Page 110 of Leave a Mark
“What do you mean? I’ve always supported—”
“Dad, when I told you I wanted to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, you pushed me to reconsider. Why not become a heart surgeon like you? Better hours. Better pay.” He didn’t try to hide the bitterness.
His father’s face sagged, as though his son’s words betrayed him. “I thought it would be too hard on you… what with your mother’s illness…”
“Ovarian cancer, Dad. You can say it.” Barbara flinched at Lee’s tone, but he didn’t stop. “Don’t you get it? The reason I wanted to be a doctor wasbecauseof Mom. It was oncology or gynecology, and, considering how much Ihatecancer, delivering babies seemed to be the best choice. And I think Mom would have approved.”
His father looked down, but he nodded with a sad smile. “Of course she would have approved.”
Lee was glad to hear this, but he wasn’t finished. “And I think she would have approved of Wren,” he said, the power of the truth filling him up. “I know she would have.”
Lee watched a distressed frown crease Thomas Hawthorne’s forehead. His mouth seemed to shrivel. Was this his dad looking…guilty?True to form, his father traded the expression for one of frustration.
“Why didn’t you tell us anything about her? How long have you been seeing her?”
Lee owned his mistake. He should have told them something about her. He sighed. “I was waiting for the right moment. She’s… not like anyone else I’ve dated—”
His dad gave a chuckle. “I’ll say.”
Barbaratskedand shot her husband a look of warning.
“It’s only been a few weeks, but she’s scared to take a chance with me, and I didn’t want to spook her.” Lee shrugged. “You guys seemed so hung up on Marcelle I figured you needed some time, too.”
Barbara had the good grace to look chagrinned. “I bear the blame there,” she admitted, shaking her head. “When I heard the two of you broke up, I’m afraid I interfered because I was so fond of her… I owe you an apology, Lee.”
Lee startled at the sound of his name. Barbara almost always called him Leland, just like his father did.
“I — Thank you, Barbara,” he stammered.
“And I’m so sorry to upset your friend, Wren,” she added, eying her husband. “We both are.”
His father put his hands in his pockets and looked at his feet. Close enough.
“Why all the tattoos?” he asked after a minute.
Less judgment filled his tone than Lee would have expected. He pictured Wren’s amazing body, praying she’d let him see it again, and smiled when he answered. “Aren’t they beautiful?” He didn’t wait for them to agree, but he wanted them to know how he felt. “She’s an artist. Skin is her medium.”
Lee watched his father blink and take in this information. If he harbored any negative opinion about this, he kept it to himself.
“If she’d have known you were coming,” Lee said meaningfully, “she never would have let you see so much. She’d have been covered up. You would’ve had no idea what she looked like.”
Barbara bit her lip, but his father pointed to Lee’s chest. “Did she do that?”
Lee looked down at his key with pride. “Hell, yes. How do you think I got her number?”
Amusement lifted the corners of his father’s eyes. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered. Then he looked at his son, really looked at him. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I’ve never felt like this.”
“Well, son, don’t just stand there,” his father said, frowning to hide his smile. “Get some clothes on and go get her.”
LEE WAS ONLYhalf-surprised not to find the Mustang outside Wren’s apartment.
Lee:I’m parked outside your place, eating the best blueberry muffin in the world, and wondering where you are.
He waited for a moment, but no response came.
Lee:You might think it’s callous of me to eat at a time like this, but how could I let your sweet efforts go to waste. You love me enough to make me muffins on Sunday and fried eggs on Wednesday and invite me to Dwyer’s on Thursday. Because you love me, breakfast is now my favorite meal.
