Family Ties — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

”

“You really know me, don’t you?”

“As well as anyone does,” I said. “You’re human too, after all.”

She laughed softly. “I appreciate that. It’s easy to forget when I hear what guys like Jerry Falwell say on the news about people like me.”

“Don’t even get me started about that guy. Self-righteous asshole is about the nicest thing I’ll say.”

“Moving on,” I said. “We could spend all night talking about the hypocrites and prudes in the Moral Majority.”

“No kidding. So… this woman they introduced me to. I kind of like the idea of some no-strings-attached fun, but I’m a little worried, too.

“What if you get attached?”

“Right. Still… it’s exciting.”

“Sounds like it. Are you going to see her again?”

“As a matter of fact… Max bought a bunch of my newest prints, and she’s having a private show next week. The friend and new girlfriend and daughter will be there.”

“I told you…” She laughed too. “So, that’s what’s going on in my life.

What’s your story? Did it go well with Christy’s family?”

“Well, we’re officially boyfriend-girlfriend now.

“So that’s a ‘yes.’”

“So far, so good.” I told her the highlights of my Thanksgiving with the Carmichael clan.

She reacted predictably to the parts about my fight with Rich and the ongoing macho one-upmanship. “Typical.” And she was amused by how Anne seemed to run the entire show with a quiet hand behind the scenes.

“Most guys never give women enough credit.”

“Oh,” I said, “I think Christy’s dad knows what her mom’s doing.

They’re a partnership.

“Maybe you’re right. Totally different from what I grew up with. And just so you know, if I ever sound like I resent your little princess, it isn’t personal. It’s ’cause she grew up with a perfect life and perfect parents.”

“No one’s perfect,” I said gently.

“Yeah, but some of us got the really fucked-up end of the spectrum.”

“Oh, so you think we’ll be lifelong friends?”

“You’re a smug son of a bitch when you’re right.

“I’ve been told a time or two,” I said with a grin.

“So… things are going well with you and Christy?”

“Yeah, I think they are.”

“You still haven’t told her about the nudist camp and the swinging, though, have you?”

“Those are some big-girl steps.” She laughed at the understatement. “Do you think she can handle it?”

“That’s a change. You were pretty worried before.