Struggle For Control
I Love Him
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Alex’s driveway was already full when Mort arrived
at her home for Julia’s party, so he parked on the street.
looked at his reflection. He’d done his
best to tame his usually unruly locks, despite the fact that Alex liked his
disheveled look. He felt that he had to
impress Tristan’s parents the best that he could – after all, he had been
spending a significant amount of time with their granddaughter.
Mort looked to his right and smiled.
teddy bear. It was almost twice the
size of Julia herself, but when he saw it, he couldn’t resist.
Not to mention her mother.
You’re going to be fine.
Mort took a deep breath and got out of the car, then
walked to the other side to get the bear.
I just have to be myself.
He made it to the front door and rang the bell.
to open, but today…he wished it would have stayed shut just a moment
longer. It opened.
An older gentleman stood before Mort and he knew
right away that this was Tristan’s father.
Alex had, of course, shown Mort pictures of her late husband – he looked
very much like his father.
“Hello,” he said with a smile.
here for a certain party.” The man had
a very faint, but still noticeable southern accent.
You’re fine.
Relax.
“Yes, sir,” Mort replied, smiling the best he could
at the moment. “I’m a…”
“Well, come on in, son,” the man said, his blue eyes
sparkling. “I’m Ed Liedy, Alex’s
father-in-law.”
Mort set the bear down for a moment and reached to
shake Ed’s hand. “Morton Rainey,” he
said politely.
“Morton Rainey?
The author, Morton Rainey?”
“Yes, sir, that’s me.”
Ed’s smile grew wider. “Well, how d’ya like that?
A celebrity at my granddaughter’s birthday party.”
Mort shrugged.
“Hardly a celeb, si, sir.”
“Callin’ me sir makes me think you’re a waiter or
somethin’ – please, call me Ed.”
>
“Will do.”
“Mort!” He
breathed a small sigh of relief as Alex approached him.
cheek. He blushed a bit, seeing as Ed
was still standing there. After Alex
released him, she said, “I see you’ve met Ed.”
He nodded.
“Alex, you didn’t tell us that you knew someone
famous,” Ed said, chuckling.
“I guess I just tend to think of him as plain old
Mort,” she laughed. She looked at Mort and
smiled. “Is that O.K.?”
“I like it better that way,” he said, smiling back
at her. “Where’s the birthday
girl? I have a little something for
her.”
Alex looked down.
“A little something? Mort,
that’s bigger than she is.” Mort winked
and went off in search of Julia, the oversized teddy bear in his arms.
“Certainly is a modest fella,” Ed answered.
“Yeah, he never wrote for the money or anything,
just for the sake of doing it.”
“He said he’s a ‘friend’ of yours, Alex.”
“I suspect he might be more than that?”
Alex blushed and looked at her feet for a
moment. “We’ve been seeing each other
for almost three months.”
Ed put his hand under Alex’s chin.
darlin’.”
“I…I don’t.”
“Good.” Ed
pulled her into a hug. “You shouldn’t
be alone, darlin’, nobody should.”
After a mt, tt, they both went back to the party.
There were several children of different ages, sons
and daughters of Alex’s friends. There
were also a few children around Julia’s age trying to toddle about in the busy
house. When Alex found Mort, he was on
the floor with Julia. She was laughing
as she tried to get her arms around her gift.
Mort had a smile on his face that caused Alex’s heart to melt.
Karen appeared by Alex’s side.
Alex nodded, biting her lower lip.
“As he’s been for the past couple of months – though
today he looks especially fatherly.”
“Fatherly?
Who said anything about fatherly?”
Karen turned her sister to face her.
crying.”
“I love him,” Alex blurted.
“Yeah?” Karen said, sounding a bit unsure.
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“Yeah. That’s
the first time I’ve said that out loud.”
Karen smiled widely. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“It scares the hell out of me, but…yeah, it’s a good
thing.”
“Are you going to let him in on it?”
“You mean I have to say it to his face?” Alex asked,
her voice shaking.
“That’s the way these things work, hon.
differently about you. He’d hardly be
down there on the floor if that were the case.”
Alex turned back to Mort and Julia.
still had one hand attached to the bear.
“Tonight,” she said softly.
“I’ll tell him after everyone goes.”
“I’m happy for you, Alex.” Karen winked. “Don’t
worry about playing hostess, I’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks.”
Alex joined Mort and Julia on the floor. They looked like a family and everyone in that house shared the
opinion.
Mort met Sarah, Tristan’s mother, and, Mort being
more relaxed, the two hit it off. The
afternoon was a blur of conversation, food, and laughter.
wanted to be alone with Mort more.
Steven, Karen, and Mort cleaned up while Alex walked
Ed and Sarah out to their car. Alex
wished that they lived closer, but their home was two hours away from their
granddaughter. They had a bit of a ride
ahead of them and Alex wanted to make sure they were on their way while there
was still some daylight.
“I’m so glad the two of you came,” Alex said,
hugging Sarah.
“Wouldn’t have missed it, sweetheart,” Sarah
replied. “You’ve found someone pretty
special, haven’t you?”
Alex’s voice was soft. “I think so.”
“Tristan would’ve liked him,” Sarah said
surely. “Who knows, maybe that’s why
you found him.”
Alex smiled.
“Maybe. Be safe, all right?”
“We will, darlin’,” Ed said, hugging Alex.
talk to you soon.”
“Julia and I love you both.”
“We love you too, sweetie,” Sarah answered.
“All right,” Alex said sweetly.
“Bye, darlin’.”
Alex turned and went back inside.
state. “Thank you so much, guys,” she
said to Karen and Steven.
“No problem, Alex,” Steven said.
at our place.”
“Well, as soon as you give me a niece or nephew, I
will,” Alex joked. “Where’d my birthday
girl go?”
“Wait ‘till you see,” Karen said, smiling.
nodded her head toward the floor. Julia
was curled up on the giant bear, fast asleep.
Mort was next to her, gently rubbing her back. “And if you don’t tell him,” Karen whispered, “I will.”