by Karen Deen
“That’s a nice idea, but I just don’t know if she will like it. She’s so shy and socializing just doesn’t come that easy for her. I don’t know if it will be a very good birthday present for her to have a party. Especially with a heap of people she doesn’t know. What about if we organize a dinner with a few friends, and go from there? Then we can perhaps head out to a night club after that. With a few drinks in her, maybe she might loosen up and we can get her talking to a few guys. How does that sound to you?” In my head, I know how much Nat would absolutely hate a surprise party, let alone with a bunch of strangers. Xavier’s heart is in the right place, just way off-base with this one.
“Yeah, maybe you are right. Start a list of who we should invite and where you think we should have it and I will touch base again in a few days. I better run as she’s finishing up with Mr. Grumpy Pants and she’ll be storming over here any minute to tell me how much she hates training him and what a dick he is to her. I’m just waiting for the day where she snaps and tells him to fuck off and not come back.”
I burst out laughing. I can never imagine Natalie telling anyone to fuck off, but then again, I haven’t seen her pushed to her limits yet. Hopefully I never do. She’s such a gentle-natured girl who brings sunshine wherever she goes.
One day there’s going to be some really great guy come along and sweep her off her feet and live happily ever after. Until then, maybe it’s time we show her how to go out and live life and have a good time.
I wonder how long it’s been since she had sex?
If I had to guess, I would say years, as there hasn’t been any guys around since I have met her. I know I’m in a huge sex drought. The only action I’m getting comes with batteries, but I have a feeling her drought is bigger than mine.
“Okay, Xavier, will do and I will see you bright and early in the morning for a workout with a big-ass smile on my face.”
He bursts out laughing “Who are you kidding? When have you ever turned up first thing in the morning smiling and happy to see me? You know I’m just going to put you in a world of pain as I work your ass off. You just keep telling yourself you’re a morning person and one day you might believe it. Thanks for your help, and I will see you tomorrow. Gotta run, bye.” Silence ensues as Xavier rushes off the phone. My guess is Nat was on her way across the gym floor ready for that whine.
As if I don’t have enough on my plate at the moment with the studio and the audition, but I would never say no when it came to Natalie or Xavier. They’ve become my closest friends over the last few years since my injury. They would never walk away like my ex Mark did.
I glance down to look at the time on my alarm clock. Shit, I better get moving, otherwise I won’t have enough time to do any shopping before class this afternoon. This is my only short teaching day and that’ll be spent with the younger group. I purposely plan the timetable like that to give me time to rehearse and fit a good session in for myself. It’s so important I stay on the top of my fitness and flexibility.
Grabbing my bag, I head to the door. I can’t help but smile thinking of my classes this afternoon. My tiny ballet dancers are the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and makes my ovaries ache. I don’t know when kids will factor into my life, but I know one thing, I want to be a Mom. Two things stand in my way for that to happen. Firstly, I want to secure a spot in the New York Dance Company. This is something I have worked for my whole life.
The second thing is, I need a man if I plan on having kids. It’s fairly safe to say in my current man drought, I may never make it that far.
One dream at a time. The dance company is my first priority.
After my tiny dancer class, I have a few jazz classes and then finish off with my junior ballet class which the gorgeous little Sophia dances in. Or ‘Princess Sophia,’ as I heard Grant call her. The name suits her and makes me melt.
Shivers run up my spine as I picture Grant. God, that man is pure sex on legs with that hot domineering look he gives. If only he walked into my life at another time. Now, it’s just not possible to think about where a man could fit into my life. This is what my brain keeps telling me. It’s the same thought racing through my mind as I dream of Grant. I long for his touch. I crave to have those strong arms wrapped around me, and his lips on my neck with his hot breath causing my skin to raise in goose bumps. I want to hear the sound of his voice whispering dirty things he wants to do to me. My heart aches for this in my life. I didn’t realize how much I crave all of that until Grant walked through that studio door like a whirlwind of testosterone. Lord help me, this is going to take all my mental strength to push this longing deep down and ignore it.
Dancing takes priority and until I fulfil that dream I’m not worth anything. I’ve learned that the hard way.
The shops are busy during the lunch time rush with people rushing for food and coffee and others trying to get a few purchases made while on their lunch break. I love to people-watch. You learn so much just by standing still a few moments and taking in your surroundings.
Then there’s the other group. Moms and dads who are out trying to shop before it is time to pick up their kids from daycare or school. It’s rare time they have to themselves in the day.
Sitting at a table in the café, I spot an elderly couple sitting across from me. There’s so many unspoken words between them. The gentleman’s holding his wife’s hand as she stares into his eyes. Her face is soft and full of lines that tell many stories. Lines that show years of smiling, worry, laughing and most of all, loving. The beauty of her face still holds her husband’s complete focus.
His face reads differently to his wife. His is hard, with weathered lines. Lines that come from years of hard work, worrying about providing for his family, and protecting those closest. But what I see the most is his devotion to her. Their moment is broken by the waiter arriving with their cups of tea and a single serving of chocolate cake, and a single fork.
