by Cee, DW
“I assume she is well? Her vocab hasn’t increased too exponentially? She isn’t missing her favorite older man?”
“Our beautiful Laney is as bright as ever. She’ll probably graduate top of her middle school class this year and she’s taller than all the Reid girls. Next time you come home, you have to see her. She’s a stunning young woman. I have to keep Nick and Doug’s friends away from her every chance I get.”
“You do that. Keep an eye on those perverted teenage boys.” Jake knew exactly what I meant.
“It takes one to know one.”
“By the way, guess who came knocking on my door last night?”
“Who?”
“Kate Beauvais.”
“No fucking way!” This time, Jake hollered. “She came by your apartment? How’d she know where to reach you and what did she want?”
“Apparently, she’s been keeping tabs on me. She knew I was headed to San Francisco this summer even before I got the call.”
“You think she’s been helping you all along?”
“I don’t know. I doubt it considering there was nothing to help. It could be that she somehow helped with my acceptance into law school but up until now, I’ve done nothing other than attend school.”
“So what’d she want?” I kept mum longer than Jake had patience. He spit out again, “What the hell did she want?”
“Let me start by saying she looked drop-dead gorgeous! This woman is like fine wine; she gets better with age. Even after a few years’ absence, she still had a way of stirring my dick.”
“You can be so crass.”
“I can, but you know damn well what I’m talking about.”
“Yeah, I get it. So you slept with her?”
“I did, only after I made it clear to her I didn’t want a relationship with her anymore.”
“She did not ask you for a relationship, not after the way she kicked your ass to the curb, did she?”
Jake brought up a sensitive topic for me. We never talked about that incident after the night it happened. “She did, but I cut her off before she could elaborate on why we’d work this time.” I was damn proud of myself for knowing what I did and did not want. “I have to be grateful that she broke up with me. It hurt at the time but thinking back, it hurt my ego more than anything else. I wish I hadn’t let my first proposal go to Kate. Shit, I hope I don’t end up with someone who knows all my stupid-ass drama from college. I need to meet someone who won’t take up any issues with Kate.”
“...or all the other women in your life...” Jake interjected.
“Hey. Just because I’m studly and all women want me, does not make me a gigolo. You know I don’t do the wham-bam-thank-you-ma’ams.”
“I know. I was kidding. Growing up a Reid and a Taylor, I don’t think either one of us can ever be into that.”
“So are you going to find something to do up in San Francisco this summer with me?”
“Yeah. Why not? What do I have to lose?”
“What is it with me and cold climates? Everywhere I go I need a coat,” I complained. “Why is it so cold in San Francisco in the summertime? It’s August!”
“Seriously, Donovan? Have you never heard that Mark Twain expression, ‘The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco?’”
“Whatever. The girls are late. Let’s go inside and grab a drink.” We had a “double date” planned with Jane and her roommate Allison. It was a shocker Jake agreed to this since the six weeks we’d been up here, he’d prevented any “chance” encounters between me and his sister. “You only agreed to this because you want to bang Allison, huh?”
Jake showed his stupid signature grin. “Promise me you will not hook up with Jane no matter what happens with me and Allison.”
“And why the hell would I give you false promises?” I wanted to play havoc with his mind. I’d see if a girl could lure him away from protecting his sister against this predator.
“Shit, Donovan. Don’t piss me off.” Jake could be such a girl at times. “She’s young and naïve and she’s not right for you and you are not right for her. Treat her like the kid sister she’s always been to you—nothing more, nothing less. Don’t get her hopes up.”
“All right, Asshole! Let’s just remember that I never stopped you from dating my sister. I might even tell you my feelings are hurt that you don’t think I’m good enough for Jane.”
“You know that’s not it. Neither of you are good enough for each other. You’ll both find that special someone in someone else. Trust me when I say you’re all wrong for each other.”
“Who’s all wrong for each other, Jake?”
Standing directly behind her brother was a beautiful girl with shiny black hair and even shinier blue eyes. She and her brother could pass off as twins.
“Hello, Pretty Lady!”
“Hi Donovan.” Just to bug the hell out of my best friend, I hugged his little sister fondly, but toned it down and only kissed her on her head.
“Hello, Jake.” Allison was in full attack mode with her skimpy dress and fuck-me heels. I gave Jake a thumbs-up when Allison vertically pressed her body into Jake’s as though they were horizontal, private, and naked. The intent was all there for the world to see.
“Our table’s ready.” I interrupted the horny couple.
“What have you been up to, Donovan?” We’d lost Jake and Allison from the moment they said hello, so this night was all Jane and me.
“When not fetching personal items, I am working like a dog doing research for all the partners at AAP.”
“Is it fun? I’m thinking of following in your footsteps and going to Columbia Law School. After I pass the Bar, there’s no way Gimpy will deny me a job at AAP. Then we can see each other daily.”
“That would be ideal, Jane. But you think you can talk your Gimpy into giving me a job, first?”
“I don’t think you’ll have any problems landing a job. Gimpy told me he was impressed with you when you first met him and I told him you were perfect for AAP.”
