Chapter 10
Hilda knew it was a long shot but she had to try. She drove through the park slowly. Just as she was about to give up she saw a primitive camping sign. At the very back, sitting by itself next to a small tent she found what she was looking for. As she parked and walked toward the tent her heart was pounding.
"Anyone home?"
There was no reply. She knelt and unzipped the tent and looked inside. There was nothing but a single sleeping bag. Hilda closed the zipper and walked back to her car and drove away. When she got to the tower she parked and climbed the stairs. Dennis was standing with his back to her looking out the window. She walked up a few feet behind him and stopped.
"It's a beautiful view. I was here a few days ago with my lover," she said softly.
He turned quickly to her. "Very beautiful. How did you find me?"
"I thought were I might go to say goodbye. This is where I would have come."
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"To convince you not to say goodbye and tell you I love you."
"I love you too, but...."
She stepped closer and put her arms around him. "Shush, kiss me."
Their lips met and they kissed like long lost lovers.
"Hilda, this is just making it that much harder."
"Dennis, my husband's comments were based on his lack of understanding. He was so busy dipping his wick he didn't bother to get to know your family. He's explained it all to your Mother and to Debi and apologized. They accepted his apology and have forgiven him. When Julia explained why you left he was beside himself. He feels horrible. He needs to talk to you so he can try to get you to forgive him. What he did hurt every one of us, Lina and Gretchen included. None of us want to lose you, especially me. And I know you don't want to lose us. Please come and talk to him."
"Hilda, in the month since we met there have been three times something has happened to ruin it. All three times it's been Richard who's triggered it. How many more times do we go through this?"
"This is new to all of us. Richard has a sex life now like he's never even dreamed of. He's like a kid in a candy store except rather than a sweet tooth he's dealing with a greatly increased libido. We all are, for that matter. But for him, with his propensity to occasionally put his foot in his mouth and his increased sex drive, it's been confusing. He's been a responsible, loving and caring man for as long as I've known him and still is. He cares about us, all of us. And that includes you too. Richard has gotten a taste of of something that he loves but it's going to take a little time for him to learn to digest it. He doesn't want to give it up any more than the rest of us do. We're all living a fantasy with people we love. Come back to us. Richard is more than willing to share me with you. In return I share him with the rest of the women in our group. We're both happy with that. So were you two days ago."
"Hilda, you're right. I was happy with it. Giving you up isn't something I want. What if this happens again?"
"It may happen again but we all need to communicate better. That's what this has been about all three times we've had issues. The first time was Richard's stupid comment and me over reacting to it. The second time was when Richard and I both failed to communicate the rules to Debi. This time was another couple of poorly stated comments based on a lack of knowledge on Richard's part. Communication, or lack of it, has been the problem. We're going to have to address that together. We can. We don't have to give this up. We don't have to give each other up."
"I'll talk to Richard. I'm not making any promises but I will talk to him."
"I can't ask for any more than that. He's at home."
"No, not there. It should be someplace public. Our last meeting didn't end on a high note."
Hilda laughed. "You broke his nose."
"I know, I felt the crack. Is he okay?"
"It's taped for a couple of weeks and he's got a nice shiner, but he's fine."
"Sorry. It was his comment about my Mom that brought that on."
"He knows that and regardless of whatever else happens that will never happen again. When can you meet with him?"
"It'll take me about an hour and a half to get back to town. I need to pack up my stuff first. Can you ask him to meet me at the coffee shop?"
"I'll call him before I leave. Can I give you a lift to your truck?"
"Please," he replied.
"It'll cost you a kiss," she said, smiling.
He grinned. "I think I can handle that."
After their kiss she drove him to his campsite and dropped him off. Before leaving the park she stopped and called Richard.
"Richard, Dennis would like to meet with you in about an hour or so at the coffee shop. Don't say anything to the girls about it."
"I'll be there. Are we still having our talk with the girls today?"
"Yes, but call me before you come home. You and I need to talk before that."
"Why don't you come to the coffee shop and meet with us?" Richard asked.
"This needs to be between the two of you. Call before coming home."
"I will. Hilda, I'm going to make this right."
"I know, baby. I love you."
"I love you too?" he replied.
After hanging up the phone she called Julia and they talked for about ten minutes. Hilda drove home and the girls told her that their Dad had run an errand.
When Dennis arrived at the coffee shop Richard was sitting outside waiting at one of the tables. Richard stood smiling as Dennis walked up then offered his hand. Dennis took it and they shook hands.
"I'm sorry about your nose."
"I deserved it," Richard said, returning to his chair.
They talked for about twenty minutes before parting ways. Richard called Hilda after their meeting and discussed the meeting with Dennis and what they would say and not say to their daughters Hilda called Julia as soon as she got off the phone with Richard. Dennis headed home and received a warm welcome from his mother and sister. After a shower he went to Debi's room to talk.
"Welcome home, asshole," she told him.
"Thanks, good to see you too."
"Look, I understand your need to get away but, damn you, at least have the common courtesy to say something."
"I left a note," he replied.
"And your phone. That's a pretty shitty way to treat people who care about you."
"Debi, I'm sorry. I needed to get away to think, alone. I talked to Richard and Hilda a little while ago."
"Richard came over and apologized this morning."
"He told me," Dennis replied.
"So are you guys good now?"
"Yeah, he didn't understand about Mom's work. He really wants to patch things up. He even told me I could be with Hilda anytime she and I wanted."
"You're shitting me, anytime?"
"Well, almost anytime. He did ask that I not come over between eight pm and seven am on Monday through Thursday."
"That's weird, why?"
"He wants her to himself after work."