Chapter 31
Dear Abby
“Will you please tell me why, when I called your house, Celia’s mother answered?”
Martin leaned back in the recliner, laid the script he’d been reading in his lap and smiled. “It’s nice to hear from you, too, Sis. I guess I should have informed you about that.”
“What in the world is going on? Randi is going to leave you and I can’t say that I blame her! I’ve warned you to watch your step with allowing Celia back into your life.”
“It’s not what you think, and if you’ll slow down, I’ll explain.” Martin reached for his glass of wine and looked it over, his mind going from the conversation with his sister to Randi. She didn’t drink wine, beer or anything with alcohol. Would him drinking wine bother her?”
“Well, are you going to explain or not?” Addison’s question brought him out of his thoughts.
“Sorry, Sis. Celia will be staying at the house while she recuperates and regains her strength. Now, before you go ballistic, Randi is okay with it. I won’t be staying there. I’m at Mike’s place.”
“Did you think this one through?”
“Not really, but I didn’t have a choice. Well, I could have put her up somewhere, but she has nothing to her name. She hasn’t worked since we started dating. I’m not sure she was working then, but I should have seen this coming.”
“What? That she was going to leach onto you even after you kicked her out?”
“Kind of. I’m not going to allow her to stay forever, but I will allow her time to get things together. Legally I’m not sure where I stand. Maybe Rafa could look into that for me. We never had anything on paper, and I don’t think an ex can sue for anything if you break up, but who knows? I’m playing it safe. I also feel it’s the right thing to do. She has nowhere else to go.”
“You didn’t take her to raise, Martin. Be careful. Be sure you don’t offend Randi while trying to rescue Celia. You’re too much like Dad. You have a soft spot for the broken hearted.”
“I’m not sure she’s broken hearted, but she’s broken. I’ll figure out something, maybe try to find her a job. She might just go back and live with her parents. Either way you’re right, long-term, it’s not my responsibility.”
“No, it’s not. And don’t start going over to check on her. She’s a big girl and can take care of herself.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going there, and this might surprise you as it did me, Mike might be staying. He seems to have taken Celia under his wing. It’s kind of strange to watch.”
“Mike? Isn’t he the one who told you to dump Celia?”
“Yep. I’m not sure if it’s a guilt trip he’s on or if he likes her. Either way, it’s going to be kind of strange if he starts dating her.”
“Dating her? Really?”
“I see the signs. We’ll just wait and see what happens.”
“That would get her out of your hair.”
Martin laughed, started to take a sip of wine then sat the glass down. “The thought did cross my mind. I don’t want to push him into anything. If he dates Celia, I want it to be all him.”
“I suppose, what about him staying? Was that your idea?”
“Yes, my idea, and I hadn’t thought about us changing houses, but we have. He and Celia are working on flipping a house. My first thought was it would be handy for them to be close to the job site.”
“So, it had nothing to do with pushing them closer?”
“Not at the time, and he didn’t have to say ‘yes’. I think he’s kind of like Dad. He’s got a soft spot for women, but he’s also been burned. I think he’ll go into this with his eyes open. I don’t think you’ll get into any situation where you’ll be speaking with Celia, but he’s not telling her that he owns the car dealerships.”
“Didn’t he learn anything from your fiasco with Randi?”
Martin laughed, rose and carried his glass of wine into the kitchen, setting it by the sink. “I guess it’s the same. He’s dated several women who only wanted his money. I’m sure he wants Celia to see him for himself, if he’s even thinking along those lines.”
“Does he seem attracted to her?”
“Who am I tonight? Dear Abby?”
Addison laughed and replied, “He’s your friend, I’m just curious.”
“All I know is that he’s seen what she’s like. She hates camping, riding horses and fishing – all things outdoors. He loves all those things. I don’t know what he expects to accomplish.”
“I see that differently,” Addison began and Martin sat the phone down, putting it on speaker as she went on. “I think we know Celia didn’t love you. Do you think she may be falling for Mike?”
“Love can do things to a person. She might enjoy fishing with Mike, or riding horses. I’m not saying she will. I’m just saying that when you are in love, you could become more interested in what the person you love is doing. Especially in the early stages of a romance.”
“Okay, so now you’re Dear Abby?”
“Well, I’ll come a lot closer than you, but I’m not an expert. I just know a little bit about women. And if they are trying to please someone, they’ll do what it takes.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” Martin asked, leaning against the counter.
“Kind of. I know if Rafa asked me to go fishing or camping, I would go. Just to be with him. Now years from now, kind of like Mom and Dad, I might say ‘no’. Camping is not my favorite thing. But when love is fresh and new, it’s different.”
“Okay, Abby, tell me this. Where do you draw the line?”
“Why do you ask? Is this about love scenes? I know we briefly talked about that.”
“It’s that, and other things. I’m not a drunk or close, but Randi doesn’t drink anything with alcohol. Then you do have the love scenes. I’m wondering where should I give in and where should I stand my ground?”
“I think that all depends on what you think you can live without. Mom and Dad would be happy to hear you stopped drinking wine or beer. I’m sure you recall the lectures.”
“Yes. It might not be a sin, but it’s not a healthy decision. They always referenced the bridesmaids who got drunk. One of them shot the other and she died. Mom always said if they hadn’t been drinking, that terrible night would have never happened.”
“I can see their point. It can go bad. Rafa will sometimes have a glass of wine with dinner or after dinner. Let me ask you this. What’s more important to you, Randi or a glass of wine?”
“Randi.”
“There’s your answer. Talk to her. Put your ego in check when you do.” Addison laughed. “Don’t look at this as something she’s forcing on you, but something you’re willing to do.”
“I know. She’s not asked me to stop drinking. It’s just I know that she doesn’t drink. Maybe I’m growing up. I see myself wanting to change, not because of Randi, but for her. If that makes sense.”
“It makes perfect sense. Just be sure you can live with the changes. Don’t give up something that you know you’re going to want to do again. That would be a recipe for disaster.”
“I understand.”
“Dad would say it’s not just Randi but our religious upbringing. You’ve strayed farther from the way we were raised then I have. Maybe it’s time for some soul searching.”
“Could be?”
“Hey, I got to run. It’s late and I’m still a newlywed.”
“You know I don’t want to hear that.”
Addison giggled. “Night, Martin.”
“Night, Sis.” Martin hung up and looked at the glass. In his mind, he weighed the two. Randi? Wine? He didn’t know why he was drinking, but in the end, Randi was more to him than a glass of anything. He picked up the glass, poured the wine down the sink and turned to go to bed.