“Look, it’s not definite yet, but it makes sense for us to be on the West Coast. We have to send horses out there so often for filming, making Max more in demand there, and, well, of course there’s you, Harlow.” Her eyes are all misty, so I grab her free hand with mine. “You’re finding your own feet, and I know it hasn't been long, but I can tell you feel something for these boys. Long-distance relationships aren't fun, and we can tell you love Brad as much as we do. We don't want to miss out on everything, and nothing is keeping us here with both of our daughters gone more often than not. Family is what’s important to us.”
“But what about Mr. and Mrs. Boston?” I argue, earning a snort from Melinda and a heavy sigh from Chuck.
“Although it’s probably going to cause some huge drama, I wasn’t planning on inviting them to live with us. I don't think they would be happy in California, so I planned to buy them a small place here—hire them a housekeeper, which hopefully they won’t run off within days, and wish them the best. I know it may seem like it, but I’m not blind to who my parents are, and as much as I wish things were different, I know that they’ll care more about their ‘severance package’ than my absence in their lives.”
“Not that they will be happy with anything we buy for them or any housekeeper we choose, but they’re fucking adults, and I’m sick and tired of paying for them to live above their means. It’s going to be such a culture shock, but I think we all need a fresh start with less toxicity in our lives.” Melinda almost sounds gleeful at the idea of cutting out her toxicity, namely, her in-laws, and Chuck scolds her with a single look.
“Mel is right, no matter how inappropriate her joy is. The way they've treated her and you over the years has gone on far too long, and no matter how many times I say something to them, they don't listen. This is going to be a rude wake-up call.” He looks resigned, but I know they’ve worn away at his good nature. They deserve to reap everything they’ve sown.
“Well, I have to say I am so happy to hear your news. I was just thinking about how hard it would be, moving out to California and not seeing you, but you just solved my problem. Does Max know yet? Does Dad? Dad is going to be so excited when you tell him.”
They both shake their heads. “No, we kind of only came to a decision last night. Melinda will call Max and let her know, and I’m going to call Brad and see if he knows of any places around them that have spaces for horses. Once that’s figured out, I guess we’ll get the ball rolling. We’ll need to put this place on the market and find somewhere for Mom and Dad, and...” Chuck trails off, looking a little lost, and Melinda giggles.
“You worry about finding us somewhere to live on the West Coast, and I’ll worry about getting everything here ready to move.”
“Ah, just one thing.” They both look at me as I interrupt their plans. “Can we wait until I’m gone to tell Mr. and Mrs. Boston? I donotwant to be here when that happens.”
Melinda's face screws up in a pout. “Coward.”
“Yup, and I won’t deny it.”
Jacinta pokes her head out the glass door as the three of us chuckle to ourselves. “Is it safe to come out yet?”
“Get out here. I still haven't had a chance to tell you off for what you did to my girl when she first arrived,” Melinda growls, and Chuck hides his smile behind his coffee cup as Jacinta’s eyes widen. I see her take a step back inside, but Jace gives her a shove from behind, forcing her to stumble out the door. She throws him a look that could kill, but he doesn’t act like it bothers him.
“Jacinta, actions have consequences, and this is one of them,” he says calmly, then he wanders back inside, allowing her to be spanked in private.
Jacinta slowly takes a seat next to mine, her eyes not leaving Melinda. “What were you thinking? I cannot believe that, knowing we raised Harlow, you would still assume she was some gold-digging harlot. I am so disappointed that you allowed your distrust of everyone else to play with your mind and convince you to treat our daughter with such loathing.” She reaches out and grabs Jacinta’s hand, but despite the firmness of her words, the grip is gentle. “We never would have sent someone like that to be a part of your family. We know what all of you have been through, and your lack of trust in us was hurtful. What you did to Harlow hurt us too.”
Damn, Melinda is not pulling her punches, and tears are already streaming down Jacinta’s face. Melinda’s not yelling or being hateful, but I think that’s worse than the alternative. She’s always been so calm when upset, and that makes it all the more difficult. I’ve been on the receiving end of this sort of Melinda talk once or twice, and it’s not something you forget.
