Chapter 18
We’re All Human
Randi glanced at her watch. It was close to ten and she was supposed to be on the job at ten. Her dad called out the front door after her, “Would it be a huge inconvenience if I dropped you off today? I wasn’t planning on needing the car on a Saturday but I just got a text from a friend. He was taken to the hospital with chest pains.”
“Sure. Come on. Just drop me off and I’ll catch the bus home or you can pick me up later. What hospital is it?”
“I don’t know. His wife is supposed to send me another text. The ambulance was en-route to the house. Until I get the other text, I won’t know.”
“Okay, just drop me off.”
Randi walked around to the passengers side, tossed her cleaning gear into the back seat and they were on their way. She glanced at her dad. He looked like he’d aged a lot over the past few days.
“I’ve wanted to ask, how serious is this layoff? I know you and mom aren’t rich. Are you going to be looking for another job or just wait until you turn sixty-six?”
“I’m not really sure. I don’t think I can sit around and do nothing. I want to work. I want to feel useful. I don’t want to go back to pushing papers or ordering people around. I’m ready to do something simple and get paid for it.”
“Want to clean houses?”
“No,” he answered. “I don’t want a job that requires a lot of physical activity. I don’t want to flip burgers. I’d like to make something more than that. I’d like to work outside if at all possible.”
“I don’t blame you, then again, it can get hot in the sun.”
“Good point. I’ve been thinking about applying for the janitor’s position at church. It will give me a starting point. I know they can’t keep the young people working because they find the work boring. You’re by yourself most days. I think I might like it.”
“That’s sounds great. Mom needs something to do, too. I know she can only clean that house so many times. Maybe this will be a good change.”
“Your mother is a people person. She would love working at some burger joint taking orders but I’m not sure she could take being on her feet all day.”
“She could get a part time job. She could work at the bank in the drive through. Those people sit all day. You’ll have to suggest it to her.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’ll have to suggest it to her. I don’t think it would be good coming from me. I don’t want her to think I need her to work. To be honest, I don’t think she’ll need to. We can cut back here and there and do okay. I just think she needs something - at least until she has some cute grandkids to babysit.”
“Hey! Where did that come from?”
“I’m getting old. It’s time for the perks of life. I want those grandkids to come along before I’m too old to enjoy them. Your mom says this Martin business is pretty serious. She said that she’s never seen you act like this over any other man.”
“Act? What I’m doing? Smiling a lot? Going out now and then?”
Her dad glanced at her as he pulled away from a red light. “You do smile a lot these days. I don’t know. Your mother gets these feelings and she thinks this guy is the one. I know she’s also worried that he’s not right for you.”
“I know. We’ve been around that one a time or two. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never met the man. I did Google him.”
Randi laughed out loud. It sounded strange to hear her kind of old-fashioned Dad saying the word ‘google’. “What did you think?”
“I think he’s a man’s man. All but that long hair. He needs a haircut. Other than that, he looks pretty clean cut. I’m not sure about this movie star business. It could be a can of worms you’re opening. Who can say?”
“I know. I’ve thought about that. I’ve even talked to Martin. I worry more about the love scenes and the ease with which he can do such things. To him, it’s his occupation, but I don’t think of it that way. I see it as cheating, as doing something you shouldn’t.”
“Smart girl. I know we don’t get on the preaching wagon often, but if you’re serious about this young man, you need to think about the long run. How will his work impact your marriage? Is he someone you really want to spend the rest of your life with? I know nothing is certain, but you want to go into a marriage on the best footing possible.”
“Yes. I remember Aunt Kate. She thought she had the perfect husband. He went to church and didn’t look like the type to cheat. But he did.”
“We’re all human and anyone can fall into temptation. I don’t think it’s something most people want to do, but they let their guard down. Kate and Fred were having troubles. Instead of digging deeper into the Bible and seeking advice from the Pastor, he started talking to a co-worker about their troubles.”
“I know. It really broke Aunt Kate’s heart. It was such a shock to her. He just came in one day and said, ‘I’m leaving’. It worries me, too, that Martin started talking to me while he was living with Celia.” She looked over quickly wondering if her dad knew this part.
He nodded. “I know. Your mother told me. She hates that. She’s said a few times that you’ve lost your mind - dating a man who would cheat.”
Randi nodded. “I don’t want to sound like I’m just trying to defend his actions, but there was more to it. He did try to tell me. Now that I look back on some of our conversations, I recall the times he started to tell me and something or someone would interrupt.”
“But the point is, he didn’t. Why? Have you asked yourself that?”
Her dad parked the car. Randi unbuckled and turned to look at him. “I know why. At least I know what he told me, and it makes sense.”
“What is it? Your mother didn’t tell me this part. And here I thought she told me everything.”
Randi laughed. “I’m not sure I told her. I think I did, but anyway, he had a reason.” When Randi paused, her dad took out his phone to wait on his text.
“What was his excuse?” he asked.
She waited until he raised his gaze to meet hers and she spoke, “To begin with, I thought he was the limo driver. Martin said he liked being just another ‘normal person’ and that he didn’t want to lose the connection we were building. He liked being ‘the limo driver’. He enjoyed that I liked him for who he was and not for what he could buy me.”
Her dad nodded. “I suppose that is a problem for the rich and famous. Something I never had to deal with,” he said, with an impish grin.
“I think having money isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’d like to have more than I do, but I’m not sure I want to be rich.” Randi reached for the door handle and turned back as her dad said one more thing.
“If you’re not sure about the money and the effect it will have on you, then think twice about moving forward. If you marry Martin Taylor, you’ll be one with him. You’ll be rich, famous and everything else that comes with his name and fame.”