“Thanks. I’ll have to buy you dinner tonight for securing me a job.”
“Weren’t you going to buy me dinner, regardless?”
Tonight I saw a flirtatious Jane for the first time and I had to admit, it was fun. In many ways, Jake was correct. When I hung out with Jane, there was no heart-pounding, soul (or even dick)-stirring, emotionally-charge tension between us. I enjoyed talking to Jane and this flirtatious-Jane was cute, but that was about it.
“I think we’ve lost your brother and your roommate. They appear to be having a contest to see who can swallow the other person’s mouth first.”
Jane giggled. “Allison’s been dying to hook up with Jake.”
“I can tell. Let’s get out of here and see if they notice.” We didn’t have to try very hard to leave without notice—neither looked up while sucking on the other’s face. We walked along the pier and caught up on what had been happening since we last saw each other. “How are you liking school here? It can’t be easy leaving the comforts of the Reid cul-de-sac.”
“Freshman year was a shocker. My parents weren’t the hovering type, but the amount of freedom I suddenly had was not good for me. I couldn’t get my act together. I got a D in my anthropology class the first semester and barely passed with B minuses the rest of my classes. My first semester GPA was pitiful.”
“Too much partying with the frat boys?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“And now? How are you doing? You need to get your grades up if you want to go to Columbia Law School.”
“I’ve found my way!” It was cute the way she said that. It was as though she’d found a pot of gold. “I learned to say no to every activity that came my way. I learned I didn’t need to attend every sorority / fraternity mixer. And I learned to take classes that worked for me. My grades rocked second semester.”
I chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Goo
d. I’m glad you got it together. You’re bright enough to get into any graduate program you desire, and you have the Reid name opening doors for you. Play it smart and stay focused.”
“Do you...I mean are you...seeing anyone?” She was nervous asking and I knew if I wanted, this was my chance to get involved with her. In my mind, she was old enough, the sister of my best friend, the daughter of two people I highly admired, and a beautiful woman in every way. Was I really attracted to her? Or was it a mere curiosity? Jane had several more years in undergrad. I had no immediate desire to hinder her growth or experience or to tie either one of us down. Perhaps, I just wasn’t interested enough...or maybe even at all.
“I am not seeing anyone steady.” Short and to the point was the best way to resolve this slight awkwardness. “Are you?”
“There’s a guy I’ve been seeing here and there. He wants to get more serious but I’m unsure. He’s not exactly...”
I didn’t need to know how she’d finish that sentence. Tonight was about two friends catching up on life—nothing more, nothing less.
“Tell me nothing happened between you and my sister last night,” were the first words I heard from the sleepy man who got up at noon.
“Well good morning to you, too. By the sounds of last night, you and your lady friend had a fucking good time.” Jake had to stop pouring coffee into his mug because he was laughing so hard. “Damn, that Allison is a mewler.”
“What the hell is a mewler?”
“Um...one that mewls?” Jake was lost. “Sounds like a damn kitten crying for her mother.” Jake spit out the coffee that was in his mouth onto the kitchen floor. “You’re cleaning that shit up.” He shook his head in entertained exasperation. “I thought a cat was dying the way Allison was groaning. Does she always sound like she’s dying a slow death or are you that bad where she wants to die a slow death? I almost went into your bedroom last night to show you how it’s done.”
We were both on the floor at Allison’s expense. “I don’t know how she always sounds. Last night was my first and most likely my last night with her.”
“Really?” I let Jake know I doubted what he’d just said. “And why’s that?”
“The more I get to know her, the less I like her. Last night probably shouldn’t have happened, but she got me so horny at the restaurant. The crazy girl practically gave me a hand job under the table. I had no idea you and my sister left. Speaking of, you never answered my question.”
“Fret not! I fed your sister, listened to her talk about school life, and then drove her back to her sorority house. I didn’t even ask for a kiss goodnight.”
“You’re not lying to me?”
“Damn. Don’t be such a suspicious mama. Did you hear me complaining last night when I had to listen to your lover moan her way to a painful death?”
“All right. As soon as I get ready, let’s go for a long bike ride or go rowing at the club.”
“I see last night wasn’t quite enough...eh?”
Jake ignored me and went about his way.
“Hey. Good day?” Jake walked in wearing his tennis outfit when I had been at the office since five in the morning. What the hell?
“I’m rethinking becoming a lawyer if all I’ll do in the early years is work as someone’s slave. They had me filing papers all day. I didn’t sign up for clerical duty. What about you?”
“We’re doing some lab work that requires us to wait 48 hours, so we all played tennis and had lunch. I was home before two.”
“If I had any brains for math and science, I would’ve chosen your profession.”
“Let’s get dressed. Gram and Gramps are here. We’re meeting them for dinner in ten minutes.”
“They are?” I loved Jake’s grandparents. Because mine died when I was young, I’d always thought of them as my own. They lived in London too many months out of the year.
We walked a couple of blocks to the restaurant, and all six of us arrived at the same time.
“Gram!” I usurped the first hug meant for her favorite grandson. “I’m so glad you’re here. You get more and more beautiful with age.”
“You’re such a Casanova. How does any woman refuse you?”
