Lucky Bounce: Game On, Part 2 by Jennifer Lazaris

15

The 10:30 alarm Holly had set last night blared next to her ear, and she let out a groan. She'd been up late figuring out an angle for Eli's feature, had written more interview questions, and tried to brainstorm interesting sidebar content.

Miss hopped up on the bed and began to purr as Holly grabbed her phone and turned off the alarm.

"Good thing our roommate has already left for practice," she told Miss, stretching her arms above her head.

He was none too happy last night after the Kingsnakes loss. San Jose had won 3–0, which had been tough to watch.

Two losses in a row, and now the team was forced into a game seven situation, which was the exact same scenario they'd been in last year.

And that hadn't ended in their favor.

"We're going to have to be extra nice to Eli when he gets home," she said, scratching the cat behind her ears. "We'll have to fuss over him a bit. Come on, let's get up and get some breakfast, Moo."

Today she was going to get more information on the Alzheimer's care facility for Eli's mother, and she wanted to talk with the morning nurse, Irena.

After downing her orange juice and putting her breakfast dishes into the dishwasher, she showered, brushed her teeth, and put on her makeup.

She'd settled on a cute, short, white cotton skirt and a purple tank top to wear. It was disgustingly hot out, and she couldn't bear the thought of constrictive clothing.

"Be good, Moo." Holly kissed the top of her head. "You stay in our bedroom while I'm gone. I'll let you out to roam when I get back."

Miss barely looked up from her nap as she closed the bedroom door behind her.

She fished around in the bowl for the keys to Eli's sports car and armed the penthouse security system as she left.

Irena was expecting her this morning, so she didn't have to worry about showing up unannounced. When she'd talked to her on the phone yesterday, the nurse had been relieved that the situation was going to be discussed.

As she pulled out of the parking lot, she cranked up some music, beating her palm on the steering wheel to the beat. Driving this car made her incredibly happy, despite what had happened with those douchebags. It was fun to drive, and she couldn't resist breaking the speed limit here and there.

Twenty minutes later, she pulled up to his mother's house and cut the engine. Irena stood outside on the porch, taking a cigarette break.

"Hey, Irena," Holly called, climbing from the car. She armed the security system and waved. "How are you?"

"I'm so glad you're here," the nurse said as Holly climbed the two steps to the little porch. "I know Eli doesn't have a lot of time right now, but the fact he sent you over is good news. I've been worried about how he's handling all of this."

"He knows he has to get on the ball regarding everything," Holly told her. "He's just so devastated at the whole idea. I figured I'd try to help any way I can to make things easier on him. Well, on everyone, really."

Elena snuffed out her cigarette and motioned for her to come into the house. "Mrs. Donnelley is still sleeping. She had a rough night. She's having more and more of them. She's sundowning."

"Sundowning?" she asked, following her into the kitchen. "What's that?"

"It's where a patient gets anxious, irritated, and confused in the afternoon or evening hours. Mrs. Donnelley has had this for a while now, but it's getting worse."

Holly took a seat at the kitchen table while Irena put on a pot for tea.

"It's incredibly difficult for everyone. Eli pays us very, very well, but it's time for her to go to a facility where she has more people that can give her the care she needs. She can get very aggressive, or she wants to wander, and that isn't safe for her or us. A facility will be much safer all around."

"I didn't know she was that aggressive," Holly murmured, shaking her head. "Have you talked to Eli about her aggression?"

"We had a talk recently about a few things, so he knows that her condition is worsening. I know how busy he is, so he doesn't have a lot of time to discuss these things at length. Once the playoffs are over, we can have a more detailed chat."

"You recommended a facility to me on the phone yesterday. Is that the best one? I'm willing to research if necessary."

"No, that's the one she should go to. It's top notch, and I know that's what Eli would want."

"Okay, good. I'll get in contact with the care facility and do my own interview with them. I figure the best way to get Eli on board as fast as possible is to present him with as much information as I can." Holly paused. "Irena, do you think you can manage until after the playoffs? It may end tomorrow, or after another round. If not, I'm sure he would be willing to get more staff in here to help."

