Toe to Toe
Michael Stanley pulled up to the gate at Glenridge Station and stopped, the gate opened and he drove up the winding road to the main house and parked out front. He was already exhausted from talking to Richie for half an hour and now this…Travis McGee.
Travis had already talked to his father and his mother about what was going on with Toni this morning, he’d told them about the boat ride and the pictures. They both looked at each other confirming what the other thought, Travis was involved with Toni, to what degree they didn’t know. They decided they would make their presence known and meet her father and then go about their business down at the house Travis was having built for them.
Travis wanted them to stay but neither of his parents wanted to get involved with Toni’s leaving her husband. Travis walked out on the front porch and met Michael.
“G’day Michael, sorry about the circumstances, come on in. This is my mother and father I don’t know if you met them at the BBQ or not, this is Michael Stanley, Toni’s father.”
“I do remember you Mr. Stanley,” Bill McGee shook his hand.
“So do I, it’s good to see you.” The McGee’s made their apologies and left. Travis led Michael into the lounge. Michael always noticed his surroundings and found the room to be large, spacious and comfortable without any pretense or display of obvious wealth. The TV was on and Travis picked up the remote and turned it off.
“Michael, is it alright that I call you Michael? I want to apologize for my behavior the last time we met, I’m afraid I was deep in the bottle at that time. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. I had a talk with Kyle and he’s picking up Toni as we speak.”
“It’s been a rather distressing morning for all concerned. I’ve just spent the last thirty minutes with Richie. He’s angry and rightfully so. I’m not really sure what is going to happen with Toni and Richie but I think some time apart might help them to come to terms with each other.” Michael noticed he looked a lot better than the last time he saw him. Clearly sober and on his toes.
Travis lit a cigarette, “Toni heard at least part of that conversation, that’s why she left. I didn’t know what else to do but send Kyle after her; I couldn’t go not with the paparazzi at the door. I told her she could come here and either stay or leave with you.”
“Surely you are not proposing she stay here Travis. That is out of the question.”
“That’s up to her, she’d be safe here, they’ll hound her in Coffs, the paps, they’ll find out eventually who she is. I’m assuming you’ve seen the shit online.”
“Yes I have, it’s disgraceful. To have her drug into your divorce whether in the courts or in the newspaper is outrageous.”
“I totally agree. You see, I tried to do the gentlemanly thing and let Jan divorce me, because I don’t give a damn about my reputation. I do give a damn about Toni’s. I could have been an asshole and charged her with adultery and named your son in law as the culprit. Depending on how reasonable she wants to be about the whole thing, I’m sitting on that story. I will expect her however, because she knows the people and has the clout to deny the reports that there was another woman and if she doesn’t do that pretty soon then I’ll bring out my guns.”
“This whole thing is going to get nasty before it’s over.”
“I don’t want it to, I’m trying to avoid that, I’m also right now trying to protect your daughter from further damage.”
“Why have you taken that upon yourself, why you?”
“Who the hell else can, Richie’s turned her out.”
“He hasn’t not really. He’s angry right now.”
“Yeah, how many lawsuits has he threatened today to save his wife’s name from appearing anywhere in print, how come she’s hold up in a damn bathroom in Starbucks waiting for rescue.”
“And you came to the rescue.” Michael sat back in his seat and looked at Travis, either he was genuinely trying to help or he was a very clever devil. “Are you in love with my daughter?”
Travis stared back at him, “I’m not ready to answer that question.”
“I think you already have.” Michael replied.
