Lost in Flight (38 page)

It felt like everything was happening in slow motion and she was moving underwater.  Her limbs felt heavy and she couldn’t seem to get her body to do what she wanted.  Somehow she’d managed to misplace one of her bridesmaid’s earrings, the ones Mandy had given her and Bonnie for the wedding.

Christina had to cut her search off when she heard Riley growing increasingly impatient in the next room.  She asked if he’d return the earring if he found it and he grunted his response.  They rode in silence to her home and as she opened the door of the truck, he said, “Dina, I’m sorry.” 

She looked at him and her heart lurched.  She nodded.  “Me too.  Are you really leaving now?” 

He shook his head.  “I’ll leave in a few days.” 

She smiled sadly at him and kissed him on the cheek, but he turned his head, catching her lips.  They pressed their foreheads together and choked out goodbyes.  She watched as he drove away, waved, and gave him a watery smile. 

As soon as his truck was out of sight she went inside.  This was no time for sentiment, she told herself, now was the time to be strong.  She only had a matter of days before he was gone again and she was tired of remaining in limbo.  It was time for Plan B.

********************

The day Christina left town, she asked Bonnie to take a detour to the Riley farm.  With an envelope clutched in her hand, she knocked on the door.  Grace Riley answered the door and looked at her with eyes so much like her son’s, it hurt Christina’s heart.  Grace tried to smile warmly at her, but it came off as more of a grimace.  Although the Rileys had been good to Christina, she and Grace had never been close. 

Grace invited Christina in, but she declined, asking Grace if her husband was there too.  Grace went to get him and as she waited Christina pushed down all her fears, and fortified her courage.  When Riley’s parents appeared together, Christina had a moment where she almost turned and walked away.  Riley favored his mother in appearance, but he was like his father in height and build.  Leo Riley towered over Grace, but unlike his wife, warmth and generosity came easily to him.

Taking a deep breath, Christina handed Leo an envelope saying.  “Hi Leo.  In there are divorce papers and demands for settlement.  I’ve been trying to divorce Riley – agh - Nicholas for years, but he refuses to sign the papers.  He’s told me I have to fight him in Court.  I’m aware that Nicholas’s trust comes soon, if he hasn’t signed the papers by then, I’m going for half of everything.” 

The Rileys didn’t respond, but Christina knew her message had been received loud and clear.  Leo’s hands had gone white around the envelope and he looked at her and nodded.  For a moment she felt terribly guilty, but quashed it.

“You’ll need to instruct a lawyer for Nicholas.  I already have one and they’ll be in touch.”  Her farewell was met by deathly silence as she left the Riley home for good.

Chapter Nineteen – Cabin Crew

Christina, Seattle, The Present, Wednesday 10 October 2012

“Earth to Dina, earth to Dina, come in,” Gabby was holding her nose impersonating astronauts and Mandy was staring at her.  “Where did you go?  Just now?  You just disappeared.” 

Smiling, Christina said, “Sorry, I was just thinking.”  

Gabby snorted.  “About who, I wonder?” 

Giving her sister a sharp look, Christina retorted, “It was a “what” actually.”

“Sure,” said Gabby smirking her disbelief.   

Christina and Mandy packed up the boxes of rock chick clothing and made dinner.  Bonnie wasn’t coming over tonight because she was busy, but had promised to spend the day with them tomorrow.  They made enough food for Jed, but when he came home he couldn’t look them in the eyes. 

He thanked them, hurriedly ate his food and went to his room.  Both women looked at each other and shrugged.  Christina hoped Gabby wasn’t giving him a hard time and resolved to find out. 

Mandy hated sleeping alone because she’d been with Dave so long she couldn’t get comfortable without him.  Even though Mandy should be used to it by now with his travelling, she still didn’t like it and would often drag the children into bed with her for company.  This was normal for the two women and they always crashed together if Mandy stayed over. 

They didn’t see each other as much as they liked and it gave them a chance to gossip uninterrupted.  Christina listened as Mandy told her about life in New York, her children, and how she worried about her parents.  Mandy was an only child and her father was sick, and she felt a responsibility to be closer to them. 

Christina was genuinely sorry to hear how sick Eddie Robinson was.  He had always been a fantastic father and one of the best people Christina had ever met.  She’d seen him when she was back in Shanwick, but Eddie hadn’t let on how ill he was. 

