Page 102 of Truth or More Truth
“So what do you need my opinion on?” I dip a spoon into the sauce to taste it.
“Do I call Bobby and tell him this before he and his girls discuss the move? Or do I call Nanette? Or would it be best for you to bring it up when you’re there this weekend?”
Of course Diego knows about our plan for the week. It’s understandable that Bobby often knows Diego’s plans, since he’s Diego’s agent. But it usually doesn’t work the other way around with an agent and client. The friendship between these two men astounds me. They truly are like brothers.
“The respectful thing to do is call Nanette,” I explain. “She’s the one you’re offering the job to. Also, think about whether this particular job—or a different one—is something she could do from California if they don’t move. From what Bobby has said, it frustrates Nanette that she’s not able to work a consistent job any more. She wants to be able to contribute to her own finances and not feel so reliant on Bobby’s generosity. So if there’s something she can do from there, even for only a few hours a week, that would be great. In fact, even if she ends up living here in Chicago, she might not always feel physically well enough to go into the office, so some flexibility would be nice even here.”
“I knew you would tell it to me straight. You are a smart biscuit, Melissa.”
“I think the term is ‘smart cookie.’”
“Not when you learned English from an British lady. Anyway, thank you for the advice. I will think about what you said about her working from home and see what Ash, Carmela, and I can come up with before I call her. But Iwillcall her tomorrow.”
forty-two
. . .
Imake it home from Arizona in time to pick Kelli up from school on Wednesday afternoon. She squeals when she opens the door and throws herself over the console to hug my neck.
“I love you, Daddy. I love you so much! I know I already told you this, but I’m so sorry I said I didn’t like you. That was mean, and it wasn’t true. I didn’t like what you were doing, but I’ll always likeyou. I promise.”
I pat her back. “I know, baby … Kelli. I’ll always like you, too.”
She lets go of me, settles into her seat, and buckles up.
“I’ll also always love you.” As I pull out of the school’s drive, I think about what I said to Emily at Ash and Leslie’s wedding. “Speaking of love, you were right. I do love Melissa, but I want you to know I’ll never love her more than I love you. I love her differently than I love you, but I love you both equally, OK?”
She sighs, but it’s a good sigh. “Yeah, it’s OK to love her as much as me, though sometimes it might be hard, because I’m pretty awesome.”
She giggles, and I poke her leg.
“By the way,” I say, “I haven’t told her I love her yet,” though I did try, but she was right to stop me, “so don’t let it slip this weekend when you see her.”
She gasps. “I’m going to finally meet her? Are we going to Chicago?”
While I called Kelli yesterday and told her we’d discuss a possible move when I got home, I decided to tell her about Melissa’s visit in person, so I could witness her reaction. It was worth it.
“No, she’s coming here.”
“Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh!” She stomps her feet on the floorboard and squeals again. “I finally get to meet my new best friend.”
I can’t help but smile at her excitement.
“I’ll stay in my room at Mom’s house when she’s here, though,” she declares.
“Why?” I figured she’d want to spend as much time with Melissa as possible.
When I glance over at her, she waggles her eyebrows. “You know why.”
I groan. “We’ve talked about this, Kell. The two of us,” I motion between us, “will not be discussing my sex life, and I’d appreciate if you’d not even mention that it exists.”
She snorts. “I didn’t technically mention anything this time. You’re the one who made it weird.”
“What did I do to deserve this?” I mutter. “You’re supposed to be grossed out by the idea of me having sex, not being my wingwoman.”
She holds both palms face up. “What can I say? I’m a modern woman. I mean, I don’t want to think about the details, because that’s totally icky, but as a concept, it’s cool.”
For the rest of the ride, she chatters about school and her friends. I never have to worry about awkward silences with my daughter. She’s always happy to talk enough for five people.
