Coffee in Common

by Dee Mann

Rob's eyes widened in shock and his reaction was not lost on Chad.

  "Did you think a father doesn't know when his daughter is beautiful and sexy? Trust me, it's a nightmare that starts at puberty and never ends, at least not until they get married and then it's for the husband to worry about. Anyway, as I said, I never liked anyone she brought home, and that included you."

  Geez. Why don't ya say what you really mean?

  "Lisa has always been a rebellious girl. Even as a child, she had a mind of her own and it made things very difficult. You see, her mother and I had her life mapped out before she was even born. Good schools, on to Harvard or Yale, then to law school, a brilliant career, maybe a judgeship, maybe even the Supreme Court.

  "She put an end to that dream a week before her eighth birthday when she announced she wanted to be an astronaut. Or was it a goat herder? No matter. The point is from that day on, she never had the slightest interest in the law. It took us a very long time to get over that. We saw it as a rejection of who we were, of everything we stood for. Stupid, I know, but such are the joys of parenting.

  "When I finally came to terms with her not wanting to be a lawyer, I switched to wanting her to be happy. But the kind of happiness I saw her pursuing, the partying and pretty boys, well, I knew that was partly her youth. But another part was because she knew we'd disapprove. It was as if she wanted to send us a message that she was willing to be anything, as long as it wasn't like us. That hurt the most. I think I understand it better now, in light of what I know about the marriage. She must have been devastated when she realized what happened, but we were so alienated then, she never even gave a thought to telling us and letting us help. I'm sure she believed we'd have…well, all that's in the past. Even now, she doesn't think we understand or approve of her. And maybe we…maybe I'm to blame for that.

  "I was always quick to express my disapproval of her lifestyle and the men she dated. I knew none of them ever really made her happy. They were playthings and I found myself rejecting each new one out of hand. It was clear to me from the moment she hit puberty that nobody would ever be good enough for my little girl. But then, suddenly, she wasn't a little girl any longer and she wouldn't let me take care of her and protect her."

  He was gazing out the window as he spoke, but turned his head to catch Rob's eyes. "I know you can't really understand those feelings, even if you think you do. But someday you will, if you ever have a girl of your own."

  He paused again and shook his head. "I can't believe how I've been rambling. I had this all planned out before you came back, and now…well, if I ever did this during a summation in court, I'd lose the jury for sure."

  Again he paused, this time for a deep breath. "As I was saying, now for the third time, I never thought any of the men she dated were good enough for her. Until now."

  Rob's stomach sort of turned over.

  Did he just say…?

  "This past week or so, I think I've learned something about your character. Many men, certainly those who preceded you, would have run from a mess like the one Lisa created. But you stood by her, apparently unfazed. You influenced her to do what was smart and right, and you supported her in every way she needed. And unless I've severely misjudged you, you'll continue to do so regardless of what or how long it takes. Am I correct?"

  "Yes, of course I will."

  "And what she did doesn't bother you at all? That she could have been so rash, so impetuous, and then so foolish in letting it go on?"

  Rob shrugged. "We all have a past."

  And thank God you're not privy to the details of mine.

  "My own might not hold up too well under cross-examination.

  "But it's our past that makes us who we are today. In a way, I'm happy about what happened back then. Because if she hadn't been so impulsive, who knows where life would have led her. Probably not to me, though."

  Chad saw how the boy physically reacted to the thought. "You really do love her, don't you?"

  "Sir, Chad, I don't know that I have the words to tell you how much I love your daughter. She is the most amazing woman I've ever met."

  He paused, and Chad could see he was weighing whether or not to say something.

  "Chad, I…I know I'm no prize. I know who I am and what I am and that I'll never be the richest or most successful guy she could be with. But sir, whatever I am today, whatever I'll be in the future, it will be because Lisa brings out the best in me. If she dumped me tomorrow, I'd still be a better man for having known her. She makes me want to be more than I am, more than I think I can be. And I don't mean just job- or money-wise."

