The Girl in Seat 24B Page 16

  “Right this way, ma’am.”

  I turned around and gave hugs and kisses and loves. I also profusely thanked my in-laws for once again babysitting, then I was off.

  In front of my home was a black Mercedes limo with windows so dark I could see my reflection clearly. The man who called himself Heath opened my door and helped me in. It wasn’t my first limo ride, I had done it several times before with my parents. In fact, most of my growing up I was driven around by people other than my parents. My dad said it was always safer to have natives drive you in their own countries; accidents were less likely that way.

  I tried to relax in the wide seat. I was told to help myself. There was water, soda, and of course, alcoholic beverages. I didn’t dare drink anything. It would be my luck to get stuck in traffic with a baby on my full bladder. I kept checking my phone. Michael never called. I made small talk with Heath, but I mostly just stayed quiet inside my own thoughts.

  We arrived at the hotel and drove into an underground parking garage. There I was met by the Secret Service. Mr. Xavier, as a potential next president, was already being guarded by the Secret Service. I was gently patted down; I could tell they were uncomfortable touching a pregnant woman, but I understood. They also looked through my small purse and checked out my phone.

  “Ma’am, you will need to keep your phone shut off during the entire meeting,” the female agent instructed me.

  “Where is your husband?” asked her male counterpart.

  “His flight was delayed; he should be joining us later.”

  They both seem to take my word for it. I was glad because they gave off this threatening vibe.

  I was finally escorted to a private table set in the back. It looked like we would be by ourselves, other than wait staff. Mr. Xavier immediately rose as soon as he saw me. His face broke out in a huge grin. He was a very tall, distinguished looking man. He had thick salt and pepper hair and bright eyes. I believe he was sixty years old, but he could easily pass for fifty. He was quite attractive, and even without speaking he exuded charisma.

  He held out his hand. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Bishop.”

  “Oh, please call me Carly, Mr. Xavier.”

  He winked. “Joseph, please.”

  “Ok,” I smiled.

  He pulled out my seat for me and helped me sit down. “So, where is that husband of yours?”

  “Delayed flight. I’m sure he’s on his way,” I did my best to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

  He sat across from me, his eyes alight. “It really is so nice to meet you after all this time. I must say, though, I didn’t know you were expecting. Your husband never mentioned it, and considering.”

  That wasn’t surprising, but I was confused by the last part. “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir and for you to take time out of your hectic schedule for me.”

  “Please, I’ve been sir’d enough to last me a lifetime.”

  “I bet you have. Could you please explain what you meant by ‘considering?’ ”

  He laughed. He had a hearty jovial laugh, kind of like a Santa. It was contagious, but why was that funny?

  “Well, considering your husband will be working for me and the nature of his work, this is quite a sacrifice for you and your family. You must be the world’s most understanding wife, which isn’t a surprise,” he said as he winked.

  I shook my head. I was speechless. “Mr., I mean Joseph, I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  His eyes widened and he reddened as he nervously laughed, “Well, now that the cat’s out of the bag I guess there’s no going back. I’m sorry, though, I assumed your husband would have told you that he accepted an offer to write my biography. He’ll be traveling with me through election day.”

  Now I really was speechless. I reached for my glass of water and took a few sips. I tried to keep my composure. How could Michael keep this from me? Our baby’s due date was the day before Election Day this year.

  “You know I can have him home in a moment’s notice, if needed,” he offered when I didn’t respond.

  “That’s very kind of you,” I managed to say.

  “How far along are you?”

  “My due date is November seventh.”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “Again, I have a private plane, and it will be at his disposal.”

  I just nodded my head and smiled. This was a new low for Michael. How do you just accept a new job and not tell your wife about it? Especially when it involves you being gone the remainder of her pregnancy with a high probability of missing the birth? I had to remind myself to stay calm and not freak out, this was not Mr. Xavier’s fault, but I so wanted to scream. Instead I just smiled. What else could I do?

  Mr. Xavier just kept looking at me so kindly. He had kind eyes, like Jack. There was a very nice peaceful feeling around him. I wasn’t sure what to expect; he was all over the T.V. and news, but sitting here with him, he seemed so normal.

  In the meantime, the waiter came out and handed us our menus and told us what the specials of the night were. Unfortunately, nothing sounded good. My stomach was churning over the rage I felt toward my husband at the moment. How dare he not tell me! I just ordered some pasta dish with shrimp and asked for some lemon to go in my water.

  Once the orders were taken, Joseph turned his attention back to me. He just kept looking at me like a long lost friend. It was kind of sweet. “Please, just let me say up front how sorry I was to hear about your parents. They were good people.”

  I nodded my head in agreement. They were the best.

  “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to attend their funeral, but we had just found out about my wife’s illness.”

  “I’m so sorry for you loss,” I replied.

  He smiled sadly. “To lose a spouse is not something I would wish upon anyone.”

  I had to hold back the tears at that sentiment. I knew he meant in death, but I was losing my husband just the same, and I felt like something was dying.

  “But,” he said. “We must rise to the occasion and make the best of what we have been given.”

