LEGACY
Chapter Eight

Rose knocked against the guestroom door. "Cal? May I come in?"

A deadened voice from within replied, "It’s up to you."

Rose opened the door, softly entering. Cal rested in an armchair by the windowsill, staring out at the bright blue sky. "It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?"

"The Pacific?"

"No, the sky. Where’s the ocean?"

Rose pointed to the corner of the window. "Crane your neck. This is the only room in the house with an ocean view. You’d better enjoy it."

Cal stood up and looked into the distance. "I see it!" He grabbed her hand. "We should go!"

"We were going to take you sightseeing all day. We didn’t know if you were up for it."

"Of course I am! We need to go!"

His anticipation startled her. "Cal, wait. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you first. Sit down."

Cal sat, anxious and only half-listening. Rose leaned against the windowsill, her back to the waters. "I’m sorry for the way Tom just bombarded you this morning. He shouldn’t have done that. He should have talked to us first and told us what he was going to do. I can’t believe that boy at times."

"Don’t fret about it. He’s got good fire. I just wish I could help him."

"You don’t need to worry about him. He’s a smart boy; he said so himself. I’m sure it’ll be a little more difficult, but I think we can get him through Harvard."

Cal laughed. "I’m sure you’re thrilled that he wants to go to my old alma mater."

Rose rolled her eyes. "You have no idea. But that’s where his heart is set. There are plenty of good schools right here in California, but he won’t even consider them. It’s Harvard or nothing in his eyes. We’ll make something work."

"I hope you do, because Tom deserves the best."

Rose shot him a cold look. "And what do you think he’s been getting?"

"Nothing, nothing. I meant nothing by it. Actually, I suppose I owe you a giant thank you for everything you’ve done for Tom. After all these years..."

"Cal! Enough. All I’ve done is raise my son."

"And Jack?"

"What about Jack? He’s done his duties as a father, more than that, actually. He’s a godsend, and I could never have come this far without him."

"I’m glad you found him. Meanwhile, you have no idea what I’ve been through. Congratulations on your happy marriage, though."

"You’re right. I’m very sorry for the pathetic, empty life you’ve wasted. A loveless marriage. Children you never bother to see. A whole museum of priceless nothings and unkept promises. Honestly, do you have any idea what you could have been?"

"Your husband?"

Rose was silent then. "Mr. Hockley, I believe you’re overstepping your boundaries. I owe you nothing. You treated me like an asset, like property, like a jewel that you had to hold tight and keep all to yourself. And I think we both know that sometimes, jewels slip right through your fingers." Her harsh gaze met his then, gradually, softened. "Look, Cal, I didn’t come to argue with you. Actually, I have something for you."

"Don’t worry about it Mrs. Dawson. Like you said, you owe me nothing." He got up to leave, but she grabbed him and pulled him back.

"Cal, I have the diamond."

He froze.

Turning back toward her, he watched in awe as she pulled forth a gleaming, blue-toned jewel. He gazed into its depths, hypnotized, his own image reflected for eternity. "You have it? In the coat pocket? I never...how did you...how could it have...oh, God!" Cal collapsed back in the chair, his head buried in his hands.

Rose still had the necklace outstretched, the chain dangling languidly from her fingers, the Heart of the Ocean pulsating as it swayed back and forth from its gleaming chain. "Cal, it’s yours."

He looked up. "Excuse me?"

"It’s yours. It’s in your name. Take it. Make your family proud. Make the Hockley name respected again."

Unable to tear his eyes from the jewel, Cal shook his head. "Why are you giving this to me? Don’t you need it? Tom..."

"I told you. Tom will be fine. He’s a smart boy, and he is going to Harvard. I’ve raised him for seventeen years without your help, and this will be no exception. Now, take what is rightfully yours."

In one of the few moments of emotion in his life, Cal gripped the diamond, gripped Rose’s hands, bowed his head, and whispered, "Thank you."

Chapter Nine
Stories