Chapter 44
Brooke's birthday was around the corner. Her birthday was by far her favorite date of the year, but this time she wasn't excited at all. She hadn't even thought it was coming, let alone making a plan to celebrate it.
Ilana was watching her close. Brooke was having a very rough time with her breakup with Jack. She had irrupted in Ilana's office a couple of times, because she couldn't take the anxiety anymore. She kept crying in the corners and throwing up. One day, she even wanted to call Jack to ask him for a chance, to the point Ilana had to actually confiscate her cell phone and beg her not to do it. They made a deal: every time Brooke felt the urge to hear his voice or thought of him, she would call Ilana instead. So far, she was getting Brooke's calls every 15 minutes, tops.
But Ilana kept comforting her, trying to make her feel better. She knew what it was like to lose someone you loved madly. Brooke, on the other hand, felt terrible of being bothering her friend so much. She was a newly-wed and of course she wanted to spend time with her husband. That was what Brooke resented the most. Claudia was married, Melissa had a long time boyfriend and now Ilana was married too. The problem was not that she was single. She had been single many times before. The problem was she was emotionally unstable and terrified of being alone, because that was when her mind became a danger for her, playing tricks and making her hear whispers or have weird dreams.
Therefore, she tried to spend more time at the office. She filled her schedule with things to do. Within some days, her plan started working fine. She was busier, so she had less time to think of Jack, sort of. But everybody could notice when, in the middle of a meeting or even talking with someone, her eyes started watering. She was there, but her thoughts were not. Sometimes, she wasn't even paying attention.
On Wednesday, one week before her birthday, she was checking Irene's notes when Samara interrupted her.
– Brooke? May I come in? –Brooke raised her eyes, annoyed, and nodded. – Excuse me, but I dialed your extension and you didn't pick up.
– So? –Brooke snapped, not looking at her.
– There's a woman on the phone. She wants to talk to you.
– A woman? What woman? –Brooke asked more annoyed, raising an eyebrow.
– She didn't tell me her name, but she says she really needs to speak with you.
Brooke dropped the papers she was reading on the desk and snapped fiercely. – Okay, Sammy dear, which part of "I don't want to take any calls" you didn't get?
– I know Brooke, but I think you should… –Samara managed, trying to explain.
Brooke raised her voice. – Is it my mother?
– No.
– Someone of my family?
– No…
– Somebody died?
– No!
– Then get out of here and tell this woman I'm not available. –Brooke ordered sternly.
Samara sighed and nodded, leaving Brooke's office.
At 7:00 pm, Brooke was still in her office. She had let Samara go home half hour ago, once she was sure nobody else would call. Ilana walked in.
– So, where we're going tonight? –she asked smiling.
Brooke looked at her tenderly. She knew how supportive Ilana was being and really appreciated it. Without her, Brooke would've probably ended up with a nervous break down. – You're going home to your husband. And me, well, I'm thinking of going to my parents' or maybe I'll just get some take outs and go home. –she replied softly.
Ilana gave her a suspicious look. – Why don't you want to have dinner with us?
– Honey, of course I want to. But you need some room, really. Lance is going to hate me if I keep being company.
– You know that's not true.
– Okay, maybe it's not, but I mean it. Besides, I really need to get back on track, you can't be baby sitting me for the rest of my life, right? –she said with a smile. Ilana threw her a concerned look. – Just go home. I'll be okay, really.
– Fine, I'll go, but Brooke, if you're not feeling well, please call me, it doesn't matter the time, okay?
– I promise. Don't worry sweetie, I'm going to be fine. –she said determined.
– Okay, I'll see you in the morning.
She stayed at the office for another hour. She was really focused on a review when her cell phone rang, scaring the crap out of her. She stared at the phone. Who was calling her? She didn't know that number. She picked up anyway.
– Hello?
– Good evening, may I speak with Miss Brooke Julian please?
Brooke had no idea of who it was. She had never heard that voice. She hesitated. – Uh, yeah, it's me, who is this?
The other side of the line went mute for some seconds, making Brooke nervous. Was it her mind playing games again? Her heart beat faster. But then the voice spoke. – This is Margo Shephard, Jack's mother…
Brooke almost fainted. Her jaw dropped. She ran out of words. Margo noticed and went on. – Listen, I know we haven't met, but I really need to speak with you…
– Is Jack okay? –Brooke asked in panic.
– Yes, he is... Anyway, I was wondering if we can have breakfast tomorrow…
Brooke didn't understand a thing. Yet she didn't find surprising Margo didn't know she didn't live in L.A. – Um, I'd love too, but I'm not in L.A. now.
