Love untold

by Debbie Forester

  Well as you want, but trust me, I'll understand cutting replied.

  No put yourself so clear that he trusted you, but believe me, in this I can not -Lori knew that if Peter learned that Mike was the one who was behind this, I would have a good bad. Also, do not want to jeopardize the contract with the hotels, the Admiral account was important for the company and Peter in a fit of rage could send everything to hell, she knew very well his temperament, apparently was affable, but was able to breaking walls if someone hurt whom he loved.

  Peter was thoughtful a moment, watching the Bay Bridge.

  Lilian will be hard to work with me as I fled the mole on the way. Moreover, this aspect, why do not you suggest a makeover?

  I can not believe you're so clever at some things and so obtuse in others.

  No need to offend.

  Lori stood up from the chair and walked around the office.

  'I'm not offended, Lilian takes a year here and you have not yet realized that it is a woman who deliberately hides its beauty, does not want anyone to repair it.

  Peter gave a wry laugh.

  All women highlight their attributes.

  -not All, if her beauty has made her suffer, as I think is appropriate, fiercely repressed any sign that makes it attractive to the opposite sex.

  -I do not believe you.

  -Obsérvala Well and you'll realize I'm right.

  Peter motioned with his hands as soothing waves and decided not to talk about it anymore, gave some recommendations.

  Peter, I need to ask you a favor, I do not want anyone to work or accounts that I have my office know of my whereabouts. If not, work began to carry me wherever I am and I want to be a retreat from everything and everyone.

  Why the mystery? Nor had robbed a bank.

  Promise me Lori insisted.

  All right, all right, I promise What is it fucking mystery?

  Good-bye, Peter-and came out leaving him puzzled again.

  chapter XXIV

  Mike could not keep putting off the pending visits. Christmas Day got up early and before going to the house of Isabella to open presents with her nieces, went to the cemetery where his mother was buried. It took white gardenias, her favorite flowers. It was cold and the day was dull.

  He had long since I visited the grave, since his grandmother brought one other Sunday. He just simply pay the bill the settlement of the tomb and not missing flowers in place.

  He got out and walked among graves as if you weigh feet. He came to the tombstone and read the inscription. Anabel Grazziani Donelly, wife and mother. He not reneged on the meaning of the last words as always did. No longer. He knelt, put flowers on the determined talk to her bowl.

  Mom, I needed to come see you, talk to you, I have many things to tell, but it sure and know, about me and other felicitarás know I deserve a reprimand. I want to tell you that I still try to understand what happened to us. I know it was not your fault, I've always known, but my pride and love this angry not let me admit it. I love you mom She broke her voice and always will. I hope that wherever you are you can be happy and laugh again as the day we danced mambo on the lookout Do you remember? This morning you came like a whirlwind to our rooms and well in pajamas, we led out into the garden, was nine. We collect flowers and put them on the table in the gazebo. It started to rain, but you left us to enter, said that the rain was good, I washed fears, sorrows and gave new life. Just to put you walked and ended up dancing mambo music in the gazebo with the rain falling, we get wet and then left the housekeeper and who's not and we damaged the party. Isabella and I did not want you to come in because everything would be the same, but that day you came to us and did not want to let go of our mom.

  Mike cried like that kid who missed dancing and picking flowers with her mother.

  I remember more moments like that, mother. I know that the bad times have been selfish with the good times we spent together, but mother, let me tell you if you were in my heart. I'm in love She dried her tears, and hard and I'm afraid, but I want to fight this I feel, as in the past. It's good, it is intelligent and very beautiful, Amariah the second, has the quality to dazzle everyone with his smile and his way of being, but I have been stupid and does not know anything about me. I love her to be able to make peace with you, that will make me stronger in my battle with alcohol. For her and for me, I will begin a new life without resentments. Give me your blessing and wish me luck.

  Mike stood up. The earth did not move, nor blew a breath of air, but Mike knew deep in his soul that his mother had heard.

  He came to the house of Isabella. In the room there was joy, carols were heard and smelled cookie and chocolate.

  'At last, I had crazy with the opening of gifts.

  Well, chicuelas, I said here when they jumped to hug him. Who will distribute gifts?

  He greeted her with a hug Patrick coming out of the kitchen with a tray of some burned cookies.

  'I was wrong in the experiment with cookies, look at them She took a-- stiff and black, do not know what witchcraft women are used to fit them well.

  He noted other biscuits, fluffy and golden perfection was in a dish.

  Oh, Dad, I'll show you later Carole said, let's open the gifts, if you want you can distribute.

  No, precious, do it with your sister.

  At that time, his father Peter entered the room. Mike was not surprised, had surprised not to have found it. The man was something more finished last time I saw him. The hair was whiter and a little thinner.

  -Hello son.

  Mike reciprocated the greeting with a handshake.

  all around the tree that will not fit a pack sat more. His sister's house as usual, looked with all the atmosphere of Christmas and the warmth of home today envied Mike. He wanted the same for him and imagined Lori at the foot Christmas tree handing out smiles and gifts to a couple of kids, imagined making cookies, though I knew it was not his, would eat burnt and hard biscuits for life, provided to have her flitting around. He invaded the nostalgia of wanting a family, a home, smiled to himself. It was love and not have to be complicated love a woman.

