One Unforgettable Favor

by Nicole Vidal

  My sessions with Mason this week have been wonderful so far. Midweek, Mrs. Waller asks me to stay later so we can discuss a few things. I have one week left before they move and Mason starts school with a specialized development plan that I created. The director at his new school has been instrumental in assisting Mrs. Waller to make sure Mason’s progress continues while at the center.

  We enjoy iced tea on her terrace while Mason plays with Legos on the floor.

  “Noelle, I’m so glad I reached out to you for Mason. He has made amazing progress. We owe that to you.”

  “Thank you. Initially, I was surprised you called.”

  “A dear friend of mine, Blythe Ellerbee, and I were discussing Mason and how her grandson may require the same type of intervention. I would like to give her your contact information.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “Have you made any decisions about your future?”

  “Yes, I have. Cash introduced me to Mallory, a coworker of his who set up a consulting company for me. Also, I’m actively searching for a center to purchase.”

  “That’s wonderful. Good for you. Did you always want to own a center?”

  “Truthfully, yes, but I never thought it was possible. Cash pointed out that I could make it happen with some hard work and Mallory’s help.”

  “You two remind me of myself and my husband, Gerald. You’re lovely together.”

  I feel my cheeks heat up. “Thank you. Speaking of which, he’s probably here to pick me up.” I set my glass on the table and wave to Mason.

  “I will speak with Blythe later today. Please expect her call.”

  “Thank you again. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Scooping up my tote, I hurry down the stairs. Him driving is a compromise, but I don’t like making him wait for me either. As I round the banister and swing open the door, Elizabeth is entering the building.

  “Have a great afternoon, Noelle.”

  “You too!” I pull the entry door closed and skip down the steps. When I round the building, I see Cash waiting for me.

  “I hope you weren’t waiting long,” I say as I settle into my seat.

  “Not at all. What is going on? You have a huge smile on your face.”

  “Mrs. Waller has a referral for me.”

  “That’s great, sweetheart.” Cash leans over and kisses me. The drive home is quick today. Parking in his spot, Cash hops out to open my door.

  “Why did you park?” He’s been pulling into the garage since he started driving me, but he doesn’t normally park. He has been dropping me off and returning to the office.

  “I’m working from here the rest of the day.” He kisses me quickly and follows me inside.

  I change into comfier clothes and filter through my email and texts while Cash makes some calls.

  Kate: How are you? I miss your face.

  Me: Hi. I’m doing well. You?

  Kate: Same. I hate to admit it, but you were right. Having a man in my life is awesome.

  Me: I tried to tell you.

  Kate: You did.

  Me: I’m so happy for you.

  Kate: Thanks. Gotta go back in. TTYS.

  At least Keyton is a man of his word. He said repeatedly he would treat her right, and he does. I should talk to Cash about my condo. He turned down the opportunity in LA, so do I need to keep my condo for us? Plus, I should get my stuff and my car. Maybe I should sell my car and buy a new one here rather than transporting it here. As I ponder these issues, my phone rings.

  “Hello, this is Blythe Ellerbee. Georgia Waller gave me your contact information.”

  “Hi. She briefly explained your situation. How can I help you?”

  Mrs. Ellerbee describes in detail the needs of her grandson and asks for my assistance in creating a plan for him. I agree to send her an information packet, and once I have it back, I’ll get to work. Then I send a quick email to Mallory to verify that everything is set up for me to take on a client.

  Grabbing two waters, I pad to Cash’s office. He is animatedly talking on the phone with his back to me.

  “Yes, I’m sure. I appreciate your assistance.” Turning slowly, he smiles and ends his call. “Hey. Thanks.” He sits in his chair and opens his arms to me.

  “Do you have anything planned this weekend?” I ask after curling into his lap.

  “Just spending time with you, why?”

  “I want to get my clothes and some other personal items from my condo. Also, I want to sell my car and buy a new one rather than ship it here.”

