Uncorked
Page 10
“Are you sleeping with him?”
Chella nearly choked on her pie. “I don’t see how that could possibly be any of your business.”
“I have a problem with Mitch bringing a woman around my grandchild when he won’t tell me her background.”
“Well, maybe you should trust his judgment. Is he in the habit of bringing tons of women into your home?”
“No, he’s not, but for some reason he found it necessary to bring you.”
Well, maybe you should take a hint…
“Liz, am I really the problem? Or would any woman he brought into your house get the same reception?”
“I don’t trust you.”
“On what basis? You haven’t even tried to get to know me. From the moment I walked into your house, you judged me. I tried to be pleasant and helpful to you, but all I get is the cold shoulder. When you’re not being cold or rude, you accuse me of being after your son for his money. You know absolutely nothing about me.”
“Then why won’t Mitch talk to me about your family and your past? If you have something to hide, he shouldn’t be bringing you around my granddaughter.”
“I don’t owe you an explanation, but because I care about your son, I’ll tell you this. I have no family. They’re all dead. My parents died in a car accident when I was eighteen, and because of that, my past is a painful one. I don’t like to talk about it. So maybe Mitch won’t say anything to you because everything I’ve told him was in the strictest of confidence. If that means I have something to hide then fine.”
“Mitch may be a grown man, but he’s still my one and only baby. I want what’s best for him, so if there is something I don’t like about his girlfriends, I tell him. I didn’t like Charlotte, and we all know how that ended. She never loved him as much as he loved her. At least I got a grandchild out of it.”
“I’m not Charlotte, and he’s not a baby. I appreciate that you want what’s best for him and you’re protective of him. I’d probably be the same way, but for you to disrespect me the way you have is totally uncalled for.”
“Nothing’s uncalled for when it comes to protecting my family.”
“Can we just try to get along to make Mitch happy?”
“Not unless you tell me what you’re hiding.”
Mitch walked back into the room. “Mom, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Nothing that’s not the truth. I don’t see the need for pretense. I don’t like her. She’s not good enough for you.”
“By your standards, no one will ever be good enough for me.”
“Francesca is still available.”
“Francesca is like a sister. Nothing more. You’ve been trying to set me with your best friend’s daughter all my life. When will you get it through you head that I am not interested in her?”
“Why don’t you at least take her on a date? She doesn’t live too far from San Diego.”
“Because Chella is the one I’m interested in. I have very deep feelings for her, and I don’t appreciated how you treated her tonight. Do you have to be so repugnant?”
“I was just being honest.”
“Mom, I’m only going to say this one time, just once. Chella is the woman I care about. She’s the one I want in my life, and if you can’t learn to get along with her and respect her, then I’m afraid when I’m in Santa Monica and she’s with me I won’t be visiting. The choice is yours.”
“She’s after your money.”
“Where’s the evidence to support that statement? Mom, I’m warning you. If you can’t be civil, and you continue to make these baseless claims, you won’t see me.”
“That’s exactly what she wants.”
“Why do you think every woman who comes into my life wants to get into a competition with you?”
“She needs to tell me what she’s hiding first.”
“Chella’s past is none of your business.”
“If she’s involved with you it is.”
“This is getting us nowhere. Goodbye. Don’t expect us for dinner tomorrow.” Mitch snatched his blazer off the back of the chair and rammed his fists through the sleeves.
“You’re falling for her tricks. That’s what she wants.”
“When you make up your mind, you know my number.”
Chella stood and looked at Liz. “I have no interest in keeping Mitch away from you. I grew up without a family, and I know how difficult that can be. I’d never want that for anyone I cared about, especially if they had a choice. I’m willing to forget about tonight if you want to start over.”
“He may be fooled by your antics, but I’m not,” Liz sneered.
“That’s enough.” Mitch picked up the car keys, grabbed Chella’s hand, and led the way through the door. “We’re leaving.”
Chella couldn’t believe the conversation she just had with his mother. In the past, when Mitch spoke of her behavior, Chella thought she was just an overprotective mother. She was far beyond overprotective.
As he drove away, he said, “I’m sorry I put you in this position. I should have known better.”
“Let’s just go. I’m exhausted. I need a shower and a bed.” Chella watched the street lights drift by outside her window. After a time, she added, “You know there’s one thing she was right about.”
“Hmm?”
“Being around Emily. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to meet her. Not yet. What if Aaron finds out you have a daughter? What if things don’t work out between us?”
“Those are not thoughts I wish to entertain. They’re legitimate, but we don’t live near each other, and we won’t be seeing Emily on a daily basis. I wouldn’t worry too much. I was hoping that my three favorite women could meet this weekend. I know it didn’t work out with my mom, but I think you would love Emily.”
“I’m sure I will, but I’m not sure it’s what’s best for her.”
“I took extra precautions when planning this trip. Everything is being paid with a prepaid debit card. My name is not attached to anything we purchase for this trip.”
“How’s that possible?”
