Coming To Reason (A Long Road to Love)

by O'Connor, Liza

  Sam glanced at her though the mirror. “Might want to fix your hair.”

  She rifled through her purse and cursed beneath her breath. “I don’t have a brush.”

  “What type of woman doesn’t carry a brush?” The anger in his voice went far beyond the lack of proper purse accoutrements. Trent would no doubt fire him for his timely and, on her part, much appreciated intervention.

  “An astoundingly stupid woman,” she replied.

  He reached over and pulled a wooden block with bristles from the glove box and tossed it back to her.

  She picked up the rectangular item off the floor where it had landed and studied it. “Is this for grooming a horse?”

  “It’s mine.”

  She studied it further. “Then why don’t I see any of your hairs in it?”

  “Oh, for God’s sake. Give it back if you’d rather return to work looking like a well-ridden whore.”

  His words hurt. “Why did I ever think of you as my friend?”

  “Beats me. I sure as hell never sought your friendship.”

  Liar.

  She pulled out the address Mars had given her and asked Sam to drop her off there.

  “Why?”

  “Because I need a real hairbrush and think Jon may own one.”

  He pulled a U-turn in the middle of the busy street, eliciting a cacophony of horns. The mayhem fit her day. The off-key singer must finally face the truth.

  When he pulled over for her to get out, she stared at him. “We were friends once.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do. So I’m giving you a piece of hard earned advice. Trent’s selfishness is all consuming. Hanging around him is like eating poison, worse than the Europa cookies I made. You need to get away from him. If you’re waiting for him to discover you’re his brother and do something astounding, like recognize you, it’s never going to happen. He already knows you’re his brother. He won’t recognize you as such because then you couldn’t be his chauffeur, and he likes having you drive his car. You need to walk away and stop wasting your life on Trent.”

  “You gonna take your own advice?”

  Did he think she intended to stay in this sick relationship? ”I’m done with Master Trent. I deserve better, and so do you.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Jumping into Jon Javit’s bed isn’t going to cure you, you know?”

  “No, but I bet he has a normal hairbrush he’ll loan me without throwing a fit.”

  She opened the door and climbed out of the limo. Sam pulled away before she even had a chance to shut the back door. Fortunately, it seemed to close on its own before hitting the parked car farther up the street.

  Taking a deep breath, she walked up five flights of steps and knocked on Jon’s door. He opened on her third set of raps.

  His eyes rounded at the sight of her.

  “Could I borrow a hairbrush?”

  He chuckled. “I’ll have to use your line in my current book.”

  “You write science fiction.”

  “Yeah, well, they still have hair. At least mine do.”

  He closed the door once she’d entered and led her to the small bathroom where he offered her a normal hairbrush full of blond hair.

  “Can I fix you a green tea? You look like you’ve been dumpster-diving in crap magazines today.”

  “Tea sounds great,” she replied, her numbness firmly in place again.

  After cleaning out his brush and washing it, she detangled her hair. How the hell had Trent done so much damage in such a short time? Rather symbolic of their entire relationship. No matter; the destruction could be put right.

  Fifteen minutes later, she entered Jon’s kitchen, which he had turned into his writer’s corner. She grabbed the steaming mug on the counter and sat down to watch him type.

  After twenty minutes, she moved to the living room and called Dan, knowing by now, she’d be missed.

  “Carrie, where are you?”

  “I’m at Jon Javit’s apartment trying to clear up a few last strands of the worst relationship in my life. Then this can all become a story I can use to terrify young girls from believing everything they’re told.”

  “Destiny and I will come get you.”

  “Since this is my last stop before starting my new life, I would appreciate your company.” She provided him the address and then returned to the kitchen. “My friends are coming over to pick me up. Any chance I can ask you a personal and painful question before I go?”

  “Oh, I live for those. Especially when people leave me to my own bitter thoughts after they’ve raised them. Shoot.”

  “Never mind. It’s not worth torturing you over.”

