Chapter 23 Family At The Black Angus #2
“David,” Greg said softly. “Tonight I was humbled. I absolutely believe that this was an Act of God. There’s just no other way to explain Joseph showing up like he did when he did on a night like this.
” Greg shook his hand. “They taught us about this at Christian Academy Prep, but I have to admit these past two years feels like He’s putting His hand on me and saying, Trust me son. I’ve got this.”
“I’ve felt the same,” David confirmed. “From Tessa and I being restored to you surviving the drive-by and the poisoning. I’m certain everything started getting better after we met Billy.”
“He has shown a faith like I don’t understand,” Tessa said slowly. “Which is why I don’t understand why he’d betray you with Carry like that?” she protested.
“That’s my own fault, sis. I’ve made a mess of things with her because of Veronica.
My own heart is in turmoil and she is close to him.
How can I ask her not to find out if there’s any chance she might want him instead of me when she’s put up with my own indecisiveness for nearly two years now.
” Greg shook his head. “She’s been wonderful, but what if she belongs with him and not me?
” He looked at Tessa. “I can’t do that to her because I love her.
If Veronica and Carry are willing to walk away from me if I choose the other, then what right do I have to do any less for her? ”
“What?” Tessa said with surprise. “Did you just,,,” her voice trailed off as her mind started racing. “WHEN?” she blurted.
“Do you remember that dinner I went out to with Veronica before we went down to visit Ben in Alabama?”
“Yeah,” she said slowly.
“It wasn’t just Veronica. She brought Carry.
We had a long polite discussion, and both of them put me on the spot.
They were not willing to stand by and wait much longer for me to get my act together.
I needed to do what I had to so I could figure out where my heart belongs, and they agreed that they’d walk away with no regrets if I chose the other.
And that brings me to why we’re here tonight. Veronica!”
“Excuse me,” Sarah called as she approached the table. “Could you clear a space for these bottles?”
“Sure thing,” Willamina said, sliding some small plates out of the way. “Right there darlin’,” she said with a smile. “Are those regular sized?” she said as her face contorted looking at the bottles.
“No, they’re not,” she said as she sat the cheese sticks on the table with the marinara so her hand would be free to grab the bottles.
“These are special vintages of Mr. Mauerman’s own personal stock.
Nearly two liters each, and rather heavy,” she said as she grunted to get the bottles on the table without losing them.
“I can stay and pour,” she started and Greg cut her off with a hand motion.
“We’ll take care of that, Sarah. Does this work like the other table?”
“Yes, Mr. Garrelson,” she began and again he cut her off with a hand motion.
“If you call me that again, I’ll have to dock you. Tonight, just call me Greg, please Sarah.”
“Are you sure?” she asked sheepishly.
“For tonight, yes. I’m just Greg tonight. Will you please call me Greg?”
“If you are requesting that, then our code says I must honor your request.”
“Then, to make sure everyone here knows, tonight we are going by first names only. David, Tessa, Janet, Willamina, Graciella and Greg. Any problems?” he asked as he peered around the table.
Everyone shook their head no. “Good. Now, we’ll get our orders in, but do me a favor.
Grab yourself something on me, and make sure we have privacy. ”
“I can definitely do that,” she said and paused to prevent herself from saying it formally. “Greg.”
“That’s the spirit. Oh, and more of those cheese sticks and marinara please. I’ll punch it in.”
“Yes, Greg. I’ll have them out in a flash,” she said and spun so fast the floor squeaked.
“She’s a great girl, and when we intern her next year, I expect great things.”
“You always find talent in the oddest of places,” David observed. “So, we can just punch in what we want?”
“Looks like Ron’s updating all his tables,” Tessa observed. “You just select what you want from here and then tap add to table. It tells the server what you want, how you want it and where you are sat at the table for the plate’s arrival.”
“That’s fascinating,” Janet replied. “These things are much fancier than back in my day,” she replied.
“You mean when you lived with me and waitressed at the city diner?” Graciella called across the table.
“Indeed. That’s exactly what I mean.”
“I remember those days,” Willamina spoke up as she made her selection. “Here, momma, you just choose from here,” she said as she demonstrated how it worked.
