A Different Kind of Forever(34)

Sam French had arranged a meeting. There were sets and costumes to consider. A large cast had to be chosen over the summer. Rehearsals would begin mid-July. They would open in October and run eighteen performances, six weekends, through Thanksgiving. Diane was thrilled and terrified at the thought of seeing her words on a real stage.

The meeting went well. Everyone was excited and enthusiastic, but Diane was impatient for it to be over. Angela Bellini’s office was at the end of the hallway, and Diane wanted to see if she was in. As everyone closed notebooks and laptops, Diane said a hasty good-bye and walked quickly from the conference room. Angela’s door was second from the end. Diane could not tell if it was open until she was right there, and the door stood ajar. Diane knocked softly, heard a muffled “Come in,” and pushed the door open.

Angela was at her desk, typing on her desktop. She glanced up, saw Diane, and smiled in surprise.

“Hi. Hold on just a sec.” Angela continued typing and Diane sat down. Angela hit the save button, then swiveled her chair.

“What a surprise. I was wondering if maybe I would see you out this way. I heard Sam’s got a bunch of meetings lined up. He’s going crazy over this.”

Diane nodded. “Yes, he is. I think he’s more excited than I am. We were just down the hall. That’s why I popped in.”

“Well, great. I’m pleased to report I’ve actually unpacked a few books and bought an easy chair. Big steps for me. And we even got a swing hung up on Sunday, so both projects were very successful.”

“Great. It was a lot of fun for me. Your family is terrific. You’re lucky.”

“Yes, we are. Very lucky. I’m just sorry you couldn’t meet Dad. He left for Miami, a lawyers’ conference. He’s retired, but on some advisory board. He likes keeping busy.” Angela crossed her legs. “Mike still in Toronto?”

“I think so, which is the other reason I stopped by. He said you could give me his cell number. Would you mind?” Diane kept her voice light, but her throat felt dry and tight.

“Sure.” Angela reached for her cell phone and hit a few buttons. She jotted down the number on a post-it. Diane took it and slipped it into her purse. “So, you haven’t heard from him?” Angela asked.

Diane looked at her levelly. “No. I asked him not to call.”

“But now you’ve changed your mind?”

“Yes.”

Angela looked thoughtfully out the window for a moment, then turned to Diane. “He’s an old soul, Michael. My mother used to call him her little wise man. He has a remarkable capacity for being quiet. I know that sounds trite, but it’s not. It’s almost a Zen thing. When he’s listening, or thinking, or trying to decide something, he becomes completely still. You can barely see him breathing. He kind of turns inside himself. Even as a kid, he’d be racing around like a maniac one minute, then the next he’d be just sitting.” Angela took a long breath, deciding. “Our mother died when he was eight. He never really knew her as a healthy woman. She got breast cancer when he was just three. There were surgeries and chemotherapy and trips to Mexico. Then it went to her liver. She died at home, and it was long and hard and very sad. That may have had something to do with it, his being that way, but I think he’s just always had an inner strength, or maybe an inner peace, that he could draw on. He was always special, not just smart and cute, but a rare person. We all love him very much.” She looked down at her desk. “We’re all very protective of him.” Angela carefully lined up a stack of papers. “We worry about him quite a bit.”

“Are you worried about something specific? Diane asked carefully.

“Of course we are,” Angela said patiently, looking up at Diane. “We all know why we love Michael. He’s a remarkable man. He’s a great brother. I’ve never met anybody quite like him. But someone like you, Diane, you’re so different from the women who are usually around him, we’re just wondering what the attraction could be, that’s all.”

“I see.” Diane chewed her lip thoughtfully. “Has it ever occurred to you that I’ve never met anyone quite like him either, and maybe that’s the attraction?”

Angela looked faintly surprised. “No, actually.”

Diane stood up. “Michael and I have just met. Why don’t we see what happens before we continue this discussion, okay?”

Angela nodded. “Good idea. Thank you.”