Crossing kingdoms las ve.., p.17
Crossing Kingdoms--Las Vegas, page 17
He ran his hands through her hair and kissed her furrowed brow. “Tanis gave me a card from that mystery man and asked me to read it in private. And she wants me to meet with someone alone and won’t tell me why. She was adamant I do this alone. I feel like I should do what she is asking, but it’s also really frustrating. I don’t intend on keeping things from you. I’ll fill you in as soon as I know what’s going on.” His hands slid from her hair to her face, guiding his lips to hers.
Moments later he jumped as something poked his ribs. With hands on her hips, li’l Lil was staring them both down. “Mom said it’s time to go, fish faces,” she teased as the family stood there laughing at Dante and Beth. It seemed the young couple forgot they weren’t alone. Blushing, Beth walked away to get their things, but Dante took it in stride, as usual.
“Fish face? Fish face!” he dramatically protested. “Forget fish face! I’ll show you octopus tickles!” He chased Lillian through the room until she ran squealing and hiding behind her mom.
“Ok, you two. The captain is about to set sail with this ship. No stow-away sea creatures allowed,” Kim said sternly with a grin. “Let’s go home.”
Dante scooped Lillian up as soon as Kim stepped to the side and carried her halfway upside-down to the car as she giggled and swung her arms freely. They all piled into their cars and drove to the Black’s, followed closely by Dante’s grandparents. Playing with Lillian was only a temporary respite from the tension that gripped him because of what he might face with his now only known family members.
CHAPTER 20
It was late afternoon by the time everyone was settled back at the house. Dante felt incredibly nervous at having to finally face his grandparents; what was he supposed to say to them after all these years? While changing in his room, he had said a prayer for guidance and help to calm his anger at their abandonment. As they sat across from each other, his anger slowly transformed into gratitude that he still had actual family.
Kim made sure that everyone gave Dante, Caroline, and Bruce time alone to talk. “I imagine you have some questions for us,” Caroline started. “We understand you may be angry with us. You can tell us how you feel,” she continued, trying to be grandmotherly.
Nodding, Dante replied, “Yes, I’ve been angry! I still am.” They sat silently watching each other while Dante clearly had more to say.
“We were alone my whole life,” he continued, picking up speed with his reaction. “No family. No support. I get that you didn’t approve of her work; I didn’t either, but I didn’t have a choice. And even if I could have chosen, I wouldn’t have turned my back on her. You could’ve still been in my life, but I guess I would have been a constant reminder of what you hated. So, what about now? Do you still only see me as the result of sin? Or the poor orphaned son of your dead daughter? Or am I your grandson that you can choose to accept?” He hadn’t planned on saying that much or being that harsh, but it felt good to get it out.
“I’m so truly sorry for the struggles you have had through your life. It breaks my heart,” Caroline said softly, maintaining composure despite the shocking words Dante had harpooned at them.
“Yes, we did cut off contact with your mom for a while. She was in a bad way, and we were counselled to distance ourselves from her as she spiraled in addiction and dangerous activities. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” tears of regret were glistening in Caroline’s eyes. Bruce remained silent, staring at his hands clasped on the table and showing no emotion.
“We didn’t learn about you until you were around one year old. We sent Ella some money and a letter trying to reach out and meet you. It was all returned with a very short note from her, basically saying if we didn’t want her, we couldn’t have you. She said she had made some changes in her life but that we would not fit in her world. Occasionally she would send us a Christmas card with pictures of you. But that stopped when you were about ten years old.” Caroline paused for a moment, then added, “We want you, Dante. We always have and always will. But we will respect your wishes if you don’t want us in your life.”
Dante was quiet, not sure how to respond. His heart yearned to be a part of a family, yet the sting of rejection was tangible. “I would like to spend some time with you while you are here for the next few days, and kind of go from there.” His grandparents were relieved at his willingness to get to know them.
