Chapter 20 Meeting Carry On Tour #6
“I deserved it,” he admitted humbly. “I don’t know, Aunt Janet. She slapped me for kissing Carry then forgives me and apologizes for hitting me, then turns around and demands that I never let her see it happen again.”
“But she didn’t tell you not to kiss Carry?” Aunt Janet asked incredulously.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “That’s the part that boggles me. I’m not good enough for her, yet she still wants me.”
“Oh, Greg, my child. You are more than worthy of my daughter; you just don’t see it.”
“I’m not!” he insisted. “Not yet, anyway.”
“What do you mean, my boy?”
“My heart is still split in two, pulled in different directions,” he began then dropped his head.
“Worse part is that Veronica elicits a desire in me that I can barely control.” He shook his head.
“God, how I wish I’d never slept with Erica.
These physical desires are starting to burn so hard in me that I don’t know what to do. ”
“That’s one thing I can’t help you with, my boy. But you have to realize that you really are good enough for Veronica. And if you choose Carry, you are good enough for her too.”
“Are you actually trying to be neutral here?” Greg said in shock.
“Greg! I love my daughter, and I can’t bear to see her unhappy. If you don’t choose her with your whole heart, you are going to make both of you unhappy as can be. I couldn’t stand that.”
“That’s what she said to me. She’s an amazing woman.” He let out a long sigh. “I don’t think she could accept me like I am, but she’s more patient than any woman I’ve ever met. I can’t help but admire her.”
“And you love her?”
“Yes, I do. The problem is that I also love Carry.” Aunt Janet gave him a scathing look.
“It’s true, Aunt Janet. Erica shattered me to the point that I wanted to just die.
I didn’t care anymore. Then your daughter and Carry came along at the same time, putting me back together again.
I look back and realize that both of them were risking everything to heal me.
What I don’t understand is what they see in me that they don’t see in other men.
WHY ARE THEY CHOOSING ME?” He dropped his head into both hands and sobbed softly.
“Oh, my boy. You really don’t understand just how special you are, do you?” She ran her left hand over his back and leaned in against his right shoulder. “Greg.”
“I’m not special,” he insisted and sobbed again.
“Oh my child,” she whispered then kissed him softly on the top of his head. “I’ve known you since you were born, and every one of us knew you were special.” Greg stopped sobbing and sniffed hard. He lifted his head up.
“Every one of who?” he asked.
“Your mom, myself, your aunt and your grandmother. Even your father’s parents recognized something different about you in the hospital, laying between your brother and sister.
The three of you were already special as triplets, but you were more special.
Only your father said that Robby was just as special as you. ”
“Robby,” Greg whispered. “I miss him so much sometimes.”
“We all do; just like I miss your mother and father too. They were the most special couple I’ve ever known. They knew true love.” She let out a small sigh. “If Malcom hadn’t died on that motorcycle, I might have known it too.”
“Then Veronica would have had an entirely different life growing up. Would she have been the same?” Greg pondered.
“I think so, Greg. You’ve noticed that she is very special, just like you. That seems to unnerve you somehow.”
“Maybe,” he admitted. “But Carry does the same thing,,,”
“Because she’s also quite special. I may favor my daughter, but I can’t deny that Carry Mitchelson is a special woman in her own right, Greg.
This can’t be easy on you, but you are going to have to decide which one of them makes you the man you truly want to be.
” She took a breath. “I’m telling you this because I don’t want to see you make a mistake that hurts my daughter, or you.
Not even that lovely young lady, Carry. Greg, this is something that only you can resolve, but you have to decide to open your heart up completely, risking being hurt in the process.
It’s not an enviable task, but the rewards far outweigh the risks involved. ”
“You are truly wise, Aunt Janet.”
“I try to be. Since you don’t have a mother to turn to, I thought maybe I might be able to try to fill that role a little bit.” She smiled and kissed his forehead. “Better?”
“Yeah, that does make it feel better.” He smiled as he looked up at her. “Do you really think I’m worthy of either of them?”
“Michael Stamson really messed you up, my boy.” She laughed to herself. “That man was so envious of you that he didn’t want you near his daughter, because you were the only one who could touch her heart like he could.”
“Huh?” Greg responded. “What do you mean?”
