Chapter 11

Around four o'clock, they were on the way back to the hotel. Rebecca sat quietly staring out the window. Larry reached over and touched her hand. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. I'm just trying to think of what my parents will say. Max said that I don't see them too much anymore. He thinks we had a falling out. He didn't know because he wasn't around."

"If that's the case, then you should reconcile with them. You have to forgive them like I forgave my father for abandoning me when my mom died. I forgave him enough to be civil anyway. It still hurts even after all these years. My father has no heart or conscience in business or personal relationships."

"I noticed that about him. I don't know what I might have done, though. That must have been why they didn't report me missing."

"I can't tell you what to do, but if at any time you want to walk out of dinner, I'll understand."

"Thanks," Rebecca said. "With every memory, ten questions come up it seems. My mind seems to be going all the time. Maybe I woke up before I should have."

"There's a reason for everything. Just like us meeting at the diner. You may not know at the time, but you will later."

"I guess. I appreciate you inviting them to dinner. It was very kind of you."

"I don't mind doing it."

Larry drove back to the hotel. The bellboy grabbed the bags out of the car and they went inside. The receptionist called Larry over and gave him new keys. Larry talked to the receptionist for a few moments then met Rebecca, Brian and the bellboy at the elevators. They got on and the doors closed.

Larry led the way down to their new room. He unlocked the door and they went inside. He told the bell boy where to put the bags then went and opened the curtains. "This view is a little better."

Rebecca joined him "Yes, it is." She went over and sat down on a chair.

The bellboy came back and Larry gave him a tip before he left. Larry went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. He opened and took a long drink. "I'm going to take a shower and change before dinner. Are you going to be all right?"

"Yes, I'm just going to sit and rest here. I feel exhausted."

"All right." Larry said then walked back to the bedroom.

Larry and Rebecca walked off the elevator around six o'clock. Larry reached next to him and took a hold of Rebecca's hand. They walked to the almost empty dining room.

"Mr. Newman, your guests have arrived and we seated them. Please follow me." The hostess said. She led the way to the table.

"Rebecca, how are you doing?" A woman asked.

"I'm fine, mom," she said.

"Mom, Dad, this is Larry. He's been taking care of Rebecca." Max said.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler," Larry said.

"So, is Rebecca really in danger?" Mr. Chandler asked.

"Yes, I believe she is." Larry said as he pulled out a chair for Rebecca. Rebecca sat down then Larry sat next to her. "We are taking as many precautions as we can. That is why we asked you to come here."

"Why can't you arrest the person?"

"It's a delicate matter," Larry said.

"Does it have to do with a story?" Mr. Chandler asked.

"We don't know all the details, but we are working on it."

"Why didn't you report me missing?" Rebecca interrupted.

"You had told us to stay out of your life the last time you saw us." Mrs. Chandler said. "You don't remember?"

"No. Why did I say that?"

"We were arguing about your job. You were covering a story about arson case, I think. You were getting threats. We told you to back off the story, but you didn't."

"I read that. It was a great story. You drew the guy out and the police arrested him."

"You could have gotten yourself killed. I guess it almost happened again." Mr., Chandler said.

"And this person will be arrested too," Larry said. He reached under the table and placed his hand on her thigh. "I'm not going to let anything happen to her," he said. He signaled for the waitress. "Why don't we get some drinks and order dinner?"

"Good idea." Max said.

The waitress came over and took their drink order. She walked away to get them while they looked at their menus. When the waitress returned with the drinks, she took their meal order.

"So, Mr. Chandler, what kind of work are you in?"

"I work in warehouse over in Greenville driving a forklift."

"That's honest work."

"What do you do?"

"I'm in the real estate business."

"That sounds profitable."

"It can be. What about you, Max?"

"I'm in business. I work in the office at the same company as Dad. They opened up a branch office in California a year ago and I moved out there."

"I see," Larry said. "Mrs. Chandler, what about you?"

"I'm a retired third grade teacher."

"I don't think I could do that."

"Do you not like children Larry?"

"I would love one or two, but not as many in a classroom," Larry said.

"What about your family?" Mrs. Chandler asked.

"My mother passed away when I was young and my father is the president of the company where I work," Larry said. "I was an only child."

"Do you and your father get along?"

"We tolerate each other to a point," Larry said. "We have different views on our business aspects."

"Do you do anything against him?" Mr. Chandler asked.

"Yes, of course. A few times."

"Rebecca has always done things to get in trouble. She participated in rallies. She was in sit downs."

"She stood up for what she believed in." Max said.

"That's a good thing."

"Excuse me. I need to use the restroom." Rebecca said then got up and left the table.

"Mr., Mrs. Chandler, I'm sure you love your daughter, but right now isn't the time to be telling her what she has done wrong. We need to give her happy memories. She's going through enough bad stuff right now."

"She has always done things dangerous. She has rebelled against us for a long time, but she always talked herself out of trouble or was never caught. We love our daughter, but she has lived on the edge for a long time."

"From the articles I've read, Rebecca writes with her heart and just wants truth and justice. She's a very smart and brilliant woman."