Over the next three days, Caroline, Bruce, and Dante went sight seeing at the Hoover Dam, the resorts on the Strip, and Dante’s school. He also took them to the apartment he had shared with his mom. That was hard for all of them; they didn’t stay there for long. Mostly, their time together was spent talking and sharing stories of their lives. As the days passed, each of them relaxed more, allowing for deeper connection, and Dante’s anger was diluted by his joy of family. He knew he wanted them in his life.
The only source of tension they had was Grandpa Bruce’s assumptions and negativity about the Mormon Church Dante was now a part of. A clear and somewhat defensive response from Dante informed his grandfather that the Church has improved his life, and suggested perhaps the problem was with Bruce. Since his disapproval cost him his daughter, Dante cautioned it will cost him his grandson too. Bruce wisely kept his remaining opinions to himself, and they got along great after that.
Promising to keep in touch when it was time to return home, they offered him some money and indicated they could help with a small amount each month, but Dante declined. He assumed they didn’t have a lot of money, and it didn’t feel right to have them help support him now when they didn’t do it when he was a child. He would make do with whatever he had received at the funeral, as well as what he would receive from the government. He hadn’t opened the cards from the funeral yet but planned to do it the next day.
Right now, he just wanted some time with Beth, preferably alone.
Getting permission to take the car for a date the afternoon his grandparents left, Beth and Dante decided to go to a nearby hot spring to swim. Bringing a picnic dinner, they arrived in the late afternoon. Beth had brought some lounging pillows and a blanket, and for a while they just laid out in the sun listening to music through shared headphones, relaxing in the peace of each other’s presence.
It was a typical Las Vegas summer day, hot and dry. Lying side by side in only their swimsuits, arms and legs pressed against each other with a mixture of perspiration and goosebumps, their little fingers entwined, they escaped into their own world. Acutely aware of each other, they could sense when their sunglasses no longer disguised their lingering eyes. This often evoked a shyness for both and was sometimes responded to with a tender kiss.
“I feel like I could stay like this forever,” Beth whispered.
“Me too,” Dante agreed. “Except for one problem,” he paused, watching her reaction. “I’m hungry!” He kissed the tip of her nose and sat up grabbing their dinner basket.
Laughing, Beth teased, “Boys and their food!”
“Didn’t you know? Guys have four priorities,” Dante said seriously as he dished out their dinner. “Food, girls, fun, and sleep. Although food and girls often compete for the number one spot,” he grinned as he handed her a plate.
“And I assume food is the number one right now?” Beth asked with a fake pout.
“Oh no, my dear!” Dante rebutted. “This is one of those amazing times when you get to enjoy food and the girl at the same time!” he leaned over, kissed her, and popped some food into his mouth. “See?” he said between bites. “The best of both worlds!”
Beth was laughing, “You are a lucky guy!”
“Luck? Luck has nothing to do with it!” he exclaimed. “This is all a part of my masterplan to make you fall for me in foods class. See? Girl, food, happy me!”
“Your master plan?” Beth challenged. “I do recall I was the one who made the first move under that tree! And that you still needed some persuading after that. Your master plan. Ha!”
Feigning seriousness, Dante simply stated, “I was playing hard to get.”
They were quiet for a moment, looking deep in each other’s eyes. Beth shrugged, “Your plan, my plan, God’s plan. I don’t really care. I got you and I’m so thankful!” This time she leaned in to kiss him, lingering a bit longer, until his stomach growled loudly. Laughing again, they turned their attention to dinner and people watching of the others at the hot springs.
Once they finished eating, they cooled off in the water; playing, splashing, flirting, and holding each other up as they floated. For some reason the mask of the water seemed to make it easier for their bodies to draw closer together, and they reveled in the experience.
The sun had disappeared behind the hills in the distance, flooding the area with the magical hue of twilight. Beth was the first to realize they were now alone. At some point all the other swimmers had left, turning the hot spring into their own private paradise.
