Casserole

Toni drove to Coffs in a blur of tears. She was angry more than anything, angry with Richie and had to get away, away from him to settle down and think. She pulled into the parking garage for her Dad’s building and got out and locked her car. She thought she probably should call him and dug in her bag for her phone, it was Travis’s phone she pulled out, that brought on another wave of tears and she wandered around in the garage until she could get herself under control and walked to the elevator.

Michael was just putting the finishing touches on his dinner casserole before popping it into the oven when his doorbell rang.

“Toni…my word what are you doing here in this state, what’s wrong?” He took her arm and led her into his flat.

“Just give me a minute Dad and I’ll talk to you.”

“Would a cup of tea help?”

“It certainly would, thanks.”

Michael put the kettle on and stuck his casserole in the oven.

Toni poured her tale out over a cup of tea; she told him everything including the boat cruise with Travis and Tee.

“You may not like what I am going to say Toni, you’re playing with fire. Travis made his intentions clear to me. I don’t doubt that he’s your friend right now but you must know where it’s leading, you aren’t that naive. He’s waiting for you to decide to leave Richie and if he can help that along he will.

Now as for Richie it comes down to love. How much do you love him, what are you prepared to sacrifice for that love. Children? How important are they to you Toni? And most of all, do you love him enough to forgive him…and mean it.

I don’t think you can compare the two, they’re apples and oranges, and it sounds like that’s what you’re doing. The more time you spend with Travis the more faults you’re going to find at home. You can’t keep doing this Toni, if you love Richie you’re going to have to cut Travis out of your life.”

Toni followed him into his kitchen where his casserole was bubbling as he took it out of the oven. “What have you cooked it smells good?”

“I’m not sure,” he smiled, “but the instructions were found on this packet of noodles. I do get tired of eating out all the time. There’s enough for two.”

“I haven’t eaten anything since sandwiches on the boat. I know you’re right Dad in everything you said, but I’m…I don’t know I feel like I’m caught up in a bad dream and I can’t get wake up. I guess I’m a lot like Mom in that respect, it’s hard for me to just brush it all away and say it doesn’t matter because I love him. It does matter to me.”

“Have you talked to your mother lately?”

“No, I haven’t talked to anybody but you.”

“Maybe a trip home might do you some good. Since the divorce we’ve become rather good friends again.”

“I didn’t know you talked to her anymore.”

“We are adults Toni and lived most of our lives together or at least married to one another. Do you remember Jack Austin? Well it seems he’s escorting your mother about now and she sounds very happy.”

“Wow, I’m glad for her. That’s what I want to be, happy again.”

“You’re welcome to stay here for awhile if you think that would help.”

“I’ll stay tonight, tomorrow I don’t know. I’ve got some thinking to do Dad.”

“You do indeed, now what do you think of my casserole?”