Chapter 20
Freeloading
“Now tell me, dear,” Vicky said, as she sat down in a chair by Celia’s bedside, “what is this exciting news?”
“I’m going to have a nice place to stay while my leg heals. You can stay with me if you don’t have to go home.” Celia loved dragging out surprises and her mother had no clue.
“Where is it? And, I can stay? You are going to need help. It’s not easy walking on crutches. Your father had to do that.”
“I remember, and you’re right, he complained about the crutches hurting his arms. I dread it but it will all be a part of getting better.”
Her mother’s brow furrowed. “Are you going to tell me? Where will you be staying?”
Celia smiled slyly. “Martin is going to let me to move back into his house until I can walk. It has a ramp and will be much more accessible than staying in the apartment.”
“Is that wise? Do you think there’s hope for the two of you?”
“No. It’s nothing like that. It’s about getting a foot in the door of the house where I want to spend the rest of my life. That is my home. I picked it out. I decorated it. I belong there. I’m just not sure how to make it mine. But, I have at least eight weeks to figure it out.”
“He invited you to stay? Was this his idea or did you bat those pretty eyes and talk him into it?”
“I didn’t bat anything. He owes me. Now I have to start the loan process so I can buy the house.”
“Celia, I don’t mean to rain on your parade but just the taxes would be hard for you to manage, not to mention the upkeep on the home and the yard work. Why, just getting the windows cleaned would cost a small fortune! When you and Martin first moved in I thought it was too much. But you… alone! You certainly don’t need a home with that much space!”
“I suppose not, but I want it. I love it. Didn’t you ever want anything so bad you could taste it? I fell in love with that place, and it was mine for a while. I don’t want to lose it forever.”
Vicky stood up. “I understand. We can talk about it later but right now I want you to focus on getting plenty of rest.”
Celia knew this meant, ‘I doubt you’ll get the house so come back down to earth’. She smiled. Her mother wanted what was best, and at this moment, it didn’t look like she had any hopes of doing anything but freeloading at Martin’s expense.
She wasn’t going to come down off her cloud just yet. She needed to feel like she was going to succeed, and she knew she could. Celia looked at her mom and spoke, “Martin was nice and he didn’t question if I’d lost my memory. I was thankful for that.”
“He seems concerned with your health. Maybe some day the two of you can be friends. I know it may seem strange, but we have to learn from our mistakes.”
“I want to but I’m too angry. Maybe, in the future. I think getting to move back into the house will help. I felt like I was pushed out.” Celia was quiet for a few seconds and then said emotionally, “I was pushed out!”
Vicky, in only the way she could, said consolingly, “It’s good that you can talk about it. We all make mistakes. We chose the wrong people. We just can’t dwell on the bad.”
“I want to move on. Lying in this bed has given me time to think. I need to make it on my own. I don’t like the kind of person I’ve become – moving from man to man. I just seem to fall into a rut, and when I can’t make things move in the right direction on my own, I fall back onto the same old crutch.”
“Your beauty?”
“Yes. I’ve depended on my looks for years. I want to do something with my life, but it might be too late. It’s expensive here. I got a rude awakening when I moved out of the mansion.”
“You could come back home or find a place where living expenses aren’t so high.”
“Is there a place like that?”
“There are some. I don’t know how this generation is going to make it. It takes so much just to put food on the table.”
“That sounds personal. Are you and Dad having troubles?”
“No, but Roger is. And, there are others. They can’t find a good job that’s going to help them put a roof over their heads.”
“Maybe we should all pool our resources and buy the mansion. It’s big enough for all of us.”
“It is but do I want to live here? I would miss the snow.”
“Yuck. If I never see snow again I wouldn’t care. I love it here. I just need to find a way to afford to live here.”
“You’re smart. You’ll figure it out. You’re good at lots of things, photography, fashion design and you’re a great cook. You have to figure out the talent that only you have, how to harness it and make money from it.”
“Good idea, but I don’t see cooking as a talent.”
“Sure it is. You eat in up-scale restaurants. You pay good money for someone to cook for you. With all this cooking and/or catering, there has to be a spot for you.”
“I don’t like to cook, but I would enjoy catering. I’ll do some research if I can ever get out of here and get a new phone. I don’t know how you and Dad make it without smart phones.”
“The only thing I need a phone to do is accept calls and make calls – local and long distance. That’s all I need.”
“Not me. I lost mine in the wreck. I can’t wait to get it back.”
“Your generation spends too much time on those devices, but I would say, having one while you’re in this bed would be useful. Don’t you have a computer you could use?”
“Yes, and as soon as I can get someone over there to look around, I’ll have it. But, the phone is more compact.”
“Maybe you could borrow Mike’s phone.”
“He might need it for business.”
“He’s a mechanic. Would he need a smart phone?”
Celia smiled. “Mom, if you have to ask, then you would never understand.”
*****
It was close to five when Randi finished cleaning and she was tired. The building had a lot of windows and she had been up and down on a stepping stool all day. She stifled a yawn while riding in the elevator, signed out at the desk and walked out the glass doors. Her dad had called earlier and said his friend had been taken in for emergency surgery. He also said he’d be staying a while, if that wasn’t a problem. She told him that would be fine; she could ride the city bus home.
