Free Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) by P. J. Belden Page A

else. The performers tonight were something else. It was entertaining and we both critiqued those that performed. Surprisingly, our opinions were pretty similar.  He had great taste in music, not fond of television or movies, and rarely read a magazine or newspaper beyond the weather.  He did have a few books he liked to read when he wasn’t working.
    He told me about working on his ranch and how he had always wanted to run the ranch one day.  It was all he ever thought about.
    “I stayed with my grandpa constantly until my parents took over.  I didn’t want to be anywhere other than at the ranch.  It was so bad, or at least my parents thought, that they homeschooled me so I could stay there as much as possible.  I had to go to school every Friday, but that was fine because when I was at that age Friday was really the only day where I was okay to be away from the ranch.” He shrugs. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.” He starts laughing suddenly. 
    “ What?  What’s so funny?” I questioned, smiling.
    “ When my father took over the ranch after my grandpa retired, we all lived in the big house. Anyway, any time my father would say something about his ranch, I’d jump in yelling that it was my ranch and it was on loan to him.  My grandpa would laugh so hard every time and my dad even cracked a smile.”
    My smile grew as he revealed to me some memories.  It was like a window into who Tobey really was. He seemed like he had a good head on his shoulders and loved his family.  That made me happy because I was a family person as well. 
    “ Earth to Mary,” Tobey said, breaking into my thoughts.
    “ I’m sorry,” I said embarrassed.
    “ What made you realize you wanted to be a singer?” He asked, smiling softly.
    I shrugged.  Many have asked this question and I had a perfectly organized pre-written answer to this for everyone that a sked.  That was the answer I gave him.  The problem was unlike the brainless reporters that asked, Tobey didn’t buy the answer.
    “ Okay, so now I know what your PR rep thinks made you run into singing.  Can I have why you wanted to sing?”
    Just in that question he seemed to have broken a layer away from me.  He was truly asking about me.  He didn’t want to know the manufactured me, he wanted to know me . Smiling brightly at him, I told him the truth.
    “ I was good at it or at least that was what I was told then.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love singing. I love writing songs and performing.  It's just lately... I don't know, it just doesn't seem to have the same fulfillment it once carried; like there is something missing now.” I sighed.
    Tobey looked at me thoughtfully for a moment, “Have you thought about stepping back for a minute?  Take a little break to figure out what it is that you feel is missing in your life right now.”
    I nodded my head, pushing my plate away without even touching a bite.  “Yes, I have.  It is just so hard to get away with a career as demanding as mine.”
    He reached for my hand and held it tenderly in his.  “Haven’t you ever heard the saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder ?  You taking a step back will have people wanting you even more than before.”
    It was like he knew what I was thinking.  I had actually said those exact words to Kyle when he talked about booking another tour in the next couple months.  Kyle was after the big bucks.  As if he hasn’t made enough working for me already, but he seemed to want more and more.  It was never enough.  Mentally, I shook my head to get Kyle off my mind.  For one night at least, I was going to just be Mary Williams.  I deserved it after all.  Excusing myself, I headed to the restroom to freshen up.
    As I walked back to Tobey, I noticed our waitress was back at the table.  She was standing very close to Tobey’s side.  Their backs were to me, so I couldn’t see what they were talking about.  Tobey looked up and smiled at her and she ran her hand