by Cee, DW
Kate wasn’t happy. I was thrilled! I felt like the prodigal son returning home as I got out of the cab and into the warmth and welcome of Gram and Grandpa Jerry. I felt like myself again!
“I’m home!” I called out when Mrs. Haines, the housekeeper, opened the door for me. Gram laughed as she came to greet me.
The next few days flew by. Jake came to Europe as planned and promised, and we immediately left for Giverny, France.
“Why here, Gram?” I asked with my mouth agape, touring the stunning surroundings.
“Because I love Monet, and this is where Jerry and I visit every wedding anniversary.”
We didn’t even have to ask them to explain. Gram and Grandpa strolled down memory lane with us trailing close behind.
“Do you remember how we met?”
“How could I possibly forget the day I met you, my precious Estelle? You were sitting on the steps at the uni making drawings in your sketchbook. You were so beautiful I thought my heart had stopped beating. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
“You exaggerate, Jerry. My drawing hand was probably riddled with ink and knowing me, I had a scowl on my face because my sketches were not turning out as I envisioned them.”
“You were gorgeous!” Grandpa Jerry had that look of a young man with his first love. “You wore the most fashionable pants with a white blouse, a beret and a cute French scarf. With your pale complexion, dark hair, and sparkling blue eyes, no man could figure out where you’d come from; you looked neither French nor English. I could see why you had a gaggle of suitors.”
“So you fell in love instantly, Gramps?”
“Jake, you see how beautiful your grandmother is now?” Jake nodded in the affirmative. “She was just as beautiful back in her uni days.”
“So what was Gramps like when you first met him?” While Jake asked all the questions, I was happy to stay in the background and listen.
“Jerry was a born leader!” Gram sounded like a teenager in love. “He spoke dynamically, men and women followed him and hung on his every word, and though he pursued me, I knew he was the man for me from the day I met him.”
“How do you know who that right person is from the moment you meet him or her?”
“Jake…when you meet the right girl one day, your whole world will feel like it’s been turned upside down. You won’t be able to stop staring, stop wondering what that other person is doing, thinking, feeling, and you’ll want to be with that person every day for the rest of your life. It’s the most spectacularly frustrating feeling because you’re interested, but also insecure that the object of your affection doesn’t feel the same way.” Grandpa Jerry kissed her hand and stopped us on the Japanese bridge. “I knew I didn’t have a chance in hell of winning your love, with Harry and all the other titled men in contention for your affection. Thank God you were blind enough to return my feelings and marry me.”
“Jerry. I fell in love with you that first afternoon we spent together talking about my favorite artists.” Gram laughed and Grandpa Jerry followed suit.
“You saw through my bullshit?”
“Jerry had no clue about any of the impressionistic artists, but he somehow kept up the pretense that he loved art. After our first ‘meeting,’ he must have gone home and studied because the next time we met, he gave me a bio on each one of the artists I’d mentioned.”
“How long did you date?” I joined in the conversation.
“Are we talking in totality?” Grandpa Jerry smirked at Gram. Gram blushed a sweet smile. “I’ve been dating this beautiful woman since she was twenty-one. There’s not a day that’s gone by since we met where I haven’t been in love with your Gram. Through med school, through business school, through the tough days of starting out as an entrepreneur, and through the good days of raising a family, she’s been the beacon to light our way. I wouldn’t be the man that I am today if it wasn’t for the love of this woman. She’s been the cornerstone of our family while I was out trying to make a dollar or two, and she raised five incredible sons who have made us proud.”
Gram leaned her head into her husband’s chest and he put his arms around her. This image of their love would be one branded in my heart, forever. I knew I would one day bring my future bride here and share this same tender moment.
“Jerry, you exaggerate my importance and dilute your own.” She lightly admonished him. “Here was a man who left for work at the crack of dawn to build his empire, but would almost always come home for dinner with the family. Even with his hectic schedule, he sat down to dinner with us and completely tuned out the world. He gave each son the attention he craved and knew what was going on in each child’s life. After dinner, he’d take them into the backyard and play ball or build a trunk to house the balls. He never tired of playing with his children and loved them almost as much as he loved his wife. I was the blessed one in this marriage.”
Wow! Where would I find this kind of love?
“It was inspiring and yet depressing to be around your grandparents.” I said to Jake when we got back to our room.
“They’ve always been that loving. They’re even more affectionate than my parents or uncles and aunts. No matter how much Gramps loves us, we had no doubt who was first in his life.”
“You think we’ll find women we will love that much?”
“I don’t know, Man. What I know is, Kelley isn’t that girl for me. I feel bad saying this since she’s your sister, but she and I don’t have that kind of everlasting love.”
“Kate’s not that woman for me either.”
“What exactly happened with you and Kate? Are you still seeing her? I thought you were spending two months with her in Europe. How’d you end up with my grandparents, and how’d I end up with you?”
I could do nothing more than laugh. I laughed for a long while and my best friend stared at me as if I was a lunatic, or “coo coo for cocoa puffs,” as Delaney would say.
