Page 44 of Coral Memories

Stairs creaked and footsteps shuffled across the living room floor. When Heather appeared in the doorway still wearing her beach-themed pajamas, Ginger looked up.

Instantly, she could see something was troubling her. “You’re up early. Ready for coffee?”

“Please.” Heather plunked herself in a chair and leaned her head on the table. Her tangled, dark blond hair spilled over her arms.

Ginger poured a cup and placed it in front of her, waiting for her to share her problems, as she often did. Heather and Marina were close, too. Still, Ginger enjoyed listening and offering advice when she could. That was part of the joy of being thematriarch of the family, a role she relished, although it hadn’t always been easy.

After her graduation in a few months, Heather would marry and leave. Once again, the cottage would be quiet. At least having the cafe nearby gave Ginger a social outlet.

She joined Heather and opened her laptop, adding to her document until Heather was ready to talk. With so much business online, from banking to managing healthcare, seniors needed guidance accessing websites and making safe transactions.

She also emphasized caution because there were many scams. She advised people not to click through unexpected emails from banks but to go directly to the site. And not to give out sensitive details over the phone—they should call the company directly. She paused, thinking of other tips she could add.

After Heather had a few sips of coffee, she heaved a long sigh. “Got a minute to talk?”

Ginger closed her computer. “What’s on your mind, dear?”

Heather rubbed her hands over her reddened eyes. “Blake and I had a long talk last night, and I don’t know what to do. Mom and Jack drove to Orange County to meet his parents at some out-of-the-way cafe Blake said they never go to. Like they were embarrassed to meet them.”

Her voice caught. “And then, his dad started talking—didn’t even let them order anything to eat, even though they had invited them for dinner—and made some outrageous claim about Blake already being engaged to someone else.”

Ginger was shocked and sorry to hear this. “That sounds quite rude, but Blake isn’t responsible for his parents’ boorish behavior.” Marina hadn’t mentioned this yet, but they’d both been busy.

“He said it’s mainly his father. His mom supposedly apologized. They don’t get along very well.”

“And you still haven’t met them?”

Heather shook her head. “Blake says they’re always busy, but now I’m wondering if this is why he didn’t want me to.”

“Sadly, not every family is close.” Ginger lifted a lock of Heather’s hair before it dipped into her coffee. “What did Blake have to say about this claim they made?”

“He totally denies it. He said he dated her in high school, but that’s long over. Ten years ago. But she still likes him, and their parents have promised them huge inheritances if they get married. Something about taxes and partnership agreements that I don’t understand. Priscilla is her name. She’s all for it, but he’s not.”

“Sounds like an arranged marriage.” Ginger didn’t think Blake was the type to agree to that. “Do you think the inheritance is important to him, or might be someday?”

Heather chewed her lip for a moment. “Blake says he doesn’t want any part of that scheme. He can support himself just fine. His father has threatened to disinherit him if we marry, but Blake doesn’t care.”

Ginger nodded, piecing together the story. “It sounds like he has thought it through.”

“I can’t imagine someone turning down a huge windfall, though.” Heather sniffed. “Blake says that when you grow up like that, it’s just stuff. He wants to be happy.”

“I can understand that. He certainly seems to be with you.”

With a frown, Heather asked, “But what if he regrets that decision someday?”

“None of us can project into the future, and nothing is assured.” Ginger fell silent for a moment, recalling when her world fell apart. “In life, we must trust each other and take chances. If you truly love each other and keep the lines ofcommunication open, you have an excellent chance. Blake didn’t choose his parents.”

A tentative smile bloomed on Heather’s reddened face. “I want to believe him.”

“Has he shown you any reasons why you shouldn’t?”

“Only this incident with his parents.”

“Which is out of his control. Don’t let them destroy your relationship as they have destroyed their own. Some people feel unworthy of happiness, so they inflict that on everyone around them, too. Keep your distance, and don’t let them.”

“Sounds easy, but I don’t think it will be.”

Ginger stood and wrapped her arms around Heather’s shoulders. “You’d be surprised what a strong statement the single wordnois.”

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