  Chad was nodding. "I understand. It was like that with Lissy and me when I was your age."

  Rob started to say something, but Chad held up his hand.

  "Rob, the real reason I wanted to talk to you this morning, is that I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for Lisa recently. Getting her to come to us for help, well, I know that couldn't have been easy. Not at all. And I also wanted to apologize for the way I misjudged you. At first, I thought you were another one of the party boys. I never took the time to try to discover what she saw in you, even when it became clear you were more than a casual fling. But I'm starting to see it now, and I find myself very impressed."

  This is surreal! Her father who used to hate me is thanking me! And apologizing to me! Lisa is not going to believe it!

  "Rob, I know for a fact the annulment will be granted. It might take some time to work through the system, even with the prodigious amount of grease Lissy and I applied, but it will happen."

  "That's great news!" Rob was clearly excited. "Uh, did you want me not to say anything to her?"

  "No, you can tell her. Hell, you'd better tell her." He shifted in his chair to face Rob full on. "One thing you should know, in case you don't already, is never try to keep secrets from your wife. She'll always eventually find out, and you'll always pay for it, one way or another."

  My wife? He just called her my wife!

  Chad caught Rob's expression and laughed out loud. "No, you really better not try to keep secrets from her. Or lie. Ever. You're way too easy to read."

  Then, as if he had been reading his mind, he said, "Lisa told Lissy about your proposal. Perhaps she could have left out some of the details…" Chad saw embarrassment flood the boy's face. "…but we're thankful she's talking to us again about her life.

  "Rob, understand that I'm speaking for Lissy, too, when I tell you how sorry we are your proposal didn't go as you planned. But it's our sincere hope that when this unpleasant legal mess is resolved, you will once again ask her to marry you, and that this time, she'll have the good sense to say yes."

  He extended his hand across the table. "And I want you to know that when she does, I will be very happy to know an exceptionally good man will be taking care of my little girl."

  MONDAY, MAY 31

  6:05 PM

  "I guess that's damn good news all around then."

  Paul drained the last of his Rodenbach Belgian Red Ale.

  "Man, it's hard for me to imagine you as a married dude. You realize the day's gonna come when the only time we'll be able to sit here drinking beer like this is nights like tonight, when Lisa's working late and Jillian's at the theater with her friends."

  "Yah, well, I'm not married yet so drink up. But once she's not married anymore, I'm goin' for the gusto as my old man used to say."

  "And you weren't exaggerating a little about what her father said?"

  "I swear. By the time her mom came downstairs, he and I had been trading stories about college for over an hour. Turns out he was one wild dude.

  "You know, I think this thing with Lisa really rocked them. I think it made them look at how they lived their lives, working all the time and such. I think it made them realize that as much as they love Lisa, when she was growing up, they let her down as parents by substituting things for time. I…" Rob frowned for a second, then nodded toward the door. "Isn't that the guy who was playing Priya
?"

  He turned and sure enough, Brian stood near the front door surveying the room. When he noticed Paul, he headed directly for him.

  "Shit, What the hell does he want now? Is he never going to give up?"

  Seconds later, Brian stood facing him.

  "Hi. This will probably seem weird, but I need to ask you a favor."

  Paul's obvious incredulity didn't faze him a bit.

  "I know you're good friends with Priya. She told me so the night we went out. I need you to ask her to let me talk to her."

  "Look man she really doesn't want to talk with you. Frankly, I don't blame her."

  "But why? What did I do? We hit it off so well that night. And then she avoids me and the only time I talked with her she accuses me of playing her. She didn't even tell me how or why or anything. She never gave me a chance to say a thing. And it is not true."

  That neither of them believed him was again obvious, but again, Brian seemed unconcerned.

