Lion Eyes Page 7

  “Your mom wanted a small funeral with only family. She wanted her ashes scattered on this farm so she’d always be around. I’ll take care of all of that if you want.” I nod. “Oh, and when this settles, let’s talk. I think you’d be proud of who she had become.” Ignoring that last comment, I turn toward Daddy.

  When we hit the town limits, Daddy asks if I want to go home. I do, but I don’t. I want to get on with my life. The mother that left me is dead. I want her gone from my mind as quickly as she left the first time, but right now, I just want Tyke to hold me. I tell him to take me back to the dorm and then we continue to drive in silence.

  Chapter 14

  Tyke

  I can’t focus for shit. Sitting in class, my mind keeps wandering to Rilla. She has not called or texted… nothing. After pretending to pay attention for the past hour, I stand when we are dismissed and wish I could ditch my next class. Coach would kill me, so I go to my next one. Glancing at my phone every two seconds, I jump when it begins to vibrate with a text. Rilla.

  Rilla: I’m almost back. I need you.

  I don’t reply. I stand, grabbing my pencil and notebook, and walk out of the room with all eyes on me.

  As I exit the building, I start dialing Rilla. “Where are you?”

  “Daddy’s bringing me back to campus.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need to go home?” I want her with me, but I know how important he is to her.

  “No. Will you meet me at my dorm in a few minutes?”

  “I’m on my way,” I say as I disconnect the call and sprint to my dorm.

  Busting through the door, I catch John off guard. “Damn, is something on fire?”

  “No, look. I need a favor. I’ve got to go, but can you tell Coach I’ll be there as soon as I can?”

  “Heck no, I’m not running suicides for you.”

  “Shit. Look, Rilla’s mom got killed. Coach knows her. He’ll get it. Just tell him. I gotta go,” I say, tossing my shit on my bed and walking back out the door.

  I run to her dorm so I can be there when she pulls up. This is not how I expected to officially meet her dad. While I stand outside waiting for her to arrive, I can’t believe this is going to be our first introduction. It’s definitely not the best circumstances. Catching a glimpse of his truck, I hustle to the end of the sidewalk. When it comes to a stop, her dad puts it in park and they both get out. Looking at Rilla I can see the fear, but she’s trying her best to pretend she’s okay.

  “Mr. James,” I state as I extend my hand to meet him.

  “Nice to meet you, Tyke. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “All good I hope.” Then it hits me how stupid that was.

  “Eh, I take stuff with a grain of salt, but Rilla has had nothing but good things to say.”

  I give a short laugh. “Oh, I’m sure.” She looks up at me and crosses her arms. “She has a way with words.”

  “Who you kidding? I’ve had to put up with her all these years.” It’s odd that both of them have yet to mention anything about her mom.

  “I’ll give y’all a minute,” I say as I step back so they can say their goodbyes. When they finish talking, he pulls her in for a hug. It’s obvious that she is everything to him and vice versa. It reminds me of my relationship with Mom.

  As he walks to his truck, I come to her side and slide my hand in hers. When he pulls away she turns her attention back to me.

  “Tyke, I don’t know what to do. Is it okay to pretend that it didn’t happen?”

  “From my experience, it doesn’t work out so well. You have to deal with it at some point, but it doesn’t have to be today.”

  “Good.” She wraps her arms around my waist and I pull her close. Resting my chin on her head, I don’t say a word.

  Rilla

  Being in his arms makes me feel as if the world has disappeared. I want to escape it all. I want to go back to last night, and skip this life event. It’s one I never saw coming, and one I want to vanish into thin air. Too bad she made sure that couldn’t happen. Who the hell makes the daughter they abandoned the executor of their estate? My mom, and again, I see how selfish she was. I’m glad Aunt Dee said she’d help because this is one play in the game I’m happy to sit out for. Oh crap, the game, practice.

  “Practice!” I blurt out as I pull back from him. “You better get to practice. Porter will kill you.”

  “Nah. I’ve got it covered.”