The husband lifts a cup to his lips to test the temperature of his tea. He takes a sip, and I can see the simple pleasure a nice cup of tea has brought him. His next movements, however, bring tears to my eyes and my heart is ready to explode.
Carefully, he picks up his wife’s hand and places it around her cup. He then helps lift it to her lips after he has blown on it. She takes a little sip. The same joy spreads across her face from the first sip. As he helps her to place her cup back on the table, she gives him her widest smile. I look at her other hand on the table and it’s curled in an awkward ball of twisted fingers. Arthritis looks like it’s taken over her body and her hands are suffering awfully from the disease. After the old gentle man takes another drink of his own tea, he feeds his wife mouthfuls of chocolate cake, alternating between her and himself. His wife chatters away in between enjoying her cake.
This simple act of love is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I’m totally overwhelmed with the emotions of such a special moment. I want that sort of love. The one that never changes but just grows stronger over the years. The type of love that is unconditional, through sickness and in health.
God, I want that more than anything.
To be good enough for someone even if I am broken.
My heart struggles to know how it feels to be someone’s everything no matter what. Again, my mind drifts to Grant. I wonder if he could be that someone. Too bad I’ll never get to know.
I sit longer than I should, watching the most beautiful love story in front of my eyes. As the elderly couple struggle out of their seats and shuffle from the café, I take a deep breath. Realizing the time, I approach the counter and pay instead of leaving the money on the table.
“Excuse me,” I call, “could you tell me about that elderly couple that just left? Do they come in here often?”
“Oh yes, that’s Mr. and Mrs. Frankston. They come in every day around the same time and order their cups of tea and one piece of chocolate cake. It’s their daily date. They tell us all the time they don’t know how much ti
me they have left together so they need to make the most of it. So, Mr. Frankston has vowed to take his wife on a date every day for her favorite desert. He said he’ll do it until such a time that they can no longer cope. They live up the road in the nursing home together. He is her carer now the arthritis has made things difficult for her. They’re the cutest couple, aren’t they? We love to see them every day. They’re always smiling and are still totally in love.” The waitress looks at me as the tears run down my face. I can’t help it.
A simple life filled with love is the type of love I need. Everything else in my life would be even more perfect with love in it.
“Can I please have a piece of paper for a moment?” I ask the waitress. She looks at me with confusion but hands me her notepad.
I write a note and hand it over to her with money for my lunch and extra to leave with the note. As the waitress looks over the note, I re-read it to make sure it sounds right.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Frankston,
Today I watched you enjoy your beautiful tea and cake date. I have never seen such a loving moment in all my life. You have made me want that kind of love and relationship. One that lasts the test of time and still brings a smile from your heart every day. I now know not to accept anything less than a love like yours. Please enjoy your next date on me and thank you for showing me what true love looks like.
From a girl who needed to know she will be loved no matter what, when it is the right kind of love.
xoxo
The waitress looks at me with tears in her eyes. “That’s really beautiful. You’re very kind.” I smile and walk away. “Wait,” the waitress calls, “can I have your name for them?” I am smiling because my name doesn’t matter. Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Frankston has done more for me than they will ever know.
Shopping will have to wait another day, lunch took so much longer than I was planning on. Not that I care one bit. It was a lunch I will never ever forget. A moment my heart will always treasure.
13
Grant
The looks on the faces of all my staff when I walk through the building makes me smirk on the inside. They have never seen me in jeans and a shirt. Maybe it’s time to change things up a bit.
Obviously, the world only sees me as Grant, the CEO, the control freak, and workaholic. There’s more to me than that. I just have to find out what that is. I have this overwhelming feeling Zara is the one to help me find the hidden Grant.
Leaning against the side of my car waiting for the bell to sound at the school, I watch the many mothers and a few fathers mill outside the gate. I feel the eyes of several women on me. They’re huddled together in little groups, trying to discreetly check me out while others are being blatantly obvious. It’s never worried me before and if I’m out I’ll usually take my time to observe the crowd and see who gains my attention.
Before long, the woman who’s caught my eye is on my arm and agreeing to a night of hot sex with no strings. Never have I been turned down or found it difficult to find a woman who’s interested, but today I just want to be Uncle Grant. I’m not even paying attention to the women. They’re probably wondering who I am and how I fit in with their little world.
A diva mom struts towards me. The one that’s taken it upon herself to be the gossip scout. Her job is to try to find out who I am. She walks in her three-inch high heels with a deliberate sway and the confidence to boot. Her perfectly-angled shoulders tell me she’s not shy, her tits out on full display.
Unless you know better you’d think she belongs on the stage at a strip club. Her skirt is just covering the parts of her ass that lead you to the Promised Land. She’s very attractive but does nothing for me. If only the school bell would start ringing so I don’t have to put up with the flirting that’s about to be thrown at me.