  “A weekend away with you sounds perfect, even if it includes packing. When do you want to leave?” This man is too much. He’ll do anything for me, as I will for him.

  “Does Friday afternoon work for you?”

  “Sure, I’ll make the arrangements. What else?” If it were anyone else, it would bother me that he can read me so well.

  Inhaling sharply, I ask, “At the risk of breaking the traditional norms you love so much, do I need to keep my condo available for us to use?”

  “Do you want to keep it?”

  “I don’t want to spend money on a mortgage each month if no one is going to use it. The mortgage is small, and any amount of rent will cover it easily. Kate wants to move in because it’s closer to her job and the beach, but it’ll mean you can’t use it whenever you fly to Los Angeles.”

  “Now I understand. Was I unclear when I said every single day? Tesoro, will you move in with me… permanently?”

  “Yes, I will.” I lean forward and kiss his soft lips.

  “There’s more. Enlighten me.”

  “I spoke with Mrs. Ellerbee, the referral from Mrs. Waller, already. She’s going to send the paperwork back, and I will start my first client. I contacted Mallory just to make sure everything is set too.”

  “That’s great!”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m going forward with the deal in Portsmouth, even though it will take longer than I would like.”

  “Wow! I’m so happy for you! What about the other owner?”

  “Stacy is working on it. Either way, we’re moving to Portsmouth.”

  “I’m so excited for you! How are you feeling about it?” I don’t really give him a chance to answer because I pepper him with congratulatory kisses.

  Breaking away, he replies, “I’m only concerned about the timing. If Stacy can negotiate with the other owner and secure the other shares, fantastic. If not, everything else is as close to perfect as I can get.” The moment he finishes talking, I leap up from his lap.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to email Mallory right now.”

  “Why?”

  “I need to change where she is looking for me.”

  “Not right now, you don’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “We need to celebrate.”

  Celebrate we do, for the rest of the night.

  39

  Cassius

  Early evening on Friday, we arrive at Noelle’s condo. We have a ton of work to do before we return to New York and a lot of decisions to make going forward, but for now she’s keeping her condo.

  Instead of getting to work, we recreate the latter part of our first date. Walking along the pier hand in hand is not only fun but nostalgic. I don’t know when or if we’ll be able to come back here again. We play a few games at the arcade before buying tickets for the carousel. Tickets in hand, I feel a tug on my shirt.

  “Mr. Cash, Miss Noelle, what are you doing here?”

  We crouch down to speak to our interrogator. Tonight, Annaliese is wearing a pink romper and white sandals. She throws her arms around Noelle’s neck and whispers something I can’t quite make out. Whatever Annaliese said made Noelle smile after a brief flicker of sadness.

  “Hi. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Mom brought me to get rid of some energy.”

  Noelle chuckles. “Sounds fun. Where is your mom?” Annaliese turns and points to her mom about five yard
s over on a bench watching us. Noelle waves just for good measure.

  “Did you take my advice, Mr. Cash?”

  “I did. Thank you very much.”

  “You’re welcome. You two are perfect!”

  “What is she talking about, Cash?” Noelle asks with a wink.

  “Annaliese suggested that I ask you to be my girlfriend.”

  “Well, thank you, Annaliese,” Noelle says, fixing her sandal strap.

  “You’re welcome. I knew I was right about him. I need to go. It was nice to see you. Bye.” Before leaving, she hugs me and then Noelle again. Once she’s safely back to her mom, the adults wave and go our separate ways.

  Like the last time we were here, I surround her in my arms in line. I see her admirers, but I don’t care. Before we were just getting to know each other; now we are building our future together. They can look all they want. I’m going to have her by my side for the rest of my life. Noelle opts for the unicorn again, and I ride next to her. After our ride, we stroll along the beach and watch the sunset. We’re sitting on the sand like we were on our first date. The only difference is she’s closer to me. On our first date, she was in my arms, but it was tentative, less intimate. Now, there is no question she’s mine to anyone who may pass by. After the sun falls below the horizon, we walk slowly back to her condo.

