by Sandra Alex
As we’re dismissed from class, Greg and Daniel head towards the door. I scurry along to meet up with them. “Hey,” I say, catching up.
“Hey, pretty lady.” Greg says, giving me a once-over. I see Daniel’s expression through the corner of my eye. It looks like he’s annoyed. Either that, or he’s trying to prove his earlier point: that he thinks Greg has a crush on me.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I say.
“Going good. Wasn’t that about the world’s most boring class ever?”
I shrug. “It was okay. Although I caught Daniel yawning a few times.”
“Only because my idiot brother kept me up half the night with his buddies.” Daniel says.
“Whoaaa! Don’t let Gladstone catch you getting shuteye on his watch.” Greg warns playfully.
“Don’t sweat it.” Daniel lifts a hand. “Kayla kicked me so I’d stay awake.”
“Good girl.” Greg gives me a thumbs up. “And thanks for worrying about me, sweetie. Daniel here told me about your friend overhearing my convo. Don’t sweat it, babe. My friends meet for drinks all the time, and I go with them. I just don’t drink. But I appreciate the concern.” He says honestly, as he stops in his tracks and gives me a hug.
“Oh, you’re welcome.” I hug him back. He rubs my back, going a little too close to my rear end than I’m comfortable with, but then he backs off. Daniel looks about as comfortable as a kid watching his parents make out. He’s staring at a spot on the floor on the opposite side of us.
“You need a ride home, man?” Daniel asks, trying to break the tension.
“Sure, if you don’t mind.”
We walk to the parking lot and Daniel doesn’t hesitate to hug me goodbye. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” he says into my ear.
“Yeah. Come by when you’re finished school.”
“Sounds good.”
Greg winks at me. “See you Wednesday.”
“See you.”
On the drive home, my phone rings. It’s Heather. “So?” she opens with.
I giggle. “So what?”
“Did you find out what happened with that Greg guy?”
“Yeah. He says he goes to the bars with his friends all the time but he doesn’t drink. I suppose after a year of being sober, he might have gotten used to it.”
“Alright. I don’t believe him, but I’ll let it go.” She says, relenting.
“So what happened after I left Saturday? Did Daniel go home right away, or did you two hang out?”
“Ugh,” I grunt. “We got sick like dogs.”
“WHAT?” she shrieks. “What happened?”
I explain, leaving out the part where Nana Mary comes over and catches us in bed together, and she sighs. “Oh my God, Kayla! Nobody eats there anymore! I’m surprised they even let that nose picking yahoo serve there!”
“Well, don’t yell at me. That’s the first movie I’ve been to in years. How am I supposed to know?”
“Well, you know now.” She pauses. “How was class tonight?”
“Good. A little theory-ish, but I’m a nerd, so I liked it.”
“What are you doing now?”
“Going home. How’s Barry feeling? Did his bladder infection go away?”
“Yeah,”
“Did you get any yet?” I giggle, teasing.
“Not yet. But I’m going to try tonight. Wait, why am I telling you this? And more importantly…why are you asking?” she chuckles.
“I don’t know.” I laugh. “I was just concerned. I’ve never heard you talk so dirty before. I had no idea you had it in you.”
“Speaking of which…how is that fox doing?”
“He’s fine. And he’s not a fox…he’s my classmate and friend.” I correct.
“You gotta admit…he’s hot as hell.”
“Like I said, he’s my friend and my classmate. I can’t be mixing things together; that’ll only complicate things.”
“So you at least admit that he’s attractive?”
“He’s okay.” I lie. He’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, but I’m never telling her that. “He’s also got a lot of emotional baggage.”
“Well, then you’re perfect for each other.”
“Thanks.” My voice drips with sarcasm. “Not the kind of relationship I want to get involved in. Plus, like I said, it would complicate things.”
“At least sleep with him and go out with him a few times. Get the rebound thing out of the way.”
“I will not! And I won’t use him like that! I can’t believe you’d even suggest that.”
“Relax. I’m kidding.” She giggles. “Seriously. I get it. If you don’t feel it you don’t feel it.” a pause. “Can I at least pretend and live vicariously? At least until I’m out of this dry spell?”
