A Family Affair(58)

What he did know and would never share was that Anna was correct—Chad wanted his wife to be smart, accomplished and, as he had said more than once, the most competent woman he’d ever known. He had confided long ago that he chose Anna to be his wife for that specific reason. He wanted a partner whose intelligence and abilities he could rely on so he could concentrate on becoming a success in his field. He had said so more than once. He didn’t want a woman who couldn’t balance a checkbook or perform CPR or make critical decisions about managing a home and family, plus earn a living. Chad had been well aware that his particular field was a tough one to break into and tougher still to become successful in. Counselors were a dime a dozen in California and certainly in San Francisco. Making a good deal of money at it went with reputation earned through accomplishment. And the competition was fierce.

“I knew Anna would be the best right hand a man could have in a marriage,” he had once told Joe. But years later he had said, “Do you have any idea what a toll it’s taking on our family for her to be in law school? I don’t know what the hell she’s trying to prove.”

She was undoubtedly trying to prove she could take care of her family without a devoted husband, which Chad had established he might not be. He had established that very well with an affair. A rather long-term affair that had lasted many months. Chad had admitted he had lied about his marital status, thus giving the other woman reason to think he was available.

Anna was correct, it was a good marriage. Because it was more of a business arrangement for Chad than a love match. Since Joe’s own marriage had gone so wrong, Joe often wondered if maybe Chad had the right idea. But there was that one thing Anna didn’t know. Chad confided to Joe, “I’ve never been in love, not really.”

Joe was in love. He wondered just how blissful life with Anna could be if he gave her everything she’d been lacking. He was filled with pride just considering her accomplishments, but more than that, he admired her moral core. She was an exemplary jurist because she could easily combine her knowledge of the law with her strong moral compass. If he were lucky enough to be her partner, he would make sure she knew he embraced her achievements.

He would enjoy loving Anna. Together, maybe they would make up for lost time. Maybe the best was yet to come.

There was a fierce, wet cold in early November and Joe was spending Saturday night in Mill Valley. The wind blew outside and he wasn’t aware it was morning until he looked at his cell phone on the bedside table. He rolled over, scooped Anna into his arms and pressed himself against her back, spooning her.

“Well, good morning,” she said with a light laugh.

He kissed her neck, nuzzling her for good measure. “It’s eight o’clock,” he whispered. “I slept like the dead. Because sleeping with you is always an adventure.”

“Is that because I make so much noise in my sleep? Snoring and talking.”

“You were either very quiet last night or I was very tired. I’m not sure I even rolled over.” He pulled her closer. “Let’s not get up.”

She laughed appreciatively. It was deliciously obvious he was in the mood. She hadn’t thought of herself as a woman in need of good sex but she found she was definitely appreciating it with Joe. Anna was delightfully surprised and happy to learn that feeling great passion was a little like riding a bike. She was not too old for it, after all. “I’ll make us some coffee,” she said.

She pulled a Danish breakfast roll out of the freezer, stripped the paper off and put it in a pan to warm in the oven. She rinsed off some dishes from the evening before, put them in the dishwasher and got out cups.

Then she heard the sound of the garage door rising and she froze. Within moments Michael walked into kitchen, a nonplussed look on his face. “Whose car is that?” he asked.

“Good morning, Mike,” she said. “What a nice surprise.”

“Mom, do you have company?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Joe and I went out last night and he stayed over. I told him to just park in the garage. I’m making coffee.”

“Mom? Joe?”

“It would have been easier had you called to let me know you were coming by but I guess it doesn’t really matter. I was planning to tell you, anyway. I guess you could say we’re dating, me and Joe.”

“Dating? Dating?”

“For lack of a better word. We’ve always been good friends and since your father passed away we seem to have gotten closer. Perfectly understandable, I guess.”

“But wait,” he said. “What about Dad?”

“Oh, I think your dad would approve, though whether or not he did was not the first thing on my mind. He’s gone, after all.”

“But does this mean... Are you over him? Dad?”

“That’s not really an issue, Mike. I had no plans to be dating anyone, but Joe and I shared a loss, did a lot of talking, mutually supporting each other in those difficult days following your father’s death, one thing led to another and...”

“Good morning, Mike,” Joe said, coming into the kitchen. Thank God he was fully dressed, shirt, shoes and all.

“You and my mother are dating?” he asked.

“Exactly,” Joe said easily. “It’s not as though we had to get to know each other first. We began supporting each other in grief, which was the natural thing to do. It’s like dating an old and dear friend. I hope you don’t mind because we’re having fun. And fun has been in short supply lately.”