Dante swam over to Beth and pulled her close. “Alone at last,” he whispered before kissing her. It had been far too long since they had spent any time alone, other than a few walks in the evenings. Wrapping her arms around his neck and legs encircling his waist under the surface, Beth kissed him back tenderly. Time became irrelevant as they floated as one through the water and darkness closed around them.
Their paradise was disrupted by the sound of Dante’s phone ringing, awakening them to the darkness. “We should probably go. My parents will be worried it’s so late,” Beth said between kisses.
“Mmhmm,” Dante responded, not taking his lips off hers.
Drawn back into her pleasure for a moment, Beth finally pulled away and swam to the edge where their belongings were. Dante followed by wrapping his arms around her waist and being towed behind her. Turning around for one more kiss at the water’s edge, Beth then climbed out of the water; Dante watched her silhouette fade into the darkness.
Oh, how he loves that girl! Seeing her, hearing her voice, and being close to her filled his body and soul with warmth. At that moment he knew clearly, he wants to spend his life with her. Gathering their things, pausing for a couple more kisses, they walked to the car by flashlight.
Dante checked who had phoned him on the drive home. It was a message from a lawyer requesting to meet Dante, alone, the next morning. The lawyer said a car and driver would pick him up at 9:00am outside of the Black’s residence. Dante knew the call would come as Tanis had told him, and he still felt uncomfortable with it, but Tanis was adamant and basically begged him to trust her.
Dante told Beth, “That was a lawyer Tanis told me about. He wants to meet tomorrow morning. They asked that I come alone and said a car will pick me up at 9:00.”
Beth was surprised. “How do you feel about that?” she asked.
“It’s kinda crazy,” Dante admitted, “but I am going to trust Tanis and give it a try.” They drove the rest of the way in silence, both lost in their thoughts of the evening they had just enjoyed, as well as a sense that tomorrow would bring big changes to Dante’s life.
CHAPTER 21
A restless sleep had Dante awake early; anticipation and questions coursing through him. At precisely 9:00am, a black Mercedes sedan pulled up to the house. The driver got out and waited by the passenger door of the car. Dante and Beth had been sitting quietly together watching out the front window. With a quick hug and kiss goodbye, Dante walked to the car.
“Good morning, Mr. Karsten. I am Daniel. I will be your driver today,” the young man in a pristine black suit opened the back door for Dante. The interior of the car was cream coloured leather with dark grey carpet and panels; iced water in glass bottles was provided for his refreshment. The back windows were so deeply tinted you could not see into the car from the outside. This truly was a vehicle for anonymity.
After a fifteen-minute drive, they finally pulled into the underground secured parking area for a fancy high-rise condominium building. Daniel opened Dante’s door for him. “Please follow me,” he said.
The parking garage was full of high-end vehicles, from sports cars to SUVs, and entry to the building and use of the elevator required a key card. The eighteenth floor was their destination. This must be quite the lawyer, Dante thought to himself. They arrived at suite 1822 and were welcomed in by the lawyer.
“Hi, Dante, I’m Shawn Westbrook. I’m your lawyer.” Dante was expecting an office setting, but this was definitely someone’s home. He thought it was strange that the lawyer would want to meet in his own residence.
Large windows, dark mahogany hardwood floors, sleek grey leather furniture, and a stainless-steel and white kitchen was the modern décor of the suite. Dante and Shawn sat on each of the two couches with several files on the glass table between them.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Dante. I know this must be an unusual experience for you. I am extremely sorry for the loss of your mother. My sincerest condolences,” Shawn began genuinely.
“Thank you,” Dante said, anxious to hear why he was there.
“I have some information for you that will likely be unexpected and surprising. I will go slow, but I ask that you withhold your questions until I am done.” Dante nodded, his stomach in knots.