  “No, Tyke you don’t understand. He’ll make your life hell and everyone else’s too. Don’t matter the reason.”

  “Rilla, I know him and your dad go way back. We kinda had a heart-to-heart this morning.”

  “Porter doesn’t do heart-to-hearts, he’s more of a string-you-up-by-your-balls kinda guy. You better go.” I swear this is like trying to reason with a brick wall. “No, I need to be here for you.”

  “I want you here, but I can wait.”

  “No, right now, you’re more important than that damn game. Don’t you see, life is too precious.”

  She shakes her head. “No, that game is your life. Go. I’ll be fine until practice is over, I don’t want to have Porter on my ass now that he knows about us. I’ll go for a run or hang out in my room.”

  He pauses and I can see the wheels turning in his head.

  “How about this. Why don’t you go with me to practice?”

  “Um, that’s not my place.”

  “I don’t care. If you’re gonna make me go, then I’m holding you hostage.”

  “Fine,” I say as his arms engulf me and we walk toward the practice field.

  Chapter 15

  Tyke

  I can’t believe she’s making me go to practice. Who does that? I mean, I know she and her mom weren’t close, but it’s a loss. As we approach the field, I excuse myself to change quickly. She waits outside the locker room, and then follows me hand in hand to the field.

  As we step onto the grass, I see Coach Porter look in my direction. He blows his whistle and the other coaches step in as he jogs over to us.

  When he gets within a few feet of me, he stops and looks at her. “Are you okay, RJ?” he asks.

  “It’s not the first time she left, but I guess it’s the last,” Rilla says with a hint of sarcasm.

  “What about Ken?” he asks and that’s when I see her eyes glisten and she shakes her head no. Coach walks to her. “I’m so sorry,” he says as she takes a step away. “TD, what you waiting on? First you show up late, and you’ve yet to hit the field. If you think this is the program I run ‘round here you are wrong.” I nod and run to the field. I do my best to focus, but I can’t help watching those two out of the corner of my eye.

  Rilla

  I tried to tell Tyke that Porter doesn’t play around with being late. It doesn’t matter the reason, but when he asked about Daddy, I couldn’t hold it together. Daddy had let her go, but now it’s like she had to get the last word.

  With Tyke on the field, Porter talks to me. “I need you to be honest with me, RJ. Are you okay?”

  “I will be.”

  “For real, is Ken okay?” he questions and all of a sudden it hits me. I know why Daddy was torn up. It doesn’t have a thing to do with Mom. It has to do with what happened to him in high school. It’s like he’s reliving the past all over again, except this time it’s someone he cared about that passed away.

  “He will be,” I say, leaving it at that. “You better get back to coaching or you’re gonna have a lot of questions from your boys out there. If you want, I can go handle them,” I say, motioning toward the field.

  Shaking his head, he laughs. “Oh, there’s no doubt there. Take care of yourself, and… ah, never mind,” he says as he turns to walk away. He walks back toward the field and does what he does best. Coach.

  Chapter 16

  Tyke

  Over the past two weeks, I’ve watched Rilla pretend. She’s pretending that her mom dying hasn’t affected her. She has not missed a class, a run, a game, or a party. S
he even made sure that the funeral didn’t conflict with anything going on in her life. It’s like she’s erased everything that has had to do with her mom from her mind. I’m starting to worry about her. She hasn’t even shed a tear. I know what happens when you don’t let it out and I can tell you it ain’t pretty. She is supposed to meet with the lawyer about the will, and she’s mentioned that her Aunt Dee needs to speak with her before then. I’m not sure what it’s about, but I know it has something to do with that meeting. She’s not going to be able to avoid this much longer. She’s going to have to deal with her mom’s estate whether she wants to or not.

  With all that has been going on, I’m glad that this weekend is family weekend. I can’t wait to see my mom. She’s getting in late Friday, but said she can’t wait for the game. I’ve really missed her and I can’t wait for her to meet Rilla.

