Perspective: Olivia's Story - Loose Ends

Chapter 6 of 7, posted 08/21/2007

Still licking her wounds as she left Dean McCready’s office, Olivia contemplated confronting Heather. Her mother’s ex-lover’s wife was the only lead she had left and yet it wasn’t a conversation she was looking forward to. However, the choice wasn’t hers to make as Heather wasn’t at her desk when she came back to the lobby. Olivia breathed a sigh of relief and decided she’d be happy to save that discussion for another day.

Unfortunately, Olivia’s reprieve was short-lived. As she approached her car, she realized Heather was leaned up against it, waiting for her.

“Hello, Heather. Need something?” Olivia tried to ascertain if other faculty or students might be nearby but she didn’t see anyone.

“Funny, that’s what I was going to ask you. I know you spoke with Josh though he failed to mention it. Frank’s such a busy-body, he told me all about giving Lillian’s daughter the tour. And now you’ve had a talk with Cynthia. So I’m sure by now you must realize who I am. I thought you might have questions for me about whatever you think you’re digging into.”

Olivia felt physically threatened by Heather and decided this might not be the best place to talk. She moved towards the car, with her keys in her hand, but Heather made no attempt to move out of her way. “Actually, I need to be getting back to my father. Maybe we could talk another day.”

Heather crossed her arms across her chest. “No, I think today is fine. I really don’t want to have to look at you on yet another day.”

After being so restrained with Cynthia, Olivia’s patience was wearing thin. “What is your problem, Heather? You’ve been nothing but rude to me since I first showed up at the University. Why are you so disgusted with me? Afraid I might be Josh’s lovechild?” The words exploded from her, though she had no idea where they came from.

Heather was quick to react, slapping Olivia hard across the face. “You shut your mouth, you stupid girl. Is that what this is about? You’re on a search for your daddy? Well, give it up, because it’s not Josh.”

Furious now, Olivia couldn’t help herself. “Oh, and how are you so sure?”

“Because Josh can’t have children.”

This caught Olivia off-guard. “But Josh told me you have two kids.”

“Adopted, genius. We tried for years but he’s sterile.”

Olivia resisted the urge to rub at her face despite the stinging. She could envision fingerprints across her cheek. “Cynthia said you threatened my mother.”

“She had it all. Husband, kids, a career. All her students adored her, especially the guys. And yet she wouldn’t leave Josh alone. He told me it was over with her but they still spent far too much time together which made it hard to believe him. Then one afternoon, I came into the office to surprise Josh. He was supposed to be working on a new painting in the studio there. And as I came in, your brother came tearing past me like the building was on fire. He didn’t slow down when I asked what was wrong so I decided I’d have a look for myself. I checked the lobby, the studio, and just as I was about to check the offices, I heard sounds in the conference room. I’m sure they thought they were being quiet but there was no mistaking what I was hearing. I just couldn’t tell who it was at first. As I got closer, I could tell the door was actually open just a crack. I eased it open a bit further until I could see. And of course it was your mother. With my boyfriend.

“A few nights later, I went to your mother’s office and shared what I saw. I told her to stay away from Josh. I didn’t blame him – men are weak. He couldn’t be expected to stay away from her if she kept throwing herself at him. Anyways, I said that if she didn’t stay away on her own, I’d find a way to encourage her to keep to herself. Something like that. And then I left.”

Olivia found herself accepting what she was hearing as fact even though she hadn’t been given any real proof. “So, did you carry through? It wasn’t long after your visit that she died in the accident.”

She laughed at Olivia as she finally moved away from the car. “Now, do you think I’d tell you if I had anything to do with that? Really? The person you really should talk to is your father. I’d think if anyone would want to hurt her for sleeping around, it would be him.”

As Heather began to walk away, Olivia didn’t bother to call after her. She knew she wasn’t going to get any further with her.

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