  Carole and Melody handed out gifts, thank goodness I had bought something to his father. The previous day had left the packages.

  Carole handed him a package "is a gift from my sister and me," he said, open it.

  Mike opened the package and found a well in hand-painted ceramics. The details were very polished for work girls.

  She's beautiful Who painted it?

  Lori Melody said, as she read the card from another package, which released immediately and looked for another, safer because its supply of gifts so far was scarce.

  Mike Isabella quickly looked confused.

  'I do not look.

  And then her sister told her class in pottery workshop. Mike recalled the evening that had happened all, Lori was going to take his nieces to an art class. He took the look to the well again, of course it was the work of Lori, she was just perfect strokes and strokes. He wanted to embrace and kiss him well, but would make a fool of myself. He received a gift from his father and saw that Isabella received one like it. He was surprised when opened, was an album with family photos. Mike was turning the pages, pictures of them in camps and parties, graduations and lavish Christmas with Grandma. Bella was right, he knew long ago, but had not wanted to do anything about it. There at the picture of her First Communion with her parents and Isabella his hand, said it was easy to misplace feelings, it was easy to get lost in life; disguising the true feelings with scabs and crusts rancor and cynicism and when those scabs fall, undermine whatever is near, he knew well from experience. The difficult thing was to find the way back, learn to forgive heartbreak and abandonment. Lucas was right he told his father watching now, in a few years would be like a child. By agreeing to resume the relationship would take time and would forgive him, he removed a burden. He got up and thanked her father with a grip on his hand. It was a breakthrough.

  He felt that his sister breathed quiet a
nd looked with curiosity on his face.

  While the family enjoyed his gifts, he sent a Merry Christmas by Lori WhatsApp. Realized that I had read and was a few minutes pending, hold the phone, but she did not answer.

  At the beginning of the afternoon and after a hearty late breakfast, Mike offered to take Peter home.

  They talked about politics and economics all the way to Bel Air.

  Felipe and Josefa the friendly servants of his childhood and so many pleasant moments lavished them Bella and he received him as the prodigal son, something older but well preserved, could not hide the joy that embargaba. Peter entered the house and told him he would be in the studio, gave him a few minutes of intimacy with a partner.

  'About time' said Josefa with something of reproach in his voice, Mike felt sorry.

  Pardon me, was something lost-and embraced them fondly.

  'Better late than never, I knew you were a good man.

  Mike was guilty conscience, to get away from his father did not realize that he also alienated them more good people he had known.

  At that moment a chocolate Labrador puppy made its appearance, beating the tail with playful mood.

  'And this character? Mike blurted surprised.

  -Carole And Melody gave him the puppy two months ago.

  Mike was surprised. They never could convince his father to have a pet.

  But if Dad never liked him resentful blurted.

  He can not say no to that pair of little girls. Carole brought him to accompany his grandfather and not feel so alone said Philip. Those girls make her grandfather what they want.

  Mike smiled and the man continued:

  He adores, she had never seen him so happy, since those little girls came into his life.

  -I'm glad.

  Mike, I want to tell you something Josefa said worriedly. I hope that this meeting is for good reason. It is not for fighting. He is sick.

  -Don't Worry He took her hand and kissed her affectionately What's wrong?

  It's better than him tell you.

  He found his father in the study, saw on television a golf game last season. The puppy was behind him.

  -You're good? he asked more curious than concerned.

  Well 'I gestured dismissively to how bad she felt. Nothing a good medical treatment can not do.

  -What You were diagnosed? Mike demanded. Josefa had not said anything and Bella either.

  I have prostate cancer blurted his father, quiet.

  Mike turned pale, his father would die. Bella was right about everything. What a fool he had been.

  What's the prognosis? He looked anxious-what, something that surprised his father. Mike was not expecting.

  I'm in treatment, the most important thing is that has not metastasized, I can have surgery at some time.

  -Are good news?

  Yes, son, yes, very good news-what felt changed, her son had always been a warrior, tough, cynical, but it felt more affordable, as if the weight of the world no longer rest on his shoulders.

  What most hurt Peter Donnelly of his wasted life, was not being near their children when they most needed it. So over the years, soften the bad memories of his performances, it was impossible to hide from himself all his failures. Pedro had already stopped trying and that he lacked the courage to all acts of his life, he admitted he had not done anything worth mentioning; only beget two fabulous children who had been raised by others. It hurt the soul, it was too late for regrets, but still was not too late to try again. He loved his granddaughters with free love only provide grandparents and had approached Bella, she was a good woman, she enjoyed Sunday shared by all family. Admired, he had formed a very different home to what he gave them in childhood.

  I see you have company Mike pointed to the puppy, who sat at the feet of Peter, looking at it curiously.

  It's the best gift that I have done in years. Carole and Melody are the best thing that happened to me in old age, son, I love them, they are beautiful and so full of life.

  Yes, they are special girls.

