A Different Kind of Forever(30)
He chuckled. “She looks exactly like the last three women I went out with.” He glanced at Diane, then looked away. “I think my tastes have changed.”
Diane reached in and very carefully pushed a strand of hair from his forehead.
“How long will you be in Toronto?” She asked.
“I think until Wednesday. I may be writing a score for a movie up there.”
“Oh, wow. What’s the movie?”
“I don’t really know. Do you know somebody named Prescott? He’s a theater guy, I think.”
“Gordon Prescott? I know who he is. He’s supposed to be a genius. How exciting for you.”
“This is a very exciting time. I’ve never done anything quite like this.” His skin looked very white in the darkness, his eyes lost in the shadows of his face.
“I bet. Imagine, a movie.”
“I’m not just talking about the movie,” he said quietly.
Diane chewed her lip. “When will I see you?” She asked softly.
“We could have dinner. Thursday night.”
Diane shook her head. “No. Megan has an awards thing Thursday. Girls’ softball. How about Friday? The girls go with their father on Friday nights.”
“Good. That would be good. What time?”
“They usually get picked up around six, so, what? Six-thirty?”
“Okay. I’ll call you from Toronto.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I could use a little time, I think.”
He nodded. “If you want to talk or anything, my sisters have my cell phone number. Ask one of them, okay?”
“Okay. I will. Have a good trip.” She backed away from the truck as he pulled away. Diane took several deep breaths, then went back into the house.
Rachel was sitting on the couch, drinking orange juice, legs crossed. “Well, he seems very nice,” she said conversationally. “He’s adorable in person. His eyes are incredible. I wonder if he wears, you know, blue contact lenses.”
“He doesn’t,” Diane replied, sinking into the couch. “All his sisters look just like him. The same blue eyes.”
“Met the family, have we?” Rachel tilted her head as she looked at her mother.
Diane met her daughter’s look. “Yes. I had dinner with them.”
“And you met him, when? Two weeks ago? Not even. Emily told me the story. How cute. Something to tell the grandkids.”
Diane leaned forward. “Why are you angry?” she asked gently.
“You just met him, Mom. I saw how the two of you were looking at each other when I came in. What’s going on?”
Diane sat back. “Are you and Gary having sex?”
“You know what, Mom? That’s none of your damn business,” Rachel said hotly.
“Exactly.”
Rachel’s nostrils flared. “You’re old enough to be his mother.”
“Yes. He and I were just having that discussion. I don’t think he cares all that much.” She leaned forward again. “How is the workshop coming?”
Rachel shrugged. “We start performances in three weeks. Can you come out and see me?”
“In ‘Slaughtered Shakespeare’? I’m not sure my heart can take it, but I’ll try.”
“How many tickets? Will you be bringing a date?”
“I’ll bring your sisters.” Diane chewed her lip. “Rachel, please don’t say anything about Michael being here. Emily and Megan don’t know.”
Rachel shrugged again. “Sure, Mom. Your little secret is safe with me.” She stood up and gathered her things, purse, sweater, a woven carry-all. “I just wanted to stop and say hello. I’m sorry if I interrupted something.”
Diane stood with her. “No, honey, you didn’t interrupt anything. And even if you did, it still would have been fine.” She put her arms around her daughter. Rachel’s body was tense, rigid.
“Drive safe, and call me, okay?”
Rachel kissed her mother on the cheek. “Okay, Mom. Good night.”
Michael left her house with his mind racing. He didn’t want to go home. It was too late to go back to Angela’s. He reached for his cell phone, scanned through the memory, and hit the button for Mark. Mark Bender, his closest friend from high school.
Mark answered, and Michael could tell he was out somewhere from the noise and music in the background.