  Rilla

  Thank goodness hump day is over and the weekend is almost here. I’m exhausted and I am so ready for family weekend. I know I initially fought trying the full college experience, but I have to say, giving in has been my best decision yet. I’ve got an awesome roommate, a fabulous boyfriend, great classes, and Daddy isn’t far away. I’ve been busy with my mom’s stuff and I know Aunt Dee wants to talk to me but right now I want to live in the moment because we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.

  As my phone begins to ring, I look down to see who it is. Aunt Dee. Speak of the devil. I think about sending it to voicemail, but I know I can’t avoid her any longer. It would only extend the time I have to deal with this crap so I might as well get this over with so I can enjoy the weekend.

  “Hey, Aunt Dee,” I state with little enthusiasm.

  “Hey, RJ. How are you?”

  “Good. Staying busy with school.”

  “That’s good. I know you don’t want to do this, but we really need to get all of this settled. Can we meet this weekend? I can meet you at the Quick Snack or something?”

  “Um, this weekend is not the best. It’s family weekend.”

  “Oh,” she says as a sadness bleeds through the phone. Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I’m about to do this.

  “Do you want to come?” I ask, praying she says no.

  “Oh, I’d love to, but I don’t want to intrude.” Well, now she’s making me feel bad.

  “You won’t be. Daddy will be here, and I think that Tyke’s mom is coming as well. You could see Tyke in action,” I state.

  “Oh my, it’s been a while since I’ve attended a football game. I guess the last time was—”

  “Daddy. I know. So do you want to meet up or not?”

  “How about I meet you for supper on Friday night? I’ve got a meeting in Charlotte and will be coming through around then. You name the place and I’ll meet you there.”

  “Sounds good. How about the Quick Snack around six?” I ask.

  “Sure.”

  “Shoot. You know what, traffic will be awful around that time.”

  “Huh?”

  “The biggest game of the county is Friday. Can I meet you for breakfast?”

  “Sure. I don’t have to be there until eleven.”

  “Let’s say the Quick Snack at eight,” I say, knowing I’m going to ditch my nine o’clock class for something I don’t care to do, but it’s got to be done.

  “Okay, RJ. I’ll see you then. Take care,” she says as she disconnects.

  Tyke

  Thursday morning when we meet to run, I can tell that she’s got something on her mind. I’m not sure what, or if, I should even ask. As we follow our normal route, I wait for her to pause at the usual spot, but she doesn’t. She keeps going. Finally, after another two miles she stops and turns around.

  “I’m meeting Aunt Dee tomorrow,” she says flatly.

  “And I take it you’re pretty pissed about it given your run this morning?”

  “I think I’m confused. I don’t understand why I have to meet with her. She’s been an hour down the road and never took a notion to keep a relationship with me after Mom left. It’s like she’s trying to replace someone who was never there. It pisses me off, quite frankly. Am I crazy for feeling that way?”

  “No,” I state.

  “I don’t know what she can tell me that the lawyer can’t. I want all that crap done by the end of the month. I want to move on and forget all of it.”

  Taking a step closer, I look down into those lying eyes. “As much as you want to forget, it will never be forgotten. I can promise that you don’t want to erase her completely. Believe me, I know.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she hisses at me.

  “It means without her there is no you. She’ll always be a part of you. Whether you want her to be or not.”

  She pulls away from me and turns around and screams into the peaceful surroundings. I know she thinks being mad at the world will fix it, but it won’t. She needs to deal with it, and I mean her mom leaving both the first and last time. I don’t push her. Instead, I do what I do best. I challenge her.

  “I’ll race ya back.” She doesn’t reply, but she takes off and I do my best to keep up.

  Rilla

  I’m pissed. Who is he to say that I need to deal with it? I’ve dealt with her leaving. I just need to get the legal crap done so I can move on. I haul ass back to campus while my mind runs a million miles a minute. I stop and see that he’s right behind me.

  “Feel better?”