“I know that you and Harlow are becoming firm friends now, and she has nothing but nice things to say about you, but I hope this experience also helps you learn not to judge people so quickly in the future. I know it’s hard, honey.” She slides forward and pulls Jacinta into a hug. “Your mother did a real number on you, but you need to know that not everyone is out to get you or use you. Some people will accept you for who you are despite all the money and fame, and they are the ones you need to trust and stay close to. They’re the ones that matter.” She pulls back and wipes the tears from her cheeks. “Now, tell me all about this young man you brought with you. That Southern accent is certainly music to the ears.”
“And that’s my cue to leave. I’m going to call Brad. Mel, make sure you don't forget to call our daughter and let her know the news as well.” Chuck hurries away before any more talk about boys can continue, all three of us laughing at his retreating back.
“What news?” It totally does not go unnoticed that she’s latching on to anything that takes the spotlight away from Jace. Subtle, Jacinta is not.
“Oh no, tit for tat.” Melinda shakes her head. “You tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.”
Jacinta’s emotions are entirely scattered across her face, and it’s just painful watching her work through them. There’s panic, worry, and just plain confusion. It looks like she hasn't had a chance to process everything that has been piled on her in the last couple of days. I grab her hand. “Would you like to tell her your other news for now? I can get it started if you’re not ready to talk yet,” I offer, and she knows I’m not referring to Jace. She nods quickly, no sign of the confident, effervescent woman I have come to know. She’s regressed into a scared, insecure teenager I’m sure she once was.
“Do you know the story of the abandoned property across the road from Brad’s place in California?”
“Yeah, of course, the owner’s son Dragos was best friends with Brad and Chuck. He was a really nice guy. We were devastated when he disappeared. That happened at the same time that Brad was out here with your mom, Harlow. It’s the other reason he rushed home after the two of them split up.”
“Yes, well, it turns out that Dragos was the twins’ biological father. Their mother sold them to Brad when they were younger.” From the guilty look on Melinda's face, I can tell this isn’t all news to her. I guess it’s not far-fetched to assume she knew the latter. “And they’re now heirs to Count Bucataru's fortune.” I go on to explain the Cecelia blackmail situation and how it finally came out, probably getting Melinda’s brain closer to overload with each new detail. But now that I’m in front of her, it all just kind of spills out.
Melinda grabs Jacinta's hand again at the end of the story. “Let me tell you, even though your mother was a raving fucking lunatic, your dad would have wanted you and would have loved you. He would have moved heaven and earth to make sure you were protected from his father and his illegal business practices, and if he couldn't be there for you, then Brad would have been his first choice.”
“So the twins are dealing with the fallout of everything, and I think they’re handling it amazingly.” Then something occurs to me. “Huh, I just realized we’ve both been hit with the ‘who’s your secret daddy’ conversation in the last couple of months. We could be a whole episode of Jerry Springer.”
My joke lightens the atmosphere a little, and Jacinta takes over. “On an easier topic, Jace and I are just friends, for now at least. I told him that I didn’t think starting anything more serious or complicated would be fair while I was dealing with all of this. Pretty sure we all saw how well I deal with change, considering the billboard fiasco. My attention would be split and unfocused, and I’d worry about them being neglected.”
“Them?” Melinda is almost giddy as she asks.
“Ah, yeah… Jace’s roommates and, I guess, lovers. The three of them have expressed an interest in getting to know me better, maybe take me on some dates and see where things might go. It’s not something that I ever really thought I’d have for myself, but if Harlow and my brothers can take a chance on a relationship that’s twice as complicated, I think I deserve to let myself see where it all goes when I’m ready.”
Melinda claps her hands and bounces up and down on her chair like the cheerleader she used to be in high school. “You’re getting a harem too! Now we need to find one for my Max, and then all of my girls will be taken care of, and I won’t have to worry about them.”