“They’re available in mostly offshore markets. Some might cost some money upfront, but they’re out there.”
“How come I don’t know about this? A girl like me could have use for a card like that.” Chella said smiling.
“I’m sure you can. I’ll show you sometime.”
“And you’re sure this can’t be traced to you?”
“One-hundred percent.”
“Okay, I just want to be certain. By the way, is Emily okay? Earlier when Charlotte called, you said there was a problem with her?”
“Minor emergency. Emily was bitten by their neighbor’s dog. Barely broke the skin, but it frightened her. She asked for me when it happened.”
“Did you want to go see her?”
“No, she’s in bed now. We’ll see her in the morning.”
The following morning Mitch and Chella went to pick up Emily, excited about their plans for the day. When Emily entered the car with her Dad, she sat in the car seat hiding her face, looking through her fingers and smiling at Chella.
“Sweetie, I want you to meet Chella. Chella, this is my brilliant daughter, Emily.”
“Hello, Emily. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot of nice things about you.” Chella shook the little girl’s hand.
Emily smiled at Chella bashfully.
“I thought you might enjoy using this today,” Chella said, handing the little girl a pink gift bag.
“Go ahead. Open it,” Mitch said, encouraging her.
Emily pulled the small pink binoculars from the bag.
“It’s pink. That’s my favorite color,” she said.
“Great. Do you know what they are?” Chella asked her.
“I look through them?”
“That’s right. They’re binoculars. They help you see things that are far away.”
“Thank you. I like them because they’re pink. Daddy what are we doing today
?” Emily asked.
“Well, honey, we’re going to get some snacks and drinks now. Then we’re going to take the boat out to a nice bay down the coast and spend the day there. After we get back, we might go to dinner at grandma’s house. Sound’s good?”
“Daddy, that sounds great. I can’t wait!” The little girl said with excitement.
“Might?” Chella whispered looking over to Mitch.
“I’m not sure I want to take you back there, and I gave my mother an ultimatum. I haven’t heard from her regarding her decision.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll discuss it later,” she replied as she smiled at him.
As they sailed to their destination, Mitch at the wheel, Chella showed Emily how to use her new binoculars. It was the perfect gift. For hours, she and Chella looked through them at the spectacular coastal views and the abundant wildlife in the area. The fresh ocean breezes and the sun high in the sky set the scene for the day.
They anchored the boat in Morro Bay, a fishing village with hundreds of vessels scattered between a causeways or sand dunes of sorts. A massive, stunning rock jutted from the ocean’s surface. Falcons and pelicans hovered in the air, frequently feeding on whatever was in the water below. Seals frolicked along the rocky coastline and swam in the Prussian blue waters, splashing around like kids having fun. Kayakers and surfers glided over the ocean’s surface.
“Emily, would you like to help me collect some shells and sea glass?” Chella asked.
“Sure, we can put them in my sand bucket.”
“That’s a perfect idea.”
“Why don’t I leave you girls alone and go get us some lunch?” Mitch said.
“Sounds perfect,” Chella replied. He kissed them each good bye on the cheek, leaving them to their own devices.
“Chella, does sea glass grow in the sea?” Emily asked as they searched the shoreline.
“No. Sea glass starts out like normal glass from bottles and glasses or plates. When they’re near water and the seashore, they get weathered. Do you know what weathered means?”
“When it rains?”
“That’s weather. Weathered means worn, or old or damaged. Let me show you what I mean.” Chella stood where the waves lapped upon their feet. “See how every time the waves lash onto the shore you can see rocks and shells and maybe even glass rolling around in the sand and the water?”
“Yeah.”
“Every time that happens, it makes most of the sharp edges on the glass disappear. When the sand and the shells and the stones all rub against each other, it scratches the surface and makes it dull.”
“Is that why my mom doesn’t want me to ride my bike and play with my toys on the hardwood floors?”
Chella smiled at her analogy. “Something like that. When things rub against each other, they can get scratched, and damaged, and dull and that’s exactly what happens to normal glass left on the seashore. You understand?”
“I understand, but how does the glass get there in the first place?”
“Different ways. Sometimes people have parties on the beach and leave bottles behind. Sometimes people throw them off boats and ships.”
“How come there are so many different colors?”
“Well, many drinks come in different colored bottles—green, brown, blue, clear. People bring all kinds of bottles to the beach.”
“I’m going to tell Micky where sea glass comes from when I get home.”
“That awesome.”
“I love to teach my little brother new things.”
“It’s a fantastic way to learn.”
“Who taught you where sea glass came from Chella?”
“Probably my dad. I lived on an island a long time ago, and he used to take me to the beach every Saturday. We did exactly what you and I are doing now, collecting shells and sea glass and making sand castles.”
“You don’t do these things with your dad anymore?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because my daddy’s not here anymore. He’s in heaven.”
“That must make you sad.”
“It does sometimes.”
“When my grandma went to heaven, it made me sad.”
“I know how you feel, but you know how you can smile and be happy again?”
