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CHAPTER27
Remi
When the phone rings at exactly nine in the morning, I’m caught off guard. Can it be December fifteenth already? I lost track of time as I wrestled with my loss of Tristan. And as I’ve overindulged in almost every brand of bourbon at the neighborhood liquor store.
“Good morning, Grandmother.” I stifle a yawn.
“And the very same to you, young Julian.”
“I hope you and Grandfather are well.”
“We are very well, thank you.” Grandmother sniffs artlessly, which is unlike her. I take it as a sign that she’s about to address a topic she’s unsure of. “And how is that man you date? The handsome Tristan? And his family?”
“Jared and Tommy are participating in an indoor soccer league. I go to most of their games. And Wendy is attending preschool several days a week. She loves it.”
“And Tara?”
“Tara’s thriving in the new responsibilities of her supervisory job.”
“I hope to have her working forty hours a week at the corporate headquarters—the day shift—in the very near future. We’ve discussed it—as soon as her youngest child is in school fulltime, we’ll make the change. Then her duties will increase even more.”
“Tara’s career is moving along smoothly.”
“Indeed. And the nude model you say you’re dating, how is that relationship unfolding?”
To tell the truth or lie my ass off,that’s the question.
“I’m… no longer dating him.” Christ, I need a cup of coffee.
“I’m not surprised,” she replies in the haughty tone she reserves for I-told-you-so moments. “He has too many challenges in his life to be with someone like you.”
“Challenges?” This should be interesting.
“Tristan has clearly endured severe neglect in his life—ranging from emotional indifference to a lack of financial support. He suffers the problems of his family like poison arrows to his heart… and he always will. Tristan’s life is a penance to profound insecurity.”
“Grandmother, Tristan is poor, not broken.”
“And you, my dear, are as emotionally broken as a person can be, but you are also as wealthy as God. You and that stripper are not a suitable match.”
I’m at a loss for words, but I grind out, “He’s not a stripper.”
“The truth, my son, is always difficult to hear because—"
“Hand me the damned phone, Helen.” Grandfather’s voice booms in the background.
“Julian, give that back to me right now!”
A physical scuffle seems to occur on the other end of the line. To put it mildly, this is unusual.
And then my grandfather’s voice. “Young Julian? Are you there?”
“I’m here.”
“I have rarely involved myself in the personal aspects of your life. That ends today.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Well, son, I hope you understand this. Tristan Wilder is a fine young man. He cares deeply enough about his family to sacrifice for them—a rare and noble characteristic. Not only is he handsome, but he is thoughtful and sensitive. If you care for this man, you could find no better partner.”
Grandmother apparently snatches the phone from him because her voice is again loud and clear when she says, “Don’t listen to your grandfather. He’s an old coot who knows nothing about affairs of the heart!”
I can’t help but smile. “I think he knows love well, Grandmother. After all, you two lovebirds have been happily married for nearly fifty years.”
“Young Julian, I forbid you to ruin your life with a pauper like Tristan Wilder!”
“You were fine when you thought his equally poverty-stricken twin sister was my girlfriend, if I remember correctly.”
“Tara has business acumen—which would be an asset since you seem to have more interest in painting pretty pictures than finance. Keep in mind that when you take your rightful place as CEO of the Remington Plaza Corporation, a partner who is a nude model will be nothing but a hindrance in an upper-class social circle—and in the insatiable lens of the media.”
“You’re right about the paparazzi, Grandmother. They’d certainly find Tristan an irresistible target—such a beautiful and decent man. It’s a topic I’d need to discuss with him, should we ever reunite. Which is my greatest hope.”
“You are being unreasonable, young man!”
“No, for once in my life, I’m being honest. With myself… and with you. Soon, I hope to be equally honest with Tristan, should he allow me the chance.”
“Young Julian, please!”
“Goodbye, Grandmother. Please thank Grandfather for his long-awaited input.”
* * *
