Page 63 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

FIFTY-FOUR

On the ride back, there was no discussion of what had transpired.

Emma would have been full of questions, being permanently attuned to every conversation between the adults, and Quinn needed a little time to process what they’d discovered in Leicester.

When Emma was finally in bed, she filled Gabe in on everything she and Logan had learned, and everything they hadn’t.

“Logan is right, Quinn. You’ve made significant strides in the past few days. Be patient. I know it’s hard, but you must allow this situation to play out naturally. The lawyer will pass on your letter, once you’ve written it, and then Quentin will contact you.”

“Sure of that, are you?”

“Very sure. I do think you owe Seth a call.”

“I know. I keep putting it off.”

“Quinn, I know you dread calling him, but he’s your father, and he deserves to know what you’ve discovered. Besides, I’m sure he’s desperate to hear from you. He was so excited to have met you, and so looking forward to becoming a grandfather.”

Quinn nodded but didn’t reply.

“Quinn, Brett is in prison. He can’t hurt you anymore,” Gabe reasoned as he smiled in understanding. He took Quinn’s hand in his and began to massage it gently to help her relax.

“Yes, he can. Knowing that I put him there will haunt me for the rest of my days.”

“Brett’s actions put him there. Surely you know that.”

“Of course I do, but had I not delved into family history and planned to make it public, things would have never gone that far. We all have secrets, and this was his, and I was about to trumpet it from the rooftops. People have killed for less. ”

“You can’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have known that Brett shares your psychic ability.”

“No, I couldn’t have,” Quinn replied sulkily.

“But I think Seth blames me for losing his son. If it weren’t for me, Brett would be getting ready to start his freshman year of college, shopping for school supplies, and looking forward to making new friends.

Instead, he’s in prison, only about two months into his sentence, with a decade of nothing but fear, resentment, and misery stretching out before him. ”

“Seth doesn’t blame you.”

“How would you know?”

“I know because I spoke to him at length while you were in the hospital. He was ashamed, immensely relieved that you were going to be all right, and shocked to have learned that Brett was capable of such cruelty, but not for one second did he blame you or wish you hadn’t come into his life.

He loves you, Quinn, and what he fears most is losing both his children. ”

“Why must you always be so sensible?” Quinn asked, elbowing Gabe in the ribs. He’d put things into perspective for her, the way he always did, making her feel selfish and irrational for not calling Seth sooner.

“It’s a curse I must live with.”

“Don’t look so sheepish, Dr. Russell.”

“I’ve never actually seen a sheep looking shamefaced. Have you?” Gabe asked, making Quinn laugh when he tried to imitate a mortified-looking sheep.

“No, can’t say that I have. It is a silly expression, isn’t it? You know what else is a silly expression?”

“Tell me.”

“As nervous as a turkey on Thanksgiving. Seth said that once and it made me laugh. ”

“Why did you think of it now?”

“Because that’s how I feel about calling him.”

“No matter how the conversation goes, your fate will never parallel that of a Thanksgiving turkey, despite the fact that you’re becoming as plump as one,” he quipped, rubbing her rounded belly affectionately. “Now, pick up that phone and call the poor man.”

Quinn reached for her mobile while Gabe heaved himself off the sofa.

“I’ll give you some privacy, shall I?”

“Thanks.”

Quinn selected Seth’s number from the contacts and pressed the call icon before she had a chance to change her mind. He picked up on the second ring.

“Quinn! How are you, sweetheart? I’m so glad you called.”

“Hi. Sorry it took me so long. How have you been?”

“I’ve been better,” Seth replied, with his usual American forthrightness.

“Is it Brett?” The last thing Quinn wanted to talk about was Brett, but she could hardly pretend that her brother didn’t exist. She was glad that Seth understood and didn’t go into detail.

“Brett’s doing as well as can be expected. It’s my mother. She passed away on the Fourth of July.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t want to upset you. And it’s not as if you would have come for the funeral,” Seth replied. There was no reproach in his voice, just sadness and acceptance of the situation.

“No, but I would have liked to express my condolences. I know you two were close. How did it happen? ”

Seth sighed. “Mom always loved the Fourth of July. It was one of her favorite holidays. She said she liked it because it was all about food, fun, and family. There was no religious connotation or a marketing campaign to make it more than it was. It was a day to celebrate freedom, and that’s something everyone could get behind.

I always had a big barbecue at my place on the fourth, with a DJ and a caterer, but this year I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for a party.

I brought Mom over from the nursing home, and Kathy came over.

We had some hot dogs and burgers and then went to watch the fireworks on the river.

They usually have two barges that put on a dueling display.

Mom loved that. It was her favorite part.

The fireworks were spectacular this year.

Truly amazing.” Seth exhaled loudly. “Sorry, I’m a bit emotional. ”

“Take your time.”

“After the fireworks display, I drove Mom back to the home. She was lucid, Quinn. More lucid than she’d been in months.

We talked for almost an hour, just like we had before the Alzheimer’s set in.

She asked about you. She was sorry she never got a chance to get to know you better, or meet your baby.

She asked to see your picture, and I showed her pictures of you and Gabe and Emma.

She cried. She knew she’d never see you again. ”

Quinn brushed away tears as she listened to Seth. She had known when she left New Orleans that she’d never see her grandmother again, but the knowledge that Rae was gone forever still hurt. She wished she could have spent more time with her.