  “That’s a very good motto. Maybe you can use that in your next speech or perhaps on a bumper sticker.”

  He laughed. “You really are enchanting.”

  I blushed. “Thank you.”

  “I just can’t tell you how happy I am to meet you. And I’m even happier to find you still married, and obviously happy by the looks of things.” He looked toward my stomach.

  Oh, if he only knew. I really was going to kill Michael. He better hope his plane crashed. I just kept smiling.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but you know your dad was so worried about you marrying Michael.”

  I sat up even straighter. “No. He never mentioned it.”

  He laughed again. “Well, I guess I’m just full of surprises for you tonight.”

  He had no idea.

  “He was worried Michael was a rolling stone and he was full of wanderlust.” He paused for a moment as if he was contemplating whether he should go on. I was more than interested to hear what he had to say. So I smiled pleasantly, hoping he would get the cue. He smiled in return and took the hint. “He feared you may lose your luster in Michael’s eyes and that he would break your heart. I think he thought Michael very undeserving of your love.”

  Suddenly, a new layer of the mystery of Michael’s behavior unraveled. I wondered why my dad never said anything, why didn’t he caution me if he was worried? Probably because he knew I wouldn’t listen, but he was right. I couldn’t help it, a tiny tear fell.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said as he handed me a real handkerchief. “I’m sure you still miss your parents.”

  He had no idea, but that wasn’t why I was crying.

  I took the handkerchief and began to dab my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. I hope someday my daughters will shed a few tears for their old man.”

  I smiled. “I’m s
ure they will.”

  “Speaking of my daughters…”

  In the middle of his sentence, Michael arrived. He looked worried, as he should be, when he looked my way.

  Joseph stood up again like he was greeting an old friend. “Michael, my boy. You finally made it,” he said as they shook hands. “I was almost hoping you wouldn’t. Your wife really is enchanting.”

  Michael lied while glancing down at me. “Yes, she is.”

  I glared back at him while Joseph returned to his seat. He wasn’t scoring any points with me.

  Michael sat down next to me and kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

  I didn’t respond, and thankfully I didn’t need to. Joseph just started right back where he left off. “I was just explaining to Carly that her dad gave me the best advice for my sons-in-law.” He looked to Michael, “I know you’ve heard it straight from the horse’s mouth, but it’s worth repeating.” He looked directly back at me. “Your dad said, ‘I told my son-in-law before he married my daughter, if you love her the right way, she’ll make you her world. And if you don’t, I will take you out of this world.’ Best line ever.”

  I looked over to Michael, who looked very uncomfortable. He had never mentioned that speech, and he obviously didn’t take much stock in it anymore. He wouldn’t even look at me. He just cleared his throat, “It was a great line.”

  Joseph just beamed at us. “I’m just happy to see you were smart enough to listen to it. Derek would be so pleased to see you still together.”

  That was enough. I stood up. “Excuse me while I use the lady’s room.”

  Michael and Joseph both stood up. I smiled at Joseph and then just turned and walked away. I was followed by the female secret service agent who had patted me down earlier. It was odd, but it kept me from losing it. It reminded me that decorum was needed, but once I was in the bathroom, I stood at the sink and held on. I just breathed in and out, in and out. I desperately wanted to leave, but I knew I couldn’t. Instead, I silently prayed for strength. I stayed as long as I could, and then I rejoined the small party of men, half of which I could do without at the moment. He knew too, as I walked back and he helped me with my chair. His face was red and his eyes implored me to keep up the act. They should have said sorry, but that was too much to expect from him.

  Joseph, on the other hand, had no clue, so either I’m a phenomenal actress and should seriously take up poker, or he was clueless. And if that was the case, I wouldn’t be voting for him for president.

  Joseph looked my way. “I was just berating your husband here for not telling you about his new job and even more importantly, for not telling me that you were expecting.”

  I looked at a very stiff Michael. Now his eyes pled. He cleared his throat, “I tried to call you from the airport.”

  I didn’t respond to him. I just put on my best fake smile and looked to Joseph. “You know Michael is like that rolling stone my dad talked about and I’ve just learned not to get in his way. I just want him to be happy. This is a dream come true for him and I would never even think of standing in his way.”

  From under the table Michael reached for my hand that rested in my lap. I pushed it away.

  Joseph looked to Michael. “You certainly are a lucky man.”

  Michael smiled nervously and nodded his head in agreement.

  I had never been so happy to see food arrive. I was so ready for this evening to end, so I could have the nervous breakdown I more than deserved. I barely touched my food, but I blamed it on the pregnancy. Joseph didn’t even think twice about it, but I knew Michael knew.

  I stayed mostly quiet and let them yammer on about ideas for the biography and who Michael would be meeting with, people like his daughters and business associates, etc. Joseph went on and on about Michael’s talent and how impressed he was with the write-up Michael had done about him.

  Michael tried and failed to score some more points with me. “It was Carly’s idea to add a more human element to it.”

  Joseph’s eyes sparkled at the tidbit. “You make an excellent team.”

  I used to think so too.

