Chance Meeting

by Rita Delude

  “Chance, wait. Tonight is fine. How about Jade Dragon in Merrimack? They’re open until 3 a.m. That should get you tired enough to sleep.”

  “Oh, perfect. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

  “Perfect. I’ll meet you there,” I answer and hang up the phone.

  I jump up and down and scream. “It’s a date. Tonight.”

  Laurie is screaming with delight, too, and I’m worried the neighbors might call the police.

  “Let’s get you cleaned up fast,” she says, and we rush into their house leaving Allen trailing behind us.

  Chapter Four

  Chance

  She said she didn’t want this night to end. I don’t either. I know I won’t sleep until I get a chance to talk with her without the kids around. Adult talk about really important things and flirting and jokes. I’ve got to know if she gets me, and I get her. It’s late and there won’t be traffic, so I should be able to make it to Merrimack from Nashua in twenty minutes. I could do it a lot quicker if I put my emergency lights on, but if caught I could lose my license. Even Emily isn’t worth that. She might mean that much to me someday, but I don’t know her well enough to know whether or not she is yet.

  But a trip to Canabie no matter how much fun always leaves me dirty, sweaty, and sticky, so I’ve got to clean up before we meet at the Jade. The heater in my apartment building takes forever to heat up the water, so I end up with a very cold, quick shower, which is probably for the best because one look at that hot lady sets my body on fire. It will help me stay cooler in this summer heat. I slap on some khakis and a polo shirt. Not being able to find a clean pair of socks, I slip into a pair of loafers and speed my way to the Jade Dragon keeping it at just ten miles an hour over the limit all the way, so I won’t be pulled over.

  Just as I pull into the huge parking lot where there aren’t many cars because it’s after midnight, Emily’s white Subaru pulls in beside my Jeep. Perfect timing. Almost perfect. Still, I pull down the visor and check my hair. I’ve got this cowlick that no matter how much mousse I use won’t stay down. I lick my finger and try to lock it down with no luck. I close the mirror and lock the car. When I turn, I see she’s closing her overhead mirror too. So, I’m not the only one who’s nervous.

  When she locks her car and comes around the front to me, I see she’s ditched her blue tank top and cut-off jeans for a white sundress with blue flowers with yellow centers. She looks like a birthday present I want to open. The blue in the flowers heightens the color of her eyes.

  “You look gorgeous,” I say.

  “You clean up rather nice yourself,” she answers. “Canabie is fun, but it gets you kind of sticky.”

  “Agreed. But that’s half the fun. What’s life without cotton candy and candy apples?” I say.

  She smiles broadly, and her perfect teeth light up my heart. I take her hand, and she doesn’t pull away. We walk into the restaurant as though we’ve been a couple forever.

  “Good evening. Would you like to be seated at the bar or in the restaurant?” the hostess asks.

  We look at each other. “The restaurant,” we answer in unison.

  I’m so glad we both agreed. We can hear from where we stand that the bar is crowded and noisy. There would be no privacy and very little chance that we’d even be able to hear each other in there. It’s the first question of the night, and she’s answered it just right. Fingers crossed they all go so well.

  I look down and realize our hands haven’t separated since the parking lot. I like that. Hers fits into mine so comfortably. It’s magnetic. We follow the hostess into the very quiet restaurant side of the facility as she leads us to a huge horseshoe-shaped booth large enough to fit a family of seven or eight. We slide directly into the middle of it and sit very close together. We’re touching hip to hip. I can feel the soft cotton of her dress against my arm. Everything about her feels soft. Her dress is sleeveless and her arms are perfectly shaped and nicely tanned as though she’s already spent lots of time outside even though school’s just recently been dismissed for the summer. Yet her tanned skin isn’t dry or wrinkly. This woman takes great care of her body. Suddenly, I’m imagining her lathering on body lotion to sooth any dryness the sun may have caused or applying sunscreen before venturing out at the beach.

  “Sir, and what would you like to drink?”

  Emily snickers.

