Chapter Fifty Two
Dave walked out to the driveway, to welcome the kids and their parents as he waited for his own parents. Maria had done a great job with the party. Everything inside and out was blue and pink, she went as far as getting him a blue shirt and herself a pink one, why, he had no idea. She was still very nervous about meeting his parents and was even more nervous when her mother hadn’t shown up yet. But he was sure she was coming, with a companion he was anxiously waiting to talk to, face to face.
Dave pulled out his ringing phone from his pocket and answered it, “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s your favourite jeweller.”
“Hi, where’s my stuff?” Dave moved to the curb when he saw Carol’s car approaching.
“Your secretary has them. I thought I should keep it safe and just inform you who has them presently.”
“She’s very trust worthy.” He opened the door for Carol and greeted her with a smile as she got out. “Whether or not she is, that’s your business. You would have been paying for those for years. That’s how expensive they are.”
He hugged her and took the two boxes she offered him, “Good thing I got you out of jail and you owe me a favour.” He put the boxes in his pocket without checking, he was sure Carol had already done so.
“That concludes our business Greer.”
“That is until you get arrested again.” he hung up the phone and stashed it back into his pocket, “Did you look inside?” He asked Carol as they walked towards the noisy house.
“You know I did. They are beautiful, but I don’t see Maria letting them wear them any time soon.”
“I can be very convincing.” he stopped when he heard a car pull up, it was his parents, “Go in and help Maria out.”
Carol’s face creased fearfully, “I don’t particularly like kids, except your two.”
Dave chuckled as he walked backwards away from her, “I know that, their parents are around, she just needs help with the food.”
“Can I get one of those shirts, they are pretty stylish.” She yelled.
“Ask Maria.” he turned around and walked faster to his parents, a huge smile on his face. He picked up his mother and hugged her tight, spinning her around, “Mom, I’ve missed you.”
“Oh my baby, I’ve missed you too.” kissing the top of his head before he put her down, “you’ve let your hair grow out.” She said as she ruffled his hair.
“I haven’t gotten the time to cut it.” He laughed, pushing his hair back in place. Then he turned to his father, his cheery mood dissolved, “Dad.” Dave said with his professional tone, extending his hand to his father for a hand shake.
“Son.” he responded in the same tone, “And who’s that?” raising his eyebrow.
“Maria Martinez, Mr. Greer.” Maria offered her own hand. She had seen them from the window and ran out to greet them, after a long debate with herself.
That morning she was a nervous wreck about meeting Dave’s parents. Even with the little she knew about them, she was still scared to death about meeting them. She even had a hard time deciding how to style her hair, to hide her scares and yet look good and proper for them. She had decided on putting a head band on and letting some front hair loose to cover her scars.
She could see Dave’s resemblance to his mother, all his looks he got from her. It explained why he looked like a pretty boy when he wasn’t so serious. She was an inch taller than Maria, with a tight figure that was outlined by the sun dress she had on and had a short blond bob which seemed to suit her well. Her blue eyes were what pulled at Maria most, they were exactly like Dave’s, if it was dark and all she could see were the eyes, she would mistake Dave for his mother. He got a lot from his father too. The serious no nonsense look, that was accentuated by the brown cardigan and khaki pants he had on that screamed snob, and most probably his temper too, Maria thought. They had matching physiques, and a certain distance between them which she was sure must have occurred due to a silly argument. Dave was a stubborn, strong headed man, and she knew his father was exactly the same.
“I’m Lily. Dave has told me a lot about you.” His mother hugged her, and then wrapped a hand around her waist.
“Really?” she looked up at Dave with a warning in her eyes, and he winked at her with a smile, “I hope all good things?”
Lily turned Maria and walked with her towards the house, “You really have been a great support system for him after the Amy fiasco.”
“Well, he’s helped me a lot too.” she said smiling back at Dave.
“I’m sure he has.” Mr. Greer said under his breath. The statement sounded like an accusation, with an undercurrent of suspicion and disappointment.
