“Is this serious or just a passing thing?”
“Well, you know me; it’s probably just a passing thing. I’ll let you meet him if that changes.”
“Okay, fair enough. Amanda paused. “So speaking of passing things, remember Ray?”
“Yes, Mom, how could I possible forget Mr. Internet? How is he? Do you still talk to him?”
“Yes. Guess what?”
Elisa became immediately suspicious. “What?”
Amanda tried not to look as uncomfortable as she felt. Elisa could be tough; she wanted this to go smoothly. “I’m going to go visit him in Maine. I’m very excited and am hoping you’ll be excited with me.” She held her breath, willing Elisa to understand.
The all too familiar long moment of silence, followed.
“Mom, you’re what? You’re kidding me, right?” Elisa was aghast. Surely, her mom would not do something so irresponsible.
“No, Elisa, I’m going to meet him. We just want to see if our feelings towards each other are real, or if we just are two lonely people hunting for company on the Internet. After the Dan thing, I decided I had to find out if he’s real, so if he isn’t I can move on.”
“Mom, why do you have to go there? Why can’t he come here where we could all meet him…and protect you?” Elisa was suddenly afraid.
“Okay, makes sense I know. But, what if he is someone I don’t want around you and Alex? I don’t think my instincts are wrong, but I’ve been wrong before.”
“Yeah, like Peter. That was a freaking nightmare.”
Amanda groaned. “Let’s try to forget it then. It’s over, but I’m trying hard not to make the same mistake twice. Oh wait, or is it three times?”
This broke the ice. Elisa giggled. She knew it was not her mom’s fault that she had been married and divorced twice all ready. It was just bad luck on her part. She decided to cut her a break.
“Mom, what if something happens to you? Or, what if you fall madly in love and never come back?”
“Elisa, can you just trust me? I have a good feeling about Ray. He sounds like a very gentle and loving person. What if you talked to him on the phone before I went, would you feel better?”
Elisa considered this. She felt that she was a good judge of character. She had hated Peter, and she’d been right about him. She wasn’t as trusting as her mom was, so maybe she could feel out this Ray and see if she could figure him out a bit.
“Could I ask him anything I wanted?”
“I guess, as long as you aren’t rude, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
“I’ll come over for dinner tomorrow. I feel like some sour cream enchiladas anyway. Will you make some?”
Amanda laughed. “Okay, and after dinner we’ll call Ray.”
“Have you told Alex yet?”
Amanda reddened. “No, I was hoping you’d help me tomorrow with that too.”
Elisa begrudgingly agreed. “Mom, you’re such a chicken.”
“No I’m not, I just think Alex is more protective than you, and will be harder to convince. I need an ally.”
“Well okay, since you’re making my favorite dinner. Alex will be fine.” She held her mom’s hand, not believing Alex would be fine at all.
~~~
That night, Amanda called Ray with her itinerary. “Can you believe it? I’m coming to visit!”
Ray laughed; her excitement was contagious. Not that he needed any help. “Have you told your kids?”
“I told Elisa.”
“How did that go?” Ray couldn’t believe that one of their kids finally knew. He was incredulous. This was really happening.
“It went pretty well. One of her conditions of going along with this was being able to call you, so expect a call. She’ll be talking to you tomorrow.” Amanda was trying not to laugh, as she knew this would send Ray over the edge.
“What?” What about?”
She laughed. “About the price of rice in China for all I know. What do you think she wants to talk to you about, doof? She just wants to see if you’re on the up and up, to see if I’ll be safe with you. I think when she hears what a nice guy you are; she’ll feel better about the whole thing.”
Ray groaned. He’d never considered what Amanda’s kids thought of him. “Mandy, she probably thinks of me as an Internet pervert, typing away in the dark with one greasy hand on the keyboard and the other…well, you know.”
Amanda laughed out loud. “Well aren’t you?”
“You, Amanda Herrez, are a brat!”
