Eight

“Wait up.”

Alan halted and turned in Tom’s direction. He waved then waited for him to catch up.

Tom strode to his side and grinned. “You have a bounce to your step. What’s up?”

“I’m off tomorrow.”

“Not me. I have to work. I hate working the full weekend. Sunday’s supposed to be a day of rest.” He gave Alan a grin, as if wanting him to know he knew what God said in the Bible. “Any plans for the weekend?”

“Juli invited me to her house for dinner. I’ve never been there.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No. She takes her time, and I don’t mind that.”

Tom winked. “I hope not too much time.”

Alan didn’t like the sound of his comment. “Just right for me. She’s perfect.”

“So is Megan. I’m seeing her again tonight. She’s quite a woman.”

“I’ve noticed.” The words flew from his mouth before he could stop them.

Tom faltered. “What does that mean?”

Alan tensed, wondering how much to say, but he felt compelled. “You two seem to have dived right into a pretty heavy relationship.”

Tom chuckled. “Jealous?”

Alan shook his head. “Not at all. My dating style is different.”

“Different?” Tom stopped. “In what way?”

“I like to know a woman before I get carried away, and even then I want to respect her.”

Tom drew up his shoulders. “Listen. I respect Megan, and I was honest with her, and I really do care about her a lot. Anyway, she knows what she’s doing.”

Alan wondered if Megan really did know. “I mean respect in a biblical sense.” He placed his hand on Tom’s arm. “I’ve heard you mention the Bible. Are you a believer?”

Tom’s eyes widened. “I believe. . .I believe in God, but I’m not a churchgoer if that’s what you mean. I know Jesus died for my sins, but—”

Alan waited, hoping he’d continue. “But what, Tom?”

“I don’t know. If I sin a little, then I’m forgiven. Right?”

“You’d better start reading that Bible instead of talking about it. You need to be sorry for your sins and repent.”

Tom looked away, his head drooping.

“I don’t want to judge you, Tom, and I think what you do is between you and God, but I also think it can lead to trouble.”

“Trouble? You mean you’re afraid she’ll get preg—”

“I’m talking about friendship.” Alan struggled to keep the shock from his face. “To me, an intimate relationship means commitment. I can’t make a commitment until I know someone’s heart and soul.”

Tom kicked a stone with the toe of his shoe. “I’m not stupid, Alan. I’m not going to get either one of us in trouble.”

“You’re missing the point, but it’s your life. Yours and Megan’s. I think too much of Juli to use her.”

“Use her?”

“I haven’t even kissed Juli on the mouth, Tom. Not that I don’t want to, but I’m giving it time. I want her to know that when I do, it means something.”

Tom held up his hand like a traffic cop. “Stop right there. I’m not looking for marriage. I’m looking for a good time.”

Alan shook his head. “That’s my point. What about Megan? Maybe she expects more.”

“I suppose you’ll open your big mouth to Juli about this.”

“It’s your business. You lead your life the way you want. I just wanted you to know Juli and I were both uncomfortable last Friday with you two carrying on in the backseat. I’d like you to respect Juli at least.”

“Sorry.” He gave another stone a quick kick, and it skidded across the pavement. “I’ll make sure we drive separate cars next time.”

At least Tom would keep his hands on the steering wheel, Alan hoped. “I don’t want to argue with you over this. I’m just letting you know I’ve thought it over, and I wanted to let you know how I feel.”

“Consider it done,” Tom said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “See you Monday.”

Alan watched him stride away and knew he’d caused stress between them, but he cared about Juli, and he knew she’d been ill at ease the week before. So had he. All he could do was hope that what he said might give Tom something to think about.

❧

Juli stared into her refrigerator, eyeing the pork chops. Not only had she invited Alan to her house, but she’d also invited him for dinner. What was she thinking? She usually had Sunday dinner with her parents, and once she told them she was having company, her mother was all over her for details. She thought by the time she’d reached her midtwenties they would see her as an adult, but she had been totally mistaken. Her father still called her his little girl.

She released a stream of breath and pulled the chops from the refrigerator. She planned to bake them in the oven. The oven heat came to mind. Today was too beautiful to turn it on. She’d barbeque, but that meant going into the yard, and her parents would be out there in a flash, probing Alan with questions. All she’d planned to do was drop by for a minute and introduce him to her parents.

For the hundredth time Juli realized she needed to move to her own apartment. She sank into a kitchen chair, knowing the convenience of living close to her work, but—

But what? If she had her own place, she wouldn’t feel so hemmed in. What did Alan think of her still living at home, even if it was separate from her parents’ part of the house? She could only imagine.