As Christina was drifting off to sleep, she heard Mandy say, “Are you sure about this, Dina?  He’s still the guy that married you when you were 18 and refused to divorce you.  I don’t want to see either of you get hurt again.” 

It was all the fears that went through Christina’s mind, but she and Riley were inevitable.  “I don’t know,” she said in the darkness.  “There’s this spark and it’s never really died.  I’ve never loved anyone else and I’m not sure I ever will.  We used to bring out the best in each other, but for so long we’ve just brought out the worst.  Maybe we owe it to ourselves to try and find some kind of balance?”

Mandy stayed quiet, but she hoped that was true.  “He was with a woman in New York for awhile, Dina, nearly two years.  It was pretty serious.  Dave and I thought they’d get married – I know she wanted to.  He broke up with her six months ago for no reason.  At least, he’s never told anyone why he did it.  She’s a nice person and she was pretty heartbroken.”

“Six months ago?” Christina turned to Mandy.

Mandy nodded.  “Yeah.  Right around the time Gabby got injured.  He went with Johnny to Seattle and came back, and broke up with Bianca.  I don’t think that’s a coincidence.” 

Neither did Christina.  “The first time I saw Riley in five years was in Shanwick – last Friday.  This can’t have anything to do with me.” 

“Don’t be so sure about that, Dina.  All I’m saying is he’s a pretty intense guy.  He always has been, and where you’re concerned, he’s never thought straight.  Just – just don’t let this get ugly, but I’m on your side – both of you.  I just want you both to be happy.”

********************

Christina woke the next morning to find she and a fast asleep Mandy with their arms wrapped around each other.  Bonnie was in the doorway grinning lasciviously at them and gave her a wink.  Christina extricated herself from Mandy, trying not to wake her up laughing.  

Bonnie, however, had no such reservations.  Jumping on Mandy she yelled, “Get your raggedy ass up.  We got things to do.”  

After some swearing and grumbling, with Mandy telling Bonnie she was worse than a 100 children, they got ready to go out.  They were off to do girly things today and all of them were looking forward to it.

********************

Riley, Seattle, The Present, Thursday 11 October 2012

“You are
joking
?  Tell me you’re joking?”  Mason Glenn was not a happy man.  Actually, that was the understatement of the year.  Mason was furious.  “You
want
me
to do WHAT?”

Riley ran a hand over his mouth and chin.  “You heard.  I want you to hire Christina’s firm as your lawyers and ask specifically for her to cover our projects in Shanwick.”

Mason stalked around the room with his hands opening and closing into fists.  “Now, why
the fuck
would
I
want to do that?” 

Riley kept calm and said, “Because I’ve asked you to.  I’ll cover the cost.”

Mason rolled his head on his shoulders and closed his eyes.  “Why can’t her family do it?  It’s not like Johnny’s short of money.”

Riley sighed.  “They’re already clients, Mason, and she doesn’t handle any of their work.  She needs a new client – like a company owned by a rich Internet pirate baron with a penchant for trouble with the law.  A guy whose reputation is so bad he needs a makeover before charities will accept his money publicly.”

Mason took Riley’s comments as a compliment and grinned, then recovered himself.  “And where her
ex-husband
is a major investor?  What is this, Riley?  I don’t understand.  I-just-don’t-get-it.  This whole devotion thing you’ve got going on?  I mean – what is it?  Does she double the clutch, do the angry dragon… shoot ping-pong balls out her cavern?”  

Mason’s silver eyes lit up and he came forward toward Riley.  “Is it felching?  The bronco?  Or is she just wickedly kinky?”

The smile died on Mason’s face when he looked at Riley.  Riley stared at him with cold green eyes and said with real menace, “Be
very
careful what the next words out of your mouth are about Christina, Mason.  It’s hard to talk shit with a broken jaw.” 

Mason groaned, raised his arms up, and dropped them to his sides.  “Okay, I’ll do it – not because you’ve threatened me, but because
you
want this.  But I’m not happy about it and it’s under serious-fucking protest.  Just tell me why?” 

Riley looked at him and pursed his lips.  “She needs a job that brings her home until Gabby’s case is settled.  We can provide that.  We also need this.  You know that.  Your current lawyers are douche-bags.  If we want our projects to work and change your reputation, we’re going to have to get a firm with a better profile.”  

