Uncorked

by Rebecca Rohman

  After he left, she closed her office door and returned to her desk to open the box and card. In the box were her favorite and very expensive white chocolates. The card read,

  12 Noon

  Since you didn’t respond

  in time for me to take you to lunch

  I thought I’d supply you with

  your favorite dessert

  I’m sorry.

  Please, please, please

  Forgive me

  xoxoxo

  Mitch

  She dialed his direct line at his office hoping to catch him off-guard.

  “Mitch Mariani speaking,” he answered at the other end of the line.

  She smiled at the sound of his voice. “There’s a really, really embarrassing display of flowers in my office. I’m running out of surface space to put them on.”

  “Three words and you won’t have to make any space for the one o’clock one,” he responded. She heard the smile in his voice.

  “And chocolates, too. You sure know how to manipulate women to get your way, Mr. Mariani.”

  “I’d prefer to look at it as flattery, Miss Noon.”

  “Well, today is your lucky day. If you’d waited you could have saved yourself the expense. I had every intention of calling you today, but I had a meeting first thing this morning.”

  “You’re worth every penny,” he laughed. “On a serious note though, Chella, I am really, really sorry. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

  “Is there anything else you’d like to tell me that I should know?” Chella asked.

  “Only that I’m sorry, and I’d be honored if you’d let me take you to dinner tonight.”

  “I forgive you Mitch, but we really do need to talk.”

  “I’m an open book. I’ll tell you whatever you need to know. What time should I pick you up?”

  “I should be done by six.”

  “Great. I’ll see you then. I’ve missed you Chell…”

  “I miss you too,” she replied, smiling.

  “I hope this makes up for my shortcomings, Chell,” Mitch said as he handed her a box. They sat at a quiet corner table at a quaint Italian restaurant.

  “You didn’t have to do this. I forgave you before I saw your flowers this morning.”

  “Open it.”

  “What is it?” she asked while opening the box.

  Inside was a beautiful, silver compact.

  “It’s beautiful. How did you know I needed one?”

  “The other one you had broke the first night we met, remember?”

  “I can’t believe you remembered that. I love it,” she replied with a broad smile. “So, tell me about your daughter?” Chella asked, as they enjoyed a limoncello with dessert, “What’s her name?”

  “Her name is Emily, and she’s five years old. She’s adorable and extremely intelligent. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter.”

  “Do you have a photo?”

  “I have plenty on my phone.” Mitch replied as they perused through his phone together. He proudly showed her tons of pictures of the little girl. She was the image of her dad—with brown curly hair.

  “She’s beautiful, Mitch. She has your eyes.”

  “She’s one of the greatest joys in my life.”

  “What went wrong between you and her mother? Why did you get a divorce?”

  “When Charlotte and I got married, she had broken up with her college sweetheart of five years at the time, only a year and a half before. Apparently, she never quite got over him, and he over her. They had an affair, possibly even while she was pregnant with Emily.

  I saw her one day having lunch with him about a month before she gave birth. When I asked her what was going on, she denied everything. She said it was just a friendly lunch. Then after Emily was born, I began to notice little changes. She would get home half an hour later than usual. She started going to an outside gym, even though we had one in the building where we lived. Other things I can’t recall right now. When my suspicions increased, I hired a P.I. and he confirmed my fears, photos and everything. I filed for a divorce immediately. She and George married six months after our divorce was final.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It hurt a lot back then. She was the first woman I fell in love with. I should have taken a hint. My mom never liked her. She merely accepted that she was my wife and respected that.”

  “I can see in the photo of her now that she’s your child. Did you ever question your paternity?”

  “Yes. When she was two months old, DNA testing proved that I was her father.”

  “Where is she now?” Chella asked. The waiter stepped in to clear their plates.

  “In Santa Monica with her mother, stepfather and brother, Micky. I try to go down one weekend a month to spend time with her since I moved here. During her vacation and on long weekends I get to see her. I speak to her frequently over the phone or video chat, sometimes daily or just about every other day.”

  “What’s your relationship like with her mother?”

  “We’re civil. We have Joint Legal Custody of Emily. I support my daughter, and we keep in touch. I keep our conversations to what time should I pick her up and drop her home, but we make all major decisions about her life together. She sees my mom frequently, though. Mom babysits her most days after school and some weekends.”

  “I hope I get to meet her someday.”

  “Why don’t we fly down to Santa Monica next weekend? You’ll get to meet her and my Mom, and we can bring the boat back.”

  “Oh, Mitch, that sounds great, but do you think I’m ready to meet your Mom? Just the thought makes me nervous.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” he replied, kissing her on her hand. “Just be yourself. I’m sure they are both going to love you. Did you have any more questions?”

  “No, I suppose you answered them all. I wasn’t sure I was ready to deal with a bitchy ex-wife, especially since you have a child together, but it seems you’ve both moved on with your own separate lives and keep things civil where you daughter is concerned.”

  “Chella, I don’t want you to have any concerns regarding her. That relationship has been over for a while now, and I have no feelings for her. I respect her as my daughter’s mother. That’s it.”