She laughed. He was so fun to tease.
“So I have news myself. I told both my mom and best friend, Diego about you today.”
Amanda’s eyes widened. “You did? What did they say?”
“Well Diego was a little surprised. The whole Internet thing kind of freaked him out. I emailed him your picture and suddenly it took on a different light.” He laughed. “Diego always falls for a pretty face. Anyway, he thinks it’s pretty cool, and of course, feels the need to come and make sure you meet with his approval.”
“What? He’s coming to meet me?”
“Yep, just for an afternoon. Are you okay with that?” Ray had not considered that she might not be ready to meet his friends. As it turned out, she wasn’t too thrilled.
“But Ray, what if you and I don’t hit it off? Then we have to tell your friend that he made the trip for nothing.”
“Mandy, he’s coming on Saturday. We’ll have three days together by then. If it isn’t working, I’ll call him and tell him not to come. I’m sure it’ll be fine, and you’ll love him.”
This was making her more nervous than ever. “What did your mom say?”
Ray was a little hesitant to tell her this after her reaction about Diego. “She was surprised, of course. Especially the Internet part, since she knows I don’t have Internet access at the apartment. So I had to tell her the timing of it.”
Amanda’s gasped. “She thinks you left home because of me, right?”
Ray hesitated again. “She did for a minute.”
She was mortified. “How long of a minute?”
“Its okay, Mandy. I told her I was already planning on leaving; meeting you had nothing to do with it. The timing of it was just a coincidence.”
“Did she believe you?”
“I think eventually she did. She finally said that she was happy I met someone. She wants to meet you too.”
“What?” Amanda couldn’t believe her ears. “Ray, I’m meeting your mother, too? We don’t even know each other, how am I going to start meeting your family?” She couldn’t keep the annoyance out of her tone.
Ray was shocked. “Why are you getting pissed off? You don’t live next door; if you’re going to be someone important in my life, I want my mother and best friend to meet you. I would introduce you to my children too, if the timing were better. I can’t help that part though. I want to be able to talk about you to people, I want them to know who I’m talking about when I tell them how much I miss you, or when it’s my turn to go visit you. If we don’t click, then we don’t click, but if we do, then I want everyone to know it. I love you Amanda, I’m not ashamed to say it, and I don’t care who knows it. I want my loved ones to be able to love you, too.”
“Ray, don’t you hear how crazy that sounds? You haven’t even met me yet!”
“I don’t care. I know how I feel. The fact that I can’t explain it doesn’t mean it’s not real. You must feel it too; why else would you be coming across the country to meet me? Don’t you think I realize the big risk you’re taking? You don’t know me either, why are you taking this risk?”
Amanda was twirling her hair around her finger, with the biggest smile on her face. Ray Knight was just too much. Could he really be telling the truth? She knew how she felt about him, she knew she didn’t know why, she knew that this was why she was flying to meet him. It made her happy that he felt the exact same way.
“…and another thing, If I were coming there, I would be meeting your kids
, Hilary and probably Blossom too!”
Amanda gasped. She had forgotten she had to tell Blossom and Kara. She had promised. “Okay, Ray you win. I’ll meet your Mom and Diego, and I’ll even meet you too, if you calm down a bit.”
Ray was embarrassed. He wasn’t used to showing so much emotion. She could really get to him sometimes. “You’ll see Mandy, everything will be fine.”
“I hope so. So tomorrow, you’ll be nice to Elisa, right?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, she’s very outspoken and probably will ask you a lot of personal questions. Are you up for it?” She knew she was down playing it a bit, but she didn’t want to scare him.
“I’m up for the challenge!”
“Good, we’ll call you tomorrow!”
“Good night, honey.”
“Good night, dude.”
Amanda hung up, and dialed Blossom’s phone number. She wondered what would be in store for her during this conversation.
“Hi Mandy!”
“Hey, how did you know it was me?”
