Resolutions Part 1

Chapter 7

Lisa walked deliberately up the stairs, worried about Ty's current state of mind. Reaching the loft, one look at Ty confirmed her worst fears. He sat dejectedly in his chair looking as though his world had turned upside down.

In a sense, I guess it has Lisa thought.

"Ty, I hope it's alright for me to come up, I was worried about you?"

Looking despondently at Lisa, Ty began to deflect with "everything is fine," but Lisa knew him too well. She'd see right through his façade and confront him. That was Lisa, always direct with Ty but compassionate and caring; never cruel.

"Things couldn't be much worse and I don't know what do. Amy's blaming me for Spartan. "

"I know. Something's come over Amy and she's completely irrational right now."

"Lisa, I did the best I could" Ty pleaded. "Everything I could think of to save Spartan I did; but none of it worked. And now he's dead and Amy hates me. I don't know how to reach her!"

Recognizing how much Ty was hurting, Lisa's heart momentarily sank to the depth of his despair. She dearly loved Ty and considered him her adopted son. It was a bond they'd forged a while back and Lisa cherished her maternal relationship with Ty. She loved the spontaneous talks they shared that further cemented their trust. Often over coffee, she would tour Ty's life with him; always allowing him to be the guide. During these times, she kept the focus on him; never her. Ty would recount his latest work happenings, his harmony with Amy and occasionally, fragments of his childhood demons that refused to remain dormant.

He was the son she and Jack never had.

Instead of responding to Ty's plea for reaching Amy, she walked slowly but purposely to him, gently pulled him up from where he was sitting and embraced him trying to convey all the love and concern for him that resided in her heart. Extending their silence, Ty clung to Lisa as a lost child reunited with his mother. Lisa had become the strong, loving mother he only had glimpses of during his troubled childhood and youth. She supported him, encouraged him, looked out for him and sometimes when necessary, chided him. And he loved her for it.

"I'm so sorry Ty" said Lisa, finally interrupting the silence.

Shedding all his defenses, Ty relaxed his embrace of Lisa long enough to look questioningly at her.

"Do you believe me Lisa?"

Seeing the despair in his eyes, Lisa instinctively sensed Ty's aching need for not only her acceptance but support normally provided by Amy, now so painfully absent.

Cupping Ty's face in her hands, Lisa peered intently into Ty's eyes before responding. "Yes, I believe you Ty."

Still too riddled with guilt to fully accept Lisa's acknowledgement, Ty replied, "but I gave Spartan the shot…and he died."

"And that wasn't what killed him. Colic and age did. You did the absolute right thing. Know that Ty; trust that. There wasn't anything more you could have done. Spartan was beyond the age when horses begin to develop health problems."

"What is eating you up inside is Amy's accusation. Amy's your wife and you love her. You would never do anything to hurt her. You would take all of her pain she's feeling right now if you could. I know you would. But Ty, listen to me; you can't take on the blame. Don't do it. It will continue to eat away at you if you do. Please understand what I'm saying to you. I love Amy and am heartbroken for her loss. I know how special Spartan was to her. But you can't accept the guilt she's trying to place on you."

Ty's head began to fall reflecting his hesitancy to believe Lisa.

"Ty…Ty, look at me dear. Amy's misplaced guilt on you is wrong. You are not responsible for Spartan's death. Not for a minute. Right?"

"Ty…right?" implored Lisa her eyes boring into his.

"Right," a still crest fallen Ty meekly whispered.

"Ty?" an intensified Lisa implored again.

Ty remained silent attempting to resolve the internal battle between guilt and reason waging inside while drawing increasing strength from Lisa.

Lisa could see the embers beginning to illuminate Ty's his eyes.

"You're right Lisa; you're right" a strengthening Ty declared. "I love Amy and would do anything for her. But I'm not responsible for Spartan's death. If I give into that, the break that exists between us right now would never be repaired. She'd always hold it against me."

A measured and proud smile began to form in the corners of Lisa's mouth as she continued to intently regard Ty.

He may not be my biological son or Jack's, but I see Jack's strength and resolve in him. Whether he miraculously inherited it or it just evolved from observing Jack all these years, he's got it. There's no denying it. This boy has strength he hasn't even tapped into yet.

"I believe you're right Ty."

"But what do I do Lisa? Amy hates me right now and won't listen to me."

"I don't know if I have the answer to that. There's no magic formula, no guarantee. All you can do is be patient with her, love her, and believe in the both of you. In my heart, I know the two of you will make it through this and work it out. But Ty, it may take a strength and endurance you don't realize you possess. But I know you do. "

"Thank you Lisa; thank you for being in my life."

Lisa just smiled knowing it was she that was rewarded for having Ty as a son.

"I think I'll try and talk to Amy now" Ty declared.