  We slide under her covers until daybreak after a few hours on her terrace, and I stare at the ceiling for a while before deciding to get up. Noelle is still peacefully asleep. Slipping out of bed, I lace up and run to the shore and back. As I round the corner to Noelle’s, there is a tall guy wearing cargo shorts and a T-shirt hovering near her steps.

  “Good morning, Mr. Morgan. Care to comment on your relationship with Miss Barnett?” I need to give him credit, it’s crazy early West Coast time to be on the clock, especially on a weekend. I suppose gossip never sleeps.

  “Jimmy, right?” I extend my hand to him. He shakes it before handing me his card.

  “Yes.”

  I skim the card to verify that he is indeed a reputable reporter. “Do you live nearby? It’s early on the weekend to seek a story if you live far away.”

  “Yes.”

  “Noelle indicated you were a stand-up guy and never made her concerned for her safety like other reporters. I appreciate that, as does her brother. I’m also sure you were the first person to see the connection between her and me. I’m going to make a deal with you. I’ll give you an exclusive about our relationship if you’re willing to wait until Saturday just before the gala for the arts to publish. I’ll provide you with a photo and answer any questions you have, including my lack of relationship with Brittany Templeton.”

  “I can work with that,” Jimmy replies. I use his pen and jot my work number and email on the back of a card.

  “Please email your questions to this address, and I’ll answer them. I reserve the right to refrain from answering for her safety. Otherwise, I assure you, I will be honest with you. This agreement only pertains to her and me, no one else.”

  “Understood. Have an enjoyable day, Mr. Morgan. I look forward to your responses.” He shakes my hand and walks away.

  I toe off my shoes and grab a water from her fridge. It reeks. We need to clean that out today. After chugging the water, I consider brewing coffee, but decide against it because the milk is sour too. With another water in hand, I move to the patio.

  I consider when I should share my news with my siblings. I don’t want to get anyone else’s hopes up, but I don’t see the deal going south either. Enjoying the morning sun, I smile inwardly, knowing I’m where I should be and it will only get better.

  “What has you so deep in thought?” Her voice warms me from the inside out.

  “You mostly. Sit with me.”

  “Did you go run already?”

  “Yeah, I couldn’t sleep with the time zone change. I saw Jimmy when I got back.”

  “Oh, do I need to call Nicholas?”

  “I don’t think so. I made a deal with him. He’s going to break the story of our relationship next Saturday before the gala. I agreed to answer his questions and provide him with a photo so we can control the story.”

  “That was nice of you.”

  “You’re not angry?”

  “No. I know we’re racing against the clock. The moment the guest list is released, everyone will know about us.”

  “He has been respectful of you and never made you concerned for your safety, and I appreciate that. Plus, he was the first one to figure it out. He deserves the exclusive. He’s going to send me some questions by email.”

  “Okay. Anything else on your mind?”

  “What is your plan for packing? Where do you want to start?”

  “I need to disassemble my bedroom, and the movers will be here at two for transportation to New York. I rented a storage unit until we have a place to live. Then I need to pack my clothes and personal items. I’m going to leave the rest of the furniture and the dishes for Kate, except for a few teacher gifts. The only thing of importance is my bedroom set.”

  “Why, sweetheart?”

  “It’s from my childhood.”

  I nod and pull her close despite my sweat-soaked clothing.

  After talking a bit more, Noelle makes a quick trip to the coffee shop while I shower. A latte and breakfast sandwiches later, we start disassembling her bed and emptying her bureaus. Near two, the movers arrive and remove the bedroom furniture.

  “Do you mind if Kate and Keyton stop by later?”

  “No, of course not.”