  “Oh, me? I’ll have a Bud, thanks. Emily?”

  “That’s why I was laughing. I already ordered. I think you were somewhere else.”

  “Yeah, sorry. I guess I was.”

  “A penny for your thoughts,” she says.

  Should I tell her? Hell, why not?

  “I was thinking how beautiful you are and how soft and gorgeous your skin is.”

  She laughs again. “That’s the first time ever someone has complimented my skin.”

  “Well, you owe me a penny. ’Cause that’s what I was thinking about.”

  She digs into her purse, pulls out a penny, and hands it to me.

  “Thank you for being so honest,” she says.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure,” she says as she sips the Bloody Mary the waitress has just delivered.

  “Have you ever jumped out of an airplane?”

  She takes another quick sip as I tip my bottle of Bud to my lips.

  “Can’t say that I have. Have you?”

  “Many times. I’m going again on Friday. Will you come with me and jump with me? I’m a certified trainer. First time jumpers can’t jump alone. They need a master diver. I could be yours.”

  She moves a few inches away from me, and I feel the sudden loss of her body heat in the air-conditioned room. This was not the reaction I was hoping for.

  “Are you serious? Do you ask all your dates to go jumping with you?”

  “Nope. I’ve only asked one other. But that didn’t end well?”

  “Did she die or break something?”

  I spit out a sip of beer all over the table. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean the jump ended badly. The relationship did. She cheated on me. I can’t tolerate a cheat.”

  I use my napkin to soak up the beer.

  “I’ve never jumped before. I’d be terrified. If I got into the plane, you’d probably have to push me out, I’d be so petrified.”

  “It’s okay. A lot of people are scared, so scared on their first jump. And we do. Push them out, I mean. But I’d be holding onto you, so I’d be jumping with you. Look at me,” I say and hold her chin up, so she can look directly into my eyes which are several inches above hers. “I will not let anything bad happen to you. Ever.” I whisper the word ever, not knowing or caring if she hears it, but that’s how I feel.

  “Call me crazy, but I believe you. Yes. Let’s do it.”

  Emily answers a second question just right.

  Chapter Five

  Emily

  OMG, what did I just agree to? Something about this guy makes me want to be daring. “Feel safe. Sleep with a paramedic.” That’s what his shirt said. Maybe that’s why I trust him.

  He’s challenging me; clearly he’s a danger freak and a thrill seeker. Is that all he is? I’ll challenge him. See if he can tolerate what I like.

  “Do you cook?” I ask.

  “That’s an odd question. I do, but nothing fancy. Stuff on the grill in the summertime. I make a mean spaghetti sauce and a dinner I call the ‘nameless dinner’ made with kielbasa and cream of mushroom soup and onions and potatoes. But nothing fancy. Why?”

  “’Cause in the summer when I’m off from school, I like to experiment with new things. I’ve registered for a class in Thai cooking. Class meets once a week on Tuesdays at 7:30 until 10:30 for four weeks. Would you be willing to take classes with me?”

  “Thai? I’d love that. I had a chance to try some authentic Thai food when I was in the military. Nothing like it. So spicy. Right up my alley. I’m in. Just give me the details, and I’ll register tomorrow.”

&nbs
p; I’m startled by his enthusiasm. It seems too tame a thing for him to do—cooking class. But his reaction is genuine. This guy may be the real thing. I reach into my purse and pull out the business card I have for Thai Garden’s Cuisine Classes and hand it to him.

  “That bag is full of surprises,” he says and smiles. His smile lights up the room, but there’s no one there to see it but me, and I’m glad for that.

  The waitress returns asking if we’ll have more drinks. We each switch to sodas because we’ll be driving. I like that he does that. I suppose he’s seen the results of enough drunken drivers to be careful. We order a PuPu platter and relax into more chatter.

  “What’s the best part of your job?” I ask.