"I think we can manage until then, even if it's a bit rough."

"As long as you feel confident that you can handle things. I know Eli would feel terrible if something happened and he didn't offer what help he could to improve the situation."

Irena poured the tea and slid a cup over to Holly. "Nope. We're okay. I'd tell you if we weren't."

"So, the facility is excellent, then?" Holly asked. "Can you tell me more?"

"Absolutely. It's the best in the state. I have friends that work there, and I believe it's the best possible place for Mrs. Donnelley. I would go as far to say that if I had to make this decision for my own parents, I wouldn't hesitate to choose this place. Maybe there are other places across the USA with more to offer, but this will let Eli be close enough to visit. I know that's important to him."

"So it's very clean, no patient abuse claims, stuff like that?"

"Nope, nothing like that. They're very good at securing excellent staff. Any incidents they've had have been dealt with swiftly. I believe it's been two years since they've had any complaints on file."

"That's good," Holly said, making a few notes on her phone. "He's just got so much guilt about moving her from her home."

"Oh, I know it," Irena said, waving a hand. "He's all about the guilt, that one. That's why he had this house brought in from New York. Who does that? I can't imagine the expense. But he wants the best for her, and he'll do anything to make sure she has the best."

Mrs. Donnelley entered the kitchen a moment later, her gaze landing on Holly. Her face lit up. "I know you, young lady. I know that I know you."

"Yes, you do." She smiled at his mother. "I'm Holly, Eli's friend. We talked on video chat the other night. It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Donnelley."

"Hello, sweetheart. Please call me Katherine. Where is my son?"

"Hockey practice."

Mrs. Donnelley stood next to her while Irena prepared another cup of tea.

"I'm so glad you're here, Holly," Katherine told her. "In fact, I have something for you."

His mother left the room and came back a few minutes later holding a stack of envelopes tied with a blue ribbon, and a small metal box.

Holly set down her teacup. "What are these?"

"Letters."

"Katherine, I can explain all of this to Holly," Irena said, picking up the teacup she'd prepared. "Do you want to watch your shows in the living room while I make you breakfast?"

"Yes, that would be nice. I think I'll do that." She glanced at Holly with a curious look on her face. "Who are you?"

"I'm Holly," she said softly. "I'm a good friend of Eli's."

How did Eli handle this day in and day out? Her heart was breaking for the entire situation.

"Oh good. It's nice that he has a girlfriend."

"I'll be back in a minute," Irena told her, leading Katherine out of the kitchen.

"What is all of this?" Holly asked when Irena returned, gesturing at the stack of letters and the box.

"One thing you have to understand is that Katherine sometimes has very lucid moments. A few days ago, she gave me these things, along with a handwritten letter she'd penned to Eli a few years ago but had never given to him."

Holly frowned. "Why didn't she give him the letter?"

"My guess is she doesn’t remember that she wrote it. But the other day, she pulled these out and begged me to get him to read them. I had no idea what was going on until I read her letter to Eli. Since you and Eli are so close, I told Katherine she might want to have you help her."

"Eli and I are just friends," Holly said, flushing.

"Oh, please. That man's face lights up the second he mentions your name," Irena said, waving a hand. "I don't know what's going on between you two, but I know it's something. He trusts you, Holly. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here investigating this facility for his mother."

Irena held out Katherine's letter to Eli. "Have a read. I'm going into the living room to keep Mrs. Donnelley company while you go through this stuff, and then I'll get her breakfast."

"Okay." Holly took the paper from Irena.

This was incredibly weird, but her reporter's curiosity kicked in and she unfolded the letter.

Eli, my beautiful son,

All of the letters that my brother, Troy, your real father—not that sorry excuse for a man Ethan Donnelley—wrote to you over the past two decades, are in this pile. These are the letters I kept from you when you were little. These are the same letters you refused to read when I owned up to my selfishness.

Eli, please... just read the letters.

Despite all his bad decisions, I know Troy loves you. He was proud of you from the moment you took your first breath. But that love led him to make bad decisions that got him into trouble. Troy wanted to give you everything he never had. He had to claw and fight for every opportunity. He wanted things to come easier for you.