  She responds to Kate’s text and gets back to filling boxes. She’s methodically going through her clothes while I empty her closets. After finishing the bathroom and the linens, I move back into her bedroom. As I’m moving each album carefully into her luggage, one box falls off the shelf and photos, newspaper clippings, and small mementos scatter all over the floor.

  “Tesoro, were these in a particular order?”

  She turns, surveys the mess, and instantly tears fall from her eyes. I surround her with my arms. Sobs wrack her frame as I hold her tightly against me. Feeling helpless, I scoop her up and carry her to the couch, holding her snug against me. Soon her sobs lessen, and she looks at me. Her face is puffy, her eyes red and bloodshot.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She shakes her head. “It’s tomorrow.”

  “I know your birthday is tomorrow.”

  “Yes. No, the anniversary is tomorrow.” She buries her head into my shoulder. The sobs and heaves resume. Dumbfounded, I process what she just said. That’s awful! My heart just shattered for her.

  “They died on your birthday? Is that why you didn’t tell me it was your birthday?”

  She nods. “How did you find out?” she asks between heaves.

  “It was on the client form for Mallory.” She shakes her head against my shoulder. “How can I help?”

  “Just hold me,” she replies, her lips against my neck.

  “As long as you will have me.”

  40

  Noelle

  My parents, Edward and Josie, died in a car accident on their way home picking up my seventeenth birthday cake. I have not enjoyed my birthday since. Every therapist I have ever spoken to indicates I should move on—either party hardy or celebrate my birthday early or late. Neither one of those options work for me. I have tried both. Celebrating on my actual birthday isn’t going to happen. When I celebrate the day before, I feel disingenuous because it isn’t my birthday. Celebrating the day after isn’t pretty either, considering I just lived another year without my parents. After six years of attempting every option, I choose to avoid celebrating. Even Nicholas and Noah support my decision. We agree to send a memory to one another via text or email and never mention the fact it is also my birthday.

  “I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore. I have tried so many ways to get around the facts, but I can’t. While my therapists have warned me, it isn’t the best choice,
it works for me.”

  “What should I do with your gift?”

  “You bought me a gift?”

  “Of course. I didn’t know the true reason you didn’t share your birthday with me.”

  “I don’t know. Can you just hold on to it for now? I can’t. I just can’t.”

  He nods and tightens his hold on me even more.

  After some time passes, I turn in his arms and kiss him tenderly.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Why don’t you sit here, and I’ll go clean that up?” I nod wondering if that’s the right response. Would steeling myself and sharing the photos be better? I’m not sure. As I consider my options, Kate and Keyton arrive.

  “Hey.” Kate pulls me into a bear hug. Looking me in the eyes, she asks without asking because she knows. It’s impossible to live with someone for four years and not share most of your closely guarded secrets. Plus, I started sharing a dorm room with Kate just a year after they died. Content that I’m okay, she walks into my bedroom.

  “Keyton, nice to see you outside of Kiely’s,” I say to welcome him.

  “You as well. Kate mentioned she’s going to move in.”

  “Yeah. It shortens her commute and I’m staying with Cash.”

  Cash and Kate return and we order some takeout. After we eat, Kate and I move into the kitchen and talk about her lease.

  “I’m going to miss you,” Kate chokes out.

  “I’ll miss you too. You’re my bestie and I’m grateful you were assigned as my roommate all those years ago.” I’m holding in tears, but I’m happy as well.

  “Me too.”

  Knowing I have a lot more work do to, Kate and Keyton leave once the guys finish cleaning up.

  “Don’t be a stranger. You’re both welcome here anytime you find yourself on the left coast.” She hugs us both and whispers something to Cash. He nods.

  We finish packing and sorting near nine. The last thing to clear is the kitchen. An hour later, we’ve emptied the cabinets and fridge. Exhausted, we collapse on the air mattress and sleep until morning.

  Our flight is early, so after making one more trip around my condo, we leave for the airport as the sun comes up. I’m not selling it quite yet, but I don’t imagine I’ll be back again.