We rode in silence to the hotel. It was very quiet the rest of the evening.
The next day, Grace went back to the studio. I stayed at the hotel.
When she returned she handed me a piece of paper.
“What is this?”
“Carol’s address and phone number. Michael’s agent got it for me.”
“Does he know why?”
“He didn’t ask, I didn’t tell. I just told him I wanted it.”
I just looked at it.
“Go on. Go. You know you have to. I’ll be here when you get back.”
An hour later I was getting out of a cab at the address Grace had given me. I walked slowly up to the second floor with my heart beating rapidly. I stood in front of Apartment 206 and rang the bell. No answer. I rang it again. The door opened and I stood face to face with my daughter.
We just looked at each other until I spoke. “Why do you hate me?”
“You know why. What are you doing here?”
“Answer my question.”
I walked into the apartment and she didn’t try to stop me.
“Because you cheated on mom.”
“Who told you I cheated?” I saw the glance over her shoulder.
Carol’s first husband had been caught cheating and she divorced him. Now, apparently, I’d been accused of doing it as well.
“Jimmy did.”
“Who’s Jimmy?”
“Jimmy Wilson. You know who he is. He worked in your office for two years.”
“No one named Jimmy Wilson has ever worked in my office. Where is he?”
Now she looked over my shoulder. I turned and there was a closed door. I started to open it and Cheryl tried to stop me. “He’s sleeping.”
I opened the door and saw a man buttoning his shirt. He looked stunned.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Who the fuck wants to know?”
“I do.”
“Well, who the fuck are you?”
“Don’t you know me?”
“Fuck no; should I?”
“Yes, you should.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? I never seen you in my life.”
I stepped closer to him. “Take a closer look. Are you sure you don’t know me?”
“I told you I never seen you before, now get the fuck out of my apartment before I call the cops.”
“My name’s Sam.”
“You act like that should mean somethin’.”
“Sam Conley. You told my daughter that you worked in my office for two years.”
“Sam Conley? I don’t know any Sa… Oh, shit.”
“Yeah, oh shit. Now tell me why you told my wife that I cheated on her.”
“I don’t have to tell you shit, motherfucker. She’s mine now so you can kiss my ass.”
I stepped toward him, but he dodged around me and ran out of the apartment.
“Oh, my God. I can’t fuckin’ believe you did that.” What did Cheryl just say? “fuckin’?”
“Did what?”
“Tried to hit Jimmy.”
“I didn’t try to hit him and you heard him. He doesn’t know me and he never worked in my office.”
“You’re lying. You caught him by surprise otherwise he would have kicked your ass. I’m going to call Mom.”
I stood there as she made the call.
“Mom, dad’s here and he chased Jimmy away.” Pause. “I’m not fuckin’ kidding.”
I took the phone. “He lied to you, Carol.”
“You’re the one who is lying,” she said. “He had pictures. Now get the fuck out of my house before I call ‘the police.”
“Where are the pictures? I want to see them.”
“Fuck you. You motherfucking son of a bitch. Now get out of my house.” And she hung up.
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