  “When we arrive and someone is DOA, dead, and we resuscitate. The family is frantic, if there are kids, they are panicked, confused, crying. It’s a mess. We assess the situation. Ask if there were drugs involved, heart issues, diabetes, the usual, use naloxone for opioid overdoes; that usually gets them revived fast. We do CPR, oxygen, chest paddles, whatever it takes. When what we do gets the heart going again, and the family sees they are breathing, the relief in the room is palpable. My adrenaline is through the roof. I know the patient isn’t totally out of the woods and may still die, but at least there’s a chance because we got there in time and did what we were trained to do.”

  I’m in awe. It’s nothing I could handle. Ever. But he’s so calm about it and proud of his work. I appreciate that.

  “And what’s the worst part of the job? When someone dies?”

  “Believe it or not, it’s the ‘raisin runs,’” he says.

  I can feel my eyes bug out. “A raisin run? What’s that?”

  He laughs and it’s a full, hearty laugh that’s happy and makes me feel oh so good.

  “It’s a nickname we give to the many times we get calls to deliver seniors to appointments. There’s really nothing critical about them. They’re just afraid, so they call us. No disrespect meant. I love a senior citizen as much as the next guy. But these calls are boring. There’s nothing for us to do. It’s like we’re the Uber driver.”

  I laugh then, too, and it makes Chance smile.

  “Okay, your turn. Best about your job?”

  “When that lightbulb goes on for each student, and they get what I’ve been teaching. For some it takes a while. For others, it’s fast.”

  “And worst?”

  “Moving up day?”

  “What’s that?”

  “My first graders move up to their second grade teachers on the last day of school, so they meet the teacher they’ll have the next year. I know I’ll see them in the hallways, but I’ll miss them. I get attached.”

  “Don’t the kids in kindergarten move up to you?”

  “Hey, you know a lot about kids for a military guy. Yeah, they do. It’s the only thing about the last day of school I like. It gives me a glimpse at the new crop of eager faces for the fall.”

  “Your students must love you.”

  “I don’t know about that, but I love them. To be honest, not all equally. Some are real trouble, but in one way or another they all leave a mark on my heart.”

  He takes my hand in his. It’s like magic. We fit together so well.

  “Don’t take this the wrong, way, but I’m sure glad Izzy had her little scrape today, or I never would have accidently met you.”

  “I’m sorry for her sake that it took her getting hurt, but I’m glad we met,” I say looking into his eyes that speak to me like no others before have. I need to break the hold he has on me just now.

  “Hey, you sounded awfully nervous when you called tonight. Why?”

  “To tell you the truth, I was. It was late; we’d just met; I know we exchanged numbers, but I was afraid you’d think I was some sort of stalker calling so soon.”

  I let go of his hand and poke him in the side.

  “You’re not are you?”

  “A stalker? No way. Actually, I haven’t dated since my breakup with Miss Cheater. Let’s just say, you’re the first I’ve taken a chance on again.”

  I bow at the waist. “Well, I feel honored to be your first,” I tease.

  “Are you seeing anyone?” he asks.

  “No, I tried some online dating at a site called Catch.net, but that didn’t work out so well. People weren’t always what they claimed to be in their profiles. After six months of that, I gave up. I hate fakes.”

  “I’m sorry to bother you two, but the restaurant and bar close in one-half hour. It’s last call,” our waitress says.

  “I’ll take the check,” Chance answers, and my heart sinks knowing our day together is over.

  Chapter Six

  Chance

  We walk to her car and I wish we’d come together. I don’t like her driving home alone at 3 a.m.

  She leans her gorgeous body up against the driver’s door to chat with me. I feel I’ve known her forever, yet I’m terrified to move too fast. Her lips are full and sensual. I want to taste them and feel the silky softness that I’m sure is there. Do I dare?

  “Earth to Chance, what are you doing tomorrow?”

  “Oh, tomorrow, I have to work. A twelve-hour shift. Why?”

  “Just wondering. I thought we could get together.”

  She does want to see me again. Not just for the skydiving, but just to hang out. This is great news.

  “Well, there’s lots of down time between calls, we can talk if you’re not busy. But I warn you, if we get a call, I’ll have to end the call fast. It might seem rude. I wouldn’t want you to think that.”

