10. Robert

Chapter ten

Robert

The plane lands amidst a tropical scene beyond her imagination. Sara says that the view is of paradise, and it makes me happy to know I'm giving her such an adventure . . . at least for now. We'll see how it goes after she meets my parents and the aunts.

I still can't believe that we're here. Sara met up with me at our private airfield earlier with a little blue suitcase and passport in hand. She looked so ready, and her enthusiasm brought excitement to me as well.

The flight was quiet, not like either of us wanted to talk all that much anyway. She looked out the window most of the time, obviously entranced by the beautiful places unfolding before her. She told me that she had never been to any place tropical before. Her expressions and enthusiasm actually made me take a look with new eyes to realize what I have and often don't appreciate it to its fullest.

Immediately the driver takes our stuff to the house, right off of the parish itself. After dropping off our things, we head to the restaurant to meet with my folks.

"Wait, this is it, right? It's the restaurant you described?" she asks.

I nod, looking at the entrance before me. The veranda's cozy and quiet, and in the background, I see the waves crashing to the shore.

An idyllic picture, and one that helps weather the calm before the storm.

"Correct. Mom and Dad want us to have dinner here with everyone."

"I see. And this is near where you have property, right?"

"Yes. St. George Parish. It's a small little part of the island, not far from here. However, we can do that later."

"Sounds good."

"Ready to go in?" I ask.

"Yes. It's just a little overwhelming."

"Relax. They'll like you."

"I know. I'm sure that they will, but I'm still nervous." she admits.

My hand reaches out, taking hers for a brief moment. I hope the gentle pressure's enough to dissipate her doubts. We step inside, and a little Italian music wafts through the air. My eyes look around, finally finding the table in the back with my parents, along with my Aunt Cassie and Great Uncle Willie.

"Over here."

I walk over with Sara by my side, smiling as we approach.

"Hello there," I begin, waving.

"Hi," Sara manages to squeak out.

My mother's eyes widen a little bit as she places her napkin in her lap.

"There you are! And you really did it. I thought Dad was joking when he said you'd be bringing someone."

"I don't joke about that sort of thing, Mom," I insist.

"I know, but this is just different, even for you."

"It's what you wanted, right?" I reply back. They clamored for me to find a girlfriend, and now they're all sitting here agape and confused when, lo and behold, I bring someone.

My father gets out of his chair and walks over. He gives me a firm handshake, and he turns to Sara, who stands there holding her clutch bag. Her fingers move nervously, and my father's eyes peer down at her for a moment.

"You're the girl, aren't you?"

"Yes. Sara. Nice to meet you, sir."

He takes her hand and holds it for a moment. His eyes look Sara up and down, almost studying her like a specimen.

"Interesting choice, Robert."

He heads back to his chair, and Sara looks at me, smiling nervously. I squeeze her hand a little tighter. My father is like that, even if I don't like it. We take a seat, and immediately the server comes over, pouring wine for the table. My parents talk with Aunt Cassie, and I can barely keep up.

That's how they are. They love to just talk the talk and rarely ever slow down.

"That's exciting! So, you're thinking about moving out here then?" Sara queries.

"Yes," my father replies, taking a long sip of his wine. "I'm thinking now that I've got a sure foundation, it might be good for us."

"Well, I'll show you some of the beaches around here if you two decide," Cassie winks.

"How have you been, Cassie?" I ask her.

She smiles, the Botox clear on her face. Cassie's a bit strange because she moved out here with a guy whom she married for a while, divorced, and somehow managed to keep half his money. I don't know the details, other than her main focus is money and money alone.

"Oh, good. It's wonderful out here. What about you, Robert?" Cassie asks. But I know her queries about me or anyone else are just to make conversation. She really has no interest in anyone but herself.

"Good. Busy as ever."

"I see. And what do you do for a living, dear?" Cassie asks, looking directly at Sara.

Sara leans forward a little bit as she's thrust into the spotlight courtesy of my family.

"Oh, I'm a barista, but I also am working part-time at another job. It's kind of more of my dream."

"Oh. I see," Cassie replies, almost with disgust.

"Interesting. Do you know how to make all of those specialty coffees?" Uncle Wilie asks.

"Sure do," Sara chirps, smiling. "I actually know how to make stuff off the menu too."

"Yes, I suppose it's fine, just settling for grinding coffee beans for the rest of your life," says Cassie, the disdain dripping off her voice.

I look over at Aunt Cassie, whose eyes look away, disinterested in what Sara says.