  He held his hands over his tea, as if he’d become a fortune teller. “The lady wishes to know if Patty’s baby is Trent’s.” He turned and faced her. “I can’t say for certain. But it isn’t mine. However, if there’s a Las Vegas bet on the matter, I’d put my money on Trent. Patty’s been giving him come-fuck-me hints like crazy from the moment he ‘saved us’, and he bought her a multi-million dollar house.” He stared up at the ceiling. “Although he may have bought the house to piss off Coco.”

  Carrie needed facts, not speculation. “How do you know you’re not the father?”

  His hands fisted. “After our last accidental child, I got a vasectomy. Still, Patty looked me straight in the eye, happy as a camper, and announced we were having another bundle of joy. Her lie hurt me more than her screwing the one friend I had.”

  “I know what you mean,” Carrie said. Trent had been her best friend.

  He huffed. “I got betrayed by two people. You only got betrayed by one.”

  “Patty and I liked each other right away.”

  He shook his head. “You can’t read people. She didn’t like you at all. Trent, however, was my oldest and dearest friend.” His voice shook and his eyes grew glassy.

  Carrie pulled him up from his chair and hugged him. They held onto each other for nearly ten minutes, only breaking when someone knocked on the door.

  “Damn cavalry,” he muttered. “First human contact I’ve had in two months.” He stormed to the door and opened it. “Dan? Destiny? You’re Carrie’s rescue? Great. She got her answers and is ready to move on with her life.” He then gripped Carrie’s arm and tossed her towards them.

  Carrie could feel the pain radiate off Jon. She couldn’t leave him like this. Once he closed the door, she faced her new best and, to her mind, far more promising friends.

  “I want us to track down Tiny and Tall and have a celebratory dinner at Giuseppe’s.”

  The tension in Dan’s shoulders relaxed. “Sounds like an excellent idea.”

  Destiny smiled and nodded in agreement.

  Carrie glanced at Jon’s closed door.

  “Do you need to stay here?” Dan asked.

  “Would you mind if I invite him along. He’ll no doubt put somewhat of a damper on the overall mood, but with Tiny and Tall there, I’m pretty sure we won’t all end up crying.”

  Dan’s hand settled on the small of her back. “I think it’s a great idea. To be honest, Destiny and I had come prepared to deal with a broken-hearted person tonight. I won’t mind if the crying person is a first-class writer rather than my first-class employee.”

  Destiny nodded and hugged her. “I can’t believe how well you’re taking this.”

  “I’ll explain why. But first, let me get Jon moving. I believe he needs to shower before he goes anywhere. When I hugged him, he proved to be quite ripe.”

  She knocked on the door continuously until Jon reopened it. “Sorry, I’m not sharing my hair brush again. Someone cleaned it and I want to keep it that way.”

  She smiled at his wit. “We want you to come out with us tonight and celebrate the future. I’m going to try very hard to get Tiny and Tall to entertain us.”

  “The Broadway Tiny and Tall?”

  Carrie and Destiny both nodded.

  “I’ll have to shower first.”

&n
bsp; Carrie and Destiny nodded again.

  He chuckled. “Hold on, bobbleheads…or come in and clean something, if you like. I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.”

  ***

  While Destiny cleaned, Carrie called Tiny.

  He answered on the first ring. “I’ll kill him if you want. No one would ever suspect a little person.”

  Before Carrie could reply, the phone crackled and banged about. Then Tall spoke. “He’s serious, so don’t accept his offer.”

  “I won’t. What I wanted to know is—”

  Again the phone banged about until Tiny spoke. “Say the word.”

  “The word is no! I don’t want you killing anyone. I wanted to know if you two would like to come out and celebrate a bright new future with me.”

  “Of course, but Tall is sick and—”

  She laughed as the phone thumped about once again then Tall spoke. “I’m not sick. What’s the plan?”

  “To go to Giuseppe’s and celebrate my glorious future.”

  “We’d love to. Who else is coming?”

  “Dan, Destiny, and my friend Jon Javits.”

  “The author?”

  “Yes.”

  “You have wonderful friends.”

