Chapter 17 #2
Miles rubbed his forehead vigorously.
“I don’t want to do this out in the front yard, but listen to me. I don’t want Katy. I want…”
“Daddy, Mom wants to know where the pancake mix is,” MJ yelled from the front door. When she saw me, she smiled and ran toward me. “Vicky! You’re here.”
She grabbed me around the waist with a tight hug that I reciprocated. “Hey, MJ. Yeah, I’m here to finish up a few things in your room unless today isn’t a good day.”
“Is that it?” she whispered, pointing to the package.
I smiled widely. “Yep.”
Miles’ growl at having been interrupted again morphed into a smile as he watched us. “What are you two conspiring about?” he asked.
“Can’t tell you. It’s a surprise,” she answered, eyes wide. “Come on, Vicky. You can have breakfast with us.”
The thought of sitting across the table from that woman made my blood boil.
Not a chance. Not even for MJ.
“Oh, no. I’m going to finish up in your room while you guys eat. I’ll call you when we’re ready for the big reveal. Besides, I’ve already eaten. But thanks for the invite.”
“Okay then. I’ll hurry so we can work together. Daddy, Mom wants to see if we can go to the zoo together today. I’d love it so much. Please, please?”
I could see his thoughts as his eyes blinked and his lips pursed. “Ah, well. Sure, kiddo. Let me check with Susan to make sure I can be home today. Head inside. Be there in a minute.”
When she ran back to the house, my heart sank as I thought about losing some of my time with her. But that was selfish. Katy was her mother, and she was here, at least trying.
“Do you mind helping me bring that in, please?” I said, intent on getting in and out of there quickly.
Miles held out his hand, blocking me from moving. “Yes, I will. Looks like we will have to wait for that talk a little longer. But please don’t push me away.”
He was so sincere that I couldn’t deny him. Nodding my head, I said, “I promise. We will talk. But please consider it. Pray about it. For MJ’s sake.”
He didn’t answer me but picked up the frame and walked behind me to the door. Ignoring the scowl on Katy’s face as I passed, I walked to MJ’s room. At least she’d changed clothes, so there was that.
I closed the bedroom door and got to work. There wasn’t a lot that still needed to be done, so I worked quickly with the intent of leaving as soon as possible.
The music MJ and Miles always seemed to have on filtered through the closed door, Katy singing along with several of them. I mimicked her like a five-year old with exaggerated gestures like I was on a talent show.
Be nice, Vicky.
I thought about his tattoo and so many other things we’d shared over the five weeks. As I set out the Erector Set Miles had me purchase as a surprise for MJ, I thought about how it had seemed more like months than weeks since I’d arrived.
Signing six clients, including Miles, boosted my confidence and career quickly.
Anna was thrilled, and any worries about Miles and me seemed gone.
The other five projects were smaller, but I gave my best to each, with ideas loved by all the couples.
Furniture and art were ordered for everyone, and I just needed to finish the last three homes.
In my limited spare time, I explored San Diego, keeping my promise. I ate breakfast at cafés near the office, especially enjoying one with Turkish influence that inspired me so much I filled my notebook. Right in the middle of the café was a large tree with colorful scraps of ribbon hanging down.
When I asked about it, the owners told me that in Turkish tradition, people would tie a ribbon to a tree to symbolize their wishes and prayers.
Strips of every color of ribbon hung down, making it look like a Christmas tree.
I loved it so much, I made a point of passing by it every chance I got.
Each time I stepped in, I added another ribbon of my own with wishes and prayers for my family, my friends, my career and for Miles and MJ.
A few evenings, I walked along the harbor taking pictures of ships. I sent one with a pirate ship to the group; even my grumpy brother loved it. And the Little Italy Farmer’s Market was a must on any free Saturday. I still had many places to see, and my list was far from complete.
Just as I hung the picture MJ and I had worked on together, I heard MJ singing as she walked down the hallway.
I quickly moved a few empty boxes to the door, crumpling the brown wrapping paper covering the special photo.
With a smile, I stepped back to take a few photos of the finished room for Elena.
As if on cue, MJ opened the door, bumping my back with it.
“Oh, sorry, Vicky. Is it ready?” she asked. When I pointed to where it hung, she gasped at the finished product. “He’s gonna love it. Thank you so much.”
I opened my arms as she jumped into them, and I kissed her cheek as she held my neck.
“MJ, you in here?” Katy asked as she walked into the room. She looked away when she saw us.
