Part 35 (2/2)
”That's good, Bob,” Olivia said and hoped it was true. ”Maritza is worth changing for. She really is.”
”It would be a lot less complicated to just devote myself to her and Gladdie and of course now Daniel and Kitty.”
”Yep. It sure would be easier and I'm going to tell you something. Marriage is a lot more rewarding and satisfying when you have someone you can rely on. But it has to go both ways.”
Bob stopped and looked at Olivia, staring into her eyes as though there was an answer there.
”When did you get so smart?”
”I'm not. Nick is. A good marriage can open your eyes to a lot of things.”
They stopped by Ellen and Gladdie's room. There was Maritza's little girl, sitting in her child-sized chair, wearing a ruffled nightgown, rocking a baby doll. She was quiet and very clearly sad. Ellen was reclining on her bed, reading a magazine. There was no interaction between them. Even though Olivia was not a huge fan of Gladdie's undisciplined behavior, she didn't like what she was seeing either. And it was bad enough that Ellen had come so close to ruining Bob's marriage, but she obviously wasn't good for Gladdie either.
”Great news, Gladdie! Mommy is at Grandmomma's house in Mississippi!”
Gladdie jumped up and clapped her hands.
”Really?” Her face lit up with surprise and happiness. ”Yay! When's she coming home?”
”I don't know,” Bob said. ”I think it might be a good idea to go down there and get her! Do you want to come with me?”
”Yes, I sure do!” Gladdie said, sounding like a very determined adult.
Olivia was very nearly brought to tears by the transformation from despair to joy in Gladdie.
”Okay, come give your daddy a hug!”
He leaned down and she all but jumped into his arms, hugging him tight.
”I love you, Daddy!”
”I love you too, princess! I'll see you later. Okay? Sleep tight!” Bob kissed her on top of her head and put her down.
”Well, it's good that you found her,” Ellen said. ”I'm glad she's safe.”
”Thanks,” Bob said and turned to Olivia. ”All done here.”
”Okay,” Olivia said, ”let's go. Nick is going to love this story.”
They started walking toward the deck to tell the others.
”I want you to come to Mississippi with me,” Bob said.
”Why? I mean, I will, of course, but why?”
”To hedge my bet because she likes you. I don't think she likes me much right now, and I wouldn't blame her if she didn't. I just think I need help with this one. You're my best shot.”
”You know what? You just might be right. But I'm not so sure she still likes me.”
”Oh, I'm pretty sure you're wrong about that.”
When Bob told the story to his guests, they clapped and hooted. The wives were more restrained, but everyone, including Ernest and Betty, was visibly relieved. The horrible thought that Maritza might have been kidnapped and murdered wasn't ever too far from anyone's mind. And the reality was that life could be that fragile. Especially with Bob's net worth.
”This calls for champagne!” Mich.e.l.le said.
”Yes, it does! Get Jack,” Bob said to one of the crew, ”and tell him to notify all the authorities. Ask him to say that she is safely at home. It's not a lie, but at least it won't send film crews to her mother's house. Martha Ann's angry enough as it is. I'm sure they'll think she's in New York.”
”Yes, sir! Mr. Vasile?”
”Yes?”
”When I tell the crew, they're going to be so happy that Mrs. Vasile is safe and sound. I know I am. She was always so sweet to me.”
”Thanks,” Bob said. ”Well, folks? I think this vacation is finally coming to an end.”
”Wait until I tell Roni this one,” Olivia said to Nick.
”Boy, no kidding!” He said. ”Who would believe it?”
The plan was to return to Palma and fly back to Teterboro the next day.
”What about Daniel and Kitty?” Olivia asked.
”They can fly home commercial,” Bob said. ”It won't kill them.”
”Have you heard from them?” Nick asked.
”No,” Bob said. ”They're on the water and probably not watching television, if you get my drift.”
Ernest cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows.
”Oh, don't be such an old p.o.o.p, Ernest,” Betty said. ”You were young once.”
”I imagine so, but young seems like a long time ago,” he said.
The flight back to New Jersey was uneventful. There was such a sense of relief among them just knowing Maritza was alive. Bob couldn't wait to get to Mississippi and talked of nothing else.
”I called her twenty-two times at least. She still won't talk to me. But she'll have a harder time refusing to see all three of us. I'd fly straight there, but I need half a day in New York. You good with tomorrow, Olivia?”
”Of course! I need to spend a little time in my office anyway. Nick and I can have dinner in the city tonight and stay over.”
”Yeah, how's that little pied--terre working out?”
”Little is the operative word. It's fine, really. Anyway, Bob, thanks for an interesting few days, even though it feels like we've been gone for a month!”
”It certainly was interesting,” Nick said. ”Thanks again.”
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