"One day that is going to get her killed."

"I'm not going to let that happen. Can we just focus on her good things for tonight anyway?"

"All right." They all said.

"How long has it been since your argument with Rebecca?"

"It's been about two months."

"And you didn't have any contact at all?"

"I tried to call a couple of times, but she never answered." Mrs. Chandler said.

"When Rebecca is mad, it's best just to leave her alone until she's ready to come to you. We have gone almost a year without hearing from her before. It was when she was in college." Mr. Chandler said. "What is your relationship with our daughter?"

"Right now I am focused on helping her any way I can. As strong as she might be, she's going through a difficult time."

"So, you have no intension of staying with her after this is over?"

"I care about your daughter, but it isn't about just me. It's about Rebecca too. I am patient and we are taking one step at a time."

The waitress brought the food. She served it to everybody. "Is there anything else Mr. Newman?"

"No, I think we are fine from now."

"Enjoy your meal Mr. Newman." The waitress said then walked away.

"I'm going to see where Rebecca is," Larry said. "Excuse me. Enjoy your dinner." He said as he got up. He went over to the where the restrooms were. He knocked at the door. "Rebecca, are you in there?"

"Yes." Rebecca answered.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes."

Larry opened the door and went inside. "Are you all right?"

"You're in the ladies’ room, Larry." Rebecca said from inside the stall.

"Yes, I am. Are you all right?"

"Am I really that bad of a person? They act like they don't even care," Rebecca said.

Larry went over to the stall door. "I don't think you're a bad person," he said. "They care about you. They just don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't think this was a good idea, Larry."

"They are your family. Why don't you come out? I don't like talking through this door."

Rebecca unlatched the door. "I'm not coming out."

"Then I will come in." Larry said then opened the stall door. I think you are a good person, Rebecca." He squatted down in front of her and took her hands. "They just don't understand why you do the stories you do."

"I don't either right now. They just made me sound like I wanted to get hurt. Like it was my fault."

"What happened to you wasn't your fault," Larry said. "I know that for sure."

"I know it wasn't my fault, but they seem to think is."

"Do you really care what they think?"

Rebecca looked up at Larry. "No, not really, but I should, shouldn't I?"

"I don't care what my father thinks. I do what I think is right."

Rebecca smiled. "Do I have to go back out there with them?"

"You don't have to, but I would like you to," Larry said. "It would be the right thing to do."

"All right," Rebecca said. "I guess I will do it for you." Larry stood up. He pulled Rebecca to her feet. "I can't believe you came into the ladies’ room."

"Neither can I," Larry said. He put his arm around Rebecca and they walked out. They walked out to the dining room and to the table. They sat down and ate dinner. Everyone was quiet.

"We're sorry that we upset you." Max said.

"I'm just going through a lot right now. Besides, you aren't the one who upset me."

"Larry, are you related to Reginald Newman?" Mr. Chandler asked.

"Yes, he's my father. Do you know him?"

"Unfortunately. His company bought the caning company and laid off all the employees. That place was the heart of our town. It just sits there empty. I worked there my whole life until seven years ago. The town has really changed."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I won't even be able to retire because I won't get a pension."

"That happened before I was in any position. I can look into it though."

"Is that the same business that you are in?"

"I am in the same business, but I try not to take jobs away. I try to make new ones."

"Well, he didn't."

"My father and I think different ways when it comes to business."

"You must make a lot of money."

"I live comfortably."

"Larry isn't like his father. He has a heart," Rebecca said. "His father only cares about himself, but Larry helps those in need."

"I'm sure if there was enough money in it for him, he would do the same thing."

"Dad that's enough." Max said.

Mr. Chandler got up. "I'll be at the bar when you are ready to go, son." He walked away.

"I apologize for my husband."

"Not needed," Larry said. "I will look into that project."

"He's a good man. A piece of him broke when the cannery shut down. He was a floor supervisor and made good money." Mrs. Chandler said. "Rebecca, I hope you feel better soon and remember the good things again. You might has done things we didn't think you should but we love you."

"Thanks Mom."

"The meal was delicious, Larry. Maybe we can do this again when everything is safe."

"Maybe. We'll see how it goes," Larry said.

"I better go to my husband." Mrs. Chandler said as she got up.

"I'll be there is a minute, mom." Max said. Mrs. Chandler walked off. "Bec, Larry, please keep me informed on what's going on. I came back because I was worried. If I would have noticed your apartment was trashed. I would have called the police."

"I know you would have, Max," Rebecca said. "I'll call you."

Max stood up and extended his hand to Larry. "Nice to meet you, Larry. Take care of my sister."

Larry shook his hand. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to her," he said. Max walked away.

"I'm glad that's over," Rebecca said. "Did you get permission for me to do some wash?"

"Yes. You can use the machines on the second floor."

"Thanks. Can we go to the room?"

"Yes, of course. I just have to take care of the bill." Larry said as he got up. He pulled Rebecca's chair out for her. They walked over to the waitress at the register. Larry said the bill and gave her a tip. They walked to the elevator.