"Sounds good, Im starved." I said, "Let me stop by the desk and tell them where well be at in case..., um..."
"In case she gets better and needs a lift home." Melinda offered.
"Yes, thats it exactly."
We walked to the elevator and Meg pushed the b.u.t.ton for the first floor. After we learned that Meg was buying dinner, Melinda and I piled it on our plates and we including snacks to save for later. Melinda seemed particularly pleased that Meg had bought her meal. We carried our food over to a table and sat down while Meg paid the cashier.
"Listen, I know you two have some kind of compet.i.tion thing going on, but if you need a few bucks, or want to stay in a hotel close to the hospital tonight-"
I answered for both of us, "Youre very sweet, Frankie, but well be just fine." I got the impression that if it had been Meg offering, Melinda would have s.n.a.t.c.hed it up instantly. The thought made me laugh inside.
Meg joined us and we had a cordial meal like old friends should. Perhaps Meg and Melinda had called a silent truce, because not a cross word was said between them while we ate. I was beginning to have hope that they would become friends, or at least, casual acquaintances. I should have known better.
"So, Meg," Melinda said as she tore a piece of bread from her roll, "did you know about Chriss father and my father working together to buy her apartment building?"
I coughed to cover up my not now remark but Melinda ignored me.
"Yes, Blackie, I knew."
"And you didnt see fit to tell us? To tell Chris at least?"
"It wasnt my place to tell her."
"And yet you told George about father buying the block."
"George? Whos George. I told your father that I couldnt help him. Who he told was none of my business. The only reason I told Chris was because I thought she should know."
Now I jumped in the mix, "Wait, Im confused. You wouldnt tell me about my father because it wasnt your place, but you did tell me about Melindas father because you thought I should know?"
"Wheres that phone, Chris, I think I just saw one of Megs b.a.l.l.s roll across the floor."
I couldnt help but laugh at Melindas joke, even Frankie chuckled, although she was quick to cover it up. Poor Meg looked exasperated.
"Look, I didnt want to come between you and your father, but her father I dont care about in those terms so it was okay to tell you then. Do you get what Im saying?"
"Yes, actually, I think I do and I understand it now."
I was greatly relieved. I didnt want Meg to have been part of the conspiracy, as Ive come to believe it was. And now that she has cleared up that for me, I only need to find out if my father knew I was living there and helped sell the building out from under me. Surely he doesnt hate me that much.
Dereliction of Duty - Meg b.u.mgartner and Carl Livingston "Where are you?"
"Im at the club"
"I need to see you immediately."
"Whats this about, Meg?"
"Ill tell you when I get there."
I didnt wait for his reply; I hung up and threw my phone on the car seat of my Fiat, and drove across town to the country club. After we left the hospital, I talked with Frankie about the way things were evolving with Chris.
I told her that this thing with lying to Chris had taken its toll, and I was going to inform Mr. Livingston that I cant do it anymore and he should hire someone else. Chris was suspicious, and rightfully so, of her own father now, and I cant be the in the middle of that. I had been wondering for months about how I would tell her that I had been spying on her since her parents kicked her out. At first I saw the necessity in it, and justified my actions because of my belief that I was helping her. But now, with her maintaining her sobriety for all these months, I no longer felt that she needed my kind of help and it made me feel like the worst kind of friend.
Frankie told me she felt the same way, only on a much lesser scale, but she reminded me that the Livingstons were going to surprise Chris on Christmas day, which was only three days away, so Mr. Livingston probably wont have a problem with releasing me from my contract. That was my wifes clever way of reminding me I was under contract and to tread lightly.
I found him sitting in the belvedere room overlooking the river. He held a single malt gla.s.s of scotch in his right hand and a smoldering cigar in his left hand, talking with a man who held the same things in his hands. When he saw me walking towards him, he excused himself and directed me to a more secluded table.
The waiter came over refill Mr. Livingstons gla.s.s, and asked if I wanted anything. I shook my head, I didnt want to muddle my thoughts with alcohol, I just wanted to say my piece and get it over with.
"Now, whats so important that it couldnt have waited until our scheduled meeting tomorrow, Meg?"
"I quit. I can no longer in good conscious, spy on your daughter for you."
"Whats happened to bring this on?" He asked.
"She knows you had a hand in her apartment building being sold, and quite honestly, I get the feeling she things you did it on purpose, to hurt her further."
"Hurt her, dear G.o.d, that was never my intention and you know it wasnt."
"Yes, I know that, but she doesnt."
"It was just too good a deal to pa.s.s up and besides, by the time the red tape was taken care of, she would be back at home with us."
"Have you considered that she may not want to move back home, now that Blackie is living with her?"
"No, I hadnt," he stared at me contemplatively, and said, "I should have known my little girl would figure things out considering who her friend is. Chris has always been very inquisitive like that, putting two and two together to equal three."
"I know you wanted to surprise her on Christmas day, but I think you should reconsider and go to her now. Shes at the hospital with Blackie."
A panicked look came over his face, "The hospital? What is she doing at the hospital? Shes not hurt is she?"
"No, Im sorry, I worded that wrong. No shes fine. Her neighbor, Norma Shelby, was brought in with pneumonia and is not doing too well."
"Oh thank G.o.d. No, I mean that Chris is all right, not that her neighbor is ill. Shes the old movie star that Chris has become friends with, isnt she?"
"Yes, very close friends. I believe Chris thinks of her as her grandmother, and I dont think that she will leave her bedside until she is well again."
My cellphone rang and I recognized the number, "Mr. Livingston, shes calling me, do you mind if I answer it?"
"No, please do."
I accepted the call and put the phone to my ear, turning slightly away from him, "h.e.l.lo, Chrissie is that you?"