I huff. “Fine. But quit suggesting that I sleep with him.” Because I already have, technically. “I feel like a cheap whore when you talk like that about me.”
“Please. Honey, if you’re a cheap whore, what does that make our other friends?”
“Good point.” I pull up to my house. “Gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Nighty night. I know who I’m dreaming of later.” She teases.
“Goodbye, horn bag.”
She giggles and clicks off.
What the hell am I going to do with her?
Chapter 12
Daniel
Don’t ask me why, but I’m pumped about going to see Margaret tonight. It’s probably because of the horrible accident that happened on the highway today. Twenty victims from three collisions arrived in the Emergency Department, and I had to assist in all of them. Two made it. It’s been one of those days where I just need to see hope again. I had to witness doctors telling their loved ones that they’re gone forever, and I had to assist in the clean up of the bodies and taking them off the gurneys, down to the morgue. What a day. When I show up at Kayla’s, as I give her a hug hello, I hold on a little longer.
“Are you okay?” she asks softly, her voice is laced with concern as I hold her against me.
“Had a really awful day. Just need a hug.”
Her hand grasps the back of my neck. “Oh. I’m sorry.” She skates her fingers through the hair at the back of my head, making my eyes close instinctively. I draw in a deep breath and let it out, clinging her to my body. It feels so goddamn comforting, I don’t want to let go. I give her one more squeeze and release her.
“Thanks.” I say, dividing my glance between both her eyes. “Sometimes we all just need a hug.”
She tilts her head and traces a finger over the hair at the back of my ear. “Aw. You can have a hug whenever you like.”
“You too.” I lean in and kiss her forehead.
“Are you hungry?” she smiles.
I hadn’t noticed until now how freaking amazing it smells in here. “Starving. What’ve you got?”
“Spaghetti and meatballs, and salad.”
I just got a digestive hard-on. “I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Sit. It’s ready so we can eat and go, and still make it to class.”
“You’re an angel.” I gush.
“I love cooking. If I have an excuse to cook, I pull out all the stops.”
“And this is all Keto-friendly?”
She looks down her nose at me. “Of course. The noodles are made from vegetables.”
“You thought of everything.”
She brings me a plate after I wash my hands. We eat together in silence since we’re both starving. The meal is out of this world. “Kayla…really…you should be a chef.”
“I love cooking healthy. That’s why I’m going to become a dietician.”
“It suits you well.” I shake my head, looking at her as I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “I’ll recommend you to all my colleagues. You’ll be world class.”
She waves. “Stop.”
“I’m serious. Come on. Let’s get cleaned up so we can go.”
She lifts her eyebrows at me, feign
ing seduction. “Talk dirty to me.” then she rolls her tongue playfully, making a sexy sound.
“Well, if that’s all I have to do.” I chuckle, matter-of-factly.
She breaks out of character. “I’ll go get a clean towel. You want to wash or dry?”
“Whatever you hate, I’ll do.”
“I like both.”
“You wanna flip for it?”
“Na, you wash. I’ll dry.”
As we wash the dishes together, Kayla whips the towel at me after I flick water at her. It’s hard to tell if we have a brother-sister kind of relationship, or just a playful friends kind of thing going on. Either way, it’s fun. “You ready?” I say, sliding the towel over my shoulder.
“Are you going to go with that draped over your arm?” she giggles.
“No. I was just seeing if you were paying attention.” I tease.
We take my car. As we arrive at the home, Margaret is being wheeled around the reception area by a nurse. Her oxygen is in the back of the wheelchair and her mask is hanging on the side, off her face. “Hi, mom!” Kayla gushes, bending to give her mother a kiss on the cheek.
“Hi, baby. I told them you were coming, so they gave me a ride out here so I could meet you.”
“What a nice surprise.” Kayla looks at the nurse and nods, dismissing her politely.
“Take it easy, now. She likes to race with that thing if you catch her in the right mood.” The nurse warns playfully.
“Don’t worry, ma’am, we’ll make sure she stays in low gear.” I say.
