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12
Rick
Boston was exactly as I remembered it, just a hell of a lot busier. I took Valentina into the city several times for live theater and comedy shows. Providence had wonderful live entertainment, but back then Boston had been considered a little getaway, even though it was the next state over.
I decided to meet Abby and Timothy on the Boston Common. If I didn’t like what they had to say, I could just walk away. A restaurant added another complication. Looking at my watch, I knew they should be arriving any time.
I saw a couple approaching, but it wasn’t the fact they looked like they were searching for someone. It was all about her. Her long brown hair, blowing in the wind to her slender nose and even the way she walked. I knew it was Abby. Not that I’d seen a picture of her, but damn, she looked exactly like Valentina did when she was in her twenties. This opened up a lot of questions I didn’t have before.
She was looking around and I stood up and waved. When she got close I said, “You must be Abby.”
Smiling, she said, “And you’re the infamous Rick.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but yes, I’m Rick.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her. It was like a flashback. “You look just like your mother.”
“So you knew who I was,” she said.
“Not until I laid eyes on you.”
Abby smiled. “I have been told I look a lot like my mother. Now you know who I want to talk to you about.”
“Yes.” But still not why.
“This is my husband, Timothy.” She said, then added, “And this is my mother’s…I’m not sure what to call you?”
Me neither.
“I’m Rick,” I said, and shook Timothy’s hand. There was no reason to put a label on the relationship. Not until Valentina and I discussed this mysterious daughter.
Are you mine? Is that why you’re here?
“I’m glad you could meet us. I have a lot of questions,” she said, steering us to some park benches. Timothy took his place beside her.
“I might have a few of my own, but let’s start with yours,” I said.
“Well, first of all, I only know what my mother and grandmother have told me about you. Which is not much. Or should I say, not as much as I’d like to know. I know you guys dated for years and everyone thought you two would get married. I’m not sure what happened. I know you and my mother were in love and then you left for the Navy, and never came back.”
“That is true.” I felt relieved no one had told her why I left. It was something I didn’t want people to know, but unfortunately, my past was public knowledge. All she needed to do was google my family.
“I get it. Distance made it hard. But she said you’re retired. What’s stopping you from being with her now? I mean, you still love her, right?” she asked.
More than life itself.How could I not love Valentina? Even more than I did years ago. She’s bold and confident. Her beauty hasn’t changed, at least not in my eyes. And still, the only person who I could sit and listen to talk for hours, and never grow tired. “Yes.” I didn’t hesitate to reply to the second part. But why we weren’t together was another story. “I’ve never stopped loving your mother. But sometimes, love is not enough.”
“That sounds like the same bullshit my mother tried telling me. I didn’t believe her, and I don’t believe you,” Abby said, crossing her arms.
I chuckled. “You are your mother’s daughter. Stubborn.”
“Yup. I’m all her, because I don’t know my father.”
My gut was twisted in a knot. She doesn’t know her father, but that doesn't mean it’s me. It took everything within me not to excuse myself and call Valentina right now.
“Have you…asked your mother?”
She nodded. “I did. When I heard about you and how much she loves you, I hoped you were the one.”
“What did she say?” I asked, then held my breath preparing myself for whatever the answer may be. I wasn’t sure what I wanted the answer to be. I’d be pissed if I had a child I never knew about, but damn, part of me wanted it to be true. Let it be me.
I could see the sadness in Abby’s eyes. Timothy placed a hand on her shoulder and replied for her. “She still doesn’t know. Val said it was best that way. That her father…”