Mason stared at him in disbelief.  “You’re delusional.  Are you trying to present this as something beneficial to me?  Because you can’t stop – no you won’t stop – masturbating over Darth Martin?  Unbelievable.” 

Riley shook his head.  “No.  I’m just pointing out facts, Mason.  You know it, I know it -
everybody
knows it.  We need this and so does she.”  Riley smiled and stood up to leave.  “Thanks Mason,” then added casually, “oh, and one more thing, can you wait until she’s back at her office in D.C.?  Like toward the end of the month?”

Mason stared at him in shock and then his mouth went tight.  “You bastard, cock-smacking, asshole, dingus.  You want to wait until you’ve gone for the winter – leaving me with the fall-out?” 

He met Mason’s eyes and smiled.  Mason threw his head back and laughed, and laughed. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” 

Riley raised an eyebrow.  “Play nice, Mason,” but he knew he wouldn’t.  Neither Mason nor Christina had ever played “nice” with one another and he couldn’t imagine they’d start now.

As he was about to exit, Mason said, “Not so fast you.  My turn.  I want a boy’s night out of debauchery on Friday night, with you as my wingman.”  When Riley grimaced, Mason said, “That’s the deal – me, you, women, alcohol, partying – or I won’t do it.” 

Riley was caught.  “Mason,” he started, but Mason smiled an evil grin. 

“It’s my civic duty to provide you with other options, my friend.  You know – so you can still run while the Beast is blind!  But those are my terms, especially if you want me to take on Darth Martin alone while you’re holed up somewhere safe.”  Riley reluctantly agreed, but he wasn’t happy about it.

********************

Seattle, The Present, Thursday evening, 11 October 2012

“Limp Bizkit – “Behind blue eyes”,” Christina said.

“Alien Ant Farm - Smooth criminal”,” Riley replied.

“Jessica Simpson – These boots are made for walking.”

Riley looked at her.  “I didn’t think that was too bad.  You must have been watching something different than me.”

“No.  I was actually
listening
,” Christina retorted.  “I’m pretty sure I know what you were watching.  Tell me, what does a car wash in a bikini have to do with boots made for walking?” 

“Artistic license, it seemed incredibly appropriate to me,” Riley laughed.

Christina and Riley were arguing about the worst song covers ever made in the history of music.  She’d spent the day with her two best friends getting pampered.  She’d had her nails done, her hair cut, and been to the “torture chamber” of wax.  On agreement with her friends, Mandy had gone to stay with Bonnie, so she could spend some time with Riley, but he hadn’t been in contact.  She was just getting ready for bed when he’d turned up at the doorstep and dragged her out.

Riley had wanted to see her all day and didn’t want to wait any longer.  He was going to ring her, but found himself driving over there instead.  He noticed she’d done something to her hair and had her nails painted.  He complimented her and then noticed her pajamas.  They made her look homeless and when he said as much, she laughed. 

He made her get dressed and took her to watch planes again.  This time he was better prepared and brought a flask of hot chocolate, marshmallows, blankets, and pillows for them to watch the planes fly over.  It wasn’t as intense as last time and they were more relaxed in each other’s company.

She looked at him. “Miley Cyrus – Smells like teen spirit.” 

He grimaced.  “Oh that was bad, but what about Rolf Harris – Stairway to heaven?” 

Christina’s eyes went huge.  “Nooooooo.” 

He said, “Uh-huh.  He also did a cover of Bohemian Rhapsody and so did William Shatner.” 

Riley laughed when he saw Christina’s face and she said, “You’re not serious?  That makes me really sad.” 

He grinned.  “You know what will make you feel even worse, watching it.” Riley loaded it on his phone and they sat watching, while Christina pursed her lips. 

“I feel defiled,” she said, “that is so-so wrong.  I don’t know how more wrong you could get and I think it’s really mean of you to show me that.” 

He laughed.  “Hey – you could have turned away,” but she interrupted.  “You know I couldn’t help myself and now I won’t be able to get that out of my head!”

Grinning, Riley said, “I’ve got one better.  Check this out.  Her name is Wing and she does covers of everything from AC/DC to Beyonce.  I discovered her genius on South Park.”