  Thankfully, Joseph could only spend ninety minutes with us. He had a fundraiser to attend.

  Joseph approached me. “Would you mind if I hugged you?”

  “Not at all.”

  “You are more lovely in person than I could imagine and beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe you.”

  “Are you just trying to earn my vote?” I smiled.

  He laughed that booming laugh of his and shook his head. “Delightful is what you are.” He looked to Michael. “I think you’re a fool to agree to this assignment and leave this at home.”

  I didn’t even bother looking at Michael’s reaction to that.

  “You know,” Joseph said. “You’re welcome to join us at any stop. Just say the word and I’ll arrange it.”

  For some reason, I was interested to see Michael’s reaction to this piece of news. I was surprised to see that he looked genuinely happy about the idea.

  I looked backed to Joseph. “Again, very kind of you, but my children will be starting school soon and I’m not sure how my doctor would feel about me gallivanting across the country.”

  “Yes, of course. But you’re welcome if you change your mind,” he replied.

  “Thank you again for meeting with me,” I said. “It was quite enlightening. And best wishes to you.”

  We all said our goodbyes, or see-you-soons in Michaels’s case. Joseph asked an agent to escort us to the car, but Michael chimed in that he drove and could drive us home. I desperately wanted to decline, but doing so would be very bad form. Just once, I wanted to hone in on the main character from “Something to Talk About” and vilify my husband publicly and have my moment of vindication, but tonight would not be the night.

  As we walked toward the lobby, Michael reached for my hand again.

  “Don’t touch me,” I said very quietly with razor precision.

  He backed off, and I walked very briskly out to the front of the hotel where we waited for the valet to bring Michael’s truck around. We only waited a couple of minutes, but it was dead silent between the two of us. The truck was brought around and the doorman helped me. Michael tipped the valet and got in. As soon as he drove off, he started to speak.

  “Not a word,” I said succinctly.

  I looked out the window and fumed. I was done crying and mourning for something I could never have back. I should have believed him back in March when he first said he didn’t love me. He meant every word. No man that loved his wife would do this to her.

  “Carly, we need to talk about this,” Michael said halfway home.

  “No, the time for talking is long past.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I finally understand and believe you and I’m going to give you what you’ve wanted all along.” I twisted my ring off my slightly swollen finger (you’ve got love being pregnant in the hot, humid summer) and dropped it in the cup holder that sat between the seats in the console.

  “Carly!” he said as he looked down at my wedding ring and swerved. “I don’t want your wedding ring!”

  “No, I’m sure you don’t, but you want what that represents—your freedom.”

  He didn’t say anything, he just took the next exit.

  “Where are we going?” I asked

  He didn’t respond. He just kept driving until he found an empty parking lot. He pulled over and threw the truck in park and turned my way. “So what are you saying? I have to choose between you and my job?”

  I practically laughed. “We both know that choice has already been made, but…” I choked. “I would never ask you to make that choice. I couldn’t bear to see the resentment in your eyes. I love you too much for that.”

  I swore I would never say those words to him again unless he spoke them first, but I guess it was ok since this was the end game and I would never say them again. I wiped my eyes as Michael looked on,
bewildered, with a crinkled brow. I picked up my wedding ring, took his hand, and placed it in his palm. “Take it. Go be happy. Make your mark on the world.”

  He slowly, but surely wrapped his hand around the band that looked so tiny in his large hand.

  I turned and leaned my head against the cool glass. “Please take me home now.” I deserved my breakdown in the privacy of my own home.

  “You know,” he yelled. “You changed.”

  I turned slowly toward him and stared at him blankly. It was an odd thing to say, I thought.

  “Ever since we had kids, your life began to revolve around them. I became second best,” he shouted as he pointed toward his chest. “Even though I was the one sacrificing my career and aspirations to support you and them.”

  I shook my head in disbelief. Did he really feel this way? “Michael,” I cried, “I’m sorry you felt that way. I honestly loved you more after we had kids. To me, they’ve always been a reminder of what our love created. I’m sorry. I just don’t know what more I could have done to show you how important you were to me and that I loved you more than anyone, including our kids. I’m sorry I failed in that regard.” I sat up straighter. “But yes, Michael, I did change. It’s called growing up. And you know what? You changed too. And you don’t get to blame me for choices we made together. If you were so unhappy, you should have said something a long time ago.”

  His eyes were as hard as steel, and they bore into me, but I wasn’t turning away. Several times it looked as if he was attempting to say something, but the words never came.

  I sighed. “Please take me home now.” I turned back toward the cool glass and silently let the tears fall against the window.

  Michael took his time leaving, but I didn’t say anything while we sat there for several minutes. What was left to say? It was over. My heart ached, but at least I felt peace; I was no longer teetering on the fence. I had received the insight I had been seeking. Michael and I had seen our marriage from completely different points of view. My dad had been right about Michael.

  The remaining twenty minute drive home was deafening silent. The only movements seemed to come from my abdomen. The baby seemed out of sorts. I gently placed my hand on her, and a wave of sadness washed over me. I wondered if Michael would even love this baby at all. I just needed to be home.