“Mom, look what Vicky did,” she said excitedly as I set her on her feet.
“Hey, where’d you all go? I’m done. Got an important meeting tonight, so let’s head out,” Miles said, his voice getting louder as he neared the room.
Take that, Katy. He’ll be with me tonight, not you, my petty side yelled.
“In here, Daddy,” MJ yelled, giggling excitedly. When she took my hand, I squeezed it as we watched Miles’ reaction when he walked in.
He nervously looked around the room for a moment, seeing Katy here with me, until his eyes doubled back to the large, framed photo on the wall.
“Oh. Wow,” he breathed, walking closer to it. “Vicky. This is. Wow.”
He touched the white, wooden frame that matched the décor in the room, his awe-struck expression mirroring mine from when I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as a little girl.
“Daddy, do you love it?”
He looked at me, then at MJ with tears in his eyes.
“I think he likes it,” I whispered to MJ with a smile, my eyes filling as well.
“I don’t understand,” Katy said, looking from the picture to each of us.
“Mom, it’s our sign. You don’t remember? Daddy and I…” MJ said in confusion. Katy blushed, trying to answer.
“It’s our thing, our special thing,” Miles said, eyes not leaving the black-and-white photo.
I had borrowed a professional camera from work the first night I went to Miles’ house because I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing. When MJ told me about it, I was so glad I’d brought it.
That night, I took a photo of MJ in her favorite pink dress, the same one she wanted me to match for her paint color.
I sent it to a photographer friend in Rome, who worked his magic.
He kept the dress in full color but turned a close-up of MJ’s hands forming a heart into black and white.
With the white frame, the contrast looked stunning against her pink walls.
When she’d mentioned it that night as she chatted about her father and how much she loved him, I knew it would end up being special for them. She hadn’t mentioned Katy when it came to the special sign, but MJ’s question to her meant she should’ve recognized it.
Miles moved, and in two steps, I was in his arms, his warm tears falling on my bare shoulders.
My eyes closed as I held him close. He was still holding me when I opened my eyes to see Katy watching us, her chest rising and falling quickly.
I closed them again, knowing I wasn’t doing this to hurt her, but I refused to leave this sweet moment with Miles.
He finally pulled back and wiped his eyes, bending down to pick MJ up and kiss her on both cheeks.
“Best present ever, my beautiful girl. I love you so much.”
When I looked again, Katy was gone.
“I’ve got to get to another house before I go into the office. I’m so glad you love the picture. MJ was the best model,” I said lovingly.
He nodded and leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “We will talk.”
“Yes. Promise.” Turning to MJ, I said, “This has been the best experience doing this with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”
She hugged me again when I bent down and said, “You’re part of the family now, Vicky.”
I didn’t know how to answer her, so I said, “Thank you both. For everything.” Miles looked confused and worried.
“You’re not going anywhere, are you?” he asked.
“No, I just meant it was great working with you. I’m honored you trusted me with this project.” I bent down to grab the empty boxes. “Ah, you guys have fun.”
I practically ran down the hallway, glad Katy was nowhere to be found. Miles was hot on my heels, taking the boxes from me and holding the door open.
“Talk soon, Vicky.”
“Talk soon.”
Once in the car, I turned up the air a little to cool off from everything that had happened. Just as I reached the Coronado Bridge, I received a call from Elena. I fumbled to press the accept button on the hands-free screen.
“Hi, Elena! How are you doing?” I answered, trying hard not to sound like a raging fangirl.
“Hello, yourself, Victoria. I hear you’ve been quite busy,” she said. Her Italian accent had softened somewhat, no doubt from her being in the US for a few years.
“Yes, I have. It’s been wonderful to receive so many referrals. I’m really enjoying it. I just left Mr. Austin’s house, and the project was a great success. He and his daughter, MJ, loved the picture I was telling you about.”
“Ah, that’s great news. Great news. I love the ideas you’ve had on all of these projects. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I’m really proud of all you’ve done.”
I shifted in my seat to sit taller, letting her praise wash over me. After that humiliating conversation with Katy, it was just what I needed.
“Thank you so much. You have no idea what that means to me. This is all a dream come true. Being able to work for you, have you as a mentor. I appreciate so much that you’ve let me share my ideas and been so open to incorporating them,” I said, slowing down so I could take my exit.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. It’s exactly what I wanted to hear, actually,” she said. I could hear people talking behind her, so I turned up the volume so I wouldn’t miss anything.
“Really?”
“Yes, Victoria, because there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”