Uncorked

by Rebecca Rohman

  “That’s great news.”

  “I just found out this wasn’t an accident, Craig. Someone loosened the lug nuts on his car.”

  Craig cursed. “Who did this?”

  “We still don’t know who Aaron’s accomplice is. Evidently, they’re as dangerous as he is.”

  “Chella, you have to be careful.”

  “I know. The police are on their way with a guard for Mitch’s room.”

  “Why aren’t you in there now?”

  “Mitch’s mother is in there. She hates me. She even asked the doctor to throw me out.”

  “So you can’t see him?”

  “I can. Mitch had me listed as his next of kin. I didn’t even know he did that.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you’re out here,” he said holding her hand and sitting with her on the nearby bench.

  “She can’t stand being in the room with me, so we’re taking turns to see him every half-hour.”

  “Is that really necessary? Why can’t you two put whatever differences you have aside at this time?”

  “I’ve tried. You’ll have to ask her that question. I just don’t want to fight with her in front of Mitch while he’s trying to recover. He doesn’t need negative energy around him right now.”

  “I understand. I’ll stay with you for a while if you like.”

  “Really? Maggie wouldn’t mind?”

  “She’s out of town. Visiting Bobby in Seattle.”

  “How is Bobby?”

  “Making his dad proud. He’s about take the bar next week.”

  “That’s great,” she said solemnly. Her mind had drifted back to thinking about Mitch on the other side of the wall.

  “Have faith. He’ll be okay.”

  “It’s almost my turn to go in. Don’t be surprised if she makes a fuss about you being here.”

  “Don’t worry. I can handle myself.”

  Moments later, they entered the room. Surprisingly, Liz did not make a scene. After Chella introduced her to Craig, she quietly left the room.

  “Craig, I’m so scared that I’ll lose him. I love him so much.”

  “I know you do, Sweetie, but he’ll be okay. Especially with you by his side.”

  Chella smiled at his comforting words.

  “The cafeteria is around the corner,” said Craig. “Why don’t I go get you a cup of coffee or something to eat?”

  “Maybe just some tea or coffee. I’m not hungry.”

  “Chell…” Mitch’s voice croaked quietly from behind.

  “Mitch!” Chella shouted with a mixture of excitement and relief. She hugged him, almost afraid to let go.

  “Hey, Mitch,” Craig said.

  “Craig.” Mitch managed a weak smile.

  “Had to check on my girl.”

  “Your mom’s here, too,” said Chella. “Would you like me to get her?”

  “Not yet. What happened?” his voice cleared more with every word he uttered.

  “I’ll give you two a moment alone,” Craig said and left the room.

  Chella sat in a chair next to Mitch, holding his hand. “You had a car accident.”

  “All I remember is one minute, driving down the San Diego Freeway and the next, I’m here.”

  “Sweetheart, you lost control of the vehicle and hit the median.”

  “Is my mom on good behavior?”

  “Mostly. By the size of her suitcase, it looks like she’ll be moving in.”

  “Did you call her?”

  “I did. I thought she should know. I called Charlotte as well. She knows not to expect you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m so happy to see you,” she replied, kissing his hand. “You scared me.”

  “I have a massive headache, and I feel like a freight train ran over me, but I’ll be fine.”

  The door burst open, and Liz stormed into the room.

  “You couldn’t let me know he was awake?”

  “Mom, I wanted some time alone with her. I asked her to wait before calling you.”

  “Chella, would you mind explaining to me why the cops are outside?” Liz demanded.

  Mitch looked at Chella curiously.

  “Maybe because Mitch was in an accident today.”

  “Mom, can you please leave us for a moment?”

  “Mitch, I...”

  “Mom! Don’t fight me right now. I need a moment alone with Chella.”

  Reluctantly, Liz left the room.

  “What’s going on?” said Mitch.

  “Nothing you need to worry about,” Chella replied, barely able to keep eye contact with him.

  “You’re lying to me.”

  “You’re supposed to be resting. I’m going to get Dr. Forrester,” she said, heading toward the door.

  “Chella, tell me.”

  “Someone loosened the lug nuts on your car. It was no accident.”

  “Is Craig still here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Get him to give you a ride and go to the penthouse.”

  “I’m not leaving you here alone.

  “I won’t be. I’ll be here with my mom. It’s you they’re really after.”

  “We don’t know that for sure.”

  “I don’t want you here. I want you to go to the penthouse.”

  His words stung. She felt, once again, that he didn’t trust her to do what was best.

  “Mitch, I want to stay. To help you and support you.”

  “Please try and understand. I’ll get to spend some time with my mom. You’ll be safe, and she won’t be home with you to stress you out. It’s for the best.”

  “Except for the fact that I won’t get to see you or spend any time with you.”

  “That’s nothing in the grand scheme of things.”

  “But you’re always there for me. Why won’t you allow me to be there for you?”