I kissed her cheek one more time. “They don’t!”
“Move over. Gram wants her favorite grandson.” Jake bumped me out of the way. I went and hugged Grandpa Jerry and gave a more serious handshake and greeting to Sir Roland Ascot.
“Hey Jane.” I side-hugged her.
“Hi Donovan. Isn’t this a great surprise?” Jane pushed her brother out of the way. “It’s truly amazing how much you prefer my brother over anyone else, Gram. I’ve yet to be noticed by either grandparent. It’s no wonder why I turn to Gimpy.” She teased her grandparents and got a loving embrace from both.
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat!” I announced.
We ordered our meals, and Jane asked the obvious question—how her Gimpy ended up with her grandparents.
“I was on my way to America and Jerry and Estelle needed a lift so they hopped on the plane with me. I had a few meetings at AAP SF, and since their favorite grandchildren were in San Francisco, we decided to drop by San Francisco before heading to LA. How do you like the firm, Son?” Did I want to tell him I thought it sucked? “Your face tells me you’re not happy with AAP?”
“It’s not so much the firm that makes me unhappy, but the menial jobs I’m given that make me feel worthless. I’m at the top law school in America, and they’re treating me no differently than a high school graduate. I’m not doing any law work. I might as well call myself a secretary and research assistant.”
The three grandparents laughed. “That’s a rite of passage, Donovan. One day, you’ll earn a top spot at a law firm and be the one who bosses the law students.”
“I promise you, Sir Roland, those students won’t complain about me,” I vowed.
“I’ll hold you to that, Son.”
“How’s our favorite granddaughter doing up here in the Bay Area?” Grandpa Jerry changed the focus to Jane.
“Last I checked, your favorite granddaughter excelled in her first year in high school, and was doing a summer program in London. I’m surprised you came here without her,” Jane quipped.
I didn’t realize Delaney was in London. “Why is she in London?” I asked.
Gram explained, “She is studying Shakespeare at University College London for six weeks this summer. When done, Henry, Barbara and Doug are picking her up, and they will spend another month in Europe. We would have, of course, brought her with us had she not already had plans with her family.”
“Did she stay with you and Grandpa Jerry?” I was in awe of this young girl who spent six weeks away from her family, and on a different continent for that matter.
“Believe it or not, we only saw her twice during the six weeks she was out there. I would’ve liked to have spent more time with her.” Grandpa Jerry had a sweet smile on his face talking about Delaney. “We considered touring Europe with Henry’s family, but since Roland was headed this way we thought it best to hop on the plane before Estelle melted with the London heat.”
“How is Delaney doing? I haven’t seen her since she was a little girl.”
We could all tell Delaney held a special place in her grandfather’s heart. He couldn’t stop grinning. “She is absolutely stunning, Donovan. All my granddaughters are beautiful, but there’s something extra sweet about that one.”
Jane rolled her eyes. “I told you they favored her right after Jake.”
“Well you, Janey, I adore for many reasons, especially because you look like your grandmother. Laney looks nothing like your grandmother, but she acts just like her. How can I not adore the both of you?”
Roland joined in the conversation. “It’s a credit to your parents how bright you Reid children have turned out. I don’t think there are too many fifteen-year-olds taking Shakespeare classes at UCL.”
“Our Laney h
as always been bright. She’s all that is sweet and innocent and beautiful too. Jerry and I can’t wait to see the man she ends up marrying. It will be hard to find a young man who is worthy of our granddaughter.”
“Who does she look like, Gram? Jane and Jake look like a Reid, but aside from the sparkling blue eyes, I don’t see a Reid resemblance.”
“She looks like my mother.” Grandpa Jerry explained. “I got my fair skin and blue eyes from my mother, but my dark hair from my father. One day when you come back to London, I’ll show you portraits of her.”
“How do you and Sir Roland know each other?” I never figured out the relationship between the three. They appeared to be good friends, but I always sensed Sir Roland as a third wheel or part of a love triangle, somehow.
I must have been correct because all three chuckled. “Roland and I met when I studied in Paris,” was all Gram divulged.
“Then we four became friends sometime after Roland and Lauren married and moved near us. Estelle and Lauren got on well so I had no choice but to do the same.” There was an interesting note of unwilling resignation and sarcasm in Grandpa Jerry’s voice.
“Gimpy, why didn’t you ever remarry? Your wife died so young. I’m sure there were plenty of women who wanted to marry a young, handsome man with huge earning potential.”
Roland hesitated to answer. Jane waited anxiously and expectantly. We were all waiting. There was something not wholly kosher about these three.
“What do you say, Jerry? Shall I spill the beans?”
“How about we save that for another day?” Gram spoiled our fun. “Perhaps I’ll tell the story when one of you has a broken heart that needs mending.”
“So it’s a sad story?”
“Janey, it’s a beautiful story that ended the way it was meant to end.” Grandpa Jerry answered, and in short, ended any more discussion of their relationship.
Jane caught a ride back to her sorority with the three senior citizens while Jake and I walked back to the apartment, deep in thought.
“I wish I still had grandparents,” I lamented.