CHAPTER FIVE #2
Morgan took the last sip of her coffee and set down her cup.
“I’m sorry. Truthfully, I’ve been a disappointment to my parents.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t. That’s why when I left home to go to college, I never went back.
Then I married someone wrong for me, for them. They told me they were done with me.”
“And now?” Simon asked, giving her a steady look.
“After my husband died, I left Florida and came here to live and work in Ellenton when a friend offered me a rental apartment above her garage. It was the best move ever.” Morgan gave him a shy smile. “You’re so easy to talk with. Thank you.”
“At my age, I don’t like going in circles,” said Simon. “Plain talk among friends can be healthy. Sometimes, it even gives you a fresh perspective on things.”
Morgan nodded her appreciation. “I like that idea. I often keep things to myself.”
“Thanks for being open with me,” said Simon. “That’s the thing I hate most about living alone. There’s no one to talk to.”
“You can save up everything to discuss on Saturdays,” said Morgan.
“Ah, to be young. Trouble is, I won’t remember most of it,” Simon said.
Morgan showed Simon how to make notes on his phone.
Simon laughed. “Leave it to technology to make that possible. Thanks for showing it to me.”
“We’d better get to reading,” said Morgan, picking up her book.
Simon opened his book, and soon, a comfortable silence fell between them.
###
When it was time to go to Simon’s house, Morgan left him to get her car and then picked him up in front of the bookstore.
She drove to his house, and they walked inside together.
While Simon called the front desk, Morgan waited in the front hall, gazing around with interest. She noticed several items of African sculptures. Distinctive wooden and metal pieces, a bright-colored woven piece on the wall. And beautiful photographs.
The interior displayed quiet elegance, featuring a large blue-and-green Oriental rug in the living room, along with a leather couch and welcoming, overstuffed chairs with subtle designs that complemented the rug.
“There,” said Simon. “All checked in. Now, let’s relax and have a glass of wine. Feel free to look around. The house is small but very suitable for me. Best of all, it provides me the opportunity to meet others my age, to receive medical care if needed, and to have maid and catering services.”
“I’ve noticed some African art pieces. Have you traveled to Africa?” she asked.
“Oh, yes. My wife, Eleanor, loved going on safari and traveling there.” He went into the kitchen, and Morgan followed him.
Although small, the kitchen was well laid out and had all the latest appliances.
Simon expertly opened a bottle of red wine, poured two glasses, and handed her one. “Here’s to friendship.”
“Yes,” said Morgan, clicking her glass against his.
She took a sip and let out a murmur of approval. “It’s delicious.”
“One of my favorite pinot noirs,” said Simon. “My doctor thought it was a wise idea for me to have a glass of wine in the evening. Nothing more than two.”
Morgan followed him to the living room, passing an eating area in the kitchen that doubled as a dining room.
“Have a seat,” said Simon. He winked at her. “I’ll let you choose which one you want.”
She laughed and sat on one of the chairs beside the couch.
He sat on the end of the couch closest to her. “This couch has a couple of sections that can lean back. My grandson, Jake, told me to get one.”
“It looks comfortable. I’m glad you’re in touch with Jake. I never had grandparents around.”
“He’s a nice kid, and I’m lucky to have him in my life,” said Simon. “Both of them. I’ve ordered a salmon dinner for us. I hope that’s all right.”
“It sounds delicious,” Morgan said, taking another sip of her tasty wine, proof that Simon didn’t buy the cheap stuff in the supermarket like her budget called for.
Simon’s cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and put it aside.
When it rang again, Simon sighed and answered the call. “Hello, Constance.” His expression grew more annoyed. “What are you insinuating? I’ve made a reading friend who enjoys the bookstore as much as I do. We’re doing book reviews for the owner.”
He listened. “No, you can tell your friend to mind her own business. You don’t need to worry about me. Understand?”
He was quiet. “No, I haven’t heard from Jake. I tried to call him, but he didn’t answer. He left me a message that he’d be in touch over the weekend. There’s no need to keep checking on me, Constance. I find it annoying. Goodbye.”