  “That’s not what this is about. This is about your safety.”

  “I have a guard outside to protect all of us.”

  “No. I want you to go.”

  “You heard him,” Liz said as she walked into the room. “Get out.”

  “Mom, don’t you dare speak to her that way. If you’re going to continue with this behavior, I want you to go back home to Santa Monica.”

  Chella left. She was so confused. She felt hurt, betrayed, and angry with him on the very night she realized and told him she loved him. True, he may not have heard her, but her feelings toward Mitch were undeniable.

  She spoke to Detective Carter. He introduced her to the three guards that would take turns watching Mitch during his stay at the hospital. After handing them a list of people who were allowed to see Mitch, Chella went to find Craig. He was leaving the cafeteria with two cups of tea in his hands.

  Her eyes welled up.

  “Chella, what’s wrong?” Craig asked, directing her to sit on a nearby bench.

  “He doesn’t want me here.”

  “Why?”

  “He says I’ll be safer at the penthouse.”

  “He might be right.”

  “We have armed guards. I’ll be just as safe here.”

  “He’s looking out for you.”

  “He’s been there for me. Why can’t he allow me to do the same? Do you have any idea how much that hurts?”

  “He’s not looking at it from that perspective. He just wants to make sure you’re in a safe place.”

  “I’m so angry with him right now. He’s not always going to be there to protect me. He doesn’t trust me to make the right decisions.”

  “You’re right, but he’s doing this out of love. He really has the best intentions.”

  “His intentions hurt like hell. How would you feel if Maggie was in the hospital, and she didn’t want you around?”

  “I suppose it would hurt, but Chella, the circumstances are very different.”

  “So if you were me, you’d do as he asked and go home?”

  “I would side with him on this. You’ll be safe there.�
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  “How will I ever be able to stand on my own two feet if the two of you don’t trust me?”

  “Darling, we just see things from very different perspectives. It’s our job to protect.”

  “Since I can’t count on you for support, I guess I’ll just have to take things into my own hands.”

  “What’s that’s supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Just take me to the penthouse, please. That’s what he wants.”

  Craig drove her to the penthouse in uncomfortable silence. He parked in front of the building and escorted her into the lobby. When they got to the elevator, Craig looked at her and said, “Chella, I know you’re upset with Mitch and me right now, but we have your best interests at heart.”

  “I’m sure both of you think you do. Thank you for coming to check on me. And for the ride home.” She kissed him goodbye and went up to the penthouse.

  That night, Chella paced, unable to sleep. She was so worried about Mitch, so angry, so hurt. She realized the only way she could show Mitch and Craig that she was capable of taking care of herself was to be on her own, to be independent, no matter how difficult it might be. Before Mitch came into her life, back when she would run, she took care of herself. The first step to empowering herself was to move out of the penthouse. If she stayed there Mitch would always feel the need to protect her, and she’d never have the guts to stand up and fight her own battles. She felt safe when she was with Mitch, but he wouldn’t always be around to protect her. She had to make a plan and be smart about her next move.

  She scanned the internet all night, making a list of things she needed to put in place. She wasn’t sure when Mitch would be well enough to return home. Even though she was upset with him, she would never abandon him. Once he was back on his own two feet, she would make the move.

  For the next four days, Chella checked in with Dr. Forrester every day to find out Mitch’s progress. She and Mitch spoke a few times a day, but their conversations were mostly superficial. It was obvious that Liz was in the room.

  “How do you feel today?” Chella asked the Tuesday after the accident.

  “Better. I’ll be coming home today or tomorrow. I’m waiting to hear from Dr. Forrester to give me the all-clear.”

  “Is your mother coming here or is she going back to Santa Monica?”

  “She’ll stay for a day or two.”

  So she’ll be there to take care of you…

  “I’ll get the guest room ready,” Chella replied.

  He put her on hold, and she could hear him asking his mother for privacy.

  “Are you still mad at me?” Mitch asked.

  “Yes, but I’m starting to think this isn’t about you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think you should know that when you get home, I won’t be there.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve found my own place. Your mom will be there to help you get back on for feet, so you won’t need me.”

  “You’re doing this because you’re angry with me.”

  “I am angry with you, but that’s not the reason I’m doing this. Mitch, you’re not always going to be around to protect me, and you don’t trust me to do it myself. I’m doing this to prove to myself and to you that I can do this. It will be better this way. What happens if you have to travel? You’re going to tell me to stay locked up in the house? Or tell me I have to come with you?”

  “Chella…”

  “This has forced me to open my eyes and face reality.”

  “The reality is there’s someone out there trying to kill you.”

  “No one is more aware of that than me. That’s why I have to take control of my life and try to get this behind me.”

  “Why are you so angry with me?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I’ll make sure everything is ready for your arrival.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “I’ll leave you the address on the bedside table.”

  “Chell, I miss you.”

  She hesitated, and softly replied, “I miss you, too.”