“I saw her to her room and waited until the nurse helped her to bed. Then I left. They called me a few hours later. Mom died peacefully in her sleep.”

“I’m sorry, Seth. I wish I’d been there for you.”

“Me too. It would have been nice to have at least one of my children at the funeral. I was glad she never knew about Brett though. That would have killed her. She adored him, and always asked about him during her moments of lucidity. She asked about him that night, but I couldn’t bear to tell her the truth.

I told her he was out with his friends, too grown up to hang out with his dad. ”

“You did what you had to do,” Quinn interjected. She couldn’t fault Seth for lying to spare his mother’s feelings.

“I know, but it still felt wrong. She asked me which college he was going to and I lied through my teeth. The only true thing I told her that day was about how glad I was to have met you and how I hoped to be a part of your life, and the life of my grandchild.”

Quinn heard the longing in Seth’s voice. He missed her, and she suddenly realized she missed him too.

“Mom left something for you in her will.”

“Really? That was kind of her.”

“Yes, she added an addendum back in May. She penned it on one of her good days and asked the nurse to give it to me to pass on to her attorney. She left you her pearl set. You might not recall, but she wore it the night of the party. It’s a three-strand pearl-and-diamond necklace, a pearl-and-diamond brooch, and matching earrings.

You might think it outdated, but she wanted you to have it. ”

“I will wear it with pride,” Quinn replied and meant it. Touching Rae’s jewelry would bring visions of her grandmother, but Quinn would welcome them. She’d never gotten to know Rae Besson in life, but she’d still get a chance to be close to her in death.

“I didn’t want to send the items by mail, in case the package got lost. I will bring them to you in person, as soon as you’re ready to see me.

Are you?” Seth’s voice trembled with anxiety.

He probably knew the odds of being rejected but put himself out anyway, desperate to keep the connection between them from being severed forever .

“Yes,” Quinn replied. The word just slipped out, but she wasn’t sorry.

She did want to see him. They’d got on well in New Orleans and had been on the way to establishing a lasting bond when Brett decided to do away with her.

Now that she was actually speaking to her father, she felt the depth of his love for her and his boundless longing to see her.

“Seth, there’s something I need to tell you. ”

“Yes?” Uncertainty laced his voice, as though he expected her to backtrack on what she’d just said.

“You’d better sit down.”

“I’m sitting already. Lay it on me, kid.”

“Sylvia gave birth to twins in 1983. You have another daughter.”

Seth sucked in his breath and held it for a moment before letting it out slowly. It came out shaky and loaded with emotion. “How long have you known?”

“I found out quite by accident, about two weeks ago. I know I should have rung you sooner, but I wanted to be sure.”

“And are you?” Seth’s voice was watery, as if he were crying.

“Yes, Sylvia admitted to it when I confronted her.”

“What do you know of your sister?”

“Not a whole lot, but I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned so far.” Quinn quickly related the details she knew about Quentin, without elaborating on her strained relationship with her adoptive family.

“Oh, Quinn, I’m overwhelmed. Another daughter. What a gift. After what happened…you know…with Brett, I felt forsaken, broken. I thought I’d lost you for good. But this news… It’s as if I’ve been restored to God’s grace. It’s as if He’s telling me that not all is lost. ”

Quinn felt a stab of guilt. She’d been so selfish, thinking only of her own needs and feelings.

Seth had lost so much when he found out what Brett had done, and she’d nearly finished him off by effectively cutting him out of her life.

“Seth, I’m sorry. Truly, I am. I was scared and hurt, and desperate to get away.

I never meant to hurt you. You’ve been nothing but good to me. Do you think we can start over?”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for, sweetheart.

You’ve been through something awful, and it was partly my fault.

I should have paid more attention, spent more time talking to Brett about his feelings.

Maybe I could have prevented what happened, but I was oblivious, too excited to have found you to pay attention to my son and the hatred that was brewing inside him.

Quinn, I want nothing more than to be your dad, in whatever capacity you’re comfortable with.

And I can’t wait to meet Quentin. Will you keep me informed of what you discover? ”

“Of course I will. And, Seth, if you want to come visit, after the baby is born, I’d be very glad to see you.”

“Can I bring Kathy?”

“Of course. I’d love to see her again. She was so kind to me, to all of us.”

“Quinn, thank you for calling. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me. I love you, sweetheart.”

“I…”

“You don’t need to say it, not if you don’t feel it. The fact that you want to give me another chance is enough. I’ll speak to you soon, yeah?”

“Yes, I promise. I’ll ring you next week.”

“Deal. Good night, my girl. And give my regards to Gabe and Emma. I look forward to seeing them as well.”

“Good night. ”

Quinn disconnected the call and set her mobile aside.

Why had she been so reluctant to call Seth?

It seemed silly now. She felt good after speaking to him, and loved, something she never felt from Sylvia.

Seth was right; perhaps not all was lost. Sylvia wasn’t the mother Quinn had dreamed of, but she had an amazing brother in Logan and a father who genuinely cared for her.

Perhaps, in time, her family would grow.

She still held out hope for Jude, and her heart filled with longing at the thought of meeting Quentin. No, not all was lost.