The next day, when Lillian returned from work, she informed her guests that Mr. Anderson wanted them all to come to his house that night. He said he was completely bored now that Grace and Faith were gone, and was desperate for any entertainment.
Eli was quiet throughout the meal. The house just brought back memories to him. About the only thing that cheered him up was imagining the look of Caleb Anderson's face, had he returned Faith's love and the two of them became a couple.
"And what's the matter with you, Mr. Bennett," said Anderson, as they were finishing up. "You certainly look morose this evening. Ah, but I know what it must be. You're sad you have to go back home so soon. I don't blame you. Faith seemed absolutely miserable about leaving, too. You should stay another week."
"That would be nice, sir, but I have school – "
"Nonsense. You can afford to miss a measly week of classes."
"Yes, but there's also work to think of…"
"If you stay another week, I can bring you home on my company's private jet. I'll be taking it to New York, then it's just a small trip back to Toronto."
"Oh! A jet!" said Samuel Lewis.
"That is a very generous offer," said Eli. "But my friend Chase will be needing to bring his car back home."
"Oh, I can make arrangements for that –"
"Really sir, it's impossible. If I look sad, I assure you it's because I'm homesick."
"Very well, very well," said Mr. Anderson. "If you are travelling and you have to rest the night, I have connections with a hotel in Virginia. Mention my name and I'm sure you'll be treated very kindly. I'll give you the address before you leave."
It was a momentary relief. His mind was so back to the letter, which he had practically memorized. Every second he felt different toward Faith. He remembered how she talked to him, and was full of anger. But then he remembered how unfairly he had reproached her, and the annoyance was turned to himself. He felt sympathy for how he had upset her. There was appreciation for the way she had confessed her affection. He respected her general character. But he couldn't accept her. He did not regret his rejection. And he did not have the least inclination of ever seeing her again. He felt bothered and remorse of his past behaviour.
He also felt concern for his brother. Faith's explanation had restored his appreciation of Chloe, and made him realize what his brother had lost out on. Her love had been genuine, and there was no fault in her behaviour, except maybe too much reliance on her friends. And now they would probably never see each other.
All of this, on top of finding out about Genesis, made it impossible for him even to pretend to be cheerful.
They left that house for the last time, Samuel taking note of Mr. Anderson's advice of how to best pack a suitcase.
The next morning was a rush of packing, preparing, double-checking, hustling from one room to another. The usual antics when a group of people set off to leave a place. While Eli was in the room he shared with Samuel, folding up his socks, Lillian Collins walked in.
"Oh, I can't believe you're all leaving already," she said. "It's been so great having you here. I'll miss you all so much. You've all grown to be like a family to me. Thank you for being my guest, Eli. It's been a pleasure. I know this wasn't the best of places to stay in, but I hope I've done everything I could to make sure you had a great holiday."
"Of course, Lil. It's been great."
"I'm glad you had a good time, Eli. I really hoped you'd see how wonderfully the Lord has blessed me, and how much blessing I can share with those I love. My connection with Mr. Caleb Anderson will assure me many prosperous years in life. And I'll get to share all of that with the one who was smart enough to chose to love me back, my wonderful Chase."
The true intent of Lillian's word, which hard started from such a nice beginning, were dawning on an increasingly frustrated Eli. Lillian's smile was very smug.
"Oh, Eli," she said. "Now's not the time to reminisce on lost opportunities and regrets. What's done is, after all, done. All that's left to say is that Chase and I are the happiest couple in the world, and we are going to spend the rest of our lives together. Well, have a good life up in Canada."
He thought he saw her lick her lips quickly. Whatever she was doing, he put all his concentration back on sock folding. Lillian strutted out of the room. Poor, poor Chase, he thought.