  Bella has a good marriage, 'said Pedro curious life of your child. The girls talked about a Lori, Lori this, Lori that and when asked, they said she was a friend of Mike and him, he made rare that just being friends would have presented to the family, refused to investigate and look like a gossip, but knew it was someone important by the look in his eyes when they talked about it.

  Dad, are you still playing golf?

  Yes, even I play eighteen holes twice a week.

  I'd like to accompany you in your next game, although my swing leaves much to be desired.

  Pedro almost jumps off the chair.

  Sure, son, we can go whenever you want, it's more if you want and we will.

  No suit my clubs.

  I never mind I have two bags.

  He stood like a boy of twenty, ready to run, stopped halfway, turned watery eyes and said:

  Forgive me, Mike, forgive me for all, thanks for this Christmas, has been the best in years and continued without waiting for an answer.

  It was a good start.

  Mike became teary eyes and for the first time saw his dad as he really was; a man with flaws, with unfulfilled dreams, frustrations and a strong need for love. She put her hands to her face and tears wiped the hard way, I had never cried so much in her life.

  They spent the holidays, Lori called to wish her a happy new year but the apparatus jumped mailbox. He called his house the first days of January and the answering, called the office and said he had taken a leave and they did not know when it would be refunded. He called Peter's office, but was told he had taken a few days of vacation. Lori knew nothing, it was as if it had been swallowed by the earth, he knew that the license was long, when it was not Lori which was presented to a meeting in signing days later, but a small woman with red hair and glasses grandmother. He could not help comparing it to Lori it was a treat for all your senses. This girl looked like a frightened mouse standing in front of an elephant. She greeted him with a strong handshake. Mike invited her to sit. Fifteen minutes later he knew he was facing an exceptional mind. Peter company was well hidden that asset, he said, while the young man explained his point of view.

  Where's Lori? He asked Mike to burn clothing.

  He's taking a course.

  And before Mike rubbed his hands to discover the whereabouts of Lori, the girl fizzled.

  But I have no idea where it is.

  He would not keep insisting. He was a man, by God, also had his pride.

  The day he arrived Peter of your winter vacation, Mike appeared early in his office.

  The secretary, was announced and did follow immediately. I did not know what floor was the office of Lori and neither wanted to ask.

  Go on, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Stuart is waiting for you.

  Mike entered the office and looked fondly at one of his friends of the soul, bowed his head and smiled, it was sensible in those days.

  Welcome back, brother Peter offered his hand, but Mike turned and hugged him. Peter returned the gesture surprised.

  -You're good? he asked worried.

  Yes, I'm fine, until the moment said Mike embarrassed because he had defrauded the trust of a friend.

  If it's a problem of the campaign, we will solve it. Perhaps not indicated Lilian said Peter worried.

  Everything is fine, the girl is bright, is not that what he wanted to talk.

  I'm all ears quieter said that it was nothing of the work Peter.

  It's a touchy subject and I know, you're going to take very badly -Mike got up from his chair, walked by the office of his friend, walked over to the window, looked at the view in the distance was the Bay Bridge and buildings of the city, had to admit that was one of the most beautiful cities he had visited, despite the weather.

  Speak, please're worrying me-what he glowered.

  "You have no idea," Mike despondent thought.

  -First Of all, let me say that I deeply love your sister.

  The surprise rebel
led Peter's face.

  -She knows it? Peter asked with a horrible suspicion installed in the soul.

  No, I do not know, I am the cause of that right now is having a hard time.

  -What happened? Peter raised his voice and rose from the desk to face him.

  -We Had an affair, I did not realize how deep were the feelings of your sister, all ended very badly. Mike turned around and put his hands on the jamb of the window. I'm here because it's not fair to keep in ignorance and because I need to talk to her in desperate tone he concluded.

  You're a son of a bitch said Peter and hit the desk surface with a fist. How I did not realize that you were the bastard who did mourn.

  "But also very happy"he forced himself to meditate Peter to the facts.

  I deserve everything you want to say.

  No, at this time, what I want is to talk. Why Mike? She approached him with an unfriendly look, grabbed him by the lapels. Having so many women why her?

  Because I've always liked, he had not made progress for you, but this we got out of hand.

  'Of course that you got out of hand! How could you do? When you get tired of it you give him the necklace farewell? He spat out the words on Mike's face.

  No offend me, nor offend her bellowed Mike. I love her and all you want to do is get it back. I need to find her, to know where he is.

  Peter released him at the look in his eyes and hear the desperation in her voice. I did not know whether to punch and throw him out of office or feel sorry for him.

  Let her calm, even in dreams'll tell you where it is, is your penance for all your outrages with it, you must wait until you return.

  Peter understood the reaction and guilt whipped. He had not done well since the beginning of the relationship. The asking him not to tell Peter his arrangement, he spoke ill of his intentions. If Peter knew what happened years ago, it would hang balls, he was sure.

  -not You respected, I bet you put it on par with other women. So he did not tell me anything. Neither you respected our friendship. You treated her like your dirty little secret.

  It was a consensual relationship. Lori is a grown woman and both wanted to keep our relationship secret.