C37 Chapter 37

RICK

When I get home I have a few more drinks as I sit in the dark of my living room pondering my discussion with Lewis.

I decide that he’s right. Much of what he said is true. I’ve never been in a long-term relationship before. That’s my own doing I know, but people change and I don’t feel bad about wanting to change. Why should I? On the other hand, it makes sense that I want to stick with what I know which is the one-night stand lifestyle. That would explain my longing for Viola. Maybe I’m only interested in her because she’s the one that got away. If we have sex, I might lose interest. Am I going to do that at the expense of a sure thing with Christine?

When I think of it in that context I make peace with my thoughts and I’m grateful that nothing more happened between Viola and me.

Feeling a sense of peace I head off to bed and drift off to sleep with a small thought knocking on the door of my mind. It’s small but it wants to be heard in the arena of thinking where my biggest decisions are made, like marrying Christine. I don’t want to open the door because I can hear it already and I don’t want to. It says, but you’ve never thought of Viola as a one-night stand…

VIOLA

Sometimes the universe just doesn’t stop knocking. When it’s got your number there’s no stopping it. It’s not as easy as shutting the door in Rick’s face. It will always find a way no matter the cost it seems.

It’s almost midnight when I’m woken by a call. It’s Lara. She is crying and I eventually manage to understand her. She’s at the hospital. Her husband has had a stroke and is in a coma.

I dress quickly and am with her in thirty minutes. I console her and she manages to calm down a bit. James, her husband is in the ICU and Lara is waiting for news from the doctors.

They’ve been together for a long time and I can understand how much he means to her. In the short time that I have worked with her, I have come to know her much better along with her husband and their kids. They are a very happy family and I am envious, in a nice way. I hope to have what they have one day but now I feel for her and we pray together.

“Don’t worry about work, I’ll take care of everything,” I tell her.

“Will you?” she asks. “It would be such a help. I don’t think I could deal with it right now. Most importantly, you have to make sure that Rick and Christine’s wedding plans are finalized.”

I’m silent for a moment. I want to stare at the heavens and scream, why me? But there it is. Right there. I feel like I’ve been manipulated by the universe. I know it.

Lara gives me Rick’s number and I pretend I don’t have it. I promise her I’ll give Rick a call in the morning and explain everything to him. When I feel that Lara is calm enough I leave and ask her to call me for anything. I find it strange that Christine isn’t there considering what good friends they’re supposed to be.

Nevertheless, I’m careful as I leave the hospital. I don’t fancy running into Christine. Luckily for me, I don’t.

I wake up the usual time even though I haven’t had nearly enough sleep. I have a headache and take an aspirin before getting ready for work.

I know I have to call Rick sooner rather than later but I stare at his number on my cellphone screen for a long time before I call him. I even have to unlock the screen a few times.

As I call his number I pray he won’t answer even though it will simply delay the inevitable. But he answers and it’s probably for the best.

“Good morning,” he says. His voice is reserved. He clearly wasn’t expecting me to call.

“Good morning,” I say as business-like as possible.

“You’re the last person I was expecting to call,” he remarks.

“I’m the last person I expected to call you, Rick,” I reply, then continue before he can say anything else. “I’m calling on behalf of Lara. Her husband’s in hospital and it’s not good. I promised her I’ll take care of business as long as she needs me to and she’s asked me to make sure that your wedding plans with Christine get finalized.” I surprise myself at how business-like I am. “Perhaps we can meet for coffee or at the office so I can get up to speed on where you’re at. I’m sorry but I didn’t want to bother Lara with details. I’m sure you can understand.”

Rick seems to understand and responds well. “Sure, we can meet for coffee. I think it’s just about done. I’ve got a whole file on it. I’ll bring it with me.”

I’m surprised that Rick responds so professionally. We agree on the coffee shop and the time.

When I arrive at the coffee shop, Rick’s already there. He has a file on the table in front of him and he’s looking out the window. He stands when he sees me and when he offers to help me sit, I wave him off. We order coffee.

“So much for not talking,” Rick smiles.

I sigh. “Rick. Please let it go. I didn’t come here to talk about what happened last time. I feel bad enough. I’m here to do one thing and one thing only and that’s getting you to the altar with Christine. Okay?”

Rick studies me a moment as if wondering where this strength is coming from. Then finally he nods. “You’re right. My friend told me to focus as well. He agrees with you.”

“Wait, you discussed me with your friend?” I ask surprised.

“Not in so many words. I needed to talk to someone about what happened. He’s happily married and has been for a long time. I’m inclined to take his advice. So, let’s get on with it.”

I don’t know what to say. I’m flattered. Did he seek advice from someone else about choosing between Christine and me? I’m flattered and embarrassed that he’s spoken to someone about me. It also tells me has doubts about Christine.

Don’t go there, my little voice says. Do this and get it over with. Even if he has doubts I’m not going to be the one to make them any worse. I listen to my inner voice and motion to the file. “May I?”

“Sure,” Rick replies. I open the file and go through it and Rick takes me through it step by step until I’m fully up to speed. When we’re finished I can see that it’s basically done. The final date needs to be set, bookings made, and invites sent. That’s it.

“Well then, let’s pick a date. It should be at least two months from now. That gives people more than enough time to prepare.”

Rick hasn’t been able to stop looking at me while we’ve been talking. I know he has to but he’s looked at me far more than necessary. He’s looking at me now as if he’s thinking, coming to a decision. Finally, he responds.

“No. Four weeks from now. I don’t want to wait longer.”

“Are you sure?” I ask.

Rick nods. “That’s enough time. People are coming or they’re not. Our wedding isn’t for them it’s for… Christine and I.” He hesitates briefly and I pretend not to notice.

“What about the guest list?” I ask.

“I sent it to Lara. She said she’d make the list from Christine’s side because they’re such good friends. Otherwise, I can ask Christine.”

“Let me ask her. If she doesn’t have it, I’ll tell you and you can ask Christine instead okay?”

“Thanks,” Rick nods.

“Then as soon as I get the lists, I’ll get them to the printers and we’ll get them sent.”

“Can we get the invites sent by e-mail as well? I mean, go ahead and send the card invites but e-mail is faster. By the time the lists are collated, invites printed and sent we might be another week down the road.”

Rick is suddenly in a hurry to get this over with. I don’t quite know why but if it’s what he wants, I won’t stand in his way. I’m beginning to think it’s for the best too. I decide to do everything I can to finish it as soon as I can for him.”

“Sure, that makes sense,” I tell him. “We can do that.”