Wishing for Wonderful (Serendipity #3)(18)
“Maybe so, but she moved because she had to, not because she wanted to.” Lindsay was also going to point out the change that had taken place with Phillip, a change of heart one might call it, but she held back because it wasn’t something she wanted to discuss with her father.
Looking at the sadness stretched across his daughter’s face, John said, “I know it’s been tough, but give life a chance. Sometimes when you think you’re as miserable as you can possibly be, something happens and changes everything. You meet someone special and…”
“Did you know Mom was that somebody special?” she cut in.
John took a deep breath. He knew there would be no opportunity to say what he had to say tonight.
“Yes,” he finally answered. “The first time I heard your mom laugh, I knew I was in love with her. She knew it too.”
Lindsay thought she saw the twinkle of memories dancing in his eyes. “That’s what I’m hoping will happen to me.”
“It will.” He smiled. “Just be patient, honey. Love isn’t something you can go looking for. When the right man comes along he’ll find you.”
Unfortunately, what Lindsay imagined to be the light of memories in her father’s eye was in truth the formation of a tear. He was thinking of how he was going to explain this to Eleanor.
~
I don’t often say this, but there are times when a human gets things right, and Eleanor was absolutely on the mark when she told John that he should have broken this news to Lindsay earlier. If I look no further than tomorrow, I can see the trouble ahead.
~
That night Lindsay settled into her old room, and it was if she’d never left. As she hung the remainder of her clothes in the closet and tucked her underwear into the dresser drawers, she hummed a tune she’d heard on the radio weeks earlier. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, then climbed into bed and snuggled under the comforter. That’s when the buzzing in her ear returned.
For several minutes she remained perfectly still, barely breathing, every ounce of concentration focused on listening to the sound. Words. Words from somewhere far away. Words chopped up into little bitty pieces…um…um…
She bolted upright.
“I’m waiting!”
Suddenly the buzzing stopped.
“Who’s waiting?” she said to no one. While her question still hung in the air, Lindsay heard the high-pitched bark of a dog.
John
I planned to tell Lindsay about Eleanor tonight. I’d gone over what I was going to say a dozen or more times, but every time I was ready to start Lindsay dredged up another memory of her mother.
Don’t misunderstand me. Bethany was, without question, a wonderful woman. But she and Lindsay sometimes went at it like two pit bulls. There were times when I’d be out in the garage or trimming hedges in the backyard and hear Lindsay’s voice screaming about how she wasn’t allowed to do one thing or another. To hear her tell it, every kid in Shawnee High School had more privileges than she did.
Of course, Lindsay doesn’t remember any of that. She only remembers the good times, which I suppose is how it should be. But when every other word she speaks is about how wonderful Bethany was, it’s almost impossible to bring up the subject of Eleanor.
The irony of this situation is that if Lindsay gave it a chance, I think she’d like Eleanor. In a number of ways, Eleanor is a lot like Bethany except maybe she’s a little slower to anger and a lot more forgiving. Of course that could be because of age. We’re a bit older now, and years do have a way of mellowing people.
Mellowed or not, I think Eleanor is still going to be pretty peeved when she finds out I haven’t told Lindsay yet.
Maybe if Eleanor is here standing beside me it will be a bit easier. Oh, don’t get me wrong; I know Lindsay can overreact at times. But trust me, she’s not the kind of girl to make a big stink in front of someone else, especially someone she knows I’m fond of.
Yep, that’s what I’ll do. When Eleanor gets here tomorrow morning, I’ll introduce her as a real close friend. After they’ve spent some time together, Lindsay will come to see what a wonderful person Eleanor is. Once that happens, our marriage won’t be a problem. At least I don’t think it will be.
Cupid
Rude Awakening
Procrastination. It’s a human trait and one that often leads to disaster, as you’ll soon see. The ideal answer would be to go ahead and give Lindsay the perfect match I have for her, but the truth is she’s not ready. Her brain has accepted Phillip was a bad apple, but her heart still longs for the scoundrel.
It’s strange how humans can be miserable in a love affair and even more miserable when it finally ends. I’d think the loss of a lover such as Phillip would be cause for celebration, but instead of remembering the truth of his behavior Lindsay is remembering the small handful of thoughtful things he did. As long as she’s looking through that warped window of memory, it’s impossible for her to see the potential in a new love. It’s a condition we call romance-restricted, and when it’s combined with misappropriated affection we’re talking about a ticking love bomb.
Right now not even I could give this girl a love that would last. The only thing I can do is increase her level of distraction. Lindsay is one of those women who never wants what comes easy, so I’ll have to pique her interest by teasing her with pictures and promises. Eventually she’ll go for it. Humans always do. Just tell a human there’s something they can’t have and presto-chango! Biting into that forbidden fruit becomes an obsession.