I always thought I had established powerful, independent life for me and my daughter, Megan. I’d worked hard for years to create a good job, comfortable home by the sea, and bring her up alone. I missed in the quiet moments the absence of companionship, someone to help me share my burdens in life.
I was planning on having a special supper that night with Megan and only me. I made the table, lit the candles, sat with hope in my heart. I never thought of what I was about to hear next.
— “Mom, this is Grayson” Megan said walking in with an old man, much older than me.
— “Nice to meet you. Erica,” he said, confidently, even –handing me his hand.
— “Similarly”, I answered, trying not to look embarrassed. Megan had not spoken of having a guest – let alone that old.
We seated, however, the air became heavy.
When I asked Grayson what he did, he said calmly “Finance. Investments.” And when I mentioned college to Megan, she tossed a bomb my way.
– Maybe not everyone should go to college.
I tried to remain calm, and reminded her just how much we had worked to get her there. But she was under spell of this man. She said she felt free with him, breathing after so long.
I told her that if she quit her college she could not expect money from me. She didn’t hesitate:
— “That’s fine. I have Grayson’s money now.”
That is when the whole thing actually fell apart.
That same night and finding us just sitting uncomfortably silent, there was loud knock announcing itself through the house. Megan opened the door… and right into her eyes stood a young woman, red-eyed and clearly upset.
— “YOU!” she yelled at Grayson. “You said you were the only one!”.
Grayson froze.
She confessed of putting a in his car when he kept skipping her. Megan was stunned. She didn’t require any other evidence. She dragged him to the door and yelled:
— “Get out.” Right now. “I don’t want to see you anymore”.
Grayson stumbled out. When he got on the street, though, a car rounded the corner into him. The awful noise of the hit drowned everything out.
In the hospital, they told us he could not travel for a while.
The town’s lone hotel was closed for its renovation. And I much as wanted to send him away, I could not leave him on the street. Reluctantly I let him stay in.
Something unexpected happened in the days to follow. I started seeing a different person in him. In evenings, we played chess, and talked for hours. He said he lost his wife when they were young and had never recovered. He said younger women were just distractions. he felt lonely and lost.
I progressively fell in love.
After Grayson recovered and when I had calmed down a bit, he suggested we should go together and talk to Megan. We found her in a café, and by a small one. She was cold at the beginning, but she heard.
— “I’m not here to pretend to be a father,” Grayson told her. I am here because I have a heart. You should be able to decide about your future without my pushing and your mother’s.
Megan rolled her eyes but something moved. She ultimately stated:
— “Fine. “I will think about it.”
Several days later she called me.
…”Mom… perhaps you were right. I can’t access Grayson’s card any longer. The guys I’ve known do not give me a serious consideration. I long for my past, my friends… the university.
She paused, then added:
— “I’m sorry. I’m planning to return to school. This time, I mean it.”
Upon hearing those words, I was back to having my daughter. Grayson squeezed my hand and mumbled:
— “I love you. We’ll face whatever comes—together.”
And there only a moment later peace settled upon me. For the last time, I never felt prepared enough to let go of the control and have faith in what was in store. We watched the waves dash themselves on the coast, sitting next to each other. We anticipated that life would present us with storms, but we weren’t alone.