  Mitch arrived home with his mom later that evening. The condo was spotless, the refrigerator was fully stocked and Chella had left him a get-well-soon basket loaded with healthy fruit on the counter and two dinner plates in the warming drawer. Not a trace of her things was left behind, with the exception of a note and a key to her new place. He wondered if he had made a big mistake. In trying to keep her safe, he pushed her away. He heard the hurt in her voice when he spoke to her earlier that day. Even though he wasn’t sure what he had done to cause it, he somehow felt responsible.

  “Mom?” Mitch called through the guestroom door. “I’m stepping out for a while. If you’re hungry, dinner is in the warming drawer.”

  She opened the door. “Mitch, where are you going? You should be home getting rest.”

  “I’m going over to Chella’s. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

  “I thought you ended things with that girl.”

  “First of all, her name is Chella, not ‘that girl.’ Secondly, I don’t know what might have given you that impression, but you couldn’t be more wrong. You had better start accepting her and respecting her in my life. I love her, and I don’t appreciate the way you treat her. Did you ever stop to think that the only reason you’re here is because she picked up the phone and called you? She did that, despite the fact that she knew you and I weren’t on speaking terms. Keep this up and you’ll lose me as a son.”

  “Mitch, don’t say that.”

  “I’ll be damned if I ever let you interfere in any of my relationships again. If you’re not going to respect her and my wishes, feel free to leave.”

  His front door slid shut behind him before she had a chance to respond.

  Fifteen minutes later, Mitch arrived at a gated high-rise on Coronado Island. He was happy to see security at the gate and at the entrance to the building. As he walked toward the elevator, he heard Chella call his name. He turned. Chella was decked-out in gym wear. A man accompanied her.

  “Mitch, I didn’t know you were coming over. This is Nathan Jones, a self-defense trainer. Nathan, this is my boyfriend, Mitch.” She kissed Mitch lightly on the lips.

  “Nice to meet you,” Nathan replied, shaking his hand.

  “You, too,” Mitch responded.

  “I’ll see you the same time tomorrow, Chella?”

  “Sure. Thanks for everything.”

  “You two have a good evening,” said Nathan, heading toward the building’s exit.

  Minutes later, they headed up to her seventeenth-floor condo with stunning Pacific Ocean views.

  “If I’d known you were coming,” said Chella, “I would have scheduled Nathan either later or earlier. How are you?”

  “A little sore here and there, but I’m fine for the most part. Thanks for everything you did at the hospital and the penthouse.”

  “No problem. I wanted to make sure you and your mom would be comfortable, and you had everything you needed. I’m going to grab a shower. Feel free to look around.”

  Mitch knew things would be awkward between them, but he was surprised at how distant Chella was. When she returned to the great room, he confronted her.

  “Chell, I know you’re upset with me. We need to talk.”

  “I didn’t do this because I was upset with you.”

  “Why did you?”

  “This is about me learning to stand on my two feet, taking care of myself, and proving to myself and everybody else that I can be alone.”

  “Chella, you could have done that without moving.”

  “There was never any plan for me to live with you permanently.”

  “You’re safer there.”

  “That’s exactly my point. I need to create a safe environment for me, one that’s not under your roof. You don’t trust me to take care of myself. As a matter of fact you don’t trust me, period.”

  “That’s not true.”

>   “You say that with your words, but your actions say something entirely different.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “This is getting us nowhere.”

  “Chella, why are you so angry with me? What did I do to make you so upset?”

  “You shut me out of your life. You keep information from me, and the one time I should have been there for you, you shut me out, and you wouldn’t allow me to be there. Do you have any idea how much that hurt?”

  “I was doing what I thought was best for your safety.”

  “Because you didn’t think I could handle it myself. If you had confidence in my ability to take care of the situation, you would have never done that.”

  “I will always worry about you, and I will always want to protect you.”

  “And where does trust come into the picture?”

  He stayed silent.

  “You’re keeping something from me. I don’t even want you to tell me whatever it is. I shouldn’t have to beg you to trust me. The fact that you can’t or won’t is symptomatic of a bigger problem.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “We’re talking in circles. At this point, you’re not able to be honest with me. Probably not even yourself.”

  “Chella, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

  “I’m not sure I need an apology. It is what it is.”

  “Where do we go from here?”

  “I don’t know. This isn’t something we can force or create. It’s either there or it’s not, and right now it’s not there.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Chella, I want you in my life,” Mitch said, feeling a little puzzled by her attitude.

  “I want you in my life, too. Maybe we need to give this situation some time. I’m new to all this, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

  “You’ve distanced yourself. I feel like you’re building a wall around yourself again.”

  “That’s not my intention,” she replied.

  “What are your intentions?”

  “To be able to take care of myself, to be independent, and to stop running.”

  “So you don’t need me in your life?”

  “Evidently you don’t need me either, so I guess we’re even.”

  “Am I that disposable to you?”