Chapter 11
Vicky Carson
“These measurements are wrong.” Mike looked up to find Patty, the wife of his best contract worker, standing in front of him. She tossed a sheet of paper on the desk and crossed her arms.
“What’s wrong with them?” Mike picked up the paper and leaned back in the kitchen chair.
“Bill said you left out the space for the trash compactor. He’s ready to cut the counter top and said you need to double check your numbers.”
“Sorry. Tell him I’ll do it again.”
“He’s in the kitchen measuring it now but he wanted to let you know.”
“Thanks. Sorry about that. I’m not sure how I missed it.”
“I think I know how. Your mind just isn’t on work right now. It’s Friday. Why don’t you just get out of here? Bill and I can finish this up. Maybe your head will be more in the game Monday. Go on and visit Celia. Your body might as well be where your mind is.”
Patty flashed him a smile but instead of leaving, she just stood there.
“I guess I could do that.”
“What? You’re not going to deny what’s going on?”
Mike looked the measurements over. “Nope, it’s right there. I left it out.”
Patty snatched the paper out of his hand. “I’m not talking about denying that. I’m talking about Celia. I expected you to argue with me.”
“Why would I? Of course I’m worried about her. She was in a bad accident.” Mike rose from the seat and walked over to his laptop and started shutting it down.
“I’m not talking about the accident. I think we all know what the real truth is. Despite your friend’s warning, you’ve let that pretty little blonde get under your skin.”
“No one has gotten under my skin.”
“Of course not,” Patty said in a sarcastic tone.
Mike tried to ignore the tone. He didn’t like it when other people were right, especially when it had to do with his private life.
“This will be a lot easier when you just admit the truth. You’ve messed around and let her wrap you around her little finger.”
Mike didn’t want to hear this. He closed the lid on the computer and unplugged it not giving it time to shut down. “Just leave everything until Monday and we’ll start fresh on the measurements then.”
“Why is it so hard for men to admit they’re wrong? If you get lost you’ll drive around for hours rather than admit you need help. If you forget to bring something home from the store, it’s our fault. We didn’t write it down. What’s the problem here? Is it that Martin warned you that this would happen, or is it that you don’t want to date the same woman your best friend did?”
Mike didn’t know what to say. Celia had only tried to flirt with him a couple of times and those were so obvious. He had known it wasn’t because she found him attractive but it was because she was trying to make Martin jealous. He didn’t have any excuse for why he’d fallen so hard, so fast.
He hadn’t answered Patty so she tried again from another angle. “I’ve seen you interact with Celia. I don’t think you wanted this to happen. I’m not even sure you knew it was happening until this accident.”
“Nothing has happened. I’m just concerned about her well-being. She doesn’t have anyone in her life now but her parents. I just want to be there for her.”
“So that’s what you’re telling yourself? How’s that working?” Patty crossed her arms and Mike tried to ignore the look she gave him.
“I just feel sorry for her, that’s it. This Martin - Randi fiasco has really affected her. You’ve heard her talk about it. She hasn’t tried to hide her feelings.”
“Yes, I’ve heard her talk and whine about it. She had her pride hurt but I’ve never once heard her say she loved Martin. I’ve heard her rant about the fact that he dated the maid right in front of her family. I think her biggest problem is her ego - not her heart.”
Mike pushed the laptop into the case and looked at Patty. “I don’t understand why you’re not taking her side in this. He cheated on her right under her nose, with her family in the house. How can you not take her side?”
Patty shook her head and took a few steps forward. “I’m not taking anyone’s side but yours. I just want you to look really close at this situation. I don’t want you to get hurt. What your friend did was low and it wasn’t right but I’m more concerned about what she wants to do to you.” Patty reached out and patted Mike on the arm, then shrugged before finishing her point.
“I’m not stupid and I don’t think you are either. That woman started hanging out with you to try to make Martin jealous. She was trying to come between two good friends, and in my book, that’s not a whole lot better than what he did to her. Just tread lightly. Make sure this doesn’t go further than concern for a co-worker. Anything else and I’m afraid you’ll just end up getting hurt.”
Patty’s words were still floating around in his head as Mike left his car in the parking lot at the hospital. He knew she was right but he also knew he couldn’t leave Celia alone. If she really had amnesia and was going to lose Martin again, she would need someone to lean on.