  “Are there any other women you’ve had relationships with that I need to be concerned about?” she asked, looking straight into his mostly-green eyes.

  “No. It seems I’ve had some bad luck with women. I’m hoping that will change with you.” He held her hand. “The last woman I started seeing seriously was about four years ago. About two months after we started seeing each other she was killed in a car accident. Since then, I haven’t been in a serious relationship. I’ve just dated casually.”

  “I’m sorry. I know how that feels. It must have been tough.”

  “It was tough. It was very sad. I was fond of her, but it was too early in the relationship. I say this with respect to her. I wasn’t in love with her yet, so it was easier to let go.”

  “I understand. I guess I can deal with that.”

  “I promise you. There are no women you need to worry about, with the exception of my mom, Liz.”

  “Gee, thanks, Mitch. Now I’m dying to meet her,” Chella said sarcastically then smiled.

  “I’m teasing, Chell. I’m certain my mom is going to love you. You’re not like any of the other women I’ve dated.”

  “I think that’s supposed to be a compliment. So thanks.”

  “It is. I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

  “What makes me so special?”

  “Well, there’s the obvious. You’re beautiful and caring and you make me laugh, but I think one of the things that attracts me to you most is your ability to always consider how your actions could affect people. You’re selfless.”

  “I don’t see myself that way.”

  “Well, I do. Next time I see one of those great qualities, I’ll be sure to point them out to you. Now let’s ge
t you home. Chella, I’m sorry that I hurt you. Are we okay?”

  “I think so,” she replied, stroking his hand with her fingertips. “Why didn’t you tell me? Honestly?”

  “I thought if you knew a child was in the picture, you’d sever your ties with me completely. We’ve had so many ups and downs. I always feel like you could cut me out of your life at any time. I was afraid if you knew about her that might happen.”

  “I hate to admit it, but you were right to feel that way. I fear, at some point, I might be forced to do just that. I hope you know if I did that, it’s not because I want to hurt you. It would be to protect you. I’m so afraid that I might have to give up the man that I’ve developed all these complicated feelings for,” she said as she smiled at him, lacing her fingers through his.

  “So where do I fit into your life?”

  “I care about you. Deeply. Very deeply.”

  “Chella, I want more.”

  “I want more, too. Mitch, please don’t ask me to commit or put a label on this yet.”

  “So this is still a thing?” he asked, smiling softly.

  “For now? Yes. Are you okay with that?”

  “For now? Yes.” He held onto her hand tightly, then kissed her lightly on the lips.

  Upon arrival at the air terminal, Mitch spotted his best buddy, Alec, who had come to pick them up. They had been best friends from elementary through high school until Mitch went to college at UCLA and Alec went to the University of Michigan to study architecture and construction.

  “Hey Mitch, it’s so good to see you,” his friend said while giving him a hug. “This must be the lovely lady Chella you’ve been telling me so much about. Hello, Chella, I’m Alec. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too,” Chella replied, as he kissed her on the cheek.

  “You’re gorgeous.”

  Chella laughed. “Oh, stop it. Any more of this, and I might get a bit full of myself.”

  They dropped off their luggage on Mitch’s boat, Ciao Bella. Before heading to his mom’s house, he gave Chella a quick tour.

  She was a stunning sport-fishing beauty. The open stern’s floors were crafted out of beautiful teak, which welcomed them in. Straight ahead, they entered the beautiful saloon, which encompassed the living area with comfy plush sofas and the galley beyond.

  Three bedrooms, each with their own private bath, comprised one area down a few stairs. Sunlight flooded the master cabin through two oblong porthole windows on either side of the room, which also allowed for beautiful views beyond.

  Mitch completed the boat tour then they were on their way to surprise Mitch’s mom. A steady stream of conversation kept the drive interesting. Of course, Alec had to give Mitch a rundown of all the latest events in Santa Monica. Not only did the two go to school together, but Alec’s family home was three doors down the street from where Mitch once lived with his mom.

  It was nice for Chella to sit and listen to friends talk about old times. Their friendship reminded her of her old friend, Brittney. When Chella and her family had moved to the United States, Brittney was the first friend to invite Chella to have lunch with her at school. From that day on, they were inseparable. They took the bus home together every day until Brittney got her license in the last year of high school and would give her a ride to school in her old Honda Accord. Unfortunately, after the first term of school, she moved to Vermont, leaving Chella without her best friend.

  Soon after, she met Aaron. He was great for a while—in fact, most of the time. Their parents had all met, and he was invited to family dinners and even on the occasional family day trip. Until she got pregnant.

  “Chella? Chella we’re here.” Mitch’s voice snapped her back to the present. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, thanks,” she replied. The car pulled into a driveway of a darling little house: yellow and white paint with a wrap-around porch, white picket fence, roses in all colors and sizes, ferns framing the porch steps.

  Mitch knocked on the door. Dance music from inside filtered through an open front window.

  “Just a minute, I’ll be right there!” a woman shouted then opened the door.

  “Surprise!” Mitch shouted with excitement. “Mom, it’s so good to see you.”

