The Letter - Chapter 60

Jennifer was pounding on the bathroom door.

“Dad!  I’ve gotta go.  How long are you going to be in there?”

“I’m in the middle of shaving.”

“You’ve got a beard.  Why do you have to shave at all?”

I threw on my bathrobe and opened the door.

“Go ahead Jennifer.  You’re the princess here.  I’m just a lowly knave.” I smiled through the shave cream on my neck and cheeks and exited the bathroom as Jennifer rushed past me in her pajamas.  As she shut the door I said, “You know, darling daughter, there’s a bathroom in the basement.”

“You know I don’t like to use it, father, because it might have spiders.”  Jennifer yelled from the other side of the door.  I heard the toilet flush and a few seconds later, she opened the door.  “Also, dear father, I’ll have you know I had my very own bathroom at The Big House,” her new name for Melissa’s and Richard’s mansion.  “And it had a whirlpool bathtub.  Just so you know, I come at a high price if I have any say in this custody matter.  A personal bathroom with a whirlpool tub doesn’t seem to me to be too much to ask for.  Now please finish shaving quickly.  I need to get back in here so I can get ready for school.” 

“I’m sorry.  With you gone all week, I forgot all about school.  I’ll finish shaving and fix you some breakfast.”

She walked toward her bedroom and then turned around and grinned.  “Dad, it’s so good to be home!”

I smiled back at her.  “It’s so good to have you back here, Jen.”

“Do you think any of that stuff I showed you last evening will help your case?”

“I’m going to discuss it with my lawyer right after breakfast.  See you downstairs in a few minutes.” 

“Cereal is fine.  I’m afraid to weigh myself after all the rich food Mom’s cook made for me.” Jennifer walked into her room and closed the door.  I finished shaving and went downstairs to make coffee.  I pulled out several boxes of cereal and set two places.  Then I went back upstairs to get dressed. 

Jennifer came down about fifteen minutes later and wolfed down a bowl of granola while I poured myself a cup of coffee.  Before I sat down to eat, she was headed out the door. 

“See you later, alligator,” she said as she grabbed her backpack.

“After a while, crocodile,” I responded with a smile. 

Based on Jennifer’s detective work, I now had proof that Melissa had intercepted a personal letter sent to me as well as proof that she had sent a poison pen letter to my friend in Seattle.  After breakfast, I called Joe McKay, reported that Jennifer was back and described what she had discovered.

“George, I’m very glad you called,” said Joe. “First let me tell you, the judge has set a hearing date.  Two weeks from today.  But the really interesting thing is that the other side has asked to meet.  You’ll remember that I asked them for a meeting. Back then, Sidney’s response was, ‘We’ve got nothing to talk about.’  Now all of a sudden, they’re hot to talk. Anyway, I can’t say I’m surprised that they sent Jennifer home, which is great news by the way.  But I think the weakness of their case is finally sinking in.  As we discussed, they’ve got nothing to support that bogus abuse claim. Beyond that, Sidney and Richard know they’re screwed with this judge if they’ve got your daughter with no legal basis for keeping her. I’ll bet when Richard found out Melissa snatched her, he was livid.  No doubt he came back early from his trip to the west coast to talk some sense to his wife.  I’m sure he didn’t want his campaign tainted by a kidnapping scandal.”  Joe chuckled.  “Anyway, they seem willing to talk and suggested next Tuesday at 9:30 AM.  Could that work for you?”

“Yeah, Joe.  I can be there," I said, noting it on my calendar.  "What about Jennifer?”

“There’s no need for her to come to this meeting.  It will be in my office.  Bring that stuff that Jennifer discovered.  It might come in handy.  See you next Tuesday.  Be here by 9:00 so we can talk before they arrive.”

That seemed very encouraging.  I turned to my laptop to review my speech.  It was about 10:00 AM.  Was it too early to try Ellie’s cell phone?  Only one way to find out.  I punched in her number.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Ellie.  It’s George Leskovic.  I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, I’ve been up since eight.  I didn’t sleep particularly well.  I blame the jet lag.”

“How’s your daughter-in-law?  I talked to your friend, Beverly, and she mentioned a potential problem with her pregnancy?”

“So far, so good.  She’s on bedrest for at least the next two weeks.  Katie's mother is coming this evening, so there will be two of us to help out for the weekend.  Her mother needs to be back in Cincinnati by Monday morning for work.”

“I’ll say a prayer that everything is okay.”  I paused for a moment. “Hey, the reason I wanted to talk to you is that I’d like to get your thoughts on my finished speech.  I need to email it to the organizers by noon today.  If you don’t have time, that’s all right.  But if you do, I’d love to get your impression.”

“George, I’d love to hear it.  I wish I could be in Pittsburgh to see you deliver it.”

“That’s okay.  It’s only maybe five minutes long.  So here it is.”  I read Ellie my speech.

“George, that sounds really good.  Should I say good luck or break a leg?”

“Either way is fine.  Thanks for listening.”

“Knock their socks off, George.”

“Thanks, Ellie.  I’ll do my best.  By the way, how long are you going to be staying in Cleveland?”

“About two and a half weeks.  Why do you ask?”

“Well, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.  I mean, I know you need to be there to help your daughter-in-law.  But Cleveland is only a couple hours from Pittsburgh.  And I’d really like to see you.  You know, finally have that cup of coffee you suggested, or dinner if you are able to leave your daughter-in-law for a few hours.  Heck, we could go to McDonald’s if you can’t be away for very long.”

“No, George.”

“No?”

“No, you are not getting away with taking me to McDonald’s.  I’ll get a recommendation on a real restaurant from my son and daughter-in-law, and you will take me there even if I have to hire a sitter.”

I laughed.  “I’ll pay for the sitter.”  I paused for a second.  “Oh, I almost forgot to mention my good news.  My daughter is back.  I’m not sure how long she’ll be with me.  We’ve got a hearing scheduled and a meeting with my ex and her lawyers next week.  Would you be available for dinner next weekend?  Say, Saturday night?”

“That would be perfect.  My son should be off work, so we won’t even have to find a sitter.  What about your daughter?”

“I’ll see if I can persuade her best friend’s parents to let her stay there overnight.  I don’t think it will take much to persuade the girls.  I’ll call you once I firm things up from my end, but let’s pencil in Saturday.  Can your son recommend a hotel nearby?”

“I’m sure he can.  Let me discuss it with him, and I’ll let you know when you call to confirm you can come.”

“Great!  I’ll look forward to seeing you.  We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“Nice talking to you, George.  Good luck on that speech tomorrow.”

I pressed the disconnect button.  That song from the musical Oklahoma popped into my mind:

Oh, what a beautiful morning,

Oh, what a beautiful day,

I’ve got a wonderful feeling,

Everything’s going my way.