Chapter 36
36
Michelle fell asleep quickly with dreams of her and Keith. She hardly opened an eye when her phone vibrated, seeing the text from Keith letting her know they made it back with a heart at the end. A sleepy smile tugged at her lips as her dreams returned to Keith. Even though she slept for hours, it felt as if she’d barely gotten comfortable when Belynda’s ringtone sang through the quiet room.
“Belynda, is everything all right?” Her morning voice croaked through the phone.
“Did I wake you?”
“Sorry, yeah, what time is it?”
“Still early. I’m on my way to work. I couldn’t wait anymore.”
“Wait for what?”
“Mom, you’re dating Keith Mason! I had dinner with Keith Mason, and I can’t tell anyone! Do you know the torture this is going to be?”
Michelle pulled the phone away from her ear and laughed. “So, I take it you’re good with this?”
“Good? I’m great!” She cleared her throat. “As long as he treats you well. I must admit, I’m nervous about the reputation most movie stars have. I mean, I wouldn’t blame a woman if the guy was single, but he seemed mighty committed last night.”
“We’ll see, won’t we.”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“How do I say this? My brain isn’t really awake yet.” Michelle chuckled. “I want to believe he’s sincere. I hope he means what he says, but let’s face it, a three-thousand-mile relationship would be hard.”
“You wouldn’t consider moving since his job is on the West Coast?”
“I will not move to the West Coast. I’m totally not interested in that. I love the mountains. I love my home.”
“He has a place in Montana.”
“It would be hard to leave all of you, but if things progress that far, and I’m not saying they will, I’ll consider moving to Montana.”
“Wow, Mom. I totally thought you’d say that he could move here.”
“I thought it, sweetheart, but I’m also trying to be reasonable. But since this conversation is totally hypothetical, I’d prefer not to waste the brain power on it.”
“I know, but you’ve got to think about the future, right?”
“I only need to think about getting through today. What if he decides that it’s too much? That my issues with his job are too much and he never calls again? I also need to prepare for that.”
“Do you really think that’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know.”
“If last night was any indication of his feelings, that man is smitten.”
“Smitten.” Michelle laughed. “I haven’t heard that word since I watched Pride and Prejudice last week. It’s an old word, but a good one.” She turned the word over in her brain. “Yes, he just might be, but I’m not taking it for granted.”
“I would expect nothing else from you, Mom.”
“We’ll see how it goes. I’m taking it one day at a time.”
“Are you going to call Adam about his behavior?”
Michelle rolled her eyes. “I warned Keith just like he warned me about his younger son. I still think this is a shock for Adam. I pray he’ll accept my dating and relationship with Keith. But if I get heartbroken, he’s going to be the first to say ‘I told you so’ and be even more opposed to me seeing another man.”
“It’s not his decision to make, Mom. It’s yours. You need to talk with him. He was an ass last night. I was so embarrassed. I thought Charlotte was going to kill him. I hope he has a big bruise on his shin. She kicked him good.”
“I think it’s positively amazing that he doesn’t act that way with her, only me.”
“He probably threatened to haunt her if he goes first and she decides to remarry.”
Michelle laughed. “Your father and I threatened that when we were younger. Then, as we got older, we saw how lonely life could be without someone. We didn’t want that for each other.”
“I’m glad y’all talked about it. Somehow, I don’t think Dad had Keith Mason in mind, but I’m glad he bumped into you.”
“Me too,” Michelle said as she flipped the covers back and found her robe. She walked to the kitchen, knowing she wasn’t going back to sleep. “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and find it’s all been a dream.”
Belynda burst out laughing. “If this is a dream, then we’re both in it. It took forever to register who I was looking at. I still can’t get over it. Mom, if I ever went for an older man, it would’ve been him. You’ve ruined that for me now, so thanks for that.”
Michelle started a pot of coffee, knowing Jackie would be over soon. She wouldn’t be able to help herself. “Sorry, sweetheart, but he’s been my favorite actor since before you were born, so you’re welcome for that too.”
“Ooo, but he doesn’t look old enough to be my father.”
“No, he looks pretty damn good if I say so myself.”
“I just pulled into the office. I gotta bury this secret so no one knows I have one. You have a great day.”
“You too, and please keep this to yourself.”
“I’ve gotcha back. Love ya, Mom.”
“Love you too.”