Chp7 mothers fears.
Salton Sea, evening.
"It's getting late. Would you like to stay for dinner, its lasagna." Christian ask. I look at Anna. She is simple smiling. "Yes, we would."
"Chris go scrounge up two more chairs. I'll get the bread going." Anna chirps. "Would you like some help dear?" She eyes me hard, then shakes her shoulders. "Yes, come in." I follow her into the RV. It cluttered but clean, surgery clean. You can smell the cleanness. Its colorful with photos and posters. Stacks of text books and tourist flyers.
She removes the heavy casserole pot from the small oven. Placing it on the counter; she reset the oven and inserts a loaf of bread already prepped with garlic and butter. I notice it home baked. She hands me oven mitts and reaches for a set of dishes. I carry the pasta to the table.
Christian returns with two more chairs. "Joe and Roy loaned us these. Joe's bring his guacamole dip and chips over." I watch as Anna groans, what wrong with this?
"Chris, that dip goes straight to my hips. You just gain ten pounds looking and smelling it Grace."
"Anna, you don't have to eat the whole thing, like last time." Christian banters.
"We ate the whole thing at that party in DC. You even begged for a second bowl." Anna teases.
As two older men, one dressed like a Hawaii float in the rose bowl, the other a carbon copy of Carrick somber casual. The colorful one is Joe, he's the quiet and easy going Felix. While the sharp dress Roy is the Munger, an extrovert and slop. The two are opposites and lifelong partner's. Retired from government service. They tease and joke than leave us to eat.
Anna is right the dip is addictive and rich, I feel the pounds adding just tasting the heavenly mix. Anna gets the bread, and we eat. I find myself unable to find faults with the food, or the conversation. They tell about the places and things they've done and seen.
They sound so sure and honest. Happy and free. I dread what will happen back in Seattle. but I am selfish. I want my son home. If that means accepting this girl as his wife and partner, then so be it. Afterwards Christian produces a scrapbook of pictures and mementos.
The book is eye opening. The first photo of Anna is at some weird rock exhibit. Petrified Forest the caption reads. Her face is blotch of bruises and swelling. The eyes shine though, like a magical vision is before her. I realize she looking at the photographer, Christian. "That two weeks after we meet." I look at the face again. My god! The damage she must have endured.
The next photos show a steady improving Anna. The one on a dinner boat in San Antonio is incredible. They are together, someone else snapped the photo. The two look so perfect, so in love, so happy and free. Anna gives a running commentary on the photos.
The photos of Texas are a view into the inner working of their life. Magical moments frozen in time. The carefree live of nomads. Roller-coaster snap shots, litter the book. Museums and historic places pepper the pages. They all have a theme of young love, soulmates. I weep at the incredible live they have made for themselves.
I see this is only volume 1 of 6. I can't wait to explore the rest.
"It's, late? you guys need to head back to town. you do have a hotel?" Christian ask. "Yes, we do. We'll see you in the morning, before we leave, if that ok?" Carrick ask.
"Yes, well do breakfast at 9am. See you then" Anna says confidently.
We get ready to leave. Anna places a hand on Christian cheek, he shakes himself and approaches me. I expect a peck on the cheek and hands only hug on my arms. He still himself, and pulls me into a full hug. I melt into him. The pleasure of finally holding my son, overwhelms me. breaking my wall of self-control. I see Anna smiling at us. This girl has healed my son. I will make every effort to make her a valued and full member of this family.
All to soon I'm released. He turns and hugs Carrick. I watch his face shatter as his son holds him tight. The inner man I love comes out and shower Christian with pure unconditional love and pride. We get in the SUV and leave. Carrick holds me tight, as I weep into the desert night.
Xxxxxxxx
Mia is on the phone as soon as we reach cell coverage. She is literally bounce off the walls. I tell her yes we found him and he's coming home. I can't help but feel whole again. Carrick makes love to me in the little fleabag motel on the highway. We wake the neighbors and probably the dead with our release of emotions and fears. I am for the first time since he left, truly happy and content. My son is coming home. We are a family again.
XXXXXXX
Breakfast in the desert is a near ruined event, as the winds have kicked up. So were all inside the small RV. Christian is sitting in the driver's seat, while Anna lounges on his lap. Carrick is in the passage seat while I sit in the lawn chair from outside blocking the hallway. The folding table is littered with dishes and remnants of food. Anna has out done herself. All our favorite's, even Carrick Eggs Florentine.
Afterwards before we leave; I leave thru volume two of the scrapbooks. The wandering of the Gulf coast of Texas, Mississippi and Alabama. Thru the Georgia's highlands. Anna and Christian at a forest park, high up a mountain, looking out over several states. Someone snapped the photo of the two just sitting holding each other in silhouette. Like a scene from a hundred years ago. Romantic to the extreme, yet simple elegant and tasteful. A perfect couple in love.
We leave. Will see them in two weeks. Christian has to help his neighbor's with some RV projects and Anna as committed to a party slash bridal shower for a snowbird friend. Apparently the friend is tying the knot for the seventh time. Never divorced either. Must be a hell of a black widow, but Anna assures me she the sweetest woman, just has sick, or bad luck husbands.
As the plane lifts I dread if they disappear again. They have a lot of money. Christian use Eliana money to craft a fortune of close to thirty million dollars. Christian has a serious ability for making money. And Anna could keep him from us if she chose. I hope I'm just worrying for nothing. She seems a perfect girl. I wonder how she ended so bruised and beaten. What evil haunt her story.