Читать книгу Borderland - Jennifer Seet - Страница 9

CHAPTER TWO

When Karen went to college in Illinois, she met Jonathon Sand, a kind sensitive young man, willing to listen and offer words of encouragement when she needed it most.

Harry thought back to the first time she brought him home to meet her Dad. Travis tried to be pleasant, considering the awkwardness that already existed between father and daughter, but in his futile attempts to be friendly, he only managed to seem aloof. He found fault with anything the boyfriend said or did, passive-aggressive, infuriating Karen so much that she decided her allegiance was with Jonathon, the one who had been there for her more recently, the one who cared deeply for her. She knew they were falling in love.

Within a few days, the couple left for school and Karen’s visits home came less frequently, relying more on phone calls to bridge the distance.

On those occasional visits, when she tried to bring up Jonathon, Travis only turned a deaf ear; it hurt to know that another man had taken his place although he never admitted it.

Sadly, when Karen and Jonathon were married just two years later, her dad did not attend the ceremony. After the wedding, moving to California, she tried to maintain contact through phone calls, cards and letters but there was always this friction between them. She felt she was putting out all the effort and getting little in return, so she justified her decision to limit contact with her dad by reasoning that she and Jonathon ran a very successful real estate agency, and the pressures of running the business took up most of her time.

Her husband loved her dearly, feeling the same disappointment from dwindling contact with Travis, but any time Jonathon encouraged her to communicate with her Father, he was often met with steely resistance.

Harry, pondering Travis’ sudden change of heart, was surprised to hear his good friend and employer admit he might be wrong and ask to see his daughter again.

“And, I want you to call Jake Turner and explain the changes in my will.”

Harry’s guard immediately went up at the mention of the attorney; there was something about that man he did not trust. He knew Travis had been very impressed with the young attorney, recently out of law school, when he interviewed him to take over his account. He had come well recommended by John Hawkins, one of the partners in the law firm where Jake worked. John had always handled his account, but he was distributing responsibilities to others in the office due to impending retirement. Travis arranged a meeting with Jake and went away with a satisfying feeling that John’s replacement was a trustworthy young man.

Just a few months ago, when Travis was told that he had terminal cancer and didn’t have long to live, Jake had been very helpful in arranging his financial situation so that he wouldn’t have to worry about his medical and living expenses. Travis delegated affairs to the new attorney, knowing he would take care of any matters that might come up.

But Harry had heard some rumors that Jake might be dismissed from the law firm. The partners were disappointed in his work and he was away from the office more and more frequently. His clients were beginning to phone in and complain.

Acknowledging this developing dependence on Jake, Harry was concerned, and, with the stories floating around, he made a mental note to check the latest bank statements.

When Harry suffered a heart attack five years ago, Travis asked him to move in. Looking back, it was a gesture that benefited both men. Now that they were retired from the insurance business, Harry’s duties were to oversee the house and Travis. Unofficially, they enjoyed the companionship and took care of each other. Their loyalty went beyond the normal boundaries of friendship.

“Harry, were you listening to me?”

Hearing the question, he jumped slightly, his concentration broken. Travis had his full attention. The concern about the bank statements was pushed into the recesses of his mind and memory.

Harry gathered his thoughts and concentrated on what had just been said. “Of course, Travis. I’ll make the call tomorrow morning.” But, as he picked up his book and began to read, he was soon lost in the story, his desire to check the statements and the request to make a call to Jake Turner forgotten entirely.