Page 104 of Until Now
Chapter Sixty-One
Nick
The house comesinto view at the end of the magnolia lined driveway. It sits back at least half a mile from the gated entrance inside a community along the edge of the lake. There’s at least two acres of land surrounding the house — a beautiful structure made of stone, stucco, and wood. The driveway comes to a fork — the left leads to a three-car garage, the right leads to an uncovered parking area where three cars remain. No sign of Alex and Pop, though. I recognize two of the cars — Josh and Kai. The third must be John’s, he finally got rid of the Coupe. I had been telling him for years to sell it, but he loved that car, just hated the bill that came along with it.
I sit inside my 1968 Mustang at war with myself. Why am I here? She clearly has everyone she needs. John has stepped in to fill the role I couldn’t. She just lost her dad and knowing Nina, she hasn’t given herself time to grieve. She’s been occupying her time with the funeral arrangements and handling everyone else, but now that’s all over. She’ll have to face it now and I don’t want my presence to upset her further.
Taking a deep breath, I pull the keys from the ignition and finally get out.
Baby steps.
Fingers strumming against the Gulfstream Aqua paint, I think about that look on her face when I walked into the Church today. She looked so relieved. Happy, even, that I’d come. I had tried to find her before they left for the cemetery, but he was there leading her out the door.
“Fuck it,” I whisper to myself and make the trek to her front door. The front door is solid black with two large paneled windows on either side. To the left is a wall of windows blacked out by privacy screens; on the right, more windows behind a bench that looks like it’s more for decoration than sitting on the front porch. This time I’m able to make out a Christmas tree through the privacy screens. Before I can knock, I see Elizabeth walk past the front door, she stops when our eyes meet through the window on the right side of the door — the privacy screen not put down yet.
“Nick?” She opens the door in a rush. “Thank God, I thought you weren’t ever going to show up.”
When they rushed Nina out of the service, I didn’t follow. I didn’t go to the burial or come to lunch. Instead, I went to visit someone I haven’t seen in a while. “Hey Mom,” I whispered, running my fingers over the cold stone. I traced her name.
Evie Joanna Davis
Beloved Wife, Mother, and Daughter.
April 08, 1973 - September 07, 2013
“I miss you. There has been so much going on and I wish you were here. You’d know the right thing to say. Right thing to do.” I tried to blink back the tears brimming my eyes, but a few escaped, warm against my skin. “You were right about her, I should’ve given her a chance… I just wish I had listened to you before. Maybe it would have saved us all a bunch of heartache. You would’ve loved her… I love her.” I gripped the headstone a little tighter. “That night, right before you left, that night…I saw someone different. She wasn’t— She wasn’t who they said. But, then you were gone and I couldn’t see past that. I was drowning and felt like I didn’t have anyone on my side. When I thought about her, all I could see was something keeping me from being with you.
“All I’ve done is hurt her. I should’ve told her, I should’ve just been honest about her mom, I should’ve been there for her with all this funeral stuff. I shouldn’t have left her alone, but she was so pissed. I can’t blame her. And now he’s here. She doesn’t need me, she has him. I don’t know what to do. I just want her to be happy, whatever that means.” I felt a little better getting it off my chest, but another thought crossed my mind making my insides twist into knots. A gentle breeze passed over me, as if Mom was there giving a gentle squeeze, letting me know it’s all going to work out. “I’m gonna talk to her. I promise. But, there’s one more thing I need to do.”
There was one more person I needed to talk to before Nina.
“I didn’t want to be in the way,” I say hesitating just outside the door.
“You’re not in the way, Nick. She’ll be glad to see you.” Elizabeth hugs me tightly.
“How is she?”
“She’s…well, she’s Nina.” We laugh and I notice she tries to hide the tear that escapes the corner of her eye. “Come on, I know Kai will want to see you.” I finally step across the threshold and Elizabeth closes the door softly. She disappears into the living area to the right of the entryway, but I don’t follow. My eyes wander every inch of the entrance to Nina’s home — it is nothing like I had imagined. And yet, I can see her in everything — the sense of warmth it brings.
In the foyer, built-in bookshelves next to a streamlined staircase lead down into a lower level. The shelves are filled with photos, books, and random decorative items. A warm almond color on the walls and wood mantle of the double-sided stone fireplace. A painting of a woman sits on the mantle — the straps of high heels dangle from her finger, her long hair and dress hang a second behind in the wind, her toes dig into the sand as she walks towards the beating waves of the sea. You can’t see her face, but when I look at it…it’s her. Above the foyer, an iron ring hangs from planks of white oak on the ceiling. At the opposite end of the room, a grand piano sits in front of large windows. Does she actually play or is it mere decoration?
To the left of the entry, a hallway that had been behind the privacy screens leads to various doors. A small alcove houses an entry table, the photo on top begs for attention. I’ve never seen one like it before, not even at the house in Haven. At first glance, it seems like a normal family photo, but if you look closer, it’s quite the opposite. The Villa family poses in front of the mountains, but they don’t hold on to one another like a normal family. Brina’s lips pull into a firm line, the edge of her lips quirked into a smile I’ve seen on more than one occasion. A hint of annoyance on Nina’s face as she stands next to Brina, Kai next to Ric.
From the corner of my eye, I see someone race by — a blonde blur I recognize as Elizabeth rushes down the stairs.
“We flew to Haven solely for that picture,” Kai says from behind me, a fondness in his voice. Taking the frame, his fingers ghost over the photo. “Nin was so mad, she had a game and didn’t want to miss it. They were undefeated, but Mom refused to let her go. They ended up losing, so you can imagine that conversation.” Kai laughs softly. “It’s the only family photo where she and Mom are next to each other. The photographer said it would look better that way. I’m surprised she hasn’t destroyed it after what happened.” He gently sets it down next to the bouquet of white roses, peonies, and hydrangeas. I try not to laugh, but I can’t help it when Kai does anyway. “I always knew we had problems, but…”
“I’m sorry, Kai. I should’ve told you.”
“No,” Kai’s voice is stern. “Don’t blame yourself. You did what you thought was best and I don’t hold that against you. Nina just needs time…but, she doesn’t blame you.”
“Kai,” Eileen interrupts us. “You ready to get going?”
“Probably should. I know she’s ready for some peace and quiet.” Kai glances at the photo one last time before he excuses himself.
Eileen watches him disappear into the guest bedroom at the top of the stairs. Apparently they’ve been occupying Nina’s house since the accident. The news of his mother’s affair and now the accident has taken its toll. Unlike his sister, he isn’t good at hiding his feelings. With a sigh, Eileen turns to me, “It’s good to see you. I’m sorry, I missed you at the funeral. I didn’t see you come in, but Elizabeth said you were there.”
“I was late.”