I looked at my phone and thought about sending Ryan a message but decided against it as it would probably end up in Luke’s ear.
I sat in LAX looking around and people watching, wondering if the people who passed were happy. The last couple of weeks had been easy and fun. I hadn't known life could be so simple. And then it was gone. I was angry at Luke. No, I was livid.
If he had only talked to me about it, it may have been different. I called my grandfather to ask what he thought about me moving to Portland now and finishing my grant there while I continued to work for him.
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“Hello?”
“Hey, Granddad.”
“Hey sugar, how are you?”
“I'm good. I decided to fly up to Maine and see Rachel.”
“So you won't be in this week?”
“No. But everything is taken care of. Once the last panel is in at Salston, we can finish the last job of the month.”
“Good. I assume Chris is handling everything while you’re gone?”
“I haven't talked to him and would prefer not to right now. I left instructions with John. He’s going to assist Chris with what needs to be done.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“I just need a few days to clear my head. I have some personal stuff going on, and I just...” I sighed loudly.
“Did Chris do something?”
“I don't think he did directly, but Luke isn't too fond of him for some reason.”
“Luke is special to you, and you are to him. So, of course he isn't going to be fond of any other man who spends time with you.”
“But Chris is only a coworker.”
“That you have lunch with on a regular basis and from what your mother has said also dinner.”
“It isn't like that.”
“How would you feel if the tables were turned?”
“I wouldn't hold it against him. Chris and I have known each other forever, and he has worked for you for years. I just don't see what the problem is.”
“Maybe you should talk to Luke.”
“He won't talk to me.”
“Give him some time, dear. I am sure he is just hurt, and you know how we men can be. Hurt can come across as anger. You two are so much like your Mimi and me.”
“I wish we were. You guys have a perfect love.”
“I wish it was perfect. It is far from it. We just made a promise to each other that we wouldn't give up. Maybe that's why we’re still married. Your grandmother has threatened to murder me on more than one occasion. The problem starts when you are oblivious to what’s going on around you. When innocence is questioned, it makes you defensive. Maybe your intentions were pure, but maybe Chris’ weren’t, and Luke picked up on that. Do you remember Shirley?”
“Yeah, she used to work for you.”
“Yes, Shirley and I worked together a lot. One day, Mimi told me she had to go. I didn't understand why. She insisted Shirley wasn't the person I thought she was and that I needed to protect myself and my family. I started paying closer attention and seeing little things that made me understand. While I would never do anything to hurt my wife, things were happening that made it look like I was doing things I shouldn’t have been doing. Once I figured out what was going on, I put a stop to it. Shirley wasn't happy and tried to convince me that my life should be with her.”
“Wow.” It was all I could say. I remembered Shirley, and I couldn't see her doing something like that.