After another burst of good-natured laughter, Helen brought all the players back onstage and began winding things down, thanking everyone involved. Nathan barely heard a word. Lots of players and people he knew came up to ask who the person might be, but Nathan had no idea. Jaymes crossed his mind, but he didn’t have that kind of money. Besides, it was far too early in the morning for him in his part of the world. And Jaymes was definitely not a morning person. As the band members began to get in place, ready to start up the music again, Arlene pulled Nathan to one side and handed him the phone.
“The winning bidder’s on the line. Wants to speak to you privately, away from prying ears. I suggest you go out back behind the stage where it’ll be quieter.”
Nathan stepped away just as the Beatles tribute band they’d hired for the event struck up the beginning bars to the songAll You Need Is Love.
“Hello?”
Hearing the echo of his voice and a slight static crackle, Nathan realised the call had to be long distance. Had Jaymes bid for him? Nobody spoke at the other end, most likely having the same connection issues.
“Everything okay, Nathan?” asked Ken, who had sidled up to him.
“I can’t hear a thing,” said Nathan.
“Try down by the merry-go-round. I had the same issue earlier. The signal’s stronger down there.”
“Thanks, mate.”
With the band playing at full volume, he walked a few metres farther on, one hand clamped over his free ear to listen better.
“Hello, Nathan.”
At first, Nathan didn’t recognise the voice, even though the accent sounded oddly familiar. Suddenly, everything fell into place.
“Raul?”
“Yes, it’s me. Calling…maternity ward…San Diego. Are you having a good day?”
“Raul, you can’t bid that much.”
“Stop, Nathan. I donate ten times…charities every year. For me, it’s… agreement with…sponsorship deals. So don’t even…saying no.”
Despite the lousy connection, Nathan understood what Raul was saying.
“Well, it’s very generous. Hang on a minute. Does Clifton know?”
“No. But his mother does. She’s…idea…helped me set this up.”
“Why am I not surprised? Hang on, I’m going to see if I can get a better signal.”
Nathan moved into the centre of the green, which seemed to do the trick.
“Look, Nathan. I’m not blind. I know my husband—yes, we did secretly tie the knot in Colorado—has a soft spot for you. I understand. You were his first love, and that’s hard to get over. But I also know he loves me. And, truly, when he meets his niece and nephew for the first time—who are stubbornly taking their time to arrive—I know he will be totally in love with them. I just didn’t want him to make a fool of himself.”
“Is that why you outbid Clifton?”
“Partly.”
“Ah, Raul. Then you should have called me first. I could have saved you a lot of money. That was never going to happen because I wouldn’t have let him. Clifton’s a friend. And always will be. But that’s all he’s ever going to be. My heart belongs to someone else.”
Nathan wasn’t even sure if Raul heard the last part because a surge of deafening static came from the phone. By the time Nathan could hear more clearly, he decided to be gracious and honour Raul's generous donation.
“Okay, Raul. When are you back here so our dinner date can happen?”
“Sorry I missed…bad signal…not…to find an open space…my end. Can you…again…louder?”
“I asked,” Nathan huffed with frustration and purposely raised his voice, “when. Is. Our. Dinner. Date. You know what? It doesn’t matter.”
Nathan considered ending the call because they’d already said everything that needed saying.