“Yes. I look at pictures and videos of when we used to have fun together.”
“That’s a great way to remember her.”
“Why didn’t your mommy go to the beach with you and your dad?”
“She’d stay home to fix our big Saturday night dinner. We used to have dinner together every Saturday night—the whole family. Sometimes she’d even bake a cake.”
“Do you still have dinner with your mom on Saturdays?”
“No, I don’t. She’s in heaven, too,” Chella replied, feeling a moment of sadness as she remembered her parents.
“I’m sorry. Maybe we should make a sand castle. That might make you happy.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
After lunch, Chella, Mitch and Emily took photos together and swam and snorkeled in the crystal clear waters. Mitch decided they would not go back to his mother’s house, so they perused the street shops and looked for a restaurant where they could enjoy an evening dinner.
They ate at a patio restaurant overlooking the boats and the beautiful views. Chella left Emily with her dad and excused herself to go to the restroom.
Chella noticed a man at the bar staring at her. He was probably in his thirties, blonde hair, piercing blue eyes. She had no idea who he was, but the way he stared and smiled at her left her feeling very uncomfortable.
When she exited the ladies room, the man stood in the narrow hallway between the bathroom and the dining room watching her, smiling. Goose bumps erupted on her skin. Everything about this man told her to stay away from him.
She returned into the bathroom and dug through her purse for her Taser gun. She took a deep breath, held the Taser firmly in her hand and headed out the bathroom.
The man was in the same position.
Chella Noon you can do this…
She leveled a stare at the stranger. “Take one step toward me, and I’ll blast your ass with fifty-thousand volts of electricity.”
“I just think you’re the prettiest lady,” he replied, still smiling but never making a move toward her.
Trying to remain cool, calm and collected, it took every ounce of courage not to run out of the restaurant. She returned to their table, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly slipped the Taser back into her bag.
“What’s wrong?” Mitch asked when he saw her serious expression.
Emily was bouncing and playing with a ball nearby.
“A man was staring at me when I went to the bathroom. When I got out, he was waiting for me in the hallway outside of the bathroom.”
“Are you okay?”
“Nervous as hell. I threatened him with my Taser gun.”
“What’s he wearing?”
“Red shirt, navy shorts.”
“Is he the one sitting at the end of the bar?” Mitch asked looking through the glass wall to the inside.
Chella turned in her chair, pretending to look at Emily.
“Yes, that’s him.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She was not certain what Mitch was going to do. How could Aaron have possibly found her? They were three hundred and fifty miles away from San Diego. She saw Mitch approach the stranger inside. A middle-aged couple quickly joined the conversation. Moments later, they shook hands and Mitch returned to Chella and Emily.
“He’s mentally-challenged. His parents own the place. They apologized. They’re going to come over in a few minutes.”
Chella sighed then nervously giggled a little. She was now questioning whether she had overreacted. Whether she had or not, it didn’t change to fact that he had frightened her. Five minutes later, she still wasn’t able to stop her hand from trembling.
Th
e man’s parents approach their table. “Ms. Noon, I’m Barbara and this is my husband, Bob.”
“Hello,” Chella answered calmly, slightly smiling.
“We just wanted to apologize for our son Tommy’s behavior. He doesn’t understand how what he does frightens people. Since he was young, he always seemed to be fascinated by beautiful women. Getting him to understand that following, smiling and staring at women can scare them has been a great challenge, but I promise you, he means no harm.”
“Okay.”
“The fact that he’s trapped in the body of a thirty-year-old man doesn’t make it any easier, but he only has the mind of a five-year-old boy,” his father continued.
“I guess I’ll take that as a compliment. I hope I didn’t frighten him, though. I threatened him with a Taser.”
“He has no clue what that is. He’s okay.”
“Most of our customers are from the area, so you stood out, for more than one reason. The ladies around here are also used to him so he rarely ever causes a problem,” Barbara continued.
“No need to explain further. I completely understand. Thank you for taking the time to come over.”
“We’ll be sending over some complimentary desserts. What would you like?”
“I’ll admit that he scared me, but now that you’ve explained that’s really not necessary. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Bob asked.
“Yes, I am.”
“I hope you return next time you visit.”
“We will, and I’ll be sure to say hello to Tommy next time I see him.”
They cruised back to the marina. It was heavenly. The late afternoon waters, once blue, were now golden. The skies turned to hues of yellow, purple, orange and pink. It was simply breath-taking.
Chella awoke to the sound of a roaring engine. Glancing at her watch, she realized it was just after noon. So much for leaving early in the morning. After the night of heated passion she and Mitch shared the night before, it was no wonder they were four hours behind their scheduled departure time.
She freshened up, slipped a pair of sexy shorts over her two-piece swimsuit then went out to keep Mitch company.
It was a beautiful day, perfect for a boating trip. After she made herself comfortable between his legs, they took the long cruise to Shelter Island, which would be Ciao Bella’s new home. When the journey was over, they tidied the boat together and gathered their things to leave.