"Aunt Cassie, Sara's got a lot going on, and she works there to afford other things," I intervene. I can see this conversation may be headed in a bad direction, given Aunt Cassie's attitude already.

"Yes. A woman with no drive. Very interesting."

"But I do have drive." Sara says defensively.

I frown. Hearing Aunt Cassie dismiss her like this is not how I want to see Sara treated.

"Aunt Cassie, I don't think you know her full story. She's working in hopes of affording a better life doing what she wants." I am getting more and more agitated at this mean old woman as the minutes tick by.

"I suppose." And she actually gives Sara a wave off with her hand.

The server comes by to save the day. Thank goodness, because I was this close to going off on Aunt Cassie. We haven't gotten along in a long time. Both of us are at odds, mostly because I never liked her way of thinking when it comes to men. And Aunt Cassie of course, always had something to say about the girls that I brought around.

She did this with Maria, and now she's doing it again with Sara.

After the server takes the orders, he walks away. My father clears his throat and then looks over at Sara.

"Sara, how old are you? Are you in college?"

"I graduated a year ago. I'm twenty-three."

"Oh, that's impressive. What did you major in?"

"Animal behavior and communications. I do want to go back, but I have to handle some student loan debt beforehand."

"And I'm guessing Robert's going to help with that?" Aunt Cassie interjects.

I look over at Aunt Cassie, whose eyes are glued to her phone, and ask: "Why do you think that?"

She puts her phone down and folds her hands together.

"Because she's more than a decade younger than you and in debt, Robert. I get that's why you got together in the first place and—"

"Aunt Cass, drop it. Stop!" I almost yell.

She blinks, her eyes wide. The crow's feet show, even though she's attempted to get work done for them.

"Why should I? She's too young for you. I know that Maria was a little on the young end, too, but—"

"Well, maybe you don't get it," I reply coolly.

The whole table goes silent. I wrap my arm around Sara and flash a fake smile.

"I brought her because she makes me happy. She's driven and determined."

"Yeah, determined to get into that bank account of yours."

"That's rich coming from you, Cass, since you only made your wealth by manipulating a man you married to give you half of his."

The entire table gasps at those words, and Aunt Cass sits there, staring at me.

"That's not how you should talk to your aunt, Robert."

"Sara's a good person, and maybe you should learn to open your heart instead of letting some botched plastic surgery do the talking."

Aunt Cass glowers. Good, let her be mad. I forgot that she would even be here in the first place. She sighs, turning her body away.

Looking at Sara I smile and mouth the words "I'm sorry" hoping to help her through this unpleasant situation.

My mom and dad don't say anything. I clear my throat, attempting to change the subject as best as I can.

"So, Mom, Dad, you're thinking of moving out here? Would be a distance away, for sure."

"Yes. We're thinking about it. But it's still on the table," my father replies.

"Indeed. And I've got to finish a couple of client projects before we do that," he adds.

I smile, ignoring the obvious dirty look on Cassie's face. She doesn't want anything to do with me, that's for sure, and I'm quite glad.

"I'm excited to hear what you decide. And if you do move, we'll visit."

"Yes, we'd like that," my father spits out. I think he missed the "we" in that statement but Sara sure didn't. I think she is totally shell-shocked at this point.

Our food comes, saving the day once again. We eat, but it doesn't stop the angry stares from Aunt Cass and Uncle Willie. Let them be mad. Clearly, they don't really care about anyone but themselves.

Uncle Willie jokes a lot, but he's also a snide trader who made his wealth through shady deals. Aunt Cass is just a weird homewrecker who only cares about dollar signs.

After we finish dinner, they disappear right away. My mom rolls her eyes.

"I'm sorry about that," Mom says.

"It's fine. I've wanted to say that for a while."

"I know, Robert," mom replies. "Are you sure about this though?" She's nodding toward Sara.

I look over at Sara, who's in conversation with my father. I nod.

"Yes, Mom. She's a great person, and I don't want you guys judging her just because she's a bit on the younger end. And I can assure you with no reservations that she is not after my money! That's just not her."

"I believe you, dear. It's just a surprise. But, whatever you do, I'll support you."

I appreciate her words. At least there's someone here who's not being dismissive.

"Appreciate it. Thanks, Mom."

My folks head out, going in the direction of my father's place. He built a summer home that he rents out on this island. I turn, looking at Sara.

"Want to get out of here?"

She sighs with relief, walking over. "I thought you would never ask."

As we walk away, I can't help but feel proud of her for the way she handled such difficult and mean-spirited conversations.

"I hope you know that those are not my feelings in the least."

She smiles, appreciating my support.