– I know dear. I'm in the city. So, you think you can make some time to meet me?
– Of… of course. –Brooke replied, astonished.
– Good. Well, I don't know the city much, would you mind coming to my hotel? There's a lovely restaurant with nice breakfasts in here…
– Sure, no problem, where are you staying? –Brooke took a pen and a post-it and wrote down the name of the hotel and the address.
– It's 9:00 am okay? –Margo asked politely.
– Absolutely. –Brooke replied immediately.
– Well, then, I'll see you tomorrow.
– Wait! How will I know who you are?
– You ask for my table. –and Margo hung up.
Brooke was shaking. She was stunned. How did Jack's mother found her? Why she wanted to see her? What she wanted to tell her? Was he okay? She felt jittery and had tons of questions.
Obviously, she couldn't sleep quite well that night. At 7:00 she got up and went to the shower. She had trouble figuring out what to wear. She wanted to give Jack's mom a good impression. Then she remembered she had a board meeting at noon. Fuck! I have to wear a suit… she thought.
Once she was ready, she went down her building and hailed a cab. The traffic was awful. She was anxious and nervous. She begged the driver to take a short cut. She felt relieved when she got to the hotel at 9:00 sharp. She went to the restaurant Margo told her and asked the host for her table.
– Good morning, Mrs. Shephard's table please? –the man nodded and made a waiter guide her. She felt her legs trembling. As she approached the table, she could see Margo's back and her dark brown hair perfectly styled. She rounded the table until she got to the empty chair that was waiting for her. She stood in front of Margo but went mute, nervous.
Margo looked up and opened her eyes wider. Brooke was not as she imagined her at all. – You must be Brooke. –she said with a polite smile.
Brooke shook her hand. – It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Shephard.
– Please, have a sit. –she told Brooke.
She sat down and soon after the waiter handed Margo the menu, and then handed it to Brooke as well. Whilst Brooke ordered, Margo was staring at her intently, watching every move she made. She noticed she was indeed beautiful, as Claire and Florence described. Yet she could see the dark circles under her eyes. She wasn't sleeping well for sure. She was way younger than Jack, she thought. She was evidently nervous, which was comprehensible. She was wearing an exquisite navy suit, probably Chanel, with white delicate pinstripes. Her pencil skirt got to her knees and she was wearing beautiful black heels, not too high. A white shirt with perfect collar and cuffs showed under her jacket. She looked adorable, Margo concluded. She was a classic New York yuppie girl.
Now was Margo's turn to order. Brooke looked at her discretely. Jack definitely resembled her. They had the same hair and chin. What impressed Brooke the most were the eyes. They both had the same intense look and eye-color. But he didn't have her nose. She was indeed a refined woman, just as Brooke had pictured her.
Brooke was clenching her fists under the table. Her hands were all sweaty. Margo was taking it easy and kept looking at her with huge curiosity and an unreadable smile, making her feel intimidated. Margo poured some milk in her coffee, while Brooke waited for her to speak or do something.
– You're very hard to reach… –Margo stated to break the ice.
Brooke felt embarrassed. – I'm sorry, I've been having a lot of work lately. –she justified. Then she felt the urge to ask. – How did you find me?
Margo threw a satisfying smile. – I'm good at searching. –Brooke looked down. She felt scrutinized by Margo.
As their beverages arrived, Margo went down to business. – So, how long you've met my son? –she asked directly.
Brooke swallowed. – Almost 5 months.
– How did you meet him?
– I… We have a friend in common. He introduced us at a book party in Los Angeles.
– Who's that friend?
– Patrick, Patrick Mayer.
Margo's eyes opened wider. – How do you know Patrick?
– We went to college together.
– Oh, so you went to Columbia too… –Brooke nodded. – Then you're younger than I think… How old are you exactly?
– I'll be 28 next Wednesday.
– Congratulations. –Margo said with honesty. She was stunned. She couldn't believe Brooke was that young. Yet she didn't find surprising that Jack, almost in his 40's, had drawn this girl. After all, her son was gorgeous.
– Thanks.
– Your parents… What do they do?
– My dad runs a law firm and my mom is a housewife.
– You have any siblings?
– Yeah, I have a younger brother, Terry. He's a lawyer too…
– I see. And your parents, they like Jack?
Brooke looked down. – They don't know him.
– That's what I thought. They have trouble with him being older than you?
She shook her head. – No.
– They know he has children?
– Yes.