I blamed Troy for your mother's death for so long, and there's a kernel of truth to that blame. She was my best friend, and I loved her dearly. She wouldn't have had to work three jobs to make ends meet if my brother hadn't landed himself in jail. And maybe she wouldn't have fallen asleep behind the wheel that night if she hadn't been so tired from working at those jobs. But all these maybes... they're not enough for you to not have some kind of connection with the man who gave you life.

Eli, you already know that I’m sorry about keeping the letters from you. Anger and fear lead people to do stupid things. And I've done my share of very stupid things.

I was so afraid that when Troy got out of prison, he'd try to take you away from me, and by that time, you were, for all intents and purposes, my son. I’d adopted you when he lost parental rights, but I was worried if you read the letters, you’d want to go live with him, and I’d lose you. So I talked bad about him.

You forgave me for what I did, and I’m grateful. But my hateful words about Troy poisoned you against him. I was wrong, and I’ll never forgive myself for what I did. I need you to read these letters and reach out to your father. He's your blood—just like I am. I want you to have a relationship with him.

Do it for me, Eli. Please.

Love,

Mom.

Holly stared down at the paper in shock. Eli had been raised by his aunt—after his mother had died in an accident while his father had been in prison.

She opened the box and found a few old photos.

The first photo was of a young couple near the beach. The woman wore a bikini and had long dark hair. Her light brown eyes were exactly like Eli's. The man, smiling and handsome, looked so much like Eli she had to do a double take. The only thing that betrayed him were his eyes—they were a deep blue color.

Flipping the photo over, she read the caption. "Camilla and Troy, 1995."

Holly picked up another picture, this one of a young Eli, about three years old, with his biological parents. Everyone stood smiling in front of a Christmas tree. Eli wore jeans, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shirt, and a Santa hat.

The caption on the back read, “Merry Christmas from the Cross Family, 1998.”

"Holy shit," Holly muttered, setting the photo down on the table.

"It's a lot to take in, I imagine," Irena said as she walked into the kitchen.

"Understatement of the year. I don't even know what to say."

"I think it's something that's always weighed heavily on Katherine's mind, judging from the letter she wrote to Eli. And she's seeking peace. When she gets moments of clarity, this obviously bothers her. She wants this settled."

"I guess so." Holly placed the photos back into the box.

"Will you talk to Eli about it?"

She let out a breath. "I'll try. I can't promise it will get him to read the letters, but I'll do my best."

Irena nodded. "Maybe this time, it will work. For Katherine's sake, I hope so."

* * *

Holly dropped her bag of convenience store goodies outside the front door of the penthouse and fished through her purse for her keys. After mulling over what to do about the letters the last hour and a half, her need for chocolate had won out, and she'd gone for provisions.

A few of her favorite candy bars always helped her solve problems. Besides, she was running low on her stock and was due to get more anyway.

To her surprise, the door opened when she found her keys at the bottom of her purse.

"Eli!"

He gave her an amused look. "Yes, it's me. Were you expecting someone else, kitten?"

She bent to pick up her bag as he held the door open for her. "No, of course not. I just didn't know you'd be home so soon."

"Yep, here I am. Where were you?"

Holly swallowed.

Shit. She was hoping to down a few of her candy bars before having this conversation.

"I went over to your mom's today to talk to Irena about the care facility, and... something came up while I was visiting." She flung the bag on the counter and pulled out a candy bar. "It's weighing on my mind."

Eli stepped back and rubbed his thumb across his lower lip, studying her. "I appreciate you going over there. What's going on? Is my mom okay?"

"Yes, it's nothing like that. I got the information I needed from Irena so that's all settled, but your mom gave me something."

"Gave you what?" he asked, frowning.

Holly led him to her bedroom. She picked up the stack of letters from his father and held them up. "These."

"Oh, for fuck's sake," he muttered from the doorway. "Not those things again."