Dave turned to him, his jaw hard and his expression irate, “Of course father, why else would I have her living in my house and raising my daughter as her own.” he said harshly. Maria and Lily stopped and turned to face them, both worried there was a volcano about to erupt.
Mr. Greer’s eyes bulged out in shock. He stared at Maria, then at Dave, “Isn’t it too soon after your divorce to be moving on?”
“Actually not soon enough, but I’m happy with my new family.” he spoke with a wicked smile on his face.
“What?” he exclaimed, shocked. That was all the encouragement Maria and Lily needed to move in.
“Dave, let’s go into the house and see Elizabeth.” His wife said softly.
“Are you telling me you are already contemplating marriage?” he asked harshly completely ignoring his wife, “Without consulting me!”
“As I told you once before, it’s my life and I’ll do as I damn well please!”
“Oh look! My mom is here!” Maria said pulling Dave behind her. She’d seen enough of that angry exchange and she couldn’t see any more if she was to trust her knees not to buckle under her.
Mr. and Mrs. Greer turned and walked into the house as Maria and Dave stood at the curb. Dave shifted his feet around, annoyed he’d let his father get to him. It had been years since they had a talk without it ending in a fight, and it was all because he didn’t want to work for him.
“I thought you said your mother was here?” He said harsher than he had intended to.
“Cool down, I just used it as an excuse to get out of that situation.” she shifted to stand in front of him, “What just happened? The relationship you described to me wasn’t what I just saw.”
Dave brushed his hand over his face and looked down at Maria, “That was before I discovered other job options apart from working for my father.”
Rich families problems, Maria thought to herself, “He’s a lawyer?”
“He owns his own firm in Boston. I wanted to be independent, to build my own name, but he wanted me to continue his legacy.”
“Let me guess, Dave Greer Sr. cut you off and rebellious Dave Greer Jr. moved to New York to prove a point.” she joked, turning to face the approaching car, “and now you can’t stand each other and your mother is caught in the middle.”
“Wow, your psychic,” he said without humour, “Well, I’m glad you find it amusing because I’m not going to be the only one in a bad mood in a few moments.”
***
Miguel fidgeted on his seat when he spotted Maria out the window. She was so grown up, beautiful and happy. He felt his chest tighten as he imagined all the good he had missed in her life and all the bad he could have prevented.
Edna put a comforting hand over his, “Calm down. Everything will be fine.”
“She’ll hate me, especially since I just appeared at her son’s birthday party.”
Edna leaned in and kissed him on the lips, “Your grandson’s birthday party.” She knew exactly what they were walking into, and it was a thousand times worse than what Miguel imagined, “let’s get it done once and for all. Rip it off like a band aid.”
“I should leave my gun in the car, just in case she gets a hold of it and shoots me with it.” He bent down and placed it under the driver’s seat.
“You walk in there with a gun and she will kill you. Remember, you and Dave need to talk.” When the car came to a stop she got out and hugged her very excited daughter, “My baby!”
“Mama, I’ve missed you so much!” Maria hugged her mother tight, compensating for all the months she couldn’t. She let go after a long while, but kept one arm securely around her waist, “Mama, this is Dave.”
“I finally meet the knight in shining armour.” Maria pinched her on her side which only made her laugh, “It’s nice to meet you.” She let go of Maria to hug him.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” he pulled away and looked at her, “and our guest?” he pulled Maria to him and held her securely to his side. He wasn’t sure exactly how she would react, but he was prepared for anything, crying, screaming, he hoped for anger, but he was still prepared for a meltdown.
Edna looked at him even more nervous. She swallowed the bitter lump in her throat and turned to her daughter, counting down to the eruption, “Honey, I brought someone with me.”
“Jane?” Maria asked, excitedly bouncing on her feet.
“No, me.” the hoarse, heavily accented voice came flowing out before he stepped out of the car.