  "Paul, I know she liked me that night, just as much as I liked her. Well, maybe not just as much, but enough. When we said goodnight, everything was cool. We were both looking forward to talking on Monday. But something happened and I have to find out what it was. All I want is a chance to explain or make it right. Do you know what happened?"

  "Brian, whatever's going on between you two is between you two. It's not for me to say anything. She's my friend, and even if I knew her thoughts, I wouldn't presume to tell them to you, or Rob, or anyone else."

  Brian sighed. "I understand. Can I sit down for a minute?"

  Paul nodded toward a chair and Brian perched on the edge of it.

  "I know I must have been coming across as a freak or some kind of stalker for the past two weeks, but I really like her. She's someone really special, and I'm not willing to walk away with her thinking I'm some kind of scumbag.

  "If there hadn't been any chemistry, then it would be different. But there was. It felt like, I don't know, like I knew her that night. It was the best date I ever had.

  "All I want is one chance to talk to her, to find out what happened. Then, if she really doesn't want to see me any more, I'll never bother her again. I swear. But I can't give up and walk away without knowing why. Can you understand that?"

  Paul didn't say anything at first.

  Yah, I understand. And it sure seems like you're telling the truth. Reminds me of me a few weeks ago. But…shit!

  "Okay, Brian. I want you to listen to me very carefully because I mean every word I'm about to say literally."

  He paused a second to let it sink in.

  "I think I believe you. And so I'll talk to Priya, let her know what you've said, and what I think, and I'll probably end up convincing her to see you. Now this is the part you should really pay attention to. Priya means a lot to me. So if I do this, and I ever find out you're a good actor and that you've been playing some game with me and with her, there is nowhere you'll be able to hide. I will find you and I will hurt you. And I don't think I'll have any problem recruiting a few friends to help me." From the corners of their eyes, they both saw Rob nodding vigorously. "This is not a joke. If you are not one hundred percent on the level, and you hurt her in any way, you had better relocate to another country before I find you. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, yes, thank you. Really. Thank you."

  "Does she have your phone number?"

  "She did, but she probably tossed it."

  Paul pushed a napkin across the table. "Write it down. If she's willing to see you, she'll call you. If she hasn't called by Friday, you can safely assume she won't and that it's time to get on with your life. Understand?"

  "Yes. I understand. But please, do your best. I just can't lose her over a misunderstanding."

  9:10 PM

  "Hey Jilli, listen. Isn't that the song?"

  Over the din of the crowd milling around the lobby during intermission, Liz caught faint strains of an instrumental Could I have This Dance.

  Jillian had been telling her friends about how nice Paul had been lately, despite her preoccupation. "Yup. See. Every time I'm talking about him."

  It had been three years since Jillian last saw Phantom of the Opera. This would be her fourth time but was the first for both Liz and Jenna.

  "You were right," Jenna said. "The music is so much better in person. I'm really glad you talked me into coming. And the guy who's playing the Phantom. Did you see his picture in the Playbill? I think I may want to have his children."

  "Stand in line," Liz told her. "I get first dibs 'cause I'm older."

  "No way. Five weeks doesn't entitle you to anything but waiting your turn while I make that man reach notes he never dreamed of."

  They argued back and forth over who would ravish him first until, after a minute or so, Jillian said, "Both of you can stand in line. Seeing as I'm the oldest, I should get to do him first."

  "Woo-hoo! Wait 'till I tell Paul about this." Liz was wearing her evil grin.

  "Woo-hoo is right!" Jenna said. "You getting tired of coffee boy already? Or are you getting frustrated 'cause he won't give you any?"

  Jillian laughed. "Well, I have been feeling a little frisky lately, especially the last week or so. Even with the way I've been…preoccupied…he's been so damn sweet and attentive that sometimes I just want to jump him."

  "You realize he won't stay that way forever if this Aiden thing keeps dragging out," Liz said. "No more sightings?"

