AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You have your house in Ojai that you made him buy for you, right? Plus your own house in Laguna. You still have those. You have plenty of places to stay.”
“But it isn’t Malibu. How can I see Arturo if I’m not in Malibu?”
“Who is Arturo?”
I couldn’t believe that my mother had moved on from Charles so quickly, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I was barely a year old when she had cheated on my father with husband number two.
“My speech coach. I’m in talks to play a Russian spy in Galileo Santini’s latest film. How can I do that if I’m so far away from Arturo? I swear Charles just doesn’t understand.”
“You have a car, and I’m sure that Arturo will come to you.”
“He doesn’t. You have to see him. It’s the only way he will work with you, and you know how much I hate to drive. I need to be in Malibu. It’s the only way it will work.”
“You could rent a place near Arturo. Find one close enough so that you could walk to him.”
“Oh dear, you know I don’t walk,” she said, clearly annoyed at me for suggesting it.
“I’m sure whatever needs to be done, you’ll work it out. You’re so resilient that way.” If I buttered her up, made her feel like she was a great, strong, independent woman, she might drop the whole subject.
“We all have our burdens to bear, I guess. Mine are just more intense than anyone else’s.”
“Clearly,” I said sarcastically, knowing she wouldn’t hear it.
“How are you? Did you get your little house yet?”
I rolled my eyes. I should be happy that my mother at least remembered that I was buying a house, and I shouldn’t get annoyed that she called it “my little house.” She had only lived in big houses with at least six bathrooms and ten bedrooms since she made her first movie. She thought it was cute that I was buying something so small.
“I should be getting the keys in a few days.”
“That’s wonderful. Do you need any help with decorating? I know a wonderful man; he’s gay and really knows color and style. Something you could use some help with. I could give him a call for you. I’m sure he would do me the favor.”
“Thank you, Mother, but no. I’m good on my own. The place is pretty much all set. I don’t need to do much to it.”
“Houses always need to have something done with them. I swear I’m still trying to get the kitchen done at the Laguna house. The contractors just can’t seem to understand my vision; it’s frustrating. I might just have to throw my hands in the air and sell the place. Just one more thing for me to deal with.”
“Good luck with that. You know Zach was a wonderful realtor; I’m sure he could help you out.”
“Darling, everyone knows Zach is the best realtor out there. He’s thinking of doing a reality television show. Maybe I should have him sell the Laguna house so I can be on the show. How funny would that be?”
“Hilarious. What have you heard about the reality show?”
“Only that there’s talk of them doing it. There is a certain interest in him and who he is related to, me included. It could be a good draw for them to have me do it. It would show that we are still a family even if his father is being a total asshole.”
“I can’t see him wanting to do that. Nor would Charles be okay with it.”
“Oh, if I tell him I would let him have the Malibu house, he might be more willing. I really should give Zach a call. He was always so dear to me. I think he might have had a little bit of a crush on me.”
I let out a laugh before I could stop myself, and I heard my mother let in a sharp breath.
“How dare you think that a man like him wouldn’t be interested in me. I’ll have you know I have plenty of men, even younger than Zach, who would be more than happy to be with me. I have held off out of respect for Charles, but I might not anymore.”
“I’m sure that’s the case, but I don’t see Zach doing anything with you as you’ve been with his father.”
“Are you calling me sloppy seconds? I’m much more than that, and we both know it.”
“No. I wasn’t calling you that at all. I’m just saying, considering the circumstances, maybe look to someone else other than your soon-to-be ex-husband’s son.”
“It shouldn’t matter who he is or who his father is. If we wanted to be together, we should be allowed to.”
