Page 131 of Perfect Three

They decided, as the club complex was closed Monday and Tuesday, it would be the perfect time for the boys to move in.None of them wanted to wait.Sebastian usually had his Outreach program meeting each Tuesday, but this Tuesday and the next it had been postponed because he’d arranged a trip to the outback for the older kids in the program with a group of local elders.

Jack knew that Walt’s brother had a truck, and he’d rung him to see if they could borrow it.When he told Walt why, Walt volunteered to help, and to drive the truck.

Earlier in the day, the three had gone to the local supermarket to restock Lucy’s empty pantry.Then on Sunday afternoon, the men and Lucy organized her dressing room.It was huge and there was plenty of room, but she wanted the tallboy in there rearranged so they could fit the one the men owned in as well.

The two left early Sunday night to sleep at the apartment so they’d have an early start on packing and the move.

When Walt turned up at the apartment, he dropped a bombshell—he and his girlfriend had gotten engaged and were looking for a place to rent.He wondered if there was any chance the guys would rent out the apartment.

Sebastian had turned to Jack, who nodded.They both thought it would be perfect.Neither wanted to leave it empty and to have a friend in it rather than a stranger in view of its location was perfect.Walt’s girlfriend was a teacher at the local high school so for them it was the ideal location.She’d be able to easily walk to work if she wanted, and Walt only needed to wander down the stairs.

By late Tuesday afternoon, the men had settled in, all the furniture they wanted to bring had found a place at Lucy’s, and the little that remained had been left in the apartment for Walt to use.

After dinner, they were sitting in the parlor relaxing when Sebastian cleared his throat.He said seriously, “Lucy, I think we have to speak to your daughter.I know none of us want to, but I think we should.”

“No!”Lucy was adamant.She wanted nothing to do with Allison.

“I’m sorry, Lucy, but we have to.”

Her voice was strained as she said forcefully, “No, I will not!”

Sebastian took her hand.His fingers stroked her cheek.“Lucy, we have to do it.”

“Why on earth do we?I can’t forget what she did.”

Sebastian gave her a gentle kiss.“None of us can forget, Lou, but pretty soon we’ll be married.We’re living here now.We’re a family.You’re going to have to face her sooner or later.You need to see the grandchildren soon.I think we should go back to the usual Thursday meals and ask them to come over this Thursday.Let’s get this over and done with.”

Lucy knew she looked dismayed.She was close to tears at the thought of seeing Allison.How could she face her in light of everything?She knew in her heart that Sebastian was right, but it didn’t help.

She turned to Jack.“Do you think the same way, Jack?”

“Yep, I do, Lou.Seb and I discussed it last night when we were packing.Let’s face it, you’ll be seeing her whenever you see the kids.Do you want to spend the rest of your life ignoring her?It would be best to clear the air now rather than wait too long.She’s rung here a few times begging to speak with you.You’ve got to do it.”

Sebastian nodded.“Geoff’s rung me, too.It’s time.”

Lucy’s voice was hesitant.“I guess so.”She wasn’t confident on the outcome of any attempt at reconciliation.

Sebastian got up and went into the kitchen.He came back with the phone and told Lucy to ring now.

“Do I have to do it this minute?”she whined.

He snorted with amusement and said, “Yes.”

She roughly grabbed the phone and angrily hit the number for Allison, glaring at Sebastian the whole time.When Geoffrey answered, Lucy’s huge sigh of relief echoed.She flicked on the speaker button so they could all hear the conversation, telling Geoffrey she was fine when he asked and sounded so concerned.She told him her reason for phoning was to see if the family could come over on Thursday for the usual meal.

“Are you sure, Lucy?”He sounded very surprised and a little doubtful.

“No, but I guess I have to face her sometime.Anyway, I want to see the kids, it’s been almost two weeks.”

“Only if you’re sure, then we’ll be there.I’m on day shift, so we can be there around four-thirty or five.”

“Okay.”

Geoffrey’s voice held promise.“It will be okay, Lucy.It’s better to get it out of the way.”

“So everyone keeps telling me, and I guess you’re all right.It’s ...well, it’s hard.”

“Don’t worry.We’ll all be there to support you through this.Believe it or not, Allison is a changed woman, for the better.I think she’ll be overjoyed to come, to seeallof you.”

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