Page 140 of The Housekeeper

Chapter Fifty-five

“Elyse, hi,” Isaid into the phone the following week, determined to keep the lines of communication open. “I was wondering if I could bring the kids over for a swim this afternoon. They haven’t seen their grandfather in a while and—”

“I’m so sorry,” Elyse interrupted. “It’s really not a good time. As you know, we’re having some work done on the house and there are workers everywhere.”

“How about tomorrow, then? Surely the workers won’t be there on Sunday.”

“I’m afraid tomorrow won’t work, either. We’re so busy, and the truth is, what with everything that needs to be done around here, we haven’t even bothered turning on the pool heater.”

“Well, how about we just drop over to say hello?”

“It’s really not a good time.”

“Just whenwouldbe a good time?” I pressed.

“Maybe next weekend. I’ll ask your father.”

“Why don’tIask him?”

“Certainly. He’s napping right now, but I’ll tell him you called.”

The line went dead in my hands.

—

The same scenario was repeated throughout the following weeks. Every time I called, my father was either napping, in the bathroom, or otherwise engaged; I left messages that he either ignored or wasn’t aware of; he made no attempt to contact either me or my sister; he showed no interest in his grandchildren.

“Did Grandpa die?” Daphne asked me one Saturday afternoon.

Her innocent question propelled me into action. I called Tracy. “I’m going over there,” I told her. “Want to meet me?”

“Think I’ll pass,” Tracy said. “No point going where you aren’t wanted.”

She was right, and frankly, I’m not sure why I was being so insistent. My father and I had never been close. He’d always been ornery and unpleasant. I was always failing him in some way.

Maybe that’s why I was so determined not to fail him now.

“You’re leaving me with the kids?” Harrison asked when I told him of my plans.

“I really need to check on my father. I won’t be long.”

“You’re starting with this shit already?” he said, his irritation catching me off guard. “I don’t know why I’m even surprised,” he continued. “Happens every June. I have twelve assignments to read and evaluate before my course starts next month. How am I supposed to get any work done with two kids running around the house, screaming?”

“I’ll take the kids,” I said, deciding not to argue.

Harrison waved as we pulled onto the street. Another man I was always disappointing.

“Is this the right house?” Sam asked, as we parked in my father’s driveway. “It looks different.”

He was right. The brick had been recently sandblasted, the front windows replaced, and the wood around them given a fresh coat of white paint.

I knew from Stephanie that the home inspection had turned up only a few minor issues and that new floor plans were in theprocess of being drawn up, so the house would likely be on the market by the end of the month.

“Can we go swimming?” Daphne asked as we exited the car.

“We didn’t bring our bathing suits,” Sam reminded his sister.

“Okay, kids,” I told them. “Remember what I told you?”