Chasing Mr. Carlton ( The story of a Shrew's Son)

Part 50

Why did it feel like Bobby was always at a party?

Because the Carltons loved to celebrate that for some reason they were unable to do any of it if she wasn't overlooking it all. She wondered what they did before she came along... probably overpaid to have half a dozen people running around, pretending to be very busy with work that could easily be managed by one single person.

Like today, she arrived early, oversaw the caterers and when the party planner did show it, it was pretty much left in her hands. Bobby always kept a tight eye on the planners, making sure they didn't spend unnecessarily. The Carltons might be able to afford all the luxuries in the world, but Bobby knew they weren't about waste either.  Now she watched as they greeted every person that entered the room individually, some press members but mainly employees and friends.

Nora was beautiful, she looked absolutely breathtaking... timeless and Brian watched her constantly, barely seeing anyone else in the room. She'd watched them descend into the large room, watched how they laughed together, moved together and then as they danced together. She could almost picture them, 30 years before, young and in love. The years didn't' touch them and she'd become convinced that it didn't matter how much time passed, they'd always be young and beautiful.

"I know, right?" She heard the voice from beside her say and she turned to find herself face to face with Vada Carl... Peroni. They two women were just about the same height, with Vada being only a little more than an inch taller.

"Hey, I didn't know you were coming." Bobby said with a slight frown. She made it a point to know everything about these things.

"Well, it's not your job to know these things anymore." Vada said with a big, gleaming smile.

"That doesn't matter." Bobby said, looking back towards Nora and Brian.

"They'll never grow old and they'll never stop seeing anyone but each other." Vada said as she turned back towards her parents.

"It's amazing." Bobby said softly. "How do they do it?"

"As far as looking THAT fantastic, I won't lie and say the money doesn't help." Vada said, making Bobby turn towards her. "But I think it has a lot to do with how happy they make each other."

"How can two people spend so much time together and now want to kill each other?" Bobby asked and Vada laughed.

"They do. Trust me, they do. But they find better things to do together and you know, that's how love works." Vada said.

"I've met people in love who aren't nearly as good for each other." Bobby said bitterly thinking about her parents.

"It happens." Vada said, "But when it's right, it works."

Bobby thought that over. She supposed it could be true but she didn't if she believed in something so simple.

"Oh, excuse me. Nick found Davide and this could get ugly." Vada said with a smile, running off to say her husband and brother from killing each other.

Bobby watched her hurry off, a faint smile on her face. What was it about the Carltons? She wished she could put her finger on it. They lived such a charmed and protected life- she'd hate to burst Vada's bubble with the cruel reality of the world.  She watched her approach Nick and Davide and she frowned. Had Nick and Ryan not made up yet? It was strange to see Nick without him at an event like this one. Her eyes scanned the room, at first looking to see if she would find Ryan sulking somewhere but eventually just in search of the one person she was always searching for.

She wasn't sure when or how it happened, but somehow she was always searching for him. She chuckled to herself, thinking that he'd said the same to her once.