"I know," she said, holding up both hands. "But Eli, I wouldn't talk to you about them if I didn't think this was important. Seriously. Will you listen?"

"Then you know?" His eyes darkened and grew wary. "You know about my family?"

"I know a little bit," she hedged.

After all, she didn't know everything, only what she'd managed to put together after reading Mrs. Donnelley's letter.

"Look, I'm not interested in reading those goddamn things." He sliced a hand through the air. "She's been on my ass about them for years, and the answer is still no. I forgave her for keeping them from me, but it doesn’t really matter, because I have no interest in reading them."

"I get it." Holly set the letters down on the nightstand and walked over to him, placing a hand on his chest. "And I don't mean to bother you about this, but can we talk about it for a few minutes? I wouldn't feel right if I didn't explain what Irena told me."

Eli sighed heavily and gave a reluctant nod. "All right, kitten. For you, I'll listen."

"Thank you." Holly tugged him into her room, and they sat down on the bed. "Your mom gave me these while I was in the kitchen with Irena. Obviously, she wants you to read them. But it's what Irena said that made me think that you really should consider it."

"What did she say?"

"Before I get to that, you should know that your mom wrote you a letter. Irena says it was written a few years ago, but your mom never gave it to you. She probably doesn’t remember writing it. It was with the stack of letters. Have you seen her letter before?"

"No," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Irena told me she's been upset about this for weeks, and that Katherine is searching for peace about this matter with you reading the letters and talking to your father. Your mom wants things... settled."

"She wants things settled before she dies, you mean," he said flatly, meeting her eyes. "Is that what Irena said?"

"She didn't say it like that," Holly said softly, putting her hand on top of his. "But it didn't take much to read between the lines."

"Jesus," he grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "No fucking pressure, right?"

"Eli, I promise, the last thing I want to do is pressure you," Holly assured him. "But I feel like you needed to know. If you aren't ready for the letters, then maybe start with your mom's letter to you."

"Yeah, well I'm not fucking ready for that either," he told her, his voice strangely devoid of emotion. "I don't know when I'll be ready. Or if I’ll ever be ready."

Holly squeezed his hand. "I know. There's a lot on your plate. And I'm sorry for bringing this up, but I didn't want to keep it from you."

"It's okay." Eli let out a heavy sigh. "My biological father's a criminal, Wilkes. I don't remember him, but I do remember my mom."

"Camilla," Holly murmured. "She was so beautiful. I saw her photo."

"Yeah, she was. And she worked way too hard trying to right all his wrongs. She fell asleep behind the wheel of her car going to her third goddamn job when I was a little kid. I didn't understand when they told me what had happened. Not really. I just knew my mom was never coming home."

Holly's heart broke for him. He'd been just a little boy, and to hear that news had to be devastating. "Eli, I'm so sorry."

"It was a long time ago. My father's sister and her husband adopted me. My aunt became my mother in every sense of the word. She is my mother."

"And you don't talk to your adopted father because he left your mother when she found out she had Alzheimer's, right?"

Eli shrugged. "That's one of the reasons. He was never into being a dad. He gave me his name and a place to live, but not much else. I never considered myself his kid because he never considered himself my dad. He was a miserable bastard."

"So, your real last name is Cross?"

"No, my real last name is Donnelley." He glanced over at her. "I've been Eli Donnelley since I was five years old. Even if my stepdad is an asshole, I don't want Troy Cross's last name because he's a bigger one."

Holly fell silent for a moment. "Do you hate your real father?"

"No. I don't hate him. I don't feel anything," he said, his voice growing cold. "I remember Camilla crying all the time after he'd gone to jail, and then she was never home because she had to work all the time. And then she had the car accident. Katherine felt so guilty about talking shit about Troy, but her words didn’t turn me against him. His actions did. All he ever did was send me those fucking letters. He didn't care one fucking bit about me."

"But, Eli, how can you know that?" she asked. "You didn't read his letters. How can you say he didn't care?"

"Because if he cared, he would have come to see me! He knew where I lived. He knew exactly where I was, Holly. But he never visited. He never fucking showed up for one hockey game, one birthday, one Christmas. What kind of father does that? A shitty one, that's what kind."

