fingers tugged at the pearls to give herself room to breathe.

  Margaret sat, dismayed at her mother-in-law's need to prevent her from revealing her news. Matt had agreed earlier they could tell the family today. “Of course, Olivia.”

  “Thank you. I'm glad we're able to be honest today so that Caleb could introduce Jake to our family. It's imperative we learn from Ben's death, stop holding onto secrets and understand how to communicate with each another without the walls holding us back.”

  Olivia raised her eyes toward another son. “Theodore, when I visited with you a few weeks ago, I could tell something changed inside you. Whether it was your father's death or Sarah's pregnancy, you became someone different from who you were in the past.”

  Sarah's hands shook. Olivia wouldn't dare mention Zach and the baby. She needed to find a way to s
top her from talking, so she could tell her the baby was Teddy's.

  Margaret jumped in. “You're pregnant? I'm pregnant, too. Oh, when are you due?” She could barely contain herself.

  Matt realized Margaret had broken the news to everyone about their new baby. He never told Margaret that Sarah was pregnant, given everything going in the last week. He was happy but scared of whatever would come next.

  Sarah stood, forgetting about the dangers lurking around her if Olivia had her way. “Yes, Teddy and I found out a few weeks ago. I'm due in February.” She grabbed her husband's hand.

  Margaret squealed. “So am I. February 1st.” She jumped up and down.

  “Me, too.” The sisters-in-law hugged, rivaling reunited school girls, lifting the tone in the room a bit lighter and happier.

  “Congratulations.”

  “How exciting!”

  “I'm an uncle again.”

  Olivia let the girls have their moment. The family needed joyful moments among the rest of the news she planned to break today. Letting go of control was part of her future plan, at least once she got through everything she'd arranged for today's events.

  The expectant fathers congratulated one another. As they shook hands, Teddy contemplated not talking to his brother about the missing cash at the firm, considering maybe all would be fine based on Margaret's news.

  Matt could barely look his brother in the eye concerned over how he'd resolve their open issues at the firm. He was afraid to disappoint his family and couldn't bring his usual chumminess to the table.

  Zach's stomach sank afraid of how far his mother would go with her revelations.

  Olivia regained control in the room. “It's fantastic news. Anyone else pregnant who wants to share their news?” she joked while rotating the string of pearls around her neck, each sphere pressing into her skin with a powerful force.

  All eyes moved with rapid speed toward the only other woman in the room.