  Jillian shook her head. "Nothing for over a week. It doesn't make any sense. Honestly, I'm grateful it's stopped, but now I'm thinking about him even more, wondering if he'll appear again."

  "Maybe that's his game," Jenna said. "He stalks you for a while to let you know he's back and to get you thinking about him. Then he vanishes for a while, which he figures will confuse you and make you think about him even more so when he does reappear, you've almost conditioned yourself to want to see him again."

  "That would be like him," Liz said. "He was always good at manipulating people and situations. I bet Jenna hit it right on the head."

  "I'd like to hit him on the head," Jillian grumbled. "This game of his is not amusing."

  The lights in the lobby flickered to let patrons know the play was about to resume. She turned to Liz as they walked down the isle to their seats. "As for you blabbing to Paul, go right ahead. Maybe it'll make him jealous enough to finally take off his pants!"

  9:25 PM

  After Brian left, the conversation reverted back to Rob and Lisa and stayed there for the better part of two and a half hours. Rob seemed to have undergone an astounding transformation. Paul had never seen his best friend so excited, so enthusiastic, so willing to talk about his relationship with Lisa, his plans and dreams for their future together. He was happy for him, but the happiness he felt for Rob and Lisa only underscored his reservations about his relationship with Jillian.

  He was doing his best to be supportive, to help her in the only way she would let him – by being there and making their time together special. But more and more, he noticed her attention was off somewhere. More and more, he wondered who or what was so engaging her. And more and more, he worried that she might be drifting away from him.

  Maybe I should have screwed her when I had the chance.

  "Nah."

  "Huh? Nah what?"

  "Nothing."

  I don't want meaningless sex with her. I want it all. But Rob's not the one to talk to about this, at least not tonight, when he's so high on himself and Lisa. Maybe I'll call Priya later.

  When Lisa arrived a few minutes later, Paul was just starting on a Sam Adams Double Bock. "Hi. How're you doing? It feels like I haven't seen you for weeks."

  Lisa searched his face for a few seconds then turned to Rob and said, "You two have been talking about me all night, haven't you?"

  Rob just blinked. Paul shook his head a little, as if to clear it. "How the heck did you know that?"

  "Feminine intuition. Don't you know you can never hide anything f
rom us?" She laughed a bit before she turned to Rob. "And you, mister, will be well served to remember that."

  The guys joined in the laughter and Rob flagged the waitress as Lisa settled in. After her Harpoon Summer arrived and she emptied half the mug in a few seconds, she asked Paul how things were going with Jillian.

  "Everything's fine."

  "Sure it is. Now tell me the truth. I know about what's been going on. Did you think Rob would keep it to himself?"

  Rob's rueful grin let Paul know Lisa did, indeed, know everything. He sighed.

  "Honestly, I don't know. Sometimes it's like the first two weeks, but more often than not, it's like she's somewhere else inside her head. I'm starting to think there might be someone else."

  "Really? Another guy?"

  Paul shrugged. "All I know is this started two weeks ago when she saw someone she described as a ghost from her past. If she'd tell me what's going on I could deal with it, even if she won't let me help. But all this silence is really making me think she wants to hide something."

  "Or someone," Rob added.

  "Yah. Or someone."

  "What'll you do?" Lisa asked.

  "What can I do? I suppose I could follow her around, or make a scene and demand she tell me what's going on, but neither of those is my style. If she's telling me the truth, then she'll resolve the issue and clue me in one day. If she's not, well, I guess I'll find that out soon enough. But I have to believe she's being straight, that she's going through something that'll make her stronger, make us stronger. Maybe I'm kidding myself, maybe it's wishful thinking, but the feelings I've had since the day I met her haven't changed a bit. So I guess I'll wait it out and hope for the best."

  Even though he smiled, he didn't look optimistic.

  TUESDAY, JUNE 1

  5:40 PM

  "Mmmm. The sun feels great," Paul said as they crossed to the Common.

  "Sure does. Where's Jilli?"