“Maybe he did and your mom wouldn’t let him see you.”

“I asked her about it, and she said that when she talked to him, he never mentioned coming for a visit.”

"I'm sorry about all this, Eli. For bringing it home to you."

"You've got nothing to be sorry about, kitten," he said brusquely, wiping his hands on his cargo shorts. He stood, then leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to chill in the living room for a while. Maybe take a nap. I'm drained from practice."

"Eli, wait.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you…do you maybe want me to read the letters?”

He went still, then glanced over at the pile. "Do you want to read them?"

"Well, maybe someone should. Maybe there are things that you need to know buried in those pages."

"If you want to read them, then go ahead."

"I won't if you don't want me to," she told him. "I know this is private. But maybe if I vet them for you, I can tell you what you need to know and spare you from the rest of it."

Eli ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, if you want to, you can. Anyway, I'm going to take that nap now."

Holly glanced over at the stack of letters after he left the room, wondering what the contents held.

Maybe this wasn't a good idea, but she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was something in the letters that Eli needed to know.

Something beyond apologies from a man who had managed to screw everything up.

* * *

After feeding Miss and heading back out to the kitchen for her bag of junk food and chocolate, she settled on her bed and untied the ribbon around the stack of letters.

She took a deep breath, feeling like a voyeur as she opened the first one. Eli trusting her with this was a big deal. He'd never let anyone else open or read something so intensely private.

The trust he'd given her was huge, and she was suddenly hit with a strong wave of affection for him. This was an important moment in their relationship— whatever it might be.

Not just for what the letters might contain, but he was making himself vulnerable in a huge way. That couldn't be easy.

She went through each one carefully, reading the surprisingly thoughtful, well-written letters. Troy Cross was an intelligent man, even if he'd made some terrible choices.

When she got to the tenth letter, she gasped when she read the first paragraph, then dropped it on the bed.

"Holy fucking shit," she whispered, setting it down on the bed. "Oh, my God. This is major."

Miss lifted her head and yawned, then glanced in her direction.

"Sorry to disturb you, Moo," Holly murmured. "But this is huge. Majorly huge."

She picked up the letter again and read it in its entirety, then spent the next hour reading the rest of the stack. Troy always talked about his life, and he asked Eli what was going on with school or sports. Most of it was repetitive, yet sincere.

But nothing could have prepared her for what she'd read in that one letter. And if she'd been stunned by what she'd read, then Eli was going to be in shock. There was no way she was just up and telling him what it contained. She couldn't break that kind of news. No way. He had to read the letters himself.

Holly carefully folded the letters one by one, then placed them in her top dresser drawer.

She was thankful as hell that he hadn't read these today. Especially when he had to play the most crucial game of his career tomorrow. But now she knew for sure that he had to read them, and soon.

But when?

If the Kingsnakes made it past this round and moved on to compete for the Cup, this could affect Eli's focus.

Maybe the best thing to do was to wait until after the playoffs were over before trying to get him to read them again.

Then again, Tampa Bay had just advanced to the Cup finals, thanks to their win over Boston two nights ago. If the Kingsnakes moved on, it would put Eli smack dab in Tampa Bay for some of these games—which was where his father lived now.

And after what she'd read, Eli couldn't avoid having a conversation with Troy after he learned the information the one letter contained.

Holly groaned and covered her face with her hands. Maybe she should talk to Penn about all of this. She didn't need to get specific about details, but she could use another opinion, and she knew she could trust her best friend.

She sank back down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Eli had been through hell and back with his mom, and now he had even more life changes in store.

She glanced over at Miss, then picked up her phone to call Penn. "Big changes are coming, Miss." She rubbed the calico's head. "Big, big changes."

Miss rolled over on her back and put her feet in the air, begging for tummy rubs, and Holly couldn't help but laugh. She could always count on her cat for comic relief when she needed it most.

Sighing, she pressed Penn's name in her contact list.

Shit was about to get very real for Eli, and all she could do was be there for him when it hit the fan.