BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS AND A PAST

Chapter 1: The Interview

Julia POV

"Where's my backpack, Mommy?" Jake's voice echoes throughout the small flat as I look up from the bathroom mirror, trying to apply eyeliner correctly.

"Jake, it's by the couch!" I smudge the line on my eyelid and yell back, shaking my head. “Ugh.”

I needed everything to be perfect today, of all days. I inhale deeply while using a tissue to wipe away the error. It's my final interview with Kane Enterprises, so this isn't just any day. It will change everything if I get this job.

"I can't find it, Mom!" Jake yells once more, this time his small voice a little more dramatic.

"Wait a minute!" I say as I move into the living room, dropping my eyeliner. Jake's backpack is, in fact, precisely where I said it would be, by the couch.

"Are you blind, Jake?" I give it to him in a playful manner.

With a sheepish smile he tosses the strap over his shoulder, his dark curls bouncing. "It was hiding!"

I give his hair a little shake and reply, "Yeah, sure. Get moving, kiddo. You're going to be late for school."

Running to the door with his superhero lunchbox in hand, Jake waits for me while bouncing on his toes. I can't resist smiling.

My son Jake is the source of my happiness. He is way too smart for his own good, curious, and uncompromising. Every day, I look at him with a mix of pride and regret; pride for his amazing traits and regret for not having the father he deserves.

I gather my stuff and car keys and smooth out the wrinkles on my blazer.

"All right, let's go!"

Jake talks nonstop about a dinosaur book his teacher promised to read today throughout the short drive to his school.

“Mom, did you know T-Rex had tiny arms because they didn’t need them to fight? They simply bit everything!" Jake says, making a hand motion that resembles chomping.

I look at him in the rearview mirror and smile. "Is that right? I suppose biting works quite well."

“Yeah, and Mom Miss Winnie told us in class to appreciate our parents effort on us, so mom, when I grow up, I’m gonna help you so you don’t have to work all the time.”

I felt as though I had been punched in the chest by his comments. My smile wavers as I tighten my hold on the steering wheel. "Jake, that's really cute. But you just focus on being a kid, okay?”

As I come up to the school gates, he hums to himself joyfully, "Okay."

I help him out of the car after parking and getting out. "I hope you have a pleasant day. Be kind to your teacher."

“I will!” Jake puts his tiny arms around my waist and says that. "Goodbye, Mom!"

As I watch him sprint into the school entrance, I remark, "Bye, buddy." I take a big breath and stand there for a while before returning to the car.

My thoughts wander on the way to Kane Enterprises. Five years have passed since the party. Five years since that one stupid, reckless night changed everything.

First, I sought to find "Kane." I clung to the slim hope that I might track him down and that he would be a kind guy who would be interested in getting to know Jake. But I gave up after a month of looking and coming up empty.

The two people who persuaded me to attend that party, Mia and Ivy, had died in a terrible car accident three years ago. I was broken by it. Losing them made me realize how fragile life really was. I haven't seen anyone since. I take care of Jake, work many jobs, and make an effort to blend in. So much for setting my life up.

It's just my mom, Jake, and me now. Even though my mom helps out when she can, I still bear the brunt of things. I will be finally able to breathe if I can get the job at Kane Enterprises.

As I pull into Kane Enterprises' enormous parking lot, I look up at the tall glass structure. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"All right, Julia. I whisper to myself, "You can do this," as I look in the rearview mirror. I look alright. My hair is held back, my jacket is clean, and I don't look like a mom who hasn't had enough sleep.

With my heels tapping on the smooth marble floors, I pick up my bag and enter. The entrance is large and crowded with individuals who all seem to fit in. I swallow hard because I don't belong.

"Good morning. The receptionist smiles politely and asks, "How may I be of assistance to you?"

I clear my throat and announce, "I'm here for an interview. Julia Hart."

“Ah, yes. As she scans her computer, she murmurs, "Miss Hart." Please take the elevator to the 10th floor. Someone will meet you there.”

I respond, "Thank you," and make my way to the elevator.

The ascent seems to go on forever. As I mentally practice responses to potential questions. Why do you want to work here? stability. What are your strengths? Hard-working, organized…

The doors slide open as the elevator chimes. A tall man in a fitted suit is waiting for me as I emerge into a slick, contemporary hallway. My heart almost stops when he turns around.

I can't quite put my finger on it yet, but there's something unusual about him.

His voice is familiar and sweet as he asks, "Julia Hart?"

"Yes," I manage to say, hardly raising my voice above a whisper.

He takes a step forward and holds out his hand. “I’m Luke Kane, senior executive here at Kane Enterprises. I’ll be handling your final interview today.”

Luke Kane.

I get smacked by the name like a truck. He still exudes the same assured demeanor and endearing smile that I recall from that evening five years ago. As I shake his hand, my thoughts is racing and my pulse is pounding. Could this be him?

And when he smiles it's the same smile that gave me the chills all those years ago. I can't think of anything else to say as I look at him, and my throat gets dry.

He motions for me to join him into the office and asks, "Shall we?"

I nod, feeling as though my legs could collapse at any moment. God, oh God.

Could this be him? Is this the father of Jake?