  “No, I’d understand.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

  She gets a very faraway look. I’m wondering if she’s worried about driving home so late. Maybe I should offer to drive her, and we could pick up her car tomorrow. Then maybe she’d think I’m some kind of chauvinist who doesn’t think women can handle themselves. Shit, I hate all this stuff. I like this lady, a lot. All I want is to protect her, but I can’t do that if it makes her get the wrong idea.

  “My turn,” I say. “A penny for your thoughts.”

  She smiles. “I was hoping you would kiss me.”

  When our lips meet, it is better than what I imagined. The fullness and softness envelope me with a warmth that feels like a comforter just out of the dryer. I’m home. She’s perfect. The kiss is perfect. Tender, warm, soft, and then wet, open and full. Yet, still with a tentativeness of a new beginning, a searching, feeling each other out and not wanting to go too far. Each of us wanting, but not wanting too much all at once. My hands stroke her sleek hair, and we penetrate each other’s mouths, and I feel my manhood harden. Finally, we pull away.

  There’s silence between us. I hold her face then and she holds my shoulders. It’s as if each is memorizing the features we see there. I know I am. The gray-blue eyes, the midnight hair, the perfect, dark skin, the smile that lights up my heart, the full lips that I now know can send me to heaven on Earth, and the body that is smoking hot. Could this have truly just fallen into my lap today?

  Better yet, she is willing to try skydiving. Most women wouldn’t be. She doesn’t strike me as a risk taker. The way she reacted to the blood makes me think she’s anything but, yet she’s willing to try. Why? Could it be for me? I hope so. I hope I’m worth it.

  “I can’t believe an accident brought us together,” I say.

  “Why not? That’s what you specialize in—accidents,” Emily says and laughs.

  Then she unlocks the door with her key fob, and I open it and wait while she puts her seatbelt on.

  “Will you call me when you get home? I just want to know you’re safe.”

  “I will,” she promises and drives away.

  Chapter Seven

  Emily

  He’s so protective. I’ve never met anyone like him. Maybe it’s just from doing his job, just instinct after all these years. But it’s nice. Nobody’s looked out for me like that for a long time.
Not even my parents since Susan’s been gone.

  I brush the thought away wanting to think only about the wonderful day I’ve spent with this man who’s so easy to talk with, so open, and so Goddamn sexy. I will call when I get home, but I won’t keep him on the line. He has work in the morning. A twelve-hour shift. That’s got to be brutal if there are lots of emergencies. I could not handle that job. Thank God there are people who can.

  The streets are deserted. It’s the first time I’ve been out this late in years. Not since my college days, I guess. I turn on my favorite country station and listen to Brad Paisley’s “Time Well Wasted” about a guy spending time fishing with his dad instead of getting stuff done that needs doing. I love spending time with my family, especially with Laurie, Allen, Izzy, and the twins. My parents are part of the mix sometimes, but not as often. They travel a lot. They’re distant. It’s hard. There’s a hole in their hearts that nothing will ever fill, I imagine. I know there’s a hole in mine too.

  When I get to the house, Dolly greets me at the door as her long-lost lover.

  “Hello, Dolly, be quiet now, and I’ll take you out. You’ve been stuck in this house all day. I’m sorry.” I click her leash on her and take her outside to do her duty. She’s quiet, which I’m glad for because I wouldn’t want to wake the neighbors at this hour.

  “I met a man today, Dolly. His name is Chance. A real nice guy. He says he likes dogs. I hope he likes you. Otherwise, he’s out. You and me, Dolly, we stick together,” I say as I bundle my Shih Tzu in my arms and carry her back into the house. “I hope he likes your namesake too. We girls can’t live without our country music can we?” I whisper into her ear.

  After I lock the door, I punch up Chance’s number and tell him I’m home safely.

  “One thing, Dolly here wants to know if you like country music,” I say.

  “Who’s Dolly?”

  “My Shih Tzu. She’s named after Dolly Parton”