– They know he's been married?
– Yes.
Margo raised her eyebrows in amazement. She didn't expect a fine family, as she assumed Brooke's was, would allow her daughter to see a man under Jack's circumstances. – Jack has gained a few pounds…
Brooke cast a short smile. – He's really into food.
– I think he's into your food. Because you cook for him, right?
– Sometimes.
– Well, I must say I'm impressed. Most New York girls don't cook.
– I like cooking. It's a family tradition…
She kept interrogating Brooke for what seemed forever. Brooke's anxiety kept growing within the hour, seeing Margo wasn't making any point. Margo kept asking zillion questions. She asked her what her job was about, she asked her about her friends, her interests and her life.
But the more she asked, the more she confirmed what she knew the second she saw Brooke standing in front of her: she was the woman she had always expected for her son. She was a woman worth of him. She was not a tramp, like Kate, neither a dull girl with no further ambitions than getting married, like Sarah. Brooke had it all. She was beautiful and young. She came from a decent and fine New York family. She had a successful career. She dressed with excellent taste and she could cook. But above all, she loved Jack and was able to take care of him and his kids. Finally, her son had found someone worth of succeeding her as the new Mrs. Shephard, for good.
They both had finished their breakfast. Brooke couldn't resist anymore.
– Mrs. Shephard… Why you're here? Why you wanted to meet me?
Margo smiled content. – Because I wanted to know who's going to take care of my grandchildren.
Brooke opened her eyes wide in disbelief. Then she looked down and felt her eyes watering. – Um, Mrs. Shephard… I don't mean to be rude but… I… Jack and I broke up. We haven't talked in more than 3 weeks.
– I know dear.
Brooke looked at her astonished. – You know? Did he tell you something?
– Of course not. He never talks about these things, you should know that.
– Then why you say I'm going to take care of your grandchildren?
Margo sighed. – Brooke, I must say I'm very impressed with you. When I first found out Jack was seeing you, I thought you would be… different. I thought you would be more like… her. –she stated. – But thank God you're not. You're nothing like Katherine.
Brooke was amazed again. It was evident Margo didn't like Kate at all. – Don't get me wrong. I don't mean to discredit her. –Margo continued. – She did her best, she really tried. But she wasn't worth of trust. Time proved me right, unfortunately. –she affirmed. – She was no woman for my son. If they hadn't been together on that island of hell, God knows Jack would've never put his eyes on her. She was pretty, of course. Maybe he would have felt attracted to her at first, but he would have never married a woman like her. I know my son and I know it's true.
Brooke had zillion questions. A woman like her? What kind of woman Kate was? She was about to ask, but Margo didn't let her. – That's why I wanted to see you, Brooke. I want to know. Do you love my son?
Brooke's eyes went longing. – Yes Mrs. Shephard, I do.
– Good. Then I want to ask you a favor. –Brooke held her breath. – I want to ask you to be patient. You just give him some time. He'll come back to you. Just don't give up on him.
When Brooke heard that, she couldn't help but think about the dreams she'd had, and the whispers. Had they been a premonition of her encounter with Margo? No, she wasn't the woman she had seen in her dreams. She didn't remember her face, but she knew she wasn't Margo. – I'm not giving up on him, Mrs. Shephard, but he feels different about it. He doesn't want me near you or the kids. That's why he broke up with me.
Margo shook her head in disagreement. – It's not like that, dear. You see... Jack… he's a great man, I'm sure you agree with me on that. But he has a long time broken heart, Brooke. That's why he hasn't let you in.
Brooke threw a questioning look. Margo kept talking. – My husband and I… we were not the best parents for him. I always wanted Jack to be the perfect son, so his father would like me, love me, for it. And his father… –Margo's voice broke and her eyes watered. – His father wanted to turn him into the man he longed to be. So we kept pushing him all the time. And now Jack thinks he's responsible for everything around him. That brings him feelings of guilt and despair. And, among all of that, he's had terrible luck with women. He hasn't made the right choices. You need to understand it's very hard for him to trust and bond with people. –Margo explained.
For some reason, Brooke felt hope. She knew Margo meant every single word she had said. Yet she was speechless. But Margo finished. – So, dear, if you really love my son, please hold on. Don't forget him. Don't fall in love with another man, at least not yet. –she claimed.
When Brooke was about to speak, Margo asked the waiter to charge the check to her room. – Now dear, I have a plane to catch. Please, don't ever tell Jack about this conversation. –and with that she left the restaurant, after shaking Brooke's hand and looking at her one more time, pleased.