  “I do.” His words filled her with pride. She had somehow acquired a great number of fabulous friends in the last four months.

  Chapter 17

  According to Dan, Giuseppe had reserved the entire balcony for them when he learned the group included Tiny.

  Carrie laughed. “Wise man. I fear Tiny is going to be a handful tonight.” She grew serious. “He offered to kill Trent,” she whispered.

  “Good,” Destiny stated as she re-stacked Jon’s magazines. “Jon reads cool stuff.”

  “Not good,” Carrie scolded. “He meant it. Under no circumstances should you give him positive reinforcement in this matter. Otherwise, you could be responsible for the incarceration of one of the most gifted magicians and comedians in the world. And yes, he’ll no doubt break out in five seconds, but escaping will make matters worse.”

  Destiny grimaced. “Good point. Children don’t process right from wrong like adults.”

  Carrie intended to correct her, revealing Tiny’s age, but then realized in some ways he’d remained a child. “His abandonment may have stunted his desire to grow up and be an adult.”

  Destiny snorted. “Or his tiny size allows him to get by with shit and never grow up.”

  Dan cleared his throat and glared at his daughter. Her rounded eyes went from confusion to horror in less than a second. “Oh, Carrie, I didn’t mean all small people. You behave nothing like Tiny, and you’re much taller!” Destiny’s distress would have gained Carrie’s forgiveness had she taken insult, which she hadn’t.

  She sat beside the girl and hugged her. “Finally, something I can thank my parents for. They didn’t allow me to over-linger in childhood.” She patted Destiny’s back. “However, you could be right with Tiny. Tall lived off street donations when he took the little guy in and incorporated him into his act. He may not have ever thought to insist Tiny grow up.”

  Destiny burst into tears and hugged Carrie.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I feel so bad for Tiny and you. I had such a wonderful childhood.”

  Carrie smiled up at Dan, whose brow furrowed, clearly confused by his daughter’s outburst. “I’m glad you had a wonderful childhood.”

  Jon scowled as he entered the room looking casual but neatly dressed. “I thought we planned to celebrate your future, not cry about the past.”

  Destiny wiped her eyes. “We are. I became overwhelmed upon realizing I seem to be the only person with a happy childhood.” She paused. “Did you by chance have a happy childhood?”

  He snorted. “More like a hellish nightmare, but my kids had a good life, until two months ago. Now I’m guessing their lives are hellish, as well.”

  Destiny ran to him and gave him a hug. He looked at Dan for help.

  “If we are ready, we should go,” Carrie suggested. “Tall and Tiny are going to meet us there.”

  ***

  When they arrived at Giuseppe’s, a young man waited to lead them through the restaurant and kitchen to the balcony where they found Tiny ensconced in Mrs. G’s lap, sleeping like a babe. Tall remained seated, but still had to lean down to kiss Carrie on both cheeks when she arrived.

  Her presence woke Tiny and he covered her face with kisses and offered once again to kill Trent.

  “No! This is a celebratory time, not a plotting-death dinner.”

  “I would do it.”

  “Good for you,” Mrs. G declared and hugged Tiny back to her chest. “Must have some Italian in you.” She stared at Carrie. “If Giuseppe did half what this Lancaster did, my father would have…well, let’s just say, he’d never be seen again.”

  Carrie had to stop the woman from encouraging Tiny. “Well, I’m not Italian and I do not want Trent harmed in any way whatsoever.”

  “You still love him,” Tiny growled.

  Dan’s head popped up and everyone waited for her response.

  Thank God the balcony had been reserved solely for them because she didn’t want to read her response in the papers tomorrow. “No. I no longer love him. Even stupid people have to come to reason.”

  “You aren’t stupid, you’re overly tolerant,” Jon insisted as he glared at his glass of water. “Can we order mass drinks here? We’re going to need them.”

  “Green tea for my daughter,” Dan said.

  “And me,” Carrie added. While she wouldn’t mind a drink, she didn’t want Destiny to be the only one not drinking.

  Dan smiled at her. “I’ll have a green tea as well.”