  “Mitch? My God, don’t just stand outside on the porch. Come in, I was just exercising. Hello, Alec. And who is this beauty you’re with?” she asked, all smiles.

  “Mom, she’s with me. I want you to meet Chella Noon. She’s very special to me. Chella, meet my mom, Elizabeth.”

  “Pleasure to meet you.” Chella shook the woman’s hand and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Chella. Everybody calls me Liz. Mrs. Mariani was my mother,” she said, laughing.

  She was not at all what Chella was expecting. She answered the door decked out in gym wear—sexy gym wear. She might have been Mitch’s mom, but she was not a grandma-type. Liz was olive-skinned, petite, in her mid-fifties. She had a charming smile. Mitch didn’t get his height from her—he hovered probably two feet over her. What she lacked in height, she made up for in personality.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have cooked something special for dinner.”

  “I wanted to surprise you,” said Mitch. “Anything you cook will be fine. At least you have my favorite pie in the oven. We could smell it from outside.”

  “Let me take a quick shower then I’ll finish fixing dinner. Alec, what about you? Are you staying for dinner?”

  “Sorry, Liz. I’ve got to pick up Jeannie. Mitch, call me when you’re ready to go to the boat, and I’ll come pick you up.”

  “You mean you’re not staying here?” asked Liz.

  “No, Mom. I came to pick up the boat. I’m taking it back to San Diego. We sail on Sunday.”

  “But I want—”

  “Mom, thank you, but we’re staying on the boat.”

  Awkward…

  “Don’t worry, Alec,” Liz said. “Mitch can always have my car while he’s here.”

  After Alec left, Mitch asked, “Are you sure, Mom? Isn’t there anywhere you have to go? You know I can rent a car. The only reason I didn’t is because Alec insisted he pick us up from the airport.”

  “No, Hon, don’t you worry about me. Just make sure you and my sweet grandchild are here for dinner tomorrow. So, where did you two meet?” Liz asked curiously.

  “Vicky and Jason introduced us.” Mitch responded, looking at Chella smiling.

  “Oh. So you were the one who spent some nights at his house a week ago?”

  “That would be me.”

  “Is that what you girls do nowadays? Three months after meeting a man you move in with him?”

  “Mom!”

  “That wasn’t quite what happened,” Chella replied tartly. “Neither do I live with Mitch.”

  “Mom, can I talk to you for a second?” said Mitch, holding his mother by her arm and tugging her into a nearby room. The door closed behind them. From the tone of her first conversation with Liz, Chella had every right to be nervous on the flight to L.A. and the subsequent drive to Santa Monica. Chella was not in the habit of allowing people to be rude to her, but this was Mitch’s mom and she was in her house, so she had to show some measure of respect.

  Minutes later, Mitch returned.

  “Chella, I’m sorry about that. She had no right to speak to you that way.”

  “I told you it was too early for me to meet your family.”

  “I was certain this time would be different. I’m sorry. I thought this time around, she’d see what I see.”

  “My instincts tell me I shouldn’t take this too personally. Sandra Bullock could be sitting here, and she would find something wrong with her.”

  “If you like, I can get a rental car delivered over here. We could leave now.”

  “She’d blame me for keeping her son from spending time with her. Rent a car if you want, but I can stick it out through dinner.”

/>   “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. If it becomes unbearable, trust me, you’ll know.”

  Soon after the car was delivered, they sat down to dinner and the interrogation picked up right where Liz left off.

  “So, Chella, tell me more about yourself. Where are you from?”

  “St. Lucia. It’s an island in the Caribbean.”

  “Did you go to college?”

  “Yes, I did. That’s where I met Vicky, we went to U.C. Berkeley.”

  “What did you study?”

  “Business with a concentration in Marketing.”

  “And she graduated with honors,” Mitch interjected. “Mom, enough with the interrogation.”

  “Those look like some pretty expensive shoes you’re wearing. Do you work?” Liz continued, ignoring Mitch.

  “I’m glad you like them. They’re new. I just love my Jimmy Choo shoes,” Chella replied, sarcastically.

  “Such expensive taste. Can you afford those on your salary?”

  “Mom,” snapped Mitch. “That’s not your business.”

  Mitch’s cell phone bleated through the charged air.

  He sighed and answered, “Charlotte, what’s up?”

  Liz stared at Chella as if she were the next dish to be served.

  “Hold on a second,” Mitch said. He put his hand over the mouthpiece. “Chell, I have to take this. Something’s up with Emily.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Chella said.

  When Mitch left the room, Liz said, “Chella, can I be honest with you about something? You know, woman to woman?”

  “Sure.” Chella looked her straight in the eye.

  “I’m not sure what you’re after from my son. Maybe it’s money, I’m not certain, but let me tell you this. Mitch won’t explain to me the nature of your relationship, and I have a big problem with him bringing a woman into our lives when there are no clearly-defined lines. I guess what I’m asking is what are your intentions with my son?”

  “With all due respect to you, Liz, Mitch is a grown man. Those are questions he is more than capable of answering. As for my intentions, you don’t have to worry about your son’s bank account. He has his, and I have mine. Trust me when I tell you I pay my own way.”