"No, its Blackie. Norma has gone into a coma and Chris was too upset to call, so Im calling for her."
"What do the doctors say?"
"That the antibiotics have not had enough time to work and she may not wake up from the coma."
I could hear the concern in her voice and I felt sorry for her, "What can I do to help, Blackie?"
"Pray for Norma and maybe come sit with Chris this afternoon. She needs you right now."
"Of course I will. Tell her Ill be there in a few minutes."
"Thanks, Meg."
"Thank you for calling me, Blackie."
I hung up the phone and turned back to Chriss father, who had a questioning look on his face. I relayed my conversation with Blackie to him and then apologized, but I needed to get to the hospital to be with Chris.
"Wait a minute, let me make a call and then Ill go with you."
I was taken aback and then greatly relieved. He pulled out his cellphone and called Mrs. Livingston, explaining the situation and asked her if she wanted to meet us at the hospital. She must have said yes because he said he would see her in a few minutes.
More Secrets Revealed - Melinda Blackstone, Chris Livingston, Meg b.u.mgartner and Carl & Felicia Livingston "What a f.u.c.king mess."
"Did you say something, Melinda?"
I looked at Chris, her eyes puffy from crying, her cheeks smudged with tears, worry lines creasing her forehead, and yet, she was still the most beautiful woman Id ever seen. And instead of enjoying our first Christmas together, we sit in a hospital, fearing the worse and praying for the best.
"Chris, Ive been thinking about this whole d.a.m.n mess with our fathers and the sale of our building, and Im at an impa.s.se."
"How so, Melinda?"
"I dont want to go back to Vegas to live and I dont want to live with my parents, so, um, I was thinking about buying a condo here, in Memphis." I couldnt look at her for fear of seeing rejection in her eyes, but I had to know for sure, before I settled here, if I would still be welcomed.
"Melinda, dont - wait, is that my father? Oh, my gosh!"
Dont what, d.a.m.n it!
Chris jumped up and ran to her father, flying into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She was daddys little girl again. And then she hugged the woman standing beside him and I knew that had to be her mother, and soon the three of them were hugging and crying and talking over one another. It was truly a sweet scene, one that I found myself envying.
"Its a touching scene, isnt it, Blackie?"
Im not sure how long Meg had been standing there, but I had to admit that she was right. "Im really happy for them. So, was that your doing, Meg?"
"In a way, yes it was, but I just moved up their timetable was all."
I looked at her dubiously, until I saw her face, and then anger engulfed my disbelief. "I think youve got some explaining to do."
"Yes, I do, but not to you." She stated, and walked away.
What the f.u.c.k? Had she been playing me all this time? And Chris? Did she jerk her around too? G.o.d, I hope not, for Chriss sake. I could handle that kind of deception, but Chris thought the world of her, like she was family. How could Meg do that to her?
"Daddy, how did you know I was here?" I heard Chris ask as they walked toward me.
"Let us look at you first." He held her at arms length and shook his head.
It was her mother who put into words what he was thinking, "Oh honey, youre so pale and thin. Do you feel all right?"
"Yes mom, I feel fine. Just a little worried about Norma."
"Is Norma still in a coma?" Mr. Livingston asked.
"Yes, she is... wait," Chris took a step back, "how do you know about Norma?"
Its a long story, honey."
"And I have all the time in the world. Whats going on, daddy?"
"Where are your manners, Chris? Arent you going to introduce us first?"
Of course, mother." Chris turned to Meg and me and said, "These are my parents, Carl and Felicia Livingston."
I thought Id spare Chris the awkwardness, and introduced myself. "Im Blackie Blackstone. I believe you are working with my father, Robert Blackstone, on a special project?"
"Yes, indeed I am."
"Daddy, how could you?" Chris crossed her arms and actually pouted. I almost laughed at her posturing, but it seemed to work on her father.
"Honey, can we please go some place private to have this conversation in?"
"Theres a quiet room the end of the hall, it might be a bit snug for all of us, but-"
"Ill stay here and let you three talk." I said, taking the high road even though I really wanted to hear what he had to say.
"No, you should come too, Blackie, and Meg, I want you there also."
Carl was addressing us as if we were his employees attending his specially called meeting. I had a suspicion that one of us was his employee.
All of us grabbed a cup of coffee from the volunteer station, and filed into a small, two couches, and one chair room. Chris was right, it was very snug, and really drab looking, which did not enhance my mood.
"First, let me ask you, Chris, if you want me to tell your story in front of these two women, or save that for another time and just discuss the sale of your apartment building?"
Chriss eyes were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears ready to fall, "Daddy, um, I want you to tell it all, but um," she looked over at Meg, her face white as a sheet, "Meg, I um, will owe you and Bonnie an apology afterwards."
"No you wont, Chris, but I will owe you one."
Chris looked at her curiously, and I began to see the story unfold even before Carl started telling it.
"All right then, I want everyone to remain quiet until I am done talking. No interruptions, understand?" He looked at each one of us, excluding his wife, and we all nodded our head in unison. "Chris, your mother and I love you very much, honey, always have and always will. But after you almost killed that man when you were driving drunk, we were at a loss as to how to help you."
Chris looked down at her hands, wringing them together, as if trying to wring out the guilt. But Meg put her arm across her shoulder and showed her such compa.s.sion that I didnt know she was capable of possessing. Felicia wiped away her own tears as Carl continued, although I could see this part was hard on him too.
"I consulted an old friend of mine and he suggested that we force you to stand on your own two feet. We didnt come by our decision lightly, Chris. We struggled a great deal over it, but finally it was our only alternative."
"Im sorry, daddy."