Part 24 (2/2)

Evelyn noticed.

”Are you all right, Mr. Hughes?”

”As much as I can be,” I replied and fell silent. I was going down in flames, and I knew it-all because I was afraid to say the one thing they needed to hear. So, I took a deep breath and continued. ”I know we've only just met and you've no reason in the world to trust me. But I fell in love with Maddy on that s.h.i.+p. Before I met her I was just some semi-talented idiot with a few bestsellers who thought he knew what real love was-but I didn't know anything. Those precious few days I had with Maddy on t.i.tanic were the best days of my life, and once I knew the truth about her illness all I wanted was to be with her for the rest of the time she had left. But the one thing I couldn't do-”

”-was change her mind?” Evelyn said with a knowing look.

”No...I couldn't.”

”That's Maddy, too. While I don't agree with what she did, I understand-we both do. She couldn't bear the thought of watching that little boy suffer.”

”It's taken me these few weeks to come to terms with that, and a few other things. Harlan Astor was my best friend, Mrs. Regehr, and I don't use that term lightly. I knew and trusted him for over twenty years. And he trusted me. He wanted me on t.i.tanic because he knew I'd tell their stories the best way I knew how. It's funny, but it's almost as if he knew I was missing a vital piece of my soul, and that I'd find it on t.i.tanic.” I smiled sadly. ”He was right....

”So, I'm here tonight because my dearest friend and the woman I love are dead and, for better or worse, I've become the guardian of their legacies. With the money Harlan's left me, and as chairman of his foundation, it's my desire to help those they left behind. I think Harlan would've wanted it that way. Maddy, too. Please, allow me to do this for Rudy...and for you.”

George shook his head, his eyes rimmed with sadness. ”I'm sorry, Mr. Hughes, but we just can't-”

”Wait a minute, George,” Evelyn said, her voice quiet yet firm. She squeezed his hand then turned to me. ”My husband is a proud man who very much wants the satisfaction of providing for his grandson, as he did for his mother. But the truth is we're no longer young and Maddy was our only child. If something should happen to us, Rudy has no one.”

I sat forward. ”He'll have me.”

”But he's not your family, Mr. Hughes,” the older man said.

”That's very true, but I like to think he would be, if his mother and I had a future together.” I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts. ”I promise you both I'll look after him when you're no longer able to do so; he'll have every opportunity I can provide. And if it's okay, I'd also like to come and see him as often as I can. Other than the two of you, he's the only connection to Maddy I have and I'd like to get to know him.”

I could tell George was moved, but I still saw doubt clouding his eyes. And while there was nothing else I could do or say, I knew there were others whose words were far more eloquent and persuasive than mine.

”Before you make your decision, I'd like to play these videos for you. If after you've seen them you still want to refuse my gift, I'll leave and you'll never hear from me again.”

I pulled out my MacBook, opened it and pushed the first disk back into it, turning the laptop so they could see the screen.

”You interviewed Maddy, too?” George asked, his eyes filled with longing.

”Yes,” I replied. ”She finally relented and allowed me to record it the night before the sinking.”

”I want to see her, George,” Evelyn said. ”I want to see our Maddy.”

George nodded, blinking back tears. ”Okay, Mr. Hughes.”

I nodded and pushed the ENTER key and sat back with my eyes closed, listening.

And when that voice-my voice-poured forth from the speakers once again, I was relieved to note it was no longer the voice of a stranger....

Cemetery Dance Publications.

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Our authors include: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury, Peter Straub, William Peter Blatty, Justin Cronin, Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Joe R. Lansdale, Norman Partridge, Richard Laymon, Michael Slade, Graham Masterton, Douglas Clegg, Jack Ketchum, William F. Nolan, Nancy A. Collins, Al Sarrantonio, John Skipp, Bill Walker, and many others.

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