“Why did I invite him?” The words sounded in her ears and surprised her. She glanced at the clock, knowing she needed to start cooking. He’d be here soon.

Juli rose, returned to the kitchen, and opened the cabinet. She would make pork chops in mushroom soup. They were always tender and formed wonderful gravy. Alan would be impressed. After searching for a few fruitless moments, she realized she’d used her last can of the soup. Drawing up her shoulders, she opened the door to the outside walkway, followed the stairs to the first floor, and stepped into the foyer.

“Mom?”

The scent of home-baked bread filled the air along with the sweet aroma of something else.

Her mother’s distant voice greeted her. “I’m in the kitchen.”

She followed the lengthy foyer past the staircase, through the family room, and into the kitchen, where her mother stood beside the oven.

“Mom, it’s too hot to bake.”

“We have air-conditioning.” She turned to greet Juli. “You know your father and his homemade bread, and I couldn’t resist trying this new cake recipe.”

“It smells wonderful.” Seeing her mother’s eager look, she knew the cake was probably her favorite.

“It’s poppy seed cake with lemon zest. Your favorite.”

She grasped her courage. “Remember, Mom—I told you I’m having company for dinner today.”

“I know, but maybe you could bring your friend here for dessert.” She gave Juli a broad smile.

Juli’s stomach did a slow dive. “We’ll come down after dinner for a minute.”

Her mother faced her, waving an oven mitt that looked like a pig puppet. “What are you serving?”

The coincidence nearly made her laugh. “Pork chops, but I need to borrow a can of mushroom soup.”

“Pork chops and mushroom soup? On Sunday?” She waved her pig puppet–encased hand again.

“It’ll be good. The chops are so tender.”

“Is Megan coming over?”

“No.”

Her mother stood in front of her, waiting.

Juli looked at the pattern of the tile floor and exhaled. “It’s a person I met at the soup kitchen.”

Her mother’s eyes widened. “It’s not—”

“Mom, it’s not one of the homeless, although that would be a very kind and Christian thing to do. Doesn’t Jesus tell us to—”

“I’m sorry, Juli.” She pulled off the oven mitt. “I know that some of the people have problems and—”

“It’s one of the volunteers.”

“Well, that’s easy. Invite her to eat with us. That makes perfect sense.”

Juli’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. “Him.”

“We always like to meet your fri—” Her mother’s gaze focused on her. “Him?”

Juli put her hands on her hips. “Don’t sound so shocked.”

Her mother began to laugh. “Juli, you so rarely date that I am shocked, but pleasantly so. Your father and I have been worried you’ll end up not finding a husband. You know the Lord said—”

“I know what the Lord said. It’s not good that man should be alone.” She tried to make her voice lighthearted. “But the Bible doesn’t say anything about women.”

“Juliana. Don’t you make jokes about—”

“Mom, I’m sure God knows I’m joking. Don’t you think He has a sense of humor?”

“Well. . . ,” her mother sputtered. “No matter, I’m sure your father would like to meet your friend. Please invite him to dinner. I’m making pasta, and we have the homemade bread and the cake.” She gestured to the oven. “Please.”

Juli swallowed, anticipating her mother’s response to her next question. “Are you using garlic?”

“Garlic? I always use garlic in pasta.”

“Alan has an aversion to garlic. It’s best we—”

“You won’t even know it’s there. I’ll only put in a drop. How’s that?”

Juli held up her hand to stop her mother’s pleading. “I’ll ask him, Mom, but if he seems uneasy, I’ll cook as planned. I’m sorry, but I wasn’t thinking about it being Sunday when I invited him.”

Her mother’s gaze dropped. “Okay. I can’t ask any more of you.”

She could, but Juli hoped she wouldn’t. “Do you have a can of cream of mushroom soup I can borrow?” She eyed her mother’s face. “Just in case.”

Her mother opened the small kitchen pantry, pulled out a can, and handed it to Juli. “Here.”

“Thanks, Mom.” She leaned closer and kissed her cheek then stepped back. “Where’s Dad?”

“He was reading the Sunday paper in the living room, but I’ll guess if you check, he’ll be sleeping.”

Juli took a step backward. “I won’t bother him, then.” She inched closer to the door. “I’ll call you after Alan gets here. Okay?”

“Okay.” Her voice didn’t convince Juli that it really was okay, but her mom was apparently trying to be agreeable.

Easing past the living room, Juli peeked inside and saw her dad tipped back in the recliner, an open newspaper ready to fall to the floor, his eyeglasses skewed to one side from the tilt of his head. She grinned and slipped outside.

