They could only hear one side of the conversation. It probably wasn’t good news if the crease in her forehead was any indication. Stephanie was anxious and about ready to come out of her skin especially when Braylee drew her eyebrows together. “Yes. Uh-huh. Okay—I understand. I’ll make sure to tell him.” Braylee glanced grimly at Stephanie and her father as she disconnected the call.
She had barely hung up before Stephanie asked, “What? What did he want?”
“He called to apologize. Apparently, there was a mistake with the paperwork and Daddy’s not supposed to be released until next week.”
In unison, Stephanie and Mr. Hinsdale yelled, “What?”
Braylee almost pulled off her practical joke but couldn’t keep a straight face. She covered her mouth with her hand to hide her laughter. “Turnabout is fair play!”
Mr. Hinsdale twisted around to Stephanie. “Where is Braylee Hinsdale because that person…” He pointed to Braylee. “Is not her. She doesn’t tell jokes. I’ve got to admit while the joke was a little long; it was a solid effort. I liked it.”
Stephanie rubbed her chin. “I suppose we should give her points for at least trying. You’ve got to expect some rust since Braylee was eight or nine years old the last time she attempted one.”
Glaring Braylee put her hands on her hips. “Hello? I’m standing right here.” She finally went over to her father and allowed him to pull her into a bear hug. She was surprised when emotion welled up inside of her. For so long, she thought she had only harbored anger and resentment for him. But, there was also love too. The human condition could be such a contradiction. Today, there was less resentment and more hope than she’d felt in a while. Braylee couldn’t remember the last time she had seen her father this clear-eyed and clear-headed. Yes, their family had plenty of work ahead of them but Braylee wanted to believe that it was possible to put all the broken pieces together. Whispering into his ear, she spoke. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you. I’ve been in this place long enough.” He picked up his bag from the floor. “Let’s get out of here and go home.”
*****
The ride from the Chances Rehabilitation Center to her parent’s house had been fun. They laughed, reminisced about things they hadn’t thought about in years, and talked the entire time. However, the closer they drew near to their destination the quieter it became. Until Mr. Hinsdale blurted out, “Braylee, I thought Alexandro would be with you today. I’ve been thinking that I should probably have an old-fashioned talk with that young man.”
“I thought it best that it was just Stephanie and me when we came to pick you up.” Braylee winked at Stephanie. “I’m glad I did. This has been great, just us three. He’s going to come by later for dinner, though. Why do you want to talk to him?”
“Because you’re my daughter, and that’s what fathers are supposed to do.”
She smiled. “I’m also an adult.” She softened her voice further. “I think I can figure things out quite nicely on my own, Daddy.”
“Yes, but you’re still my daughter, and that’s part of our problem. You’ve had to figure things out for far too long. Both of you, if I want to be honest. Maybe things would have been different had I been in my right mind with Maurice.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Are we always going to bring him up? Will I never be able to live that mistake down? It can’t continue to be the poster child for what not to do.”
Her father was thoughtful before responding. “No. But, had I put some fear into him, he may never have been so close to joining our family.”
Braylee rolled her neck around her shoulders. “Alex and Maurice don’t have anything in common except they both need oxygen to breathe. Other than that, they couldn’t be more different.”
Stephanie smirked. “Now that I know you want to put fear into the men we’re dating remind me not to bring home my new friend.”
Braylee was surprised. Stephanie hadn’t mentioned she was dating. “Really? You have a new friend? Who? Never mind. I’m sure I don’t know him, but in your case, maybe we should all have an opportunity to vet him.”
Stephanie decided to keep quiet as she smiled inwardly about her budding relationship. For now, she’d keep it to herself. They would all find out soon enough.
Braylee turned down the familiar street to her childhood home. She hadn’t traveled down this road in months.
The light-heartedness from earlier completely disappeared. Her father asked, “Have you talked to your mother since I went into rehab?”
Braylee stared right ahead and answered in a matter of fact manner, as if the truth didn’t hurt. “Can’t say that I have.”
“Hmm. I figured as much. Well, today is the day that we are going to attempt to make things right. A new beginning of sort for all of us.”
Braylee wanted more than anything to have a relationship with her mother. The reality was more than likely; it would never happen. She would at least try.
*****
The last time James Hinsdale put his key into the lock of his front door had been twelve long weeks ago. So, it was no wonder that his hands shook just a bit as he opened it. The bite of nervousness was much stronger than he led on to Braylee and Stephanie. The fear of not knowing how his wife was going to receive him left him more than a little anxious and
