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8
Mikal
The last thing I wanted to do was to rush out of Trisha’s this morning, but I had promised Carson and Dottie that I’d be at their house for breakfast. If it was just Carson, I’d have no problem blowing him off. Dottie didn’t deserve that. Besides, I knew she probably was up hours ago baking muffins from scratch.
Dottie poured me a glass of orange juice. “You’re in a good mood this morning. I guess retirement is suiting you.”
“Don’t tell him that, honey. He’ll never go back to work if you do,” Carson said.
“I’m not planning on returning to work no matter what either of you say,” I replied. “That’s what retired means.”
“People come out of retirement all the time. I can name a bunch that you know personally,” he said.
“And I’m not about to add my name to that list. Is there a reason why you’re so damn desperate for me to return to work?” I asked.
“Yes there is. I’m worried about you. You’ve gotten into a rut. I mean, what do you do each day? You go out to eat at the pub, then if it is nice, take a walk on the beach. Where is the excitement, the adventure?” Carson asked.
I had plenty of excitement last night with Trisha, but I’m not about to divulge that information. “I’m not as…alone as you think. I…met someone.”
Dottie clapped her hands together and exclaimed, “I knew it. I could tell the moment you walked in. You’re in love.”
“Wait. I said I met someone. At no point did I speak of feelings.”
“You don’t have to. In all the years that you and Carson have been working together, you’ve never talked to us about a woman,” Dottie said. “So, who is she?”
I grumbled, but knew there was no getting out of it unless there was an act of God and something like an earthquake happened.
“Trisha Bentley.”
Dottie tapped her chin with a finger. “That name sounds so familiar. How do I know it? Where is she from?” she asked.
“Richmond. She’s a school principal,” I said.
Her eyes lit up. “Oh my God. Carson, we do know her. She was the kids’ grade school teacher years ago.”
Carson shrugged. “You know I’m not good with names.”
Dottie glared at him. “You’re excellent with names. But you were travelling all over the world with Mikal and I’m not sure you ever met their teachers.”
I’d like to have his back, but I knew Dottie was right. Carson had spent so much time promoting me that his family is the one that suffered. I owed them. Just not sure how to repay that kind of debt.
“We are not talking about me,” Carson said. “We’re discussing Mikal’s new girlfriend.”
“No, we’re not,” I stated.
Dottie said, “She really is a wonderful woman. But I thought she was married.”
“Her husband passed a few years ago. And before you asked me how, I never pried into it.” I had listened to her share what sounded like a painful time for her. When she was ready, I’d be there to listen to the rest.
“Oh, that’s so sad. But at least she has you now. Maybe we can all go out to dinner. Or even better, why not the two of you come here for dinner tonight?” she suggested.
“Dottie, I appreciate the offer, but Trisha and I are just getting to know each other. I’m not sure a double date would be wise,” I replied.
“Why?” she asked.
“Hmm. I don’t want to offend you, but there is no other way to say it. You ask a lot of questions, and she might be…put off by them.”
“You mean, scared off,” she corrected.