As she darted up the stairs, the image of her mother’s face hung in her memory. She didn’t want the day to be stressful, but she’d told Alan she would introduce him, and she would. Juli wondered how Alan would react to her parents and then wondered what they would think of him.

Inside, she faced her refrigerator then tossed her hands in the air and sat on a kitchen chair. If Alan didn’t want to eat with her parents, she would get creative. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but that’s what she would have to do.

❧

Alan turned onto Wildrose Court, amazed at the homes. With Juli’s reticence to let him pick her up, he’d suspected Juli’s parents were hardworking people without a lot of finances, but the surrounding area gave him another perspective. Expensive two-story estates sprawled among rolling hills, pastel-painted stuccos and dark-stained homes with windows that opened to a grand view of the green fields in the valley.

When he spotted Juli’s address, he put on the brake and sat a moment, wanting to turn around and leave just as he’d done at the restaurant. He could never be in Juli’s league. Her family had to be wealthy with a Spanish-style villa with its tile roof and beige stucco. He studied the arched veranda and the wide outside staircase leading to the second floor. Juli’s apartment, he guessed.

He couldn’t run away. Instead he tried to face the truth. Juli hadn’t missed going to college because of funds. She’d followed her father’s wishes and worked in his store. Store? Garlic Garden had to be a massive business. Knowing he couldn’t sit there all night, Alan grasped his good sense and pulled into the driveway.

When he turned off the motor and stepped out of the car, Juli’s voice greeted him. “I’m up here,” she said, waving from the second level. He took the steps to the top, facing her bright smile, but behind it he saw worry.

“Come in,” she said, motioning him through the door.

He stopped his mouth from gaping when he entered. Decorated in Southwest style, the room burst into sunset colors taken from a large painting hanging above the arched fireplace. “This is awesome, Juli. I can see why you don’t want to move.”

“But I must. I realize that more and more.”

Her tentative comment caused him to ask, “Why?”

“I told you on Monday. I need to stand on my own and get out from under my parents’ guidance. I’m twenty-five. Don’t you think it’s time?”

How could he answer that question? He bit the corner of his lip, wishing she hadn’t asked. “I think it depends on the person. I couldn’t answer for you.”

She nodded. “I know, and it’s my answer to the situation. Thanks so much for listening to me at the beach. It was so helpful. I felt you understood.”

“I do. As much as a person can who doesn’t know the whole situation.”

“Today you will.” Her face brightened. “Let’s enjoy the day. Would you like to look around?”

He did, and he didn’t. “Show me the way,” he said, noticing the lavishness of the decor. The more he saw, the more ashamed he was of his small condo. He’d cut corners, even with his good salary, to help his mother.

She led him into her kitchen, where he noticed she hadn’t begun to prepare dinner; then he glanced through the doorway of the other rooms, admiring a private balcony where she could read or sun herself. “It’s a wonderful place, Juli. I’m sure it will be difficult to leave.”

“It will in some ways.”

He watched her expression change and wondered what was coming next.

“By the way, my mom insisted I invite you to dinner in their house. I tried to say no, but my mom is very persuasive.”

His chest tightened. “You mean have dinner with your parents?”

“If you don’t mind. It would make my mom happy.”

Juli had mentioned meeting her parents but not eating dinner with them. He’d already been startled by their wealth, and now he’d have to make conversation. Then he was bowled over by another issue. He’d never told Juli he was a physician. It didn’t seem right telling her in front of her parents.

“Mom promised she would go light on the garlic, but if that’s a problem, we won’t go.”

He started to say it would be a problem, but he saw the look on her face and realized what he had to do. “Will it make you happy?”

“When Mom’s happy, I am.”

Her comment gave Alan great insight. She hadn’t learned to say no. He knew Juli’s faith was strong, and he wondered if the commandment about honoring parents had kept her tied to them so tightly. Maybe she thought following their every wish was honoring them, but honor had a deeper meaning to him. “I’ll be careful with the garlic. It’ll be fine.”

“Thanks. I wanted you to meet them anyway.”

Her face filled with relief while he managed to cover his hesitation. Juli telephoned her mother, and she said they would come then hung up and returned to his side. “They’re ready with hors d’oeuvres.”

Alan hoped he was.

He followed Juli down the staircase and along the veranda to the front door. Inside, the opulent space almost knocked him over. A grand foyer with a large open staircase greeted him when they entered. A tile floor led in a multitude of directions. Alan noticed a dining room to his right with the table set for four places. To his left he glimpsed a sizable living room, and ahead he could see a massive fireplace and assumed it was the family room.

Juli guided him in that direction, and the scent of herbs and beef met him as they neared the kitchen.