“Dude. Your grandparents saved me from two months of misery.”
“How so?”
“The day and a half I spent with Kate in Europe, I was miserable. I felt like a worthless piece of shit bumming a ride off a rich lady.” Jake didn’t know whether to laugh or feel sorry for me. “The moment I got here, we went to go see Sir Roland Ascot and he gave me this scorching look that told me to make my own money and stop being Kate’s rent-a-boy.” Jake decided he should laugh, and laugh hard. “I sat through an embarrassing dinner with Kate and Sir Ascot and had nothing to add to the conversation. It was like being the only kid at the dinner table and waiting for someone to ask me a question so I could jump in with an opinion.”
“So that’s what it’s like to date an older woman?”
“I’m done. I’m going back to dating someone my own age.”
“Have you broken up with her yet?”
“No. I told her I needed to assist you with moving your grandparents back to America.”
Jake laughed so hard he almost fell off his bed. “You’re such an idiot!”
“I know.” I laughed with him.
The next two weeks were filled with sightseeing throughout Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice. When Gram had enough, we went back to London for a few days before flying home. Once we got Grandpa Jerry and Gram comfortably situated in Los Angeles, Jake and I went to my sublet apartment in New York. There, Jake and I messed around until our senior year began.
“You coming down to the beach with me?” Jake and I met up for lunch on campus and I could tell he wasn’t convinced I was doing the right thing.
“Are you sure you want to be with Kate again?”
“Are you sure you want to be with my sister again?”
We were both in a predicament and had no way out. Neither one of us wanted to lose the women we were with, but neither one of us wanted to be with these women for much longer. Kate contacted me early my senior year and invited me to a dinner with the Dean of Columbia Law School who was in LA on b
usiness. I made a good impression on the dean, but with my grades and stellar LSAT scores, I knew I’d get in on my own merit, even without this dinner. Since that night, Kate and I slowly delved back into a relationship. Come May, we were still “living together” every weekend.
Jake and my sister figured they’d been together for such a long time; they’d give it one last try before separating for grad school. They hung out more because I was the glue that bound them. Without me, they’d have no identity.
“How’d we get into this mess, and how the hell do we get out of it?” Jake complained.
“I don’t know. Part of me thinks Kate and I would make a perfect couple. I’m off to one of the best law schools in the country. I’m hungry enough to succeed in that world, and she’s already successful, rich, and powerful. We’d make the ultimate power-couple.”
“Dude. That’s not what makes a happy and lasting marriage.”
“Who’s to say that’s not?”
“What are you trying to say?”
I hadn’t said a word to Jake until now because I knew he’d disapprove, but it was time to confess. “I think I might propose to Kate tonight. I bought her a wedding band for now and I’ll get her a big diamond once I make some money.”
“What the fuck, Donovan! Why the hell would you tie yourself up at age twenty-two, especially since you don’t love her till death-do-you-part?”
“How do you know I don’t love her in that way?”
“Have you not forgotten last summer? You were stifled by her power, money, and success. I actually don’t think you love her at all.” Jake was shaking his head so much I thought it might fall off. “You’re obsessed with her, you like the designer suits she outfits you in, and you have a good time with her. That’s not what I’d call a foundation for a stable marriage.”
I laughed at my nagging best friend and halted this conversation. I agreed with Jake, but couldn’t give up on Kate just yet. She was an addictive drug; I couldn’t stay away. “I got it. Stop being a wife and let’s go enjoy ourselves. Once we graduate and enter professional school, we won’t do much other than study. Bring Kelley for one last hurrah and let’s go hang out at the Montage. We’ll spend the weekend there.”
The three of us drove down to Kate’s residence, and my sister drove me crazy with her own nagging.
“You know Ma’s going to have a hissy-fit when she hears you are dating Kate again. Amanda won’t be happy, either.”
“Will you just give her a chance?” I needed to be done with this conversation, already.
“She’s a nice lady, Kelley. She’s been nothing but generous to us.” Jake did his best to help my cause.
Kelley snorted. “There’s already a problem when you call her a ‘lady.’ I have nothing against her. She is nice, but she’s like a square peg fitting into a round hole. Can you see her with our family? Can you see her calling our parents, ‘Ma’ and ‘Pa,’ and bringing cannolis to Easter brunch?” Kelley had a point there.
“Let him be, Kelley. Your brother will figure it out.”
Once we arrived, the four of us had a nice dinner, and while Jake and Kelley went to enjoy the band in the lounge, Kate and I went back to her place and talked.
“So you’ve finally chosen to attend Columbia Law School?”
“Yeah. It’s a top-notch school, and I like the fact that it’s near Manhattan.”
“And...what do you expect will happen to...us?” Kate appeared uneasy. “You’ll graduate in a few days and be off in New York for the next three years. It won’t be the same without you popping in every weekend.”
My instinct told me this was the perfect time to say good-bye. Kate was getting more sentimental than usual and it didn’t sit well with me. I was twenty-two and this was the time to “find myself” and have some fun. I should’ve taken this opportunity to part amicably, but stupid me never listened to my gut.