“Why, it’s a little thing called caller ID, you might have heard about it.” Blossom laughed. “How you doing, girl?”
“I’m good, thanks, how you doing, cuz?”
“I can’t complain. Family’s well, and we have our health. Julio is still working, can’t ask for more. What’s new with you? Has your love life improved yet?”
Amanda bristled. Why was that always the first question out of her family’s mouth? “Same old thing, I guess. I’ve been dating some, nothing exciting.”
“Well at least you’re out there dating, instead of wrapped up on the Internet.”
Amanda rolled her eyes. This wasn’t going to be easy. “Well, actually, that’s why I’m calling.”
Blossom’s guard immediately went up. “You’re calling because of the Internet? Oh no, what are you up to? Do I want to know this, Mandy?”
“Well, you made me promise to tell you if there were any changes with Ray…” She was dreading this.
“So what is changing? I can’t believe you’re still even talking to him!”
“What’s changing is the fact that we’re finally meeting.”
Not surprisingly, there was no long moment of silence.
“Have you lost your mind? Amanda, I have been patient with this whole Internet thing, even going along with it for the most part, but this is ridiculous.” Amanda sighed. This was going to be tougher than she thought. “Yes, now can you listen to me? You know that Ray and I have been talking for a year now. You know I have feelings for him for whatever reason. Can’t you understand that I need to meet him? For my own piece of mind, I need to find out if I really am just a crazy, lonely woman, or if I’ve found the one. Can’t you just support me, Blossom? I’m really counting on you.”
“Fine, but I’m coming with you!”
Amanda laughed. “No. You’re not.”
Blossom sighed. “What are you going to tell the family?”
Amanda guffawed, “Nothing. They don’t need to know.”
Blossom choked on her own spit. “What? Oh yes you are telling them, Missy! You’re not going to let me be the only one in our family to know that you’re going on this crazy trip! Mandy, you’re being immature and irresponsible all rolled into one! Why can’t he go to El Paso?”
“Because you have freaked me out so much about Ray being an axe murderer, that I’m afraid to bring him around my kids; just in case. But, in my heart of hearts, I don’t believe that. I promise to tell the family when I get back, and I’ll call you from there. Just trust me, Blossom, please!” Amanda was so tired of asking people to trust her. Why is it people just didn’t?
Blossom conceded. “Fine. But, I’m going to hunt you down and kill you if things get out of hand over there in Maine. You’ll get no sympathy from me, and you better believe you’ll call me, everyday at a designated time, and if you’re late, I’m calling the family. I want his phone number, too, just in case!”
Amanda wished she could come through the phone and smack Blossom. She was being so damned unreasonable. “Fine.”
“Good. Now I’m going to go find my hidden chocolate supply. You have stressed me out to no end. Call me before you go.”
Amanda clicked off without hanging up the phone. She was still angry; where did the people in her life get off thinking they could dictate her every move? She dialed Kara’s phone number, dreading it.
“Hello?”
“Hey Kara, it’s me, Mandy.”
“Hey, stranger; long time no hear from. How are you?
“I’m fine. How are you doing?”
Kara went on about her husband, job and girls. They hadn’t spoken in a while; they had some serious catching up to do. Amanda caught her up on her life, and the kids, and finally, her love life.
“So hey, do you ever hear from Mr. Wonderful?”
“As a matter of fact, yes, and that’s the reason I’m calling.”
“Why, are you getting married?” Kara laughed.
“No, but I’m flying to Maine in three weeks to meet him.”
“Wow, that’s great Mandy! I’m excited for you.”
There was a long moment of silence, but this time for a different reason.
“Mandy?”
“I’m sorry Kara. I’m just shocked at your response. I was waiting for you to call me crazy, and Ray an axe murderer.”
“Why would I do that? I trust you. Yes, we’ve done some crazy things in our lifetime, but you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your life, or leaving your kids orphans. If you feel this is right for you, then go for it. I’m behind you all the way!”
