My gut says there is more to it, but I’ll save those questions for when I’m alone with her.
“Why are you afraid?” Lucy asks, leaning forward. “What has he done?”
My mom closes her eyes. “So much.” She takes a deep breath, then opens them. “Just before my accident, he asked me to meet him at Leonard’s.”
“The bar in town?” Lucy asks.
“Yes. He bought me a couple of drinks and said he wanted me to help him get you two apart. Then he went on about Lucy having a bright future, and said he was certain my boy would get her pregnant and bring her down. The man was so condescending. He assumed I’d do what he asked, but I told him to go to hell.”
She wipes under her eyes again. “I was so angry, I left. I must not have realized how strong those drinks were, because I got in my car, and a few minutes later, I got into that accident.”
Simultaneously Lucy gasps and I stand abruptly, unable to sit after what she just said. “You had drinks with Mr. Gardiner just before your accident?”
“Yes. I’m so ashamed for my poor judgment, but I swear I only had two cocktails. And you know how I was back then. Two wouldn’t have affected me. But as I drove, I felt the effects of the alcohol getting stronger, and before I could pull over, it was too late.”
“And all of this happened hours before my last final.”
I hear Lucy sniffle, but before I can turn to her, my mom grabs my hand. “I’ve always felt so terrible for causing you to miss that final. I called the principal as soon as the doctor would let me, but by then, a week had passed, and you had your graduation ceremony. I expected a return call telling me everything had worked out. Instead, I found out from Emelia you’d left, and then the principal called to say you hadn’t been allowed to retake the test. I’m so sorry I took your future from you.”
My mom is sobbing now, and guilt washes over me for leaving them all the way I did. I lied to all of them at graduation when I told them I’d see them that night; I knew if I told them my actual plans, they would have tried to stop me. None of them would have wanted me to enlist.
I pace the room. “I’m sorry. I hated lying to all of you, but I didn’t want anyone to stop me.” I stop and put my hand over my mom’s and give a squeeze. “I didn’t see any other option but to enlist. Emelia only had one year left of high school, and she spent all her time at her best friend’s house.”
My mom nods. “She found your note.”
I had everything I needed packed up. I left town right after graduation and stayed with a friend until I had to report. Sitting in his room day in and day out was harder than boot camp. I struggled to not call Lucy. I knew she’d talk me out of my decision, and I couldn’t let her.
“I thought you and Lucy broke up,” Mom says. “I couldn’t think of any other reason why you’d change your course so abruptly.”
“Mr. Hackle refused to let me take the final. I got a D in his class and lost the scholarship.”
My mom’s hand goes to her mouth. “Hackle refused? That doesn’t make sense.”
I huff. “It makes sense to me. By ensuring I didn’t get the scholarship, he kept me from going to Havenwood, and made it so I couldn’t be with Lucy.” I glance at her; she’s been very quiet.
She’s staring straight ahead.
“Luce?”
Her watery eyes meet mine. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She races past me, down the hall to the bathroom.
I’ve always known her father is a controlling asshole, but I can’t believe he’d break his daughter’s heart and try to ruin my life.
“What else has he done?” I demand, “How many other lives has he ruined?”
My mom shrugs. “I’ve only heard rumors.”
I stare at her as I ask my next question. “You call him Lawrence. Do you know him well?”
“Not really, no.”
“Tell me everything you’ve heard about him,” I say. “I need to know how far he’ll go.”
My mom quickly fills me in on what she’s heard about Lucy’s dad, and I have to say I’m surprised. He sounds more like a mob boss than a controlling businessman.
“You really think he’s had people killed?” I ask.
“I do. Remember Mr. Milton, Lawrence’s business partner? He disappeared. Lawrence told everyone he retired to Hawaii.”