“I have been hired to represent you by your father.” At Dante’s gasp, Shawn raised his hand reminding him to wait until all the information is explained. “I understand you do not know your father at all; he has known of you since your mother became pregnant. Because of circumstances with their employment, they could not maintain a relationship, and no one could know you were their child. For your safety, your mom had to maintain that she did not know who your father was.”
“My safety? What?” Dante interrupted in disbelief.
“Please, Dante. Let me get through this,” Shawn insisted. “Because your father could not be a part of your life as he wished, he has built an estate for you. This apartment is yours.” Shawn paused as a stunned Dante looked around the luxury condo.
“It is completely paid for,” he explained, “and you are free to live here, effective immediately. The intent was to turn your estate over to you when you turned twenty-one, but the loss of your mom changed things. You also have a car downstairs, and a bank account set up in your name. Only a portion of your estate is in the account, and you will receive quarterly deposits. There is money available for any education you may want. I understand you are interested in the culinary world?”
Astounded, Dante exclaimed, “How do you know that?”
“Your mom kept your father updated when she could. Since he couldn’t be a part of your life, he wanted to know as much about you as possible. He truly cares about you, Dante,” Shawn emphasized.
“How could he care about me? He has never seen me! I don’t even know his name!” Frustration and bewilderment were consuming his mind and heart.
Quietly, Shawn offered, “His name is Richard. I cannot tell you his last name. And he has seen you, from a distance, several times. Even a couple of times recently.”
Dante’s mind instantly flashed to the mysterious man at his mom’s funeral, and then the memory came of the night at the Bellagio with the Blacks. He had thought his mom had arranged for him to watch in the kitchen and paid for their dinner. Could that have been my dad? Looking at Shawn for answers, Dante asked, “At the Bellagio?”
Recognizing he was in danger of disclosing too much, Shawn simply nodded in affirmation.
“And my mom’s funeral?” Dante pressed further.
“That I cannot confirm,” Shawn avoided and attempted at redirection in true lawyer fashion. “My point is, he has been interested in you, in your life. He cares, and at this point, all he can offer is this home and financial security. And your safety, by remaining anonymous.”
Before Dante could take control of the conversation again, Shawn suggested they tour the condo. With questions still lingering, Dante’s curiosity led the way, and he agreed to pause the discussion.
The condo was incredible. It had two large bedrooms, fully furnished in the modern design that carried through the entire suite. The master bedroom had an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower and separate jacuzzi soaker tub, plus a walk-in closet. The main bathroom had a standard tub and shower, standard only meaning combined; the luxury was far beyond standard.
Dante was blown away by the kitchen as he slowly ran his fingers along the white marble countertops, a stainless-steel gas stove, and high-end appliances with finishing and doors that matched the cupboards. Top of the line pots and pans, knives and small appliances were neatly tucked away. Dante recognized the brands and felt an excitement flow through him at the thought of cooking with them.
Is this really my life now? He marvelled to himself.
Shawn led him to the balcony, which also extended to the master bedroom. A comfortable patio set and plants provided a welcoming outdoor living space, with bamboo screens for privacy. Returning to the living room, Shawn sensed Dante needed some time alone to process this change to his life. Dante stood speechless at the railing, gazing at the mountains. His head was spinning with all this new information.
Several minutes later, Dante came back inside and sat across from Shawn, acknowledging, “I don’t even know what to say right now. This is unbelievable. An hour ago, I was an orphan living at my girlfriend’s home with a pretty bleak future. And now you’re telling me I own this million-dollar condo, have a fancy car, and an unknown amount of wealth in my bank account!”
“Well, it’s not unknown,” Shawn said, handing him a bank statement, watching his reaction closely.
Gasping, Dante read out loud, “Three million dollars? This can’t be right!” Smiling, Shawn confirmed it is correct. “I just don’t understand,” Dante shook his head.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. More information will come to you soon. But for now, I hope you can enjoy your new home. It is all brand new; no one has lived here yet. And there is an extra room for your girlfriend if you want,” Shawn added with a grin.