“How about we get married, Kate?” Fucking hell! Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? All through dinner, my conscience was nagging at me to keep my big mouth closed. Why did I always have to make myself out to be so much bigger than I really was? Why couldn’t I stay true to myself? Now I was panicked Kate might say yes. I was twenty-two! I didn’t want to be tied down at this young age. Law school awaited me, a job was nowhere on the horizon—marriage right now would be disastrous. My own head shook itself at me in disgust.
Kate’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Initially, when I thought I glimpsed interest, I almost threw up, I was so sick with fear. Luckily, I was totally off the mark. What started as a contained grin, turned into an all-out laughter.
“Donovan. You’re barely out of school.” She was still haha-ing away. “You have three more years to go, no job in sight, and not a clue how hard it is to make it in the world of law. I see law school graduates weekly, looking for a job in my company because they couldn’t cut it as a lawyer. They are under this misconception that my world is easier than theirs. You’re young and naïve if you think you’ll make it on your charm and good looks, alone. And while I’m happy to help you where necessary, I don’t want to be with a man who can’t make something of himself on his own.” With that “cool” set down, I almost expected her to pop out a cigarette and finish off the conversation with a puff of smoke to my face. “Come back when you’re settled and successful. I can’t make any promises, but for now, I have no thoughts of stopping my career for a husband and kids. I don’t have time for either.”
Thank fuck! Was I more pissed or relieved that she kicked my ass to the curb with her shitty response? I was fucking jumping for joy! I didn’t want to marry her, she saved me from years of possible regret and misery, and I didn’t even want to think about my parents’ reactions. They would’ve kicked my ass and locked me in my room for years to come if they knew what I’d just done. Thank God almighty she said, “NO!” Now I was free! I would never make this same mistake ever again. Next time I proposed, it would be to the right girl and for all the right reasons.
I picked up my overnight bag and said good-bye. “I guess we’ll see each other around.”
“You know how to find me.” Very much the Kate Beauvais I’d grown fond of, she slithered up to me and kissed me one last time. “Let’s talk again after you finish law school.”
Much time had passed since I’d been living in New York. Law school was fantastic; I’d made new friends and advantageous connections. Even with forty-eight states and thousands of miles between us, my friendship with Jake never saw a hiccup along the road.
“Hey.” I called an equally sleep-deprived Jake so I could share my good news.
“What’s up? How’s New York?”
“It’s fucking cold. I’ve been in New York two years now and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to wearing a coat in November. How’s SoCal?”
“80 degrees!” Jake laughed at me. “You should’ve gone to law school in LA. We could’ve carpooled.”
“Shut up.”
“You call for a reason, or did you call to complain about fall in New York?”
“I called to tell you I’m headed to San Francisco this summer. I thought maybe you might be able to do your research up in the Bay Area with me while I intern at Ascot, Ascot, and Pemberly.”
“Congrats, Man! You got the internship!”
“I sure as hell did. I aced the interview, and it didn’t hurt that Sir Roland Ascot showed up just in time to greet me with a handshake and a hug as the interview finished. You should have seen the slack-jaws on everyone in that room. It helps to know the right people.”
“You know Roland’s company will work your ass till you won’t want to be in that profession anymore.”
“I welcome the challenge.”
“Well, if my best friend is going to be up in San Francisco, I’ll have to see if I can get something going up there, myself.”
“Can we live in your apartment near the stadium?”
“I don’t see
why not. I need to check with Jane and make sure she’s not staying in the city over the summer.”
“There are three bedrooms. We can all fit.”
“No fucking way!” Jake almost hollered.
“What...you can date my sister, but I can’t date yours? What the hell kind of hypocrisy is that? I thought we were best friends?”
“Let me give you some good advice as I did the night you made the blundering mistake of asking Kate to marry you. Jane and you are like fire and fire.”
Jake would always be the nagging mama. “And what, may I ask, does that mean?”
“You two are alike in every way. You will argue about everything and you will drive each other nuts!”
“If we are so alike, why would we fight and argue? According to your esteemed view of us, all should be copacetic.”
“Your likeness only runs in the bad personality traits. You and she are vain, haughty, and stubborn. Those are three characteristics not welcomed in a relationship.”
“What the hell do you know about lasting relationships? You and Kelley broke up ages ago, and you haven’t found another steady woman since.”
We both chuckled at our sad situations. “How’s Kelley doing, by the way?”
“She’s well. She loves Chicago, she’s damn glad to be away from Jake Reid, and she’s thriving in business school.”
“Good for her. She looked good when I saw her at Christmas. She told me she was seeing someone.”
“So she says. I’ve yet to meet him.”
“I’m happy for her. We spent too many unproductive years together. I wish her all the best. I just hope that same happiness will come for me.”
“Hey. Where was Delaney’s family this past Christmas? I haven’t seen that little girl in ages.”
“Chief had a conference in Hawaii so the four of them spent Christmas and New Year’s out there.”