“You worked as a waitress?” Greg said, slightly stunned.
“Until I was too pregnant to continue,” she confirmed. “That’s what we’re here about, isn’t it my child. How Veronica came to be Veronica.”
“Yes, and No,” he said slowly. “After what Veronica told me when we got back from Talladega weekend, there was a conspiracy to bring her and I together.”
“Guilty,” Janet admitted. “But you already knew that I wanted to see the two of you stop suffering.” Then she turned toward Graciella and gave her a nod.
“Guilty too,” Graciella said. “You were hurting way to deeply Greg. You were going to destroy yourself over a woman who didn’t deserve you.”
“Hold on, let’s not badmouth Erica tonight. I’m only concerned with how I actually met Veronica. It wasn’t by Chance. It wasn’t some Random Encounter. NO! This was designed Socially, by the two of you.”
“Guilty also,” Willamina admitted. “At least of getting these two together and helping them come up with ideas of how you two should meet.”
“You mean you faked not knowing that Greg was going to meet Veronica,” Tessa said with surprise flushing her face. “And you didn’t involve me?”
“Plausible Deniability,” Graciella called over. “Sorry granddaughter, but you would have ratted us out to Greg. Besides, you were still down in the Ozarks running that facility of yours, oh, what’s it called?”
“The Resort, Grandma. And now David and I have a second location, The Resort Too.”
“And it’s doing very well,” David said proudly. “But this kind of subterfuge I would never have suspected from the three of you.”
“You’re off the hook, Tessa. They obviously know that you don’t keep anything from me anymore than I keep anything from you.”
“Yes, brother. I think this is a deep conspiracy you’ve uncovered,” she said with mocked feigning. “How dare they,” she chided jokingly. Everyone laughed around the table.
“My boy,” Graciella said. “David came to me and told me you were going to drown yourself in the bottle and he was coming to his wits end on how to pull you out. So I called Janet and we started talking about the whole thing and she mentioned that Veronica was taking it hard after the loss of her dad, and how she’d never really recovered from Quinton. ”
“You talk like you’ve known Veronica her whole life,” Greg said.
“You don’t remember any of this Greg, because you and Tessa were just toddlers when I moved in with Graciella.
She took me in after Malcom didn’t show up to marry me.
I had no idea he’d died on a motorcycle back in England.
And I knew I couldn’t go home pregnant and unmarried.
Your Grandma Graciella took me in because she’d almost been my own mother if not for the Reed family pride,,,”
“Enough of that, Janet. You were always a good girl, and I waited too long to make Robert marry me. I shouldn’t have been sleeping with him before I had a wedding ring from the man, but he was so hot looking and I was so lonely after my husband died saving his mother in that awful inferno that claimed her home.
” Graciella lowered her head. “Greg, I’ve made some mistakes in my life, and I want to protect you from making those yourself.
So, tell me. What do you really want to know? ”
Greg sat there stunned. “Are you saying that Janet lived with you while she was pregnant with Veronica?”
“Of course my boy, where else was she going to go?” Graciella deadpanned. “I loved her father, and I love her. I love her as if she’s my own daughter. So many times she picked me up after I lost your mom.”
“I’m sorry,” Tessa input. “I’ve never thought about you having a life like ours,” she realized. “You really lived when you were young, grandma.”
“Did I ever. Your grandfather was an outstanding dancer in his own right, but he chose to fight fires.” Graciella got lost in the memory.
“I was devastated losing him when your mom and aunt were only three.” She sat up and leaned forward.
“Robert Reed was as kind as he was handsome. And he was honorable in fighting for me when I had no one to help. That’s how I fell in love with him, and invited him into my bed.
I was alone and scared and he was gentle and kind.
He almost said no, until I kissed him.” She smiled brightly.
“That was it. That was the moment he gave in.”
“Mrs. Danus,” David interjected, and saw Greg’s face showing frustration. “Sorry, Graciella,” he said with a nod toward Greg. “Wasn’t there ever anyone else?”
“After Robert? Oh, no child. Nobody was going to get in past my gate after that.”