Chapter 14 : Love after loss
Becky's flourishing music career was a clear testimony that she could comfortably sponsor Whitney's university education without stress. It had been barely a year since she started performing in public, yet an encouraging crowd had already begun to gather at her shows. Her rising fame had taken her to many popular cities, and fortune consistently smiled upon her.
However, the only constraint she faced was her new suitor, Dave Williams. Dave was a private individual who disliked unnecessary attention, especially the kind that followed Becky due to her growing popularity. This starkly contradicted the nature of her career, which demanded public exposure and fan engagement.
Dave Williams was an affluent engineer—wealthy enough to feed an entire city for ten years straight. The enormity of his wealth was difficult to fathom. Despite this, Becky found it extremely difficult to turn down shows, knowing the financial gain they offered. Dave, in his generosity, had bought her two expensive cars, yet he himself preferred to drive a modest vehicle.
Dave's background was steeped in solitude. His wife and two children had died in a tragic air crash several years ago. Ten years after the incident, he tried to remarry. He and his second wife, Rosemary, lived together for only four years before she filed for divorce.
Unlike Becky, Rosemary was often the source of turmoil in their marriage. Peace and rest of mind were rare for Dave. She was quick to suspect and accuse, especially of infidelity. One incident, in particular, remained vivid in his memory—the one involving his niece, Daniella.
Daniella had visited them one weekend and accidentally left her blue skirt in the guest bathroom. She didn't realize it until days later. Dave rarely entered that bathroom, as it was reserved for visitors. Five days later, Rosemary found the skirt and immediately jumped to conclusions. As she had done many times before, she accused Dave of bringing other women into their home.
The situation escalated into a violent altercation, like many times before. Dave often had to involve his friend Alfred to help calm Rosemary down. On several occasions, Alfred was even injured during her violent episodes. This time, however, Dave didn't bother explaining; he knew Rosemary wouldn't listen. She threw objects around the house in a rage, injuring Dave on five separate occasions—once severely enough to require hospitalization.
Later, Daniella called to inform Rosemary that she had realized her skirt was missing and asked if she could come by the next weekend to retrieve it. Only then did Rosemary feel remorseful. Dave, by then, knew their marriage was doomed. So, he wasn't surprised when she eventually filed for divorce.
Becky, on the other hand, was nothing like Rosemary. She was loving, respectful, and warmly embraced Dave's relatives. They adored her in return, seeing her as the complete opposite of his former wife.
To ensure Becky's happiness, Dave bought her a state-of-the-art complex to sell musical instruments. She eventually gave up live performances. Business flourished, and customers came from all walks of life to patronize her. She made just as much money—if not more—sitting in one place than traveling for shows. Most importantly, there was peace at home.
To Dave, Becky came at the perfect time—a source of comfort and encouragement who helped him heal from the deep wounds of his past. He had finally moved on and could now talk about the bitter experience of the tragic crash that took his family.
The day of the crash, Dave was supposed to travel with his family. However, a sudden, severe pain in his lower jaw left him immobile. His children called the family doctor, who insisted he stay behind for 24 hours so the medication could take full effect. Dave pleaded to travel, but the doctor stood firm. His family boarded the flight without him, planning to spend three weeks away.
It was only after the crash that Dave remembered what Joe, his second child, had jokingly asked him three weeks earlier: "What's the chance of surviving a plane crash?" Dave hadn't answered, dismissing it as a far-fetched thought. Joe had asked his mother the same question, prompting a strong rebuke from her for thinking such a "devilish" thought.
At the time, they hadn't even planned the trip. The decision to fly had come only four days before their departure. None of them gave the question a second thought. Tragically, the ill-fated plane caught fire mid-air. Half of it burned before the wreckage fell into the Pacific Ocean.
That experience haunted Dave for a long time. He had loved his late wife and children deeply and never imagined such loss would define his life.