Amanda was crying. “Thanks Kara. I love you for this. You’re the only one who has actually been there for me, and has understood me. I’ll call you when I get back from Portland.”
“Go get him, Mandy. Good luck.”
Amanda was elated! She felt so good knowing at least one person trusted her judgment. Of course, Kara had done some crazy things in her own life, and she’d always supported her decisions. She’d always just wanted her to be happy; and it looks like Kara just wanted that for her too.
~~~
Amanda finished making her enchiladas. She put chicken in them with a sour cream and green chili sauce. The kids both loved this dish, as did she. Alex was going to be home for dinner for once, and she was happy to have both her kids home.
Elisa arrived and she and Alex were in the living room talking. Amanda didn’t want to interrupt, so she stayed in the kitchen finishing up dinner. She had also opened a can of refried beans to go with the enchiladas. She wished she could have been more like her mom who would have made them from scratch, but in today’s world, it seemed impossible.
“Dinner’s ready when you guys are.” She put the food on the table, looking forward to a real sit down dinner as a family.
“Mom, this looks great. I love when you cook.” Alex sat down and served himself a huge portion. He was in heaven.
“I love when you are actually home to cook for. You know that’s rare.”
“But Mom, you can still make it; I’ll eat it when I get home.”
“Whatever. Then I get to clean up the mess the next morning. Besides, you eat at work for free.”
“But it’s not this good.”
Elisa was wolfing down her own meal, listening to the interchange, wondering when her mother was going to bring up her trip. She did it for her. “So Mom, don’t you have some big news to share?”
Amanda wanted to strangle Elisa. She noticed that Alex had stopped eating. “Well, since I have your attention now, I guess I do. Alex, I told your sister yesterday that I was planning a trip to Maine.”
“Maine? Where that Internet guy lives?”
Elisa piped up, noting the look on her brother’s face. “She’s going to meet him, cool, huh?
He looked at his sister. “Cool? Are you nuts? I always knew you hated Mom, but I didn’t think this much. She doesn’t e
ven know this guy, Elisa. This is not cool at all.”
He turned to his mother. “Why are you doing this?”
“Alex, I’ll be fine. Elisa will stay here with you while I’m gone, and I’m only going to be gone a few days. I’ll be back before you know it, and I’ll call you every day.”
Alex hated when his mom patronized him. She treated him like a child. Plus, why was he always the last to know everything? “Mom, if I were the one doing something like this, you would come unglued.”
“Not if you were an adult, like I am. I’ll be fine, and so will you.”
“I’m calling Ray tonight Alex. I’m giving him the third degree.”
Alex looked at his sister. “Okay, now that’s cool. As long as you think this guy isn’t going to scam you Mom, I’m alright with it; sort of.”
Amanda hugged her son. “Thanks Alex, I knew you would be.”
They happily finished their meal, Amanda in heaven just having them both there, and happy to have gotten through telling them both about her plans. The only thing left now was actually getting on the plane.
~~~
Elisa was dialing Ray’s number. She was looking forward to giving him a hard time.
“Hello?”
“Ray Knight?”
“Yes.” Ray was surprised to hear a younger version of Amanda’s voice.
“This is Elisa Herrez, daughter to Amanda. My mother tells me she’s coming out to visit you, and I want to know some things about you.”
“Hi, Elisa. I’m ready to answer all of your questions. Shoot.”
“Do you or ever have, owned a hand gun or rifle?”
Ray stifled a laugh. “No, ma’am.”
“Have you ever been arrested?”
“No.”
“Do you do drugs or drink excessively?”
“No.”
“Did you used to hit your wife?”
“Never.”
“Your kids?”
“No.”
“Have you lied to my mom about anything?”
“No, I’ve been pretty straightforward about everything.”
“Why did you leave your wife? Did you cheat on her?”
Ray hesitated. Did he really want to get into this with her? He decided he had no choice.
When You Least Expect It Page 26
