Page 44 of A Family Affair: The Vow
He blocked out the ‘I love you,’, the tears, the expression that begged him for another chance. If he didn’t shut her out now, he might persuade himself to believe her vow that this life was enough...he was enough... And he could not do that...not anymore. “I’m sorry, Rae. It’s too late.”
Betty did end up driving Vic home that night and she even picked him up the next morning with a hot cup of coffee in one hand and two slices of banana bread in the other.I figured you could use a ride and the coffee’s extra strong. And I know you like banana bread.
If anyone noticed his truck at work earlier than usual, no one mentioned it. Even Betty, the woman who had a thought or two about everything and was not afraid to share it, remained silent. As the days crept by, she became almost protective when anyone inquired about Rae. Not many dared to ask, but there were those who’d grown accustomed to seeing Vic and Rae together in his office, sitting on the patio bench just outside the building...and then there were the strolls about town. Hand in hand, and had he actually stopped to kiss her in front of Lina’s Café? What an idiot. Yes, he’d done that too, but that was back when he believed their story would have a different ending—a meant-to-be ending…
It had been five days since he’d delivered the news that they were through, four days since he’d spoken to her. If she had questions or he needed to get in touch with her, they’d both resorted to email or text, removing the emotion and the chance for anything other than business to enter the conversation or the intentions.
After the first day when Josh confronted him withWhat’s going on between you and Rae?that ended with a scowl from Vic and a sternThings didn’t work out, the boy did not ask again. But he sure did a lot of observing for someone who’d never paid attention to a situation or an outcome that didn’t involve himself.
The observations from across the room and the scrutiny became damn annoying. If Vic wanted an opinion or a recommendation, he would have asked, but he didn’t. No, he didn’t want to hear from anyone about what went wrong, what could go right, and especially how he and Rae were meant to be together. Yeah, meant to be together like oil and water. Frank, the foreman at Darlington Metals, had contacted Vic a few days ago to let him know the “boss” had everything under control and had even implemented a few time-saving measures such as computerizing the orders for the shop. Vic had never doubted her capability, but her desire to achieve success at Darlington Metals had been the big question. Apparently, she did have the desire to help the company become more efficient and maybe…
He shut down his brain before he could finish the thought about how maybe if he’d given her a chance, she’d have shown him how much she wantedthemto work. Not going there...done and not happening. News of their uncoupling had spread through town fast and redoubled Monica Whitmore’s efforts to get his attentionanda commitment. When she tried to deliver a basket of muffins and a cherry pie, Betty stopped her with a no-nonsenseHe’s in a business meeting and cannot be disturbed. Leave the basket here and I’ll see that he gets it. Who would have ever thought Betty would become a protector as well as his first and second line of defense?
Of course, on the seventh day of life after Rae, she poked around.
“Are you really just going to let her go?”
25
“Honey, talk to me. Another bad day?”
Rae clutched the phone, let the misery pour out. “Oh Leah, why do I always ruin everything?”
“So, you still haven’t worked things out with Vic?”
Rae had called her sister the day Vic told herI want someone in my life who will be here for me no matter what and you’re not that person. The pain of those words torched her soul, left her empty and despondent.
ShelovedVic, wanted a life with him. Was it really too late?
Leah had always looked out for her, guided her, helped her through confusing and uncertain times.But this was different. Nothing could be done but wait and take one breath at a time. It had been eight miserable days of waiting and wanting...and hoping...
“Why didn’t I listen to you three years ago when you told me what a great guy he was?” Rae sniffed, pictured Vic’s smile, his laugh, the blueness of his eyes. “If I had listened...”
“What? You think you would have been happy with Vic back then?” There was a long pause on the other end of the line and then a soft “You were chasing different goals and no matter how much I wanted you to reassess, I don’t think you would have...not then. And then you started seeing Richard.”
Big sigh and a deflated “Yes. Richard.” How had she ever thought what she shared with him was love? It was a glimmer of nothingness compared to what she and Vic had shared.
“I didn’t speak up when you and Richard started dating because I thought maybe he could be the person for you. But when I met him, I knew he was all wrong, knew you were never going to be happy with him.” Pause and a quiet “Not like you were with Vic. I heard the joy in your voice, the excitement. The rapture. You didn’t talk about how busy you were or how much you had to do and the time you didn’t have. Do you remember what you talked about?”
Rae sniffed, tried to recall the conversations. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything right now.”
“You talked about the Christmas Drive and how you were going to work with Mimi to get donations. And if memory serves, you’ve even baked bread. I can’t claim that one… I haven’t done that in five years. But you did and you also talked about organizing an auction and calling vendors you knew for donations. Wasn’t there that woman who created the designer headbands? The really high-end ones?”
Leah meant Trendy Chic Headbands and Meredith Alexander, though she’d recently married Daniel Reese, the famous woodworker. “Yes, I contacted her and she’s donating headbands and her husband’s donating a few bowls.”
“Wow, that sounds pretty major and you’re not getting any rewards for this one. You’ve even advertised in the neighboring towns, right? Renova and a few of the others? It’s going to be a big deal.Youthought of that, and you got the vendors and you wouldn’t have done that six months ago.”
“Because I couldn’t see that life was about more thanmeand whatIwanted. I was so selfish and I certainly wasn’t a very good sister to you. Apparently, I’m a horrible partner, too.”
“Hey, don’t say that. You and Vic belong together.” Leah’s voice sifted through the line, offered the tiniest bit of hope. “He’s hurting right now, but you can’t give up. Stay strong, Rae. It’s never too late when two people love each other.”
* * *
The breakupwith Vic was devastating but the nightly chats with Leah helped her remain hopeful that he’d eventually change his mind about them. Still, it was a hope, not a certainty, and no matter what happened, Rae couldn’t continue in her old life. As she worked with the townspeople on the silent auction, she discovered how much artistic talent existed in Magdalena. Real talents that weren’t manufactured, duplicated, or manipulated. There was Marisela Ricci and her memory makers, Gina Reed with her pressed-flower framed art, Ava Carlisle and the river rocks.
What about Wanda Cummings and her knitting? Shawls, cardigans, scarves, hats. So beautiful and so very detailed. Wanda’s friend, Dolly Finnegan, created personalized needlepoint Christmas decorations. Miriam Desantro was an artist who painted and created wooden boxes and bowls.
Who knew what opportunities might arise for these artists if there were a way to bring their talents to the world, showcase them with an online shop? Give them special branding, a website...a compelling story that would make potential buyers eager to seek out their work? Rae shared her ideas with Christine and together they created a plan to help artists gain exposure, sell their products online, and handle the financial aspects of the process.