“Is that Daniel?” Margaret asks, her face aglow.
“It is. How are you doing today?” I bend down to kiss her other cheek.
“Aw, how precious. I’m doing great. How are you? I heard you two got really sick.” Concern is registered on her face.
“Oh, we’re good now. Kayla took good care of me.”
“I taught her well.” She smiles warmly.
“Mom, did you want to go outside? Can I go get your sweater?”
“Whatever you two like, dear. How long can you stay?”
“Not too long. We have class tonight.” Kayla answers.
“Okay, then. We’ll just stay in here. I don’t want to keep you.”
“It’s okay, mom. We have time.” Kayla says.
“Let’s go back to my room then. I have something for you, Kayla.”
Kayla pushes Margaret back to her room as I follow in behind. When we arrive at the room, Kayla brings her to the sitting area, where we each take a seat around Margaret. “Kayla, honey, bring me that box over on the bedside table please.”
Doing as instructed, Kayla walks over to the nightstand and picks up a small, dark wood box, and brings it to Margaret. “Here you go.” She puts it in her lap.
“I’ve been meaning to give these to you for a while, but now I have all the more reason.” Margaret opens the box. It’s empty except for two small gold rings inside. One looks broken. “The other day, when Nana Mary was here, my wedding band broke.” She lifts the ring up, as if she can see it herself, but I assume it’s for Kayla’s benefit. “I should have put this away years ago, but I haven’t, and now that it’s broken, I’ll give it to you, so you can get it repaired and give it to my future granddaughter.”
Kayla’s smile fades. “Oh, mom…why don’t I get it repaired for you, and then you can just wear it again.” The disappointment is evident in her voice. It’s like this offering from her mother is a final nail in the casket.
“I told you, I should have put these rings away years ago when your father left, but foolishly, I didn’t. And now my wedding band broke. It’s a sign, Kayla.”
“They’re old, mom. It’s not a sign. Besides, your engagement ring is fine. Why don’t you put that back on and I’ll get your wedding band fixed?”
Margaret’s face turns somewhat cold and blank. “Kayla, I’m not going to be around much longer.”
Kayla inches back from her mother, as though she suddenly insulted her. “Mom, please…don’t talk like that…especially in front of Daniel.”
I don’t know where to look. I can feel the tension in the air.
Margaret ignores her daughter’s statement. “When I die, they’ll just take all my jewelry. It’s better if you have it for safe keeping.”
Kayla takes the rings, her hands clearly shaking. “Okay, mom. I’ll take them.” She tucks them into her pants pocket and rakes a hand through her hair. Her hands are still shaking, and her voice quivers. “I didn’t even get a chance to ask Nana Mary how her trip was. Did she tell you?” Nice recovery.
I want to reach out and grasp Kayla’s hand, but I know sometimes that makes things worse.
“Oh, she had a grand time, as always.” The warmth in Margaret’s face has returned. “Mexico sounds lovely. I never went.”
“Me neither.” Kayla says. Margaret coughs and wheezes. Kayla rises and helps her put the oxygen mask on. “Do you want to lie down?”
Margaret nods and Kayla wheels her over to the bed. We both help her get in and pull the sheets over her. She wheezes again before saying. “You two should get going. I don’t want you to be late for school.”
“Okay, mom. Get some rest.”
“Take care, Mrs. White.” I say. As we walk out the door, I see Kayla close the door slowly, as if she’s afraid to make a noise. She’s not looking at me; her eyes are off in the distance.
“I’ll just stay a minute to make sure she’s okay.” Kayla says, her voice is quivering again.
“Okay.” I murmur, standing next to her. Her hair smells like coconuts, and for some reason, I can feel it in my bones that she wants to cry, but she’s holding it in. Draping an escaped lock of hair over her ear, I ask. “You okay?”
She licks her lips and tries but fails at nonchalant. “When she talks like that, no.” Instead, I hear her draw in a deep, ragged breath, and hold it.
