Stripped(72)

“Something on your mind, Chris?” she asked as he stared down at the dark wood table.

“Hmm? Oh, no.”

“You seem preoccupied.”

“Yeah, you do, what’s up?” Reed said, serving Charlotte’s salad into bowls for the three of them.

“I don’t know,” Chris said, shrugging. “I guess it’s this nagging feeling I’ve got. Things are finally good with Abby, and it’s what I’ve wanted since I met her, but something’s bothering me.”

Charlotte and Reed looked at him expectantly, and Chris sighed. He paused, trying to think of the best way to say what he was thinking.

“What is it?” Reed finally asked.

“Irony, I guess. She’s always been insecure and felt like she wasn’t good enough for me. We’re past that, now, but the truth is, I’ve realized I’m not good enough for her.”

“How so?” Charlotte asked, looking puzzled and soon after, worried. “God, Chris, tell me you haven’t cheated on her.”

“No, no, nothing like that.” He looked back at the table, lost in thought for a few seconds. “The thing about Abby is … she’s the best person I’ve ever known. I’m not just saying that because I’m sleeping with her or because she’s beautiful. She’s smart, resilient, and just so … good. She’s been supporting her deadbeat mother and taking care of her brother and two sisters for most of her life, and she doesn’t even see it as a sacrifice. I’m selfish. What have I ever done for someone else that was a sacrifice? I’m so shallow compared to her.”

“Where is this coming from, Chris?” Charlotte asked. “You’re a great person.”

“I get what you’re saying, man,” Reed said. “I felt the same way when Charlotte and I started getting serious.”

“What?” Charlotte turned toward him, looking shocked.

“Yeah, I did, but I never said anything. I had everything I ever wanted growing up, and more. You know, you seemed embarrassed about taking me home to your Mom’s little three bedroom ranch, but honestly, I was embarrassed about taking you to meet my parents on their yacht. It felt so pretentious, especially after meeting your Mom, and having her make us meatloaf and chocolate chip cookies. She worked hard when you were growing up, and she made you into a hard worker, too. You worked your way through medical school. What have I ever had to work for?”

“Reed, I never knew you felt this way,” Charlotte said, covering his hand with her own. He shrugged.

“I guess I got past it.” He turned back to Chris. “I got past it when I realized this was the real deal. This was the woman I wanted as my partner. I wanted her to be the mother of my children. And I try to be deserving of her by being a good husband.”

“Reed …” Charlotte squeezed her husband’s hand as his words sank in.

Though Reed had his quirks, he and Chris had a lot in common. Chris had never understood why Reed had gotten married so young, but he finally did as he looked at him with Charlotte. He’d found the love of his life. Chris hadn’t known what that felt like until it had happened to him.

“Look at it this way, Chris,” Charlotte said. “How does being with you affect Abby? Do you make her happy?”

He nodded, a smile playing on his lips.

“I do. We make each other happy.”

“If you love her and make her happy, that’s all that matters,” she said.

Chris finished his salad and got up from his chair.

“Thanks for dinner, guys. I have to go so I can see Abby before work.”





Abby wandered through the dark, a grin on her face. The blindfold over her eyes blocked out the world as Chris led her by the arm.

“How much further?” she asked, shuffling her feet tentatively.

“Maybe 40 feet. We’re close to the door. Come here, just get on my back and I’ll carry you.”

Abby reached around his neck and hopped up, wrapping her legs around him. She smiled as she pressed her nose to his neck, taking in his woodsy, familiar smell.

“If this place is worth a blindfolded surprise, it may be out of my budget,” she said. Chris had been bursting with nervous excitement about showing her the place he had in mind for her and the girls to move to. He had blindfolded her as they were walking over, just a quarter mile from his apartment.

“I have to put you down so I can unlock the door,” he said, sliding her feet to the ground.

She took a deep breath as the keys jangled, reminding herself to be excited and like the place no matter what. He was so happy about it, and it was so close to his apartment.