Читать книгу A Bet Turned Deadly - Alice Zogg - Страница 5

I was awake long before the alarm clock went off on Monday, April 1, the day of our departure. The date marked the 10^th anniversary of my mother’s passing and - - as with every 1^st of April in the last decade - - evoked guilt, regret, and most of all anger in me. If I hadn’t taken a wrong turn and lost my sense of direction that night on the drive to UCLA Medical Center, I’d have arrived at her deathbed in time and been given a chance to reconcile. As it stood, she died with a lot of hostility between us.

I glanced over at Tala, still sound asleep, with appreciation. She was the best thing that had ever happened to me. Beautiful, caring, down-to-earth, and wise beyond words. My only unfulfilled wish was to start a family. We had not been ready to have kids for a long time after we were married, and only began considering the idea a couple of years ago. And now it wasn’t happening. There was still plenty of time before Tala’s biological clock would give out, so I tried not to be concerned.

The alarm sounded and Tala stirred, murmuring “You didn’t sleep well?”

“It’s the 1^st of April.”

“I see.”

“I know you think I’m being ridiculous.”

Wide awake now, she switched on the nightstand lamp, sat straight up in bed, and looking me in the eye, stated, “Let it go! You’ve tortured yourself long enough. So your mother died before you could make peace. It’s a fact of life and fretting over it is not going to change anything. And who would have expected her to die of complications from pneumonia in the first place? I never understood why you were only notified after her condition worsened and she was placed in ICU.”

Not missing a beat, she continued, “Another thing you don’t seem to be aware of, what makes you so sure that she would have acknowledged your attempt at reconciliation?”

“Oh, I’m positive she’d have accepted my apology.”

“Apology for what, James? Could you possibly apologize for having a different view from hers on just about everything, starting with personal ethics all the way to politics?”

She did not wait for an answer and went on, “And what about the main issue? Her biggest gripe was with me. She didn’t approve of me, having set higher aspirations for her son than marrying a mere Filipina nurse. She despised me from day one. After all, I was to blame for your breaking off the engagement with the woman she favored. The fact that I’m Catholic didn’t help either. Face it, James, she was a rich bitch, believing that she could change your mind by cutting you out of her will.”

I did not comment, knowing deep down that she was right.

Tala suddenly leaned toward me, and offering a kiss, said, “I’m sorry about your mom, but this guilt obsession of yours seems to get worse as time passes. You have no cause to feel guilty. Get it out of your system.”

She kissed me again and said, “Cheer up, already.”

I gave her a halfhearted grin.

Then, straightening and getting out of bed she stated, “Now, let’s get ready for that big camping adventure of yours!” She added, “Wear my favorite blue polo shirt, the one that brings out the deep blue of your eyes.”

I perked up and said, “I’m so glad you’re able to take the week off and decided to come.”

“Well, I’m counting on a relaxing time to focus on our efforts in the baby-making department!”