Morgan held her tongue. She could see that Simon was upset, but she didn’t want to get into the middle of a family feud.
Simon gave her a woeful look.
“I’m sorry,” she finally said.
“I’m not going to let it ruin the evening, but I worry that Constance is meddling in my life for nefarious reasons.”
“I know,” Morgan said. “Again, I’m sorry.”
“Let’s forget her and enjoy ourselves,” said Simon.
“Tell me about Africa. I hear it’s beautiful and that seeing the animals in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.”
“Indeed, it is,” said Simon. He told her about the first safari he and his wife took when William was just a boy.
“We thought it might help William to see the animals in the wild because, as a boy, he’d always wanted to be a veterinarian.
But he ended up in business, like me. Still, it was a wonderful time for everyone.
We took Austin when he was of an age to enjoy it, and finally, we took Jake. ”
“I think giraffes are my favorite,” said Morgan.
“Eleanor always loved the elephants. And I, macho man as she teasingly called me, loved the lions.”
Morgan looked at the wall covered with photographs and said, “The photos are gorgeous, even from this distance. Did you take them?”
Simon shook his head. “No, Eleanor did. These are but a few of them.” He got to his feet. “Come, have a better look.”
Morgan followed him to the wall and studied the array of photographs. In one, a tall, striking blonde was smiling at a younger Simon while a boy stood beside her.
“That’s Eleanor, William, and me on our first safari,” said Simon.
“Nice,” Morgan said, turning as Simon pointed to another photograph of the same woman, a bit older, with Simon and a different boy. “That’s Austin with us.”
Morgan studied the tall, thin boy with dark hair and a smiling face and could see some of Simon in his features. “And Jake?”
“Here,” said Simon. The boy in this photo had blond hair and a sturdy body.
“He looks a bit like you, too,” exclaimed Morgan.
Simon grinned. “It’s the Weaver genes. Eleanor always said the women in the family did all the work, but the boys all looked like Weavers.”
The doorbell rang.
Simon went to answer it and stepped back as a couple of men wheeled in a food cart with covered dishes, similar to those found in an upscale hotel.
“Come in, come in,” said Simon, directing them to the dining area by the kitchen. In moments, the two servers had set the table and helped Simon and Morgan with their chairs. Then, with an orchestrated movement, the servers lifted the covers off the plates placed in front of them.
“Enjoy,” said one of the servers. “I’ll put the dessert on the kitchen counter so that it’s there whenever you want it.”
“Thank you,” said Simon, beginning to rise.
The man waved Simon back into his chair. “Oh, no, sir. We’ll show ourselves out. And when you’re ready for us to collect the plates, just call the front desk.”
“This looks delightful,” said Morgan, staring at the plate holding grilled salmon, a potato side dish, and green beans. A simple tossed salad with tomatoes and croutons sat beside the plate.
“The food here is tasty. One of the reasons I chose this facility,” said Simon. “Bon Appétit!”
Morgan’s stomach filled with pleasure as she dug into her food. As Simon had indicated, the food was delicious.
When they were through with the main course, Simon said, “I ordered apple pie for dessert. We could heat the pie in the microwave for a few seconds and then add some vanilla ice cream. Sound okay?”
“Excellent,” said Morgan. “But please let me serve it. I need to get up and move around if I’m going to have room for dessert.”
“Be my guest,” said Simon, grinning at her. “And not too much ice cream.”
Happy to have something to do, Morgan cleared the dishes and prepared the dessert. Working in this kitchen was easier than in her much smaller one.
They’d just finished their dessert when the doorbell rang.
Simon gave her a quizzical look. “I wonder who that could be?”
The door burst open, and a young man walked into the house, staring at them both.
“Grandpa?” the boy said.
Simon got to his feet. “Jake, my boy! So glad to see you. Come meet my friend, Morgan.”
Even as Jake hugged Simon, he kept his gaze on Morgan.