“Hi there,” she purrs. “Not sure I have seen you here before? Do your children attend this school?” Her voice is smooth and oozing sex appeal as her eyes roam up and down my body.
Short answers are all she’s going to get from me. “Yes,” I say, smiling politely and looking over her shoulder toward the school gate.
“They must be new. I would have known if I had seen a good-looking man like yourself hanging around the school pick-up. How old are your children and how many do you have?” Her eyes hold me to make sure she doesn’t lose my attention.
“They’re seven years old.” I don’t bother to explain they’re twins or the fact I’m their uncle because it’s really none of her business. All I’m trying to do is make sure she gets that I’m not interested.
“Such a cute age. So, does your wife usually do the pickups? Is that why we haven’t met?”
“I’m not married.” I hide my laughter while she tries to figure me out.
She resorts to the next phase. Placing her hand on my arm, she strokes affectionately. “Silly me, I haven’t introduced myself.” The boobs stick out further, the voice slightly higher pitched.
I try to back away, but I’m trapped between her and the car. “I’m Felicity Fairweather, and I have a seven-year-old daughter too. Maybe our kids know each other and are best friends. Wouldn’t that be cute? Maybe we could organize a play date for them and you could come too, to watch them, of course.” The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and it sure as hell isn’t from arousal. This woman’s a vulture, circling her prey. I’m surprised she hasn’t already asked what I do for a living and what my annual salary is.
“Sorry, I didn’t get your name.” She thinks I’m that stupid? You don’t need to know who I am. I sure as shit don’t care who you are.
The air is filled with the welcomed sound of the school bell. The leech still doesn’t let go and I worry the twins will walk out and see the display.
I’m not a rude person, and my parents would kick my ass if I was. I gently grip her wrists and remove them from my body and politely excuse myself.
“Excuse me, Felicity, but I need to go and meet the kids at the gate.”
I hear a huff as I step around her but am greeted by the knowing smiles of the group of men standing by the fence line who’d watched the interaction.
The noise of overly enthusiastic kids comes rumbling through the glass doors at the front of the school. I hope Samuel and Sophia don’t take too long to come out, otherwise the vulture will be on me again. My eyes madly scan the crowds. I hear his voice before I see him.
“Hurry up, Sophia, I want to see Uncle Grant”.
I let out a sigh of relief knowing the kids are on their way. Looking around, I see Samuel jump down the three steps while he drags Sophia behind him. My heart skips a little at the sight of them, the two most important people in my life. I would lay down my life for these two little creatures, along with their new little brother, Thomas. The bond I feel towards them is so incredible, I can’t even imagine what it’ll feel like to have children of my own. I know the more I think about it, the more I want them. Plenty of them, so they can experience the love of a big family like I did growing up.
This is a long time into the future but over the last few days, it’s become quite clear in my head. I now know who the woman is I want to create that family with. She just doesn’t realize it yet. Hopefully this afternoon, she might start to get the idea.
“Uncle Grant, Uncle Grant, we’re coming. I’m ready for my ice cream.” Sammy yells across the playground. I can’t help but laugh. The boy is such a character and has the memory of an elephant. As they get closer, Sammy launches himself into my arms. I give him a quick hug and then let him down as I ruffle the top of his head. He lets out a giggle.
“Hey, Sammy. How was your day? Were you good for your teacher?”
“Always, Uncle Grant. I got three stickers today for being a good helper, sitting quietly and finishing my spelling words.” He looks at me waiting for me to reply to his proud statement. I raise my hand above his head for a high five. Sammy jumps up and slaps my hand hard.
“That’s great, little buddy. I’m very proud of you.” As
I finish my sentence, I feel the little gentle hands of Sophia wrap around my legs. I can’t resist and lean down to pick her up. She snuggles her head into my neck and I feel her little body relax. It’s like my shoulder and arms are a safe and happy place. I know she loves Zach with all her heart but the two of us have an amazing bond that just can’t be explained.
Looking down at those little eyes that are now looking up to me, my heart starts to melt. “How is my little princess this afternoon?”
“I’m good, thank you, Uncle Grant,” she says quietly into my neck. She’s not ready to let go yet. It is like I am her center and she’s just letting me bring her world back into line. Although Sophia has got better in the last few months with people, she’s still very shy at times and doesn’t really like big crowds. Having inherited a big family of very over-protective uncles, aunties and grandparents along with Zach as her father, it is helping her to feel safe. It hurts my soul to think she lived all that time scared of strangers, especially men. Her mom did an amazing job on her own keeping these two treasures safe and happy, but now the pressure is off. We are all here to help her share the load.
The rest of the family doesn’t quite understand our relationship, but Emily gets it. She sees the real me hiding behind the confident, cocky man everyone else sees.
Zach’s one lucky bastard finding his love and the two little added benefits that came with her. I feel Sophia’s breathing start to slow and calm on my neck. Meanwhile Sammy