  “Nope,” I say and then I invade his space and kiss him like my life depends on it. “But now I do,” I say with a smile as my lips are inches from his. “I’m meeting Aunt Dee for breakfast tomorrow.”

  “It’s gonna be okay,” he says as his lips pop against mine. “Hey wait! That invades our time. Why not supper?”

  “You don’t know, do you?” I question and he shakes his head.

  “It’s the biggest county rival in the state of North Carolina,” I say with pride.

  “Then why aren’t we going?” he asks and I shrug my shoulders. “Mom’s not getting in until super late. Let’s go.”

  “Fine,” I say, but inside my heart skips a beat and excitement builds within my veins. There’s nothing better than watching these two teams bring it. It’s not about your previous record; it’s about bragging rights.

  ****

  My alarm sounds and I get up and run with Tyke before going to meet Aunt Dee.

  Hazel is behind the counter when I get to the Quick Snack. I wave to her as I take a seat in my favorite booth. She comes to get my drink order while I wait. Aunt Dee arrives a few minutes later. We exchange small talk, order, and then I can’t stand it any more. I’ve got to know what is going on.

  “So what did you have to tell me?” I ask as she looks into her coffee cup.

  Taking a deep breath, she speaks. “When you go to speak to the lawyer you’re going to have to deal with more than just her personal accounts. Your mom was doing great things. I don’t know if you know it, but your daddy helped her stay on her feet financially.” I see red. She must read my expression. “Before you get yourself worked up, you need to listen to everything. Your mom left because she wanted to find herself. When they divorced, she didn’t ask for a dime, but Ken couldn’t leave her high and dry. You know he’s not that type of person. He gave her one lump sum, almost an investment. RJ, your mom started her own business. Have you ever heard of Tiffany’s Tiaras?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Yeah, you’re not a parent type are ya?” she says with a laugh and I’m not amused.

  “Your mom took the money he gave her and started her own business.”

  “Does she sell crowns or something?” I ask.

  “To begin with, she designed them. She moved to New York, and took a job with a major jeweler. He saw her designs one day, and got her in with others in the area. Long story short, your mom took her designs, created beautiful masterpieces that are now used by royalty, Miss America, and Miss Universe.”

  “You mean to tell me, she walked out
of our lives to play Barbie?”

  “No.”

  “So what does this have to do with me?”

  “RJ, she’s a millionaire. Oh, and no worries, she paid your dad back and then some. It’s a big business, but what she has been doing the past two years is what it’s all about. Your mom wanted more. She created a foundation for abused little girls. For each tiara that is sold, a portion of the sale goes to this foundation. It’s funded off her company alone. She traveled across the country setting up homes across the United States. She always wanted to help others, and I see that in you too. I wanted you to know because it’s a lot to deal with. RJ, this is more than your mom. It’s the thousands of little girls that are impacted.”

  I pause. What the hell? “Okay, I’m trying to process this, but honestly, I’m pissed. She left me because she couldn’t handle Daddy being in the spotlight. She left me. She left me and helped other girls. She left me for her own spotlight. She. Left. Me. Do you get that?” I all but yell, and I see several heads turn in my direction. “Why did she do it? Did she feel sorry for leaving her own little girl so she made up for it by helping those other girls? What am I supposed to do now that I know this? Carry on her legacy?”

  Aunt Dee lets me talk and doesn’t say a word until I’m finished.

  “RJ, I know nothing I say or do can bring her back to you but I can tell you why she started the foundation. Her best friend was in foster care. One day she never came back to school.” In that moment, my heart cracks, and I am ashamed of my feelings. My heart quickly goes out to the kids I’ve worked with over the years at the local orphanage or summer camps. I know so many kids that are in horrible situations. It breaks my heart, but I don’t understand why she left me. That’s something I can’t fathom.

  “So, what do I need to do?” I question.

  “When you meet with the lawyer about the will, you might want to take your daddy or myself. It’s a lot to take in. I know Ken has had to deal with a lot of financial decisions over the years. You need his expertise.”