Meeting Shelly

Part 16

Avi didn't seem interested in the answer, but I was going to answer just about everything she asked. "I have been in love with the group since the sing-off, to be honest."

"And now?"

I wanted to warn her but I wisely bit my tongue.

"They still sound good, but it feels like they are missing something. Heart, soul. It's just not the same. I still listen, but the arrangements just aren't what they used to be."

"I think so too. I wish sometimes it would have all worked out but, I really like knowing when he's going to be home and getting those random phone calls in the middle of the week when he's halfway here just to say hello. Did you kids go out to visit the trees? You said you'd be away from your phone for a bit, Avi. Is that why?"

"We did." I smiled. I was still doing that a lot and it felt good.

"It was beautiful. I've been living out here for so long but had never been there before. There's a lot of California I have never seen. Gives you perspective." Talking to Shelly was much easier than I thought it would be. I knew there had to be some harder questions coming.

"True. There is still much of it that I haven't seen. I don't think Avi has taken you out to the Sage and Stone yet, have you?" She turned those wonderful knowing blues eyes on me.

"No. I have not yet. But I will. I'll let you know." I smiled at my mother and looked at Lizzie to spy how she was doing. She seemed to be doing quite alright.

"That sounds beautiful. My work schedule is flexible enough that planning these little trips is fairly easy. I am thankful for the life he leads now." I took a few bites of my lunch and sipped my tea to occupy my mouth so I didn't say something stupid.

We hit a quiet lull that gave us time to just eat our food and drink our drinks. Our cups were refilled and our food was almost gone when I heard the voice of one of my mom's oldest friends. She smiled at my mother and looked over at Me.

"Dear Avriel. You're home!" She was the kindest woman, next to Momma, that I had ever known. She'd known me all my life. I sincerely hoped she didn't mention that she used to change my diapers and watch over me when I was younger. I gave her the hug a second mother deserves and introduced her and her husband to Lizzie.

"Lizzie this is Maggie and her husband Bill. She's my second mom. Maggie, Bill, This is Lizzie, my girlfriend."

"Oh, you brought a beauty home to meet your mother. Must be serious." Her wink and smile was the best. She turned warm brown eyes on Lizzie and gave the same warm loving smile. "Hello, Lizzie. It is an honor to meet you."

She opened her arms for a hug from Lizzie while I turned to Bill. He wrapped me in a tight hug. "My boy. How have you been? It's been too long."

It was another nice, warm, motherly hug. "It's nice to meet you too." I had a feeling that bringing a girlfriend home was not something Avi did much.

"It's so wonderful to see you, Avi. Please say you'll be in town a while and can stop over for a visit. There's so much I wish to tell you."

"Unfortunately we're just here for today. I got to get back to the studio and lay some tracks. I wish I could." Her crestfallen expression damn near broke my heart.

"Go on. Go catch up with them Avi. They see you less than Pappa and I do. We'll be fine here." I looked at my mother who practically dismissed me, in complete and utter shock. "It'll be fine." She said to my open mouth. "You can order your cobbler at their table. I know you want to order it."

I looked at Lizzie and raised my brows and smiled softly. "I'll be right over there." I pointed to the table Maggie and Bill had been led to. I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Momma, will you send my cobbler and ice cream over please."

"Of course, honey."

"Okay. We'll be fine." My nerves kicked in again. I had just lost my security blanket. I had a feeling the real questions would come out now and I was about to meet the 100% real Shelly Kaplan. At least I got dessert.

She smiled at me and laughed lightly. "He's a popular boy. Sometimes I think too popular."

"Yeah. He's a good heart and they tend to draw others like a magnet. You raised a very special man, that one." I took a deep breath. "So, dessert?"

"Yes, thank you. He has the biggest heart. It gets him into trouble. Sometimes he trusts too easily and when he shouldn't. Yes, dessert. He loves cobbler of any kind but he loves the homemade peach here the best. Loves it even more than my own I think. Do you cook?"

"We should split an order then." Was that aimed at me? I hoped not. I agreed with her though. "Very little, I'm afraid. He has taught me a few things, but he does most of the cooking. At his place and at mine. Including ordering my groceries. I swear he takes better care of me than I do." I chuckled softly.

"Is he taking care of himself? I worry about him a lot these days. Though I am very proud of him for making the changes he has in his life. Oh, he'll want his own serving, but if you are not too terribly hungry we can split one. I really like the blackberry or the triple berry. They do such a great job here with them. I'm glad he takes care of you so well. He's a good man. A lot like his father. Don't tell him though."

"Triple Berry a la mode sounds good to me." I sat for a minute. "He is for the most part. He could do with cutting some things out of his life still, but he is doing well. I have never spent so much time with anyone like him."

She quietly placed our order and explained where Avi's dessert needed to go. "Like what, Sweetie? I know what I'd love for him to cut loose."

It sounded like maybe we were on the same page. It was just a feeling I had. I took a chance. "It's basically the one thing we disagree on. I think he gives his ex a little too much slack, but I guess it's not my place to say." I shrugged and glanced in his direction. He was laughing at something. I hoped he was far enough away that he couldn't hear us.

"He has a big heart and that was a lot of hurt. He is so patient with people it is quite amazing. But he will hit his limit. Your patience with him just has to hold on until he does. Avriel has always been one that has to do things his way. Even when he was still in diapers. Speaking of his way--"

We were definitely on the same page as far as Aleen goes. I didn't want to come off sounding dumb, but I wasn't sure what she was getting at. "Hmmm? His way about?"

"Everything. He doesn't bend much, but he does when he knows it is the right thing to do. How are you two getting along?"

"Oh. Pretty well. He's not really public about us, but I don't need him to be. We spend more time in than out. I have met some of his friends, but he hasn't met any of mine." I thought for a minute. "I haven't told my parents about him yet, but hopefully I can soon. He doesn't let me pay for much, even though I try and we live in separate spaces even though we spend almost every night together. I have never been in a relationship like this before and I definitely don't understand the fame side of things, so if he needs to take the reins for a bit, it's fine by me."