Page 90 of Meant to Be

CHAPTER 21

Joe

Over the next few days, my mother and Berry both left multiple messages on my answering machine, apologizing and pleading with me to call. I ignored them, and I must say, it felt good to take a stand.

At first, I could tell Cate appreciated my loyalty, and that it made her feel a little better about the whole incident, but as the days passed, she seemed to grow uneasy and encouraged me to make peace.

“They said they were sorry,” she reminded me one night as we were getting ready for bed.

“They were half-assed apologies at best,” I said.

“But theywereapologies.”

I pointed out that her mother had apologized, too, but that Cate was still angry at her.

“That’s totally different,” she said.

“How so?”

“Because my mother’s defense is that she didn’t ‘say anything bad.’ ”

“Well, she has a point.”

“No, she doesn’t! And youknowit, Joe. Talking to the tabloids about me—or us—is not okay. Ever.”

“Yes, but shouldn’t herintentionscount for something?”

She stared at me, deep in thought. “Well, your mother and Berry had good intentions, too. They were just looking out for you.”

“Atyourexpense,” I said.

“But I’m fine,” she said. “You’rewaymore upset about it than I am.”

I wasn’t sure if that was true, so I mumbled something about it being the principle. Which it was. I was sick and tired of my mother and Berry getting away with this stuff.

“Don’t get me started about ‘the principle.’ My mother sold information about me to theNationalfreakingEnquirer. She’s the reason we’re in this situation in the first place.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ve been in this situation since I was born. My mother cares more about appearances than she does about me. And Berry just hops right on board with it.”

“Okay,” Cate said. “We’re going in circles.”

I nodded.

“So,” she said, crossing her arms. “What do you say we make a little deal?”

“And what wouldthatlook like?” I said. I’d be screwed if she were my opposing counsel.

“If you make up with your mother—andBerry—then I’ll take you home to meet mine.”

I smiled because I knew she had me. “Okay,” I finally said. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

—

A few dayslater, I had to make a big opening argument as co-counsel in a murder trial. Cate took off work to come and watchme—which I found really touching. It was the first time she’d seen me in action, and I nailed it, if I do say so myself, probably because I knew she was there. My grandmother showed up as well, the two of them running into each other in the courtroom hallway, each recognizing the other from photos, then sitting together in the gallery. It was the best feeling in the world when I looked over and saw my two favorite people, side by side.

Afterward, my grandmother took us to dinner at Harry’s of Hanover Square. She and Cate hit it off right away, drinking martinis and talking like a couple of chatty schoolgirls. I knew they’d get along, but I was surprised by how relaxed they both were as they bonded over their love of old Hollywood actresses and films. They agreed that there was no one better than Ingrid Bergman inCasablanca,but they seemed equally obsessed with Katharine Hepburn, praising her roles inThe Philadelphia StoryandGuess Who’s Coming to Dinner(they apparently both had a thing for Sidney Poitier).

“I love how outspoken and unconventional Katharine Hepburn is,” Cate said.

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