“Mom.” Juli halted in the doorway. “This is Alan Louden.” She turned to Alan.” My mother, Grace Maretti.”

“Mrs. Maretti, your home is beautiful,” Alan said, extending his hand.

She wiped her hands on a towel and greeted him. “We’re so happy you’re joining us.” She motioned toward the large window facing the backyard. “Your dad’s outside with the appetizers, Juli. You know how pleased he is with the patio. I’ll give a call when dinner’s on the table.”

One down, Alan thought as he followed Juli into the backyard, again overwhelmed by the view and the size of the house grounds.

Juli’s father rose from his chair and crossed the flagstone with long strides. “Alan, how nice to meet you.”

“Same here, Mr. Maretti,” he said, noticing a spread of fresh vegetables and chips with bowls of dip nearby.

“Would you care for some lemonade?” He gestured to the large pitcher. “Or Grace has some iced tea inside if you prefer.”

“Lemonade is fine,” he said, following Juli to the table for a glass. He put a few vegetables on the plate but skipped the dip, fearing it contained garlic.

Once he was settled, he addressed Juli’s father. “Juli tells me you have a produce shop.”

He sensed Juli’s discomfort, and now he wished he’d told her he’d seen her at the farmers’ market in Monterey.

“We focus on garlic along with gourmet products and a gift shop. Would you believe last year we had over 140,000 visitors?”

Alan drew back, not able to imagine that many people wanting to purchase garlic. “That’s amazing.”

“We own a large garlic farm, as well.” His face filled with pride.

Confusion settled over Alan as he wondered what troubled Juli about her father’s business. He owned a huge farm and an amazing store and had gained wealth from garlic. Alan bit into a celery stick.

Juli gave him a furtive look then turned away.

“I’m impressed,” Alan said, hoping to waylay some of Juli’s concerns. “Juli didn’t let me know how extensive your business is.”

“My little girl’s modest.”

Juli gave an exasperated huff. “Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore.”

Her father just grinned. “To me you always will be.”

She gave Alan a desperate look. “I know,” she mumbled.

Alan saw the tension in her face. He was certain her parents were good people, but they had a firm grip on Juli. Until she let herself do what her heart desired, she would never be free.

“Our son helps run the business. He’s got the business sense—went to college and all that.”

“I’ve heard,” Alan said. “Juli mentioned she didn’t attend school so she could help you in the store.”

“I did all of this without college myself. God gave me good old common sense, and I inherited some land from my father then added a few hundred acres later. Amazing what a person can do with the Lord’s help.” He sent a loving smile to Juli. “She’s a great manager. We’d be lost without her at the store.”

Alan watched the comment knife through the air and stab Juli in the heart. “You’d manage. She’s trained everyone well, I’m sure.”

“Dinner.” Juli’s mother’s voice cut through his comment, saving them from further discussion. Alan sensed Juli was uneasy about what had just happened, and he hoped he hadn’t added to her stress.

When they gathered around the dining room table, Juli’s father offered a blessing, and the food was passed. The salad came first, followed by a pasta dish with a green sauce that made Alan pause. Had this been the pasta that had made him ill?

Mrs. Maretti must have noticed his questioning look. “I hope you like pesto. It’s made with olive oil, basil, and pine nuts, mainly.”

She hadn’t mentioned the garlic, but he thought he caught a faint scent of it. “I’m not sure I’ve had it,” he said, spooning a little on his plate. Next came a bowl of mixed vegetables and large hunks of homemade bread. He took a forkful of the pasta and enjoyed the delicious flavor. If it had garlic, it wasn’t overpowering. Alan was thankful for that. While they ate, Juli’s father talked about garlic. Alan learned about types of garlic, including California early and California late, the most common. Mr. Maretti detailed the planting and growing of garlic and explained how to break the bulbs into cloves. Alan had become an authority over a twenty-minute meal.

Mr. Maretti used his fork to make a gesture. “Did you know garlic is a bulb of the lily family?”

“No. Really?”

“It’s also related to the chive and onion, but now that doesn’t surprise you. Some garlic is flowering and edible.”

Alan began to panic. He didn’t know if it was too much information or if he was becoming ill. He felt a tingling sensation along his limbs, and he began to itch.

Mr. Maretti’s voice faded in and out. “Did Juli tell you she was the Gilroy High Garlic Queen the year she graduated? It was—”

“Dad. Please.” Juli’s voice split the air. “That’s enough about garlic.”

She looked at Alan, and her eyes widened.

Alan gasped for breath.

“Are you okay?”

Juli bounded from her chair and darted to him. “Alan, you’re sick.” She turned to her father. “He can’t breathe. Please call 911.”