  Tall chuckled. “Bring us three pitchers of green tea. We’ll celebrate sober for once.” He then leaned across the table, his mournful gaze meeting Jon’s. “You don’t want to be around a drunk acrobat. It never goes well.”

  Jon smiled. “Well, if we can talk about anything other than Master—Fucking—Trent, I won’t need a drink.”

  Carrie jumped on his offer. “Deal. No mention of MFT forthwith. Jon, you have before you many avid fans of the SkyRyder series. Can you give us a hint as to what happens in your current novel?”

  Carrie’s favorite appetizers arrived, and they sat in silence, listening to Jon give not just a hint, but a play-by-play account of the trials of the men and women who keep the Americas safe in the future world of Jon Javits.

  As the waiter brought their meals, Destiny burst into tears, and Tiny joined her.

  Jon stopped talking. “What?”

  “Jon, you broke up the great love of book three,” Carrie complained.

  “Life happens, but Logan is going to fall in love with his strategist from book two, and the kids will thrive without their mother.”

  “Have you talked to a lawyer about getting partial custody of your sons?” Dan asked.

  Destiny dried her eyes. “You should. Sometimes the father is a better parent.” She smiled at Dan. “Proved true, in my case.”

  Carrie smiled when Dan hugged his daughter to his side. He is such a good man. Why has it taken me so long to notice?

  When dinner arrived, Carrie had an excuse to alter the seating. She gripped Tall’s and Jon’s arms. “I’m going to join Dan for my dinner now.”

  “But you have a dinner,” Jon stated.

  She slide it towards Tall. “Would you like this?”

  Tall chuckled. “Sure.”

  She kissed them both on their cheeks, grabbed her fork and glass of tea, and sat down between Dan and Tiny.

  She looked up to Dan’s smiling eyes. “Will you share with me?”

  His eyes perused her face before he answered, “Absolutely.”

  ***

  Dan couldn’t remember a more interesting and enjoyable dinner in his life. After listening to the makings of another great novel by Jon, Tall and Tiny explained how they made the paper clip jail on the stage.

  Tall
laughed. “Except we didn’t build it for two.”

  Dan grimaced and flipped his hands palm up. “What can I say? I’m a protective father.”

  “Yeah, we don’t normally steal two people together, except for the lovers,” Tiny admitted and then chuckled. “Can you imagine the hell that would break out if we asked two strangers to play the lovers?”

  Tall frowned and shook his head before glancing at Carrie.

  “I really am over Trent, and I’m not hurting. The only way you are ever going to believe me is if you understand a bit more about me and my prior relationships.”

  Dan gripped her hand. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “I think I do, or you guys will keep thinking I’m fragile, but I’m not. I may be small, but I can take blows and come back strong.”

  “Here, here!” Tiny yelled and held up his glass of green tea.

  Everyone toasted Carrie. Dan had hoped she’d drop the matter, but she had set her mind to share her painful past.

  “First, I had a bad relationship with my parents. I tried very hard to make them love me, but they only loved my physically perfect twin. Thus, when I turned eighteen, I escaped to New York City and put myself through college. At college, I met a smart guy in Engineering and gave my heart to him. In retrospect, I realize he never loved me. My roommate had seen it right off, but I was so love-starved even a relationship of convenience could blind me. He became my first lover.

  “In his good-bye letter, he informed me, he had remained in love with a girl back home throughout the years we’d been together. He’d used me as a stand-in who helped him prepare for tests and provided him with sufficient relief so he could focus on his studies.”

  “Give me his name. I’ll kill him,” Tiny growled.

  Dan felt much the same. He’d thought he had discovered all of her sad past, but he’d been wrong.

  “What type of ass writes such a letter?” Jon asked.

  “I appreciated it. By the time I finished reading the letter, I had fallen out of love. I realized I hadn’t experienced the real thing. So I headed off to my fabulous future, saw a handwritten, very sad note on the Lancaster Chairs lobby door, wanting to hire an intelligent person who would actually work. I went upstairs and met the owner, who hired me at once.”