03

“Father?” Lily felt her heart jump against her chest as the word left her mouth. She had not heard from the man on the other line for nearly five years. Why now would he be calling her?

“How are you, Lily?” his voice, that thick, baritone lilt, lacked empathy and any trace of concern on her part, but she feigned interest.

“I’m fine.” She replied flatly, “Been doin’ just fine without you.”

Silence.

“Is there something I can do for you?” she asked, growing uncomfortable.

“I called to see how you were doing.”

“I told you-“

“Yes, fine, I know.” He interjected. She heard a long, drawn out sigh. “I know you’re not going to make this easy for me, Lil, but whether you want to think me sincere or not, I truly am concerned about you and I-“ hesitation and then, “-I have missed you.”

Bull. She thought, but said nothing.

“You must know how I have missed you. You are my only child, Lily.”

She didn’t realize how tight the phone cord twined around her knuckles until it started cutting into her skin. She released it. “You’ve called for a reason. What do you want?”

“I admit I have not been much of a father to you, but if you let me, give me a chance to make amends for my absence-“ he paused, allowing his words to absorb. “-Your birthday is next week-“

“Yes, and?” she demanded.

He sighed and she sensed his patience wearing thin. “I plan to leave for Romania this Friday. I have research there that needs conducting.”

“Romania?” she asked with a hint of excitement.

“Yes and if you’re willing, I would like for you to come along.”

Her heart quickened. She had never imagined her father asking her to join him on a research trip, let alone, travel all the way to Romania. She almost couldn’t contain her elation. She glanced up at Jackson, surprised to see him watching her. “I don’t know this is a little sudden and unexpected.”

She had waited years for her father to reach out to her and now, she was almost in disbelief that he was actually speaking to her, asking her to share in the most things precious to him, his research. She was absolutely elated but a shred of doubt circled her wary heart. Perhaps he was truly sincere and sought to make things right, after all, it was just the two of them, but she had always known her father to be distant and aloof with little concern to his daughter’s wellbeing. But, try as hard as she could, she could not say no. She wanted this.

“I’ll see what I can do.” She struggled to keep her voice unfeeling. “Should I call you?”

“No need. I will have a driver pick you up Friday morning at your apartment. Pack a week’s worth of clothing.” He paused, “I will see you then.”

Click.

She frowned and peered down at the receiver before setting it down. She peered up at Jackson who had been listening intently. “Jackson-“

He lifted a hand to stop her. “No need to ask. You can take as much time off as you need.”

Lily frowned, completely baffled. “Really?”

She caught a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. “Does it surprise you that I put up little fight?”

She almost laughed. “Well, yes.”

He stepped toward her, “Lily, you’ve been late a little here and there but really when it comes down to your performance, your dedicated and reliable and haven’t actually missed a day since you started working here four years ago.”

“But I’ll be gone a week?”

He nodded, “I’ll have some of the others pick up your shifts.”

Lily was suddenly so happy she could almost hug Jackson but stayed herself as Ruby’s words from earlier replayed in her mind. Did Jackson truly have a soft spot for her? If he did, he showed little effort in hiding his feelings for her. Some of the other girls were not going to like his special treatment of her, maybe she should say something?

She opened her mouth to do so but no words came out. Jackson was her boss. She didn’t want to go there with him. Not yet.

Instead she said, “Thanks Jackson. I really appreciate it.” and hastened from the office.

“What the hell did he want?” Ruby exclaimed angrily, slamming an empty glass on the counter and seizing the tea pitcher a little too forcefully, spilling some of the iced beverage on the bar.

Lily resisted a smile. She knew Ruby was only being protective. She grabbed a cloth and started wiping the counter clean. “He asked me to go with him to Romania.”

“And I assume you told him no?” Ruby snapped.

Lily said nothing, pretending to clean more of the tea from the counter when the cloth had absorbed it clean.

“Lil?” Ruby persisted.

“Rube, I couldn’t say no.”

“Are you kidding me?” Ruby demanded, bewildered. “That man has been vacant from your life for five years and all of a sudden he decides he wants to call and play ‘daddy’. Really, Lil, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.”

Lily avoided Ruby’s knowing eyes and stared intently at the cloth in her hands. “Maybe I am but maybe we’re wrong. What if he truly wants to build some sort of father and daughter connection?” she peered up, “He said he wanted to make amends and despite what he hasn’t done for me in my life, he is still my father.”

Ruby grimaced, “That man is not your father.” She snatched her refilled tea glass and stalked away.

Lily stared after her and prayed that she wasn’t making a mistake.

Friday morning came far too quickly than she had mentally prepared herself for. Just as he promised, a black Dodge Durango sat outside her apartment, the engine humming quietly as she stepped into the parking lot.

A man stepped from the vehicle as she approached and she frowned for the man that greeted her was not her father.

“Your father is running behind schedule Ms. McDermott-“

“Lily.” She interrupted.

He nodded, “Lily-he has asked that I pick you up and meet him at the airport.” He stepped forward to take her luggage and she cordially handed it over.

As she slid into the black leather seat, she tried hiding her disappointment. What had she expected, a fun-filled joy ride with her doting father?

“Thank you, ah-“ she paused as the man slid in beside her.

“Matt.”

“Thank you, Matt.” She stared at him as he focused on the road in front of him. “Have you known my father long?”

“No ma’am. I was hired to pick you up at your destination and deliver you to the airport.”

Lily felt a tinge of anger and discontent that her father would actually allow a stranger to chauffeur her around town. “And the Durango?”

“Rental.”

“I presume this was all arranged by my father.”

Matt nodded.

She set back in her seat and peered out the window. It was going to be difficult to overlook his mistakes but he was making an effort to be in her life and at that moment, she was willing to forget his disregard of some things she might disapprove of.

**********