“Come here.” I put my arm around her, and she leans her face into my chest, as I grasp the back of her neck. When the breath she was holding releases, it comes out in a small whimper, and then a series of shorter whimpers. Her body shudders as she cries into me. I kiss her head, rub her back, rock her slowly as we stand alone in the hallway. Her arms are around my middle as she sobs quietly. My head leans on hers as we sway in silence. I’ve never had the pleasure of comforting anyone like this before. In my line of work, it’s very perfunctory. You say what needs to be said and walk away, politely giving your condolences. Here, sure, Kayla could have cried alone if I wasn’t with her, but how many times has she done that? As long as I’m here, she’ll never have to cry alone again, if I can help it.
Drawing in a deep breath, Kayla lifts her head. Her arms snake upwards, around my neck, so we’re nose-to-nose. Her face is reddened from tears, and her face is wet. Her eyes look a little swollen, too. But other than that, God, she’s so beautiful. I remove my hands from her waist and wipe her tears away with my thumbs. “Thank God for makeup.” I joke, grinning.
She ignores my playful jibe and leans in, giving me a soft kiss on the lips. I kiss her back quickly. “Thank you, Daniel. I needed that.”
“Like I said earlier…sometimes we all need a hug.”
“Okay, then you owed me one from earlier.”
I smile. “Well, then I was happy to pay up.”
Chapter 13
Greg
As I hang up my phone I smile. The credit card company has been easily dodged again. Bills keep piling up, but I’m one step ahead, always. Trips, clothes, eating at fancy restaurants, buying crazy stuff, but most of all, buying for Shyla, is the best of all. Shyla, my four year old daughter, is the best thing that ever happened to me. Sure, I can’t buy her love, according to Tina, her mother, but she sure doesn’t complain when I bring her or Shyla expensive stuff. Tina doesn’t need to know where it came from, or that the stuff was bought from someone else’s credit card number. So long as I pay her child support on time and in full, that’s all she needs to worry about.
&nb
sp; The craziest thing I ever bought was a seat in this nutrition course. I had to pull a few strings to get in, but when I saw the student roster, courtesy of my genius friend who can hack into anything—hence the stolen credit card numbers—I had to get in somehow. This buddy of mine, Frank, he’s the same guy who trucks me around to these phony AA meetings. Sure, it’s a ruse, but it provides collateral for the pathetic image I portray to my fellow suckers. Once, I pretended to be in a wheelchair. You’d be surprised how many sorry assholes fork over their money for a guy in a wheelchair, especially when he lost his said ability to walk in the military. They drool all over you when that happens. Trouble is, nobody wants to fuck a guy in a wheelchair, so after not getting laid for two months, I gave that shit up.
This academic thing is going really well. Chicks dig the guy with the kid who’s trying to clean up. And the pre-med loser is eating out of my hands. I’m telling you, he’s one step away from asking me to live with him rent free. Of course, the basement apartment is also a ruse. So’s the DUI. My wheels are parked nicely in the closed garage at my swanky pad in the affluent neighborhood where I live. I’m actually a self-employed investment banker, and I make a shit ton of money. This little gig is my side act.
Sure, Tina wonders where I get all the money. She has no idea where I actually live since I moved out. I give her cash and I visit Shyla on her turf. The breakup is true. Being secretive and unavailable tends to make a partner suspicious of adultery in a relationship. None of that was going on, but I made her think that. It was better that she believed that than the truth. The truth would get her wheels turning and I don’t want to get caught.
This little honey in the part-time course I’m taking is giving me serious wood every time I see her. I think this Daniel guy has it for her, though. And I think she’s warming up to him, too. I’ll push a little with her and see what happens. She could be one of those types of chicks who likes to play hard to get. Or maybe she likes it that two guys are into her, and she wants to see which one’ll put up a fight. With her long hair and tight ass, she’s worth fighting for. Daniel said she’s worried about me. Her nosey, fat friend overheard me talking with my boys about meeting up for some brewskies. Yeah, I’ve got a big mouth sometimes, but I’m good at covering my tracks, so it’s all cool. Anyway, Kayla was all worried about me. I bet I make her wet. The thought of a recovered alcoholic with a kid is too intriguing. I like it.