“Erica is not the easiest girl to get to know, but I learned enough by watching her over the years. You are the only person other than her father she ever truly let in.”
“It’s true that she wasn’t the easiest to get to know, but down inside she was the sweetest girl around,” he said with a slightly dreamy voice.
“Losing her that last time just took everything out of me,” he concluded.
They sat silently for a long moment before he took a deep breath.
“Just one thing I still don’t understand.
Can you explain to me what made you say everyone said I was special. ”
“I was there in the hospital the day you were born. Your grandma and I were so elated when Annabelle came through the delivery of triplets with flying colors. You three were born so quickly, and she managed to do it without her heart giving out at any point.” Aunt Janet took a breath.
“We watched you three in the nursery, then your Aunt Willamina came up and said: ‘just look at the twinkle in the eyes of the one in the middle.’ Your grandma and I looked at each other and smiled. That was it, we knew you were special. There was this look in your eyes that just had this mesmerizing effect on everyone who looked at you or held you. The nurses fought over who got to look after you while your mother recovered. That look in your eyes never went away. And growing up, that photographic memory of yours helped you build a reputation for intelligence. Still it was the charm you displayed when a heated situation arose. All you needed was one look to disarm everyone and calm it down. Add to that how you were always looking out for the welfare of everyone around you, especially your little sister Tessa.” She breathed out again.
“So, if you want to know what makes you special,” she paused.
“Well it simply is who YOU ARE. Your eyes showed it when you were born and your character has shown it all your life. People know that they can trust and depend on you, no matter what.”
“Wow,” Greg said slowly. “I’ve never looked at it that way. You sound just like Harry did last night,” he pondered loudly.
“He wasn’t wrong, dear boy. Why don’t you think on that for a while? You just might see yourself in a whole new light.”
“You’ve given me a lot to think about,” he slowly agreed. “Maybe I need to take another look at myself. David was telling me that last week when he and Tessa came over to visit.”
“What exactly did he say to you, Greg?” Aunt Janet asked with curiosity piqued.
“That he missed me a lot at Pimico, not just for the work I do, but for how I seem to elevate the others around me. It’s funny thinking about it now,” he said and gave a short laugh.
“Greg Garrelson, you inspire everyone around you to excel and try to achieve more because they know you have their back, and will always go to bat for them when the chips are down. Now you get yourself better and get your happy ass back in the office. Is that understood?” Greg stopped impersonating David as Aunt Janet laughed.
“You should listen closer to what he told you, Greg. Everyone knows that you are there for them—they rally behind you as their trusted leader,” she observed.
“He’s not wrong about you getting back to work.
You need it because you thrive on the challenge.
You always have, and I’m sure you always will. ” Greg glanced at his watch.
“IF we’re going to make it to dinner with Denny and Janet, we need to go,” he said softly.
“It’s up to you now,” she said softly. “Do you feel up to joining them?”
“I definitely feel better than I did when I got back here,” he said as he stroked his chin. “I’m game if you are, Aunt Janet.”
“Lead on, my boy. I’m famished,” she said standing up. Greg stood up and offered his arm then led her to the door. “Take me to dinner, and make it a good one.”
“Yes, Aunt Janet. As you command,” he said as he closed the door behind them.
They enjoyed the evening meal with Denny and Janet; food, conversation and even some dancing.
After the meal, Greg decided to take Aunt Janet on a walk out in the neighborhood around the hotel to enjoy the evening coolness before the blazing summer sun would show its nasty face again to scorch them one more time.
The Moonlight reflecting off the Potomac gave Greg a sense of peace he needed.
Aunt Janet was sipping on her coffee, reading the morning news when she heard a banging sound.
“Mr. Garrelson?” came the voice from the other side of the door.
“Are you in there?” Aunt Janet made her way to the door, peered out the peep hole to see a young woman she wasn’t familiar with.
Sudden rapid banging on the door by the slightly distressed young woman and again: “Mr. Garrelson? GREG? Are you in there?” The young blonde haired woman started pacing in circles.
Aunt Janet finally decided to open the door with the security chain still fastened.
“Can I help you young lady?” Aunt Janet asked.
“I’m sorry,” she sheepishly said. “I must have the wrong room.”
“Who are you looking for?” Aunt Janet asked.
“Mr. Greg Garrelson from Kansas City.”