The moment she walked out the door and started down the steps, she smiled. A white pickup sat in front of the building. Sitting behind the wheel was Martin, with his nose in a script.
Randi turned, using the door as a mirror, and checked her hair. She brushed back a few strands, dug into her pocket for a stick of gum and walked to the truck. She pecked on the glass and Martin rolled down the window. “Can I help you, miss?”
“I don’t know. I sure could use a ride.”
“Sorry, I don’t give rides to strangers.” The window started back up and he broke into a smile as she heard the click of the lock. She opened the door, sat her bag in the floor and climbed in.
“Not that I’m unhappy to see you, but how in the world did you know where I was? I don’t recall telling you.”
“You didn’t but I ran into an old friend at the hospital. We had lunch and I took a few pictures.”
“An old friend?”
“I think you’ll recognize him.”
Randi watched as Martin took out his phone, flipped to the correct app and waited. He looked like the cat that ate the canary. When she saw the picture of him and her dad smiling, sitting at a table eating lunch, she knew why.
“When did this happen? And how?”
“Buckle up. I’m in a ‘No Parking’ zone. I’ll explain on the way.”
Randi did as he asked. Martin pulled out as she finished looking at the pictures. She laughed as he told her the story of how they met and how, in a way, her dad had saved Martin’s bacon.
“So you don’t think anyone found out Celia is in the hospital? Is that a good thing?”
“I think so. I don’t want any Celia drama. If they know we’re dating, that’s fine. They’ll know in a few weeks anyway when we go to that event I told you about. It’s in the works. We’ll need to go shopping and figure out what we’re wearing.”
“You’re serious? I’ve never been to anything like that. What if I spill something on this rented dress? Or fall down in the spiky heels I’m sure you’ll want me to wear?”
“I’ll buy the dress and get you a Band-Aid. It’s something you’ll get used to even though it may take some time. We can do a few practice runs so you don’t feel so awkward. The heels I don’t mind, but I don’t want you taller than me.”
“There’s so much to all of this isn’t there?”
“Yes, there is. It’s all about the image. Looking like the perfect couple - which we are,” he said, making a kissy face.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. And now, backing up a bit, how did you and Dad hit it off? What was it like, having lunch with my dad?”
Martin smiled but didn’t turn to look at her. “You’re worried, aren’t you? You’re afraid he gave away all of your dirty little secrets, afraid he told me about all your old boyfriends and, worst of all, that you’re really just after my money.”
“That’s it. So, now that the secret’s out, let’s get down to business. Give me all your money in small, unmarked bills.”
“He said you would be like this.”
“Like what?” Randi asked, waiting for his answer.
Martin smiled, keeping his eyes on the road. “I’m kidding. He didn’t say much. Well, he didn’t say anything I didn’t already know. He said you were a sweetheart, kind natured, and in general, a goodie two shoes.”
“That’s my dad. I talked to him today and he didn’t say a word about any of this.”
“I asked him not to. I wanted to tease you and surprise you.” Martin pulled the truck up to the back of the house where he’d parked his bike the first day he had asked her out.”
She unbuckled, and would have moved closer, but she was self-conscious. Her clothes and hair would be carrying the odor of various cleaning products. She did smile and turned in the seat. “Parking here reminds me your bike is still in San Pedro.”
“It is. I may rent a car and go down for a few days as I won’t have anywhere to stay soon,” he said, reaching to turn off the truck. “I have something to say and you’re not going to like it.”
“Why do I have a feeling this has to do with Celia?”
“Because it does,” Martin answered, looking worried. She didn’t like that look and pushed the thoughts of cleaners and feather dusters out of her mind and moved closer taking his hand.
“What is it?”
“Well, as they say, I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”
“The bad.”
“Good choice,” Martin said, squeezing her hand. “Get the worst over first.”
Randi nodded, and after a moment, he spoke, “I’m going to let Celia move back into the house. She has no job, no way to pay rent and is going to need time to get back on her feet.”
Randi tried not to tense as she asked her next question, “Will you be staying there?”
“Nope. Not even for a day. I’ll be there until she checks out of the hospital then I’ll go to the apartment or a motel. I promise I won’t stay one night in that house while she’s there.”
Randi smiled and Martin kissed her. She could tell he was glad she wasn’t angry. It wasn’t an ideal situation but she trusted him. She didn’t doubt Celia was broke. She guessed Martin had given her cash or the use of a credit card. Randi pulled back from Martin’s kisses. “What’s the good news?”
“For me, that you’re not ready to kill me after the bad news.” He tried to kiss her again but she giggled and leaned back.
“Is there really any good news?”
“Yes, faking or not, Celia’s let me off the hook. She’s gotten her memory back. I don’t know if she was faking nor do I care. I’m just glad it’s over.”
Randi hoped it was over, and felt some relief. She leaned in and kissed him, felt his hand on her waist and heard the moan of pleasure as he pulled her close. Celia might not be out of the picture, but for now, things were moving in the right direction and that was all she could ask for.