Even as she spoke the words, an understanding of Mr. Capello’s reasons settled in. She had secrets of her own she wanted to keep buried.
“I know, but my father didn’t. His mind wasn’t in the right place back then, and he wanted to protect her privacy.”
“After the six months, did your mother recover?” He could have come back to her then.
He ran his hand down the side of his face. “You’re wondering why I didn’t return after she finished rehab, aren’t you?”
Her left brow arched.
“In the beginning, since I didn’t know my letters were never mailed, I assumed you never wanted to talk to me again. I was afraid to come back and discover that you’d moved on—maybe married and started a family with someone else...someone other than me.” He pulled his eyes off her and stared at the ground. “After I promised to spend my life with you, I abandoned you. You had every right to move on, but I guess I just didn’t want to know if you had. Then I met the boys’ mother, and, well...too much time passed.”
If only he knew. Any chance of a relationship with anyone had ended that night. She’d been betrayed on so many different levels. How could she ever trust another man? But really, what did it matter? No man would ever want her now.
She swallowed to loosen the lump lodged in her throat. “I appreciate you telling me why you left. If you don’t want to talk about it anymore, I understand.”
Sadness pooled in his eyes. “No, you asked about her recovery. After the treatment, she was good for a year or so. When her back problems returned, she went to a new doctor. Just like the others, he overprescribed pills. Once again, she was in and out of rehab. I was relieved to be away at college, although I felt bad I wasn’t there to support my father and my sister, Janie. It was just too hard. I had to get out of that house and build a life for myself with Michelle. That’s her name—was her name. I tried to come home from school as much as I could, but it was too painful to see what had happened to my family. Janie tried to help our dad, but she really struggled after our mother passed. Then my father slipped into a deep depression.” He paused and exhaled a heavy breath. “I suggested counseling, but he didn’t see the point. When my mother’s kidneys started to fail due to the years of drug abuse, I actually prayed for God to take her. She’d given up on life years before. The only hope my father had of salvaging his life was if he no longer felt responsible for her.”
Joy had no words. She wished she’d known. Perhaps there would have been something she could have done to help the Capello family. If she had, would both of their lives have turned out differently?
He ran his hand through his hair. “It’s hard to believe. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago, but other times, if feels like yesterday.”
“The pain still feels new,” Joy added.
He caught her gaze and held it. “Exactly. I suppose that’s how it feels for you.”
She remained silent.
“After my mother died, things got worse for my father. He started to drink heavily. Then he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away within a few months.”
“I’m sorry, Nick...really, I am. He was a good man.”
The two sat in silence for the next five minutes. “I need a little air before the children come inside from recess,” she said.
He nodded. “I think I’ll go and grab a quick cup of coffee.”
Once outside, her thoughts drifted to Nick’s father. The poor man had lived a life full of constant heartache and pain. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was headed down that same road.
* * *
After sipping his beverage in the teachers’ lounge and receiving a phone call from a friend in Chicago, Nick inhaled a deep breath before entering the school’s auditorium. Part of him was relieved he’d spoken to Joy and told her why his family had left town, but something told him she had secrets she was holding on to as well. Her eyes had a sadness that didn’t exist when they were younger.
“Daddy! We’ve been waiting for you.” Tyler raced to the door and flung his arms around Nick’s waist.
He spotted Joy up on the stage, laughing with a group of children. She looked radiant.
“I’m sorry—I got held up on a call.” He took his son’s hand and strolled down the aisle.
“I sure hope I get picked to play the Big Bad Wolf,” Tyler declared.
Nick stepped up on the stage. “I’m late—sorry,” he said to Joy, who appeared busy scribbling notes on a clipboard. With her hair now pulled back in a ponytail, she reminded him of the young girl he’d fallen in love with. He shook off the thought. Their relationship was anything but the same. It could never be more. Besides, now they were just rivals.
“No worries. I was letting the kids know there are many other parts besides the leads. We need to cast the animals, trees, mushrooms, and we’ll also need help with costumes and lighting.”
Tyler stepped forward. “What about the wolf, Miss Kelliher? You forgot about that.”
Nick couldn’t help but notice Joy’s smile fading.
“What’s wrong, Joy?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
She didn’t look fine. Her voice shook and she appeared pale.
“So, raise your hand if you’d like to play the wolf,” Nick called, scanning the group for volunteers.
“First, we have to cast the lead,” Joy said.
He didn’t want to argue with her. “Okay, so who wants to play Little Red Riding Hood?”
When no hands went up, Nick looked at Bella. “I think you’d be perfect in the role.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Are you sure?” Bella asked in a less-than-confident tone.
“I’m positive. What about you, Miss Kelliher? Don’t you agree?”
Joy smiled. “I think she’d be perfect.”
Bella kicked her tennis shoe against the wooden stage. “What if I can’t learn all my lines?”
“I can help you.” Tyler stepped forward.
Nick smiled at his son. He always liked to help others. “I think that’s a good idea, Tyler.” He glanced at Bella. “You’ll do great, so don’t worry.”
“Can I play the wolf, Daddy?” Tyler tugged on Nick’s arm.
“We have to give everyone an opportunity, son. If there are others interested we’ll have to conduct some tryouts. Do you agree, Mrs. Kelliher?”
Joy nodded. “It only seems fair,” she answered before turning her attention back to the clipboard.
Nick couldn’t help wondering why Joy seemed so disengaged. He knew she loved the children, but something told him she wasn’t into this play. He pointed to the far side of the stage. “Anyone who’d like the role of the wolf, please step over there.”
Tyler skipped across the floor, making it clear he was interested, but he was the only one.
Nick glanced over the group of children, all of whom stared at the ground, unresponsive. “Okay, then. Tyler, by default, it looks like you’ve got the part.”
“Yippee!” His son ran toward Joy. “Did you hear, Miss Kelliher? I get to be the wolf.”
“Yes, I heard... Congratulations.” She quickly turned her attention to her clipboard again.
An hour and a half later the children had been picked up by their parents. While the twins and Bella acted out various routines on the stage, Nick was alone with Joy for the second time this afternoon. Sitting in the middle