Ethan had avoided spending time with their father growing up and now as an adult, he spent even less time. “No. But we learned why.” He’d been physically and verbally abused by their grandfather. “That doesn’t give a person a reason to be happy.”
“You’re right. But think about Mom. She was everything that Dad wasn’t. She was happy and had a positive attitude. She was encouraging and supportive.”
“True. What does this have to do with us?” Ethan asked.
“Even with all that, Dad couldn’t get out of his own way to enjoy any of it. Instead he went to the office so he didn’t need to see it. As though he had no right to be happy.”
All those childhood memories reflected exactly what Charles was saying. But he never thought about his father as running from it. He just thought his father didn’t want anything to do with them. Sure, he was there for birthdays and holidays because their mother wouldn’t have it any other way. But outside of that, he did nothing but work.
Damn it. We do the same. Work 24/7 and for what?
“Charles, what does this have to do with me and Kollette?” Because he wasn’t seeing the link.
“Simple. It’s okay to be happy.”
That’s it? All this for ‘be happy’?When did Charles get so long winded?
“I think I can manage that.”
“Good. Because when I was first seeing Rosslyn, I almost fucked it up. Good thing she saw past what an idiot I was and married me anyway.”
“Yeah. And still does,” he joked.
“Very funny Ethan. I’m trying to help,” Charles said seriously.
“I know. It’s just that…you suck at it Charles.”
“I’d like to argue with you on that, but Rosslyn reminds me all the time that there are things I excel at. Advice on love is not one of them.”
“But I did learn something,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“Not to call you when I do need advice,” Ethan laughed. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
He was still laughing as he ended the call. It definitely lightened things up. That was surprising, because Charles didn’t usually talk about anything other than work. Rosslyn was good for Charles. But Ethan wasn’t heading down to Miami trying to find what Charles and Rosslyn had. He just needed to see her. And to tell her, I’m sorry for being an ass.
Ethan had already crossed state lines, and was deep into the heart of Florida when his cell phone rang. It was a number he didn’t know and let it go to voicemail. That last thing he wanted was for work to get in his way. A moment later he heard the phone chime that they had left a message. Whatever it was would need to wait, maybe a day, or a few weeks until he got back.
Ethan decided to shut his phone off to avoid the temptation to see who called. Charles was right, Lawson men had a hard time not working. If he started taking calls, he might not stop. So the rest of the ride was spent listening to music. At times, he could barely hear it over the vehicle next to him. Yeah, he was in Miami alright. Now all he needed to do was to check into the hotel.
He pulled up and handed the valet the keys, then grabbed his bag out of the trunk.
“Sir, the bellhop can take your bag for you,” he said.
“Thanks, but I got it.” Ethan walked in and went to register. He hadn’t thought this through, as he didn’t call for a reservation. Hopefully they had a room, because there wasn’t any place else he wanted to stay.
“Good afternoon sir. May I help you?”
“Yes I’d like a room.”
“Sorry sir, but we don’t any vacancies at this time.”
“Nothing at all?” he asked.
“No sir. I’m very sorry. Maybe you can try one further away from the beach. You might have better luck there.”
Ethan had it all planned out. He’d stay at the hotel she managed and they would stumble upon each other and from there, well hopefully get past what happened at the Potters. He wasn’t leaving until he saw her.