He talked to Judy, the CNA, and found out Celia had been moved to the 6th floor. He found the waiting room and again it was private and well catered. It was smaller in size but there was a fruit tray, assorted pastries, coffee, creamers and sugar. The only person in the room was Celia’s mother, Vicky.
Mike stepped into the room and closed the door. She looked up, and for the first time, gave him a warm smile. “Hello. It’s Mike, right?”
“Yes. I assume that Celia’s better today?”
“She is. They’re getting her settled into her new room. She’s still pretty groggy and I think it will be best for her if we limit our visits to 15 minutes or so. I know my daughter and she won’t want to be quiet.”
“She can talk, that one.” Mike moved over to the snack bar and poured a cup of coffee. He didn’t really need anything, but out of habit, he got a cup. “Would you like something?” Mike gestured to the tray.
“I’m not really a sweets kind of person but I will take one of those little white cakes on the end. Maybe later you can direct me to a good, local restaurant.”
“Sure.” Mike got the coffee and cake and moved to the table to sit down. He reached the cake to Vicky and smiled. “If you need something just ask. I can run out and get you something to eat. Just tell me what you’d like and I’ll get it.”
“That would be nice but I hate eating alone. Maybe later, if you have time, we could run out to a nice restaurant and get a bite to eat. I’m kind of stuck here. My husband had to fly back today to work. If it would be an inconvenience, that’s okay. I’m sure you have better things to do than babysit a stranger.”
“I don’t mind. I don’t have a lot to do today.”
“Does anyone out here have a real nine-to-five job?” Vicky asked with a laugh. “It must be nice to work when you feel like it. Not that I mean any offense.”
“None taken. I do have a job.” Mike paused, wondering if he wanted to tell this woman what he really did. Sometimes people looked at you differently if they knew you were what some would call ‘rich’. “I’m mostly a mechanic. I guess you could say I’m called when I’m needed.”
“That’s nice. Edward works a nine-to-five job and has for the last forty years. He’s getting close to retiring and I can’t wait. I want to travel and see the world before I’m too old to enjoy it.”
“That makes sense, but as far as time goes, I’m free today. I can take you out to eat this evening, then bring you back here or drop you off at the hotel.”
“That would be nice. I just don’t feel comfortable asking Martin to take me. I think whatever he and Celia had is over.”
Mike wasn’t sure how to respond. He waited a few seconds and she spoke again, “Do you think it’s over? I want an honest answer; don’t sugar coat it.”
“Okay,” Mike said, fiddling with his cup before speaking. “I think it’s over. I think when Celia is in her right mind she also knows that there’s nothing left between the two of them.”
“That’s what I figured. I love Celia with all my heart but she never was one to see something coming. It could be right in front of her and she would overlook it.”
Mike felt uncomfortable talking about Celia behind her back. He wanted to know more about Celia but he’d hoped to learn it from her.
When Vicky spoke, he looked up. “Are you dating anyone? I’m not trying to be nosy, it’s just easier right now to talk about something else besides the obvious.”
Mike guessed she was right so what would it hurt? “No, I’m not. I haven’t been dating anyone serious in a while. To be honest, it seems like most the people I know are married or already dating. I don’t like blind dates and I guess I’ll die single before I join one of those online dating sites.”
“I don’t blame you there,” Vicky said. “That seems so strange and impersonal. A bit scary, too. You’ll find someone if it’s meant to be.”
“You sound like my mother. She’s very religious and is always telling me that some people are meant to be single and other people are meant to marry. I don’t know if I agree with that. I think it’s just an excuse for the misfits of the world.”
Vicky laughed. “Oh, you’re not a misfit. I will agree with her on one point. I think some people will be single and some just settle for what they can find. I don’t know if they miss the person they were meant to be with or if they’re just out there and they can’t find them.”
Mike had the feeling for a moment that she was talking about herself. She got this far away look in her eyes and then, after a bit, she forced a smile. “Either way, if a person looks long enough they can find someone who makes them happy. No marriage is perfect, but if you’re dedicated, you can make it work.”
They were both quiet. A few seconds later her phone rang and she smiled as she looked at the caller ID. “Speaking of making it work, it’s my husband. Excuse me for a few minutes.”
“Sure.” Mike decided rather than making her leave that he would go. He rose, gave her a smile and stepped out into the hall. She looked a bit relieved and he heard her begin to chat as the door closed behind him.
Mike understood what she was saying but he didn’t want to settle. He wanted someone who made him happy without having to work at it at all.