(The next morning-Kathleen's apartment)
Kathleen squinted at the bright sunlight that streamed through the window. She couldn't believe the night had passed so quickly. It seemed as though it had taken forever; as she lie awake, cursing herself for being so stupid. How could she not have known that Joe was a fake and a fraud?
She should have never gone into that chat room, and given her heart to a stranger. What was she thinking? She had someone wonderful. Frank was a man who was loyal, kind and considerate and cared for her very deeply. So why had she thrown it all away?
She glanced at the clock and was about to go back to sleep when she heard a knock on the door.
"Joe..."
Quickly she changed into a ratty pair of sweatpants and a New York University sweatshirt and scrunched her hair with her fingers.
The knocking came again and her heart raced. She had no idea what she should say to him. He'd hurt her deeper than she'd ever been hurt before. But no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she loved him.
She hurried to unlock the deadbolt and then unlatched the chain. Her breath caught in her throat as she opened the door... and found herself staring into a familiar face.
When she looked again, she realized that she'd never seen the man, but there was something about him.
"Kathleen Kelly?" The man said.
"Yes. Can I help you?"
The man's expression was one of unhappiness. "May I come in?" He asked.
She hesitated. "Do I know you?"
"Oh, please forgive me." He said with a smile. He removed his hat and extended his hand.
"Nelson Fox."
"Fox?" She repeated.
"Fox Books." He said. "I wondered if I might have a few moments?"
She sighed. "If you're here to offer me a job, then you can just forget it. I have no intention of ever going near that store again, and-."
"I'm not here to offer you a job, ma'am. I just need to speak to you about something."
"Oh..." She said hesitantly.
"Please, can I come in? It will just take a few minutes and then you can get back to whatever it was you were doing." He said.
"I'm not here to harm you, if that's what you're worried about."
When she saw the sadness in his eyes, she knew that he was sincere. "Okay, come in, please."
He stepped inside and looked around the apartment. "Lovely place you have here. I admire a woman with a sense of decorative tastes."
"Thank you." Kathleen said, still wondering what this man could possibly want with her.
"May I?" He asked, pointing to the sofa.
"Oh... yes, of course. Would you like some coffee?" Kathleen asked.
"That would be very nice, thank you." Nelson said.
Kathleen walked into the kitchen and poured two freshly brewed cups of coffee. She took them into the living room and handed one to Nelson.
"Thank you." He said, taking the cup.
"So what can I do for you?" She asked, unable to hide her irritation.
"As I said before, my name is Nelson Fox and I believe you know my son, Joe."
She looked at him, incredulous. "You-you're Joe's father?"
"Yes ma'am and I'm afraid that I've done a terrible thing."
Kathleen sighed. "Joe's the terrible one. He broke my heart, and I just can't... I'm sorry..." she said, her voice breaking.
Nelson reached for a tissue and handed it to her.
"Thank you." She said blotting the tears from her face.
"I'm afraid that I'm the one at fault here, and not my son." Nelson said.
"You? How could you possibly take the blame for something he did? I mean the things he wrote in that editorial just-."
"I wrote that letter to the editor." Nelson said.
She stared at him in disbelief.
"What?"
Nelson sighed. "Yes ma'am. I'm the one you should be angry at. Not Joe."
"But-but why... why would you do that?"
"I guess I just... I wanted our business to be successful and everything else was just in the way. People come into our store daily, asking why we don't have a particular book that your store carried, or why our booksellers aren't as knowledgeable the ones at The Shop Around The Corner were. I just couldn't take the comparisons and the protests anymore."
"Joe put you up to this, didn't he?" Kathleen asked. "I really thought he was special but now..."
"He doesn't know that I'm here." Nelson said. "And he has no idea that the article was printed until he saw it on TV and was then confronted by the media about it. He came to see me yesterday and it was only after he left my office that I realized how much he really loves you."
Kathleen gasped. "But how..."
"He told me that he was willing to give up his career for you. The last time I heard that was when my wife... um, my first wife left me. I can't say I blame her, though. I was unfaithful, and I've regretted it ever since. And now Gillian is gone and..."
"Gillian?" Kathleen repeated.
"Matthew's mother."
"Oh right. Joe's brother." Kathleen said. "The one who can spell his name. "F-O-X"
They both laughed at the memory.
"Yes, ma'am. So, um... I just wanted to apologize on behalf of my son. Believe me, if I could take it all back, I would. I..."
Suddenly he stopped.
"What's wrong?" Kathleen asked.
"I... there's something I need to take care of. Thank you so much for inviting me in, and for the coffee. It was a pleasure meeting you."
Kathleen smiled. "Thank you for coming by."
Nelson stood and walked to the door, then turned to Kathleen. "My son really loves you. He said he didn't think he could go on living without you. He should be at home now, if you... Well, whatever you decide is fine with me."
He extended his hand in greeting, but Kathleen hugged him instead.
As he opened the door and stepped into the hallway, Kathleen put her hand on his shoulder.
"Mr. Fox?"
He turned to her.
"I'm sorry about Gillian leaving you. You're a very nice man."
He smiled. "Thank you ma'am. That means a lot."