Perspective: Olivia's Story - Secrets

Chapter 4 of 7, posted 08/07/2007

It was just after 5pm when Olivia arrived at the art foundation. Children were spilling from the front entrance, projects in hand as they left for the day. Olivia wound through the crowd and into the foyer. As she entered, she noticed a large painting of her mother, flanked by a collage of photos from her time working there as well as a plaque dedicating the foundation in her memory.

As Olivia examined the collage, a man approached her. “Excuse me, can I help you?”

Olivia turned and his eyes grew large. “Olivia?"

Startled as this man she had never met spoke her name, Olivia could only nod her head. “Wow, I had heard you were back in town because of your father and hoped you might stop by to see your mother’s pride and joy. I’m Frank Willis. I’ve been volunteering here since the place opened so I worked with your mother for a short while.”

He extended his hand and Olivia shook it. “I’m sorry, Mr. Willis. You caught me off-guard a bit. I’m actually wondering if Josh is in? I didn’t really plan to stop by, at least not today, or I would’ve called ahead.”

“I’m sure he’s in his office. Let me show you.”

On the way to Josh’s office, Frank gave Olivia a quick tour. It had been many years since Olivia had been there but not much had changed. Finally, Frank knocked on a partially opened door marked “Joshua Slater, Director”.

“It’s open!”

Somehow Olivia had expected Josh to be younger, as if frozen in time from Pauline’s stories. Instead, the man before her was probably in his early fifties. His light hair was trending towards gray but it wasn’t hard to imagine him as he may have been as a student.

Frank introduced Olivia as if delivering some sort of prize. “Josh, this is Olivia Rowe, Lillian’s daughter.”

As Josh’s face registered this information, Olivia thanked Frank for his time and he took his cue to leave. “Hi, Josh. Sorry to drop in unannounced.”

“It’s ok. Frank gave you a tour?”

“Oh, yes. Everything looks great. I know this meant a lot to my mother so it’s nice to see it doing well.”

“We’ve had a few bumpy years but we’ve made a few changes lately that have made a big difference.”

After spending most the day at Pauline’s reminiscing, Olivia wasn’t feeling up for a lot of small talk. “Josh, I have to admit I didn’t come just for a tour. I’m actually checking into some things involving the time around my mother’s death. I know she spent a lot of time working to open the foundation just before her accident and her colleague, Pauline, said the two of you were really close on a personal level as well.”

Josh looked uncomfortable. “We really can’t talk here. I’m waiting for my wife to pick me up. Can you meet me tomorrow morning, at the coffee shop over on Cedar? Let’s say 9 o’clock. We’ll talk then but you should go now.”

He stood up and grabbed his coat, practically pushing Olivia out the door as she agreed to meet him. Rattled by his sudden change in demeanor, she made her way to her car and decided she was done for today.

more...