by Cee, DW
“Hello?” I answered, scared of the caller on the other side.
“Laney.” A not too cheerful voice greeted me.
“Max?”
“Yes, it’s me, Max. How are you?”
“I’m all right.” I said while holding back the tears. “How are you? Whose number is this?”
“It’s my friend’s number. I’m down in Mexico with the hospital and I didn’t bring my phone so I’m calling you from his phone.”
“Is it that time already? I thought you were going to Mexico later in the summer.”
“It just happened that there was an opening and I took it.” Max didn’t sound like himself. Funny, but he and I sounded identical to one another. We were two lost souls on the phone trying to commiserate without revealing what we were commiserating about. “Is something the matter? Your email read like a river of tears.”
“It’s just homesickness.”
“But you just went home. What’s the matter, Laney?”
How could I tell him what was the matter? If I revealed my real pain, I’d end up hurting this good man who seemed to be in pain himself.
“Did I mention in the email that I’m dating someone?” This was an unusual way of deflecting unwanted attention on me by bringing up an even crazier topic about myself.
“You are? How did that happen?”
“It just did. His name is Michael and he’s a good guy. I’d love for you to meet him one day.”
“I’d like to meet him. I’m sure he’s a better guy than the last one you were stuck on.” Max was so bitter. This was probably a good time to get off the phone so we wouldn’t have to talk about Donovan and I wouldn’t have to do the courteous asking about Jane business.
“When you are done in Mexico, please come visit me. I’d love to see you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Laney. We’ll talk again, soon?”
“Definitely.”
That was a bizarre conversation between the two of us, but I was glad it happened. The next conversation I needed to have was with my mother. This was not going to be a happy one.
“Hi Mom.” Mom had picked up on the first ring. Scary!
“What is the matter with you? You drop in without a word, then you leave within the same day without much of an explanation. What the hell did I miss?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry that I didn’t let you know I was coming. And I’m even sorrier that I picked up my bags and left without giving you the whole story. I just couldn’t tell you what happened at the hospital when I saw you. I didn’t want you to see me cry.”
“Oh my God. What happened? Are you crying right now? What’s the matter?”
“I’m hurting so much right now, Mom. I don’t know what to do with my heart.” I tried my best not to cry, but I couldn’t help it. My shattered heart broke some more talking to her.
“What’s the matter, Baby?” Now Mom was crying with me.
“When I got to the hospital, I walked in on Donovan and Jane kissing. That’s why I couldn’t stay. I can’t get the picture of the two of them out of my head. What do I do?”
“I’m coming to see you right now. I’ll book myself a flight to London as soon as we get off the phone.”
I loved my mother. This was what family was all about. “Los Angeles to London is far, Mom. You don’t have to come. Your voice alone soothes my heart.”
“Laney. Let me come to you. When you hurt, I hurt even more. I need to see you and make sure you’re all right.”
“I tell you what.” I came up with this brilliant idea. “How about I meet you halfway?”
“New York?”
“Yeah. I have a huge thesis I’m editing, and that’ll bring in enough money to buy me a roundtrip ticket from London to New York. Let’s meet there, watch a show, drink fine wine and enjoy ourselves.”
“You silly girl. You don’t have to worry about money! Did you really think your father would cut off your allowance when you’re thousands of miles away from us? Check your bank account. If I know your father, he’s probably doubled your allowance so you wouldn’t suffer out in London by yourself.”
“How soon can you meet me, Mom?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes! Once I get home, I’ll pack and book myself a flight. Where shall we stay?”
“I know just the place to relax and soothe your soul. You leave the details to me. Send me your flight info as soon as you make plans and I’ll let you know where we are staying.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweet girl. See you soon.”
Talking to Mom gave me the wings to attempt another flight. Visiting with Grandfather helped ease the pain, but knowing I’d be with Mom gave me new life. As soon as I got to the flat, I booked myself an open-ended flight to New York, checked my bank account and laughed at the fact that Mom was only partially correct. Dad had put so much money in my account, I double-checked to make sure I hadn’t accidentally hacked into someone else’s account. I turned on my phone to send Mom my flight info when I came upon the name Donovan Taylor, again. He had sent more text messages than there was space in my phone. Without reading a word, aside from his name, I deleted every single message. For the first time in days, I felt the cloud lifting. I didn’t need Donovan messing up my life again.
I tried calling Grandfather but he didn’t answer his phone, so I called Michael to let him know I had arrived safely.
“Hello, Duchess.” Another term of endearment that made me wince. One day soon, I’d let him know how uncomfortable I felt, but for now, I needed to let him know where I was headed. “Are you home?”
“I am home for now but will be heading out to New York tomorrow.”
“New York?” I could tell Michael was unhappy with my revelation.
“Mom and I are meeting out there. We just decided this and I thought I’d let you know.”
“Is this all part of your time-out? Rather than walking to your corner, you’re flying to one end of America?”
I chose to take that as a joke. “Yes, Michael.” I answered in good spirit. “This is the fancy way of taking a time-out. Mom wanted to come into London but I thought it’d be easier on her if I met her halfway. Mom’s a bit peeved with me that I left so soon.”
“What will you do for me? I, too, am peeved that you left my grandfather’s so soon.”
I laughed. “I don’t know what I’ll do for you, but it’ll be a few days before I can make anything up to you. I’ll see you when I get back?”
“Of course, Love. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Tell Ruby to hold off on the trip to Rome.”
“What trip to Rome?”
“She thought it’d be fun for the three of us to visit. But I forgot that in about a month, I have a friend who’ll move there for a year. I’d like for you to meet him.”
“I’d go anywhere and meet anyone if you’re there with me.”
I didn’t know how to respond. All of Michael’s sweet words were having the opposite effect on me. I’d have to talk to Mom and reevaluate our situation.
Just like Emily, I loved New York! The flight landed midday, and I arrived at a very chic hotel in Tribeca. Always up to date on the coolest places, Mom had picked this ultra glamorous, ultra serene lodging that felt more like our comfortable home than a hotel. Feeling nothing but happiness knowing I’d be with my mother, I sent Emily a picture of our hotel with a hashtag that read, #wishyouwerehere! Of course, I got a quick call in response.
“You’re in New York? How did that happen?”
“Mom and I talked yesterday and we thought a girls’ trip to New York would be fun. If you didn’t have three babies under eighteen months, I’d have invited you to join us.”
“Once I realized I was pregnant with JR, I did wonder when we’d ever get back to our New York apartment. Where are you and Aunt Babs staying? You could’ve stayed at our place.”
“I
think I need a clean break from your part of the Reid family.” I giggled.
“Ha ha ha.” Emily didn’t giggle back. “Have you spoken with Donovan?”
“Nope, and I don’t plan to speak with him. Nothing good comes of being anywhere near that man.” If I didn’t make light of my situation, I’d go back into heartbreak mode, and that was the last thing I needed.
“Last I heard, he flew to London just to see you.”
“Don’t care and don’t want to know. I know I sound like a brat right now, but I’m going to see Mom soon and I don’t want her to see me crying. When I talked to her the other day, she was bawling on the phone because I was bawling on the phone. She shouldn’t hurt because I can’t let go of one Donovan Taylor.”
“Laney.” Emily had that disapproving voice. “If you gave him a chance, he’d be able to explain what’s going on and that the kiss between…”
I cut Emily off. I didn’t need the visual. I didn’t want the visual. “I see Mom, Emily. I’ll call you again. Bye.” I hung up even before Emily returned my good-bye.
“Laney!” Mom ran as fast as her heels would bring her to me.
“Mom!” I greeted her with the same amount of enthusiasm. “I’m so happy you’re here!” We hugged and kissed then hugged some more.
After leisurely putting our clothes away, we went to the lantern-lit swimming pool housed under a 250 year-old reconstructed wood and bamboo farmhouse. Lounging in that kind of beauty alone would have been fabulous enough, but Mom booked us treatments in the Japanese bathing room with tubs used for traditional bathing rituals. We got a couple’s massage after our soak in the tub and after a light dinner at the hotel, we were whisked off by a hotel car to watch Cinderella, the musical.
“I loved the modern twist on this storyline!” I was feeling mighty empowered after watching this show. “I know I should be impressed with Cinderella’s politically progressive ideas, but I loved the fact that she gave him back the glass slipper. She didn’t wait for her knight in shining armor – she simply created her own destiny. I love her strength and self-confidence.”
“I knew you’d like the show. Did you notice the costumes?”
“How could you not? They were stunning!” I gushed. “And how on earth did they do those magical Bibbibi-Bobbidi-Boo costume changes?”
“Who knows? This musical is going to be hard to beat.”
“Are we watching another one?”
“Tomorrow night, we’re watching Wicked.”
“I like! This was such a good idea, Mom.” I linked my arm in hers as we walked out to a late night snack at a chicken and rice food cart.
“I feel like I’m back in college, eating so late.”
“This is so spicy, but so good.” I couldn’t stop adding more hot sauce to the mayo/yogurt sauce drizzled all over the chicken and rice.
“Where shall we go after this?”
“Oh my gosh. You want to go somewhere from here? I thought we’d go back and enjoy our hotel room.”
“That is true. Your dad did give me the evil eye when I showed him where we were staying. I was never more glad he had to stay behind.”
“Dad wanted to come?”
“Of course he wanted to come. He missed seeing you when you popped into LA.”
“What a bad daughter I am. I haven’t called him at all since I came and left,” I answered between bites. “I didn’t know how to explain what had happened.”
“I gave your father the little you told me, and he was pissed!” Mom started laughing. “He called Donovan the moment I explained what happened.”
“Oh no! Please tell me Daddy didn’t go all ‘Chief of Staff’ on him.” How embarrassing to have one’s father berating a man who holds no interest in his daughter.
“No. Lucky for Donovan, he didn’t answer his phone. In fact, Jake told me Donovan had come into London to see you right after you left. You didn’t see him?” Mom cautiously brought up his name.
“No. And I’ll explain why I didn’t see him after I make this call to Daddy.”
I called my father and he picked up immediately. “Hello, Baby!”
“Hi, Daddy. How are you?”
“Pissed.” He chuckled.
“Who, what, when, where, and why?”
“I’m pissed that I have to work while the two loves of my life are having a ball in New York, and I’m pissed that my beautiful daughter is shedding tears over an ass who doesn’t know his head from his tail.”
“Ah. I see. Well, as for your first point of discontent, I say come join us. Leave the hospital for a few days. They’ll survive without you.”
“I wish I could, Baby. But we are short-staffed as it is and Jake’s on a quick leave because of JR.”
“That’s a bummer.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“I am feeling a thousand times better, and as for Donovan Taylor, I don’t want you to call him and say anything to him.”
“You still sticking up for that jerk?”
“I am not sticking up for him; I am just trying not to embarrass myself. What could you possibly say to him that will not make me look like a love-sick fool? You going to berate him because he broke your little girl’s heart?”
“Hell yes!”
“No Daddy. Whatever he chooses to do and whomever he chooses to do it with, I am not a part of that equation. Let’s not bring to light my schoolgirl crush.”
“Damn! I so wanted to kick his ass.”
“How about saving that energy for when you visit me in London, once Jake comes back to the hospital?”
“All right, Baby. You have a great time with your mother.”
“Thank you, Daddy. I will.”
“Your father able to make it to New York?” Mom asked doubtfully.
“No. He’s gotta work, but he says he’ll try and come see me in London.”
Mom was careful not to bring up the topic of Donovan Taylor and I didn’t feel the need to mention him, either. We were enjoying ourselves dining, shopping and taking in a third show after Cinderella and Wicked. Even during the romantic musical, Once, I was fine, loving the time I had with my mother. I watched, listened, and marveled at the clever set changes and the beauty of the music.
It was when we got to our frozen hot chocolate dessert place I broke down like a fool over a song. While waiting for our dessert, I heard a part of a song in which Romeo kneels to the ground and proposes to Juliet, and this is what made me lose it. The picture of Donovan asking Jane to marry him flashed in my mind. Seeing the two of them happy and in love was too much for my feeble heart.
“Laney!” I had startled my mother. “What’s the matter?”
“How am I going to watch Donovan and Jane together at family functions? Will I need to stay away from the family till I can get rid of this hurt?” I did my best to whisper in a crowded restaurant. To say Mom was alarmed would’ve been an understatement.
“Before I came here, I had a long talk with Jake and Emily and they were both under the impression that Donovan was in love with you. They told me that what happened between Donovan and Jane was a mistake and the two of them have corrected their ways since you last saw them.”
“How can you be in love with someone and makeout with another person? Jake and Emily have been my champions and they want Donovan to be in love with me. But he’s in love with Jane. I saw it with my own two eyes.”
It was at this point that I decided enough was enough. I was sick of crying and I was damn sick of feeling sad. The hurt wasn’t gone, but being with my mother in this lively city was a blessing, and having a man like Michael treat me like a queen was also another blessing. Rather than focusing on what didn’t happen for me, or what went wrong, I would focus on the positives.
“What can I do for you, my sweet daughter? How can I take away the pain?”
“All is good now, Mom.” Mom gave me the strangest look. I think my quick turnabout was too much for
her. “I decided at this very moment that I’m going to change my attitude. I’m sick of feeling sorry for myself. If Jane and Donovan end up getting married and having a busload of kids, then so be it. I don’t give a damn! If she is who he chooses, then more power to the both of them.” Mom was seriously scared for me, now. “I wish them well and I’ll see them at family functions with a smile on my face.”
“All righty…” That’s all Mom could say. I chuckled.
“Did I tell you I have a boyfriend named Michael?”
That’s when Mom lost it and laughed all the way back to the hotel.
“Tell me about Michael.” She said while lying on her side of the extra wide king-sized bed. “Where on earth did he come from and why haven’t I heard about him till now?”
“I think I told you about Michael, his sister Ruby Aleksandra and the rest of the Bennington family. They’re the ones I met off the plane, the day I landed in Heathrow.”
“I remember you telling me about them, but how did that progress to Michael becoming your first boyfriend?”
Mom didn’t bat an eye when I gave her the silly story of what happened while I was outside daydreaming about Donovan. But she was floored when I told her that Michael proposed. “He wants me to be his Duchess.”
“Is that an English term of endearment?”
“Probably for most, but in the case of Michael, it’s a title. His grandfather is an actual duke. He has a seat in Derbyshire.”
“Oh.” Mom paid more attention than before. “And what does Michael do?”
“He just got his MBA from Harvard and he’ll go into the family business of managing their estate.”
“Is it a large estate?”
“I assume. I’ve no idea.” Shrugging my shoulders while laying on my side wasn’t easy. “But his grandfather’s summer home looks like one of those English castles.”
“When have you seen this castle?”
“Michael took me straight to his grandfather’s after I came back to London. That’s why I didn’t see Donovan if he stopped by.”
“I see.”
“What do you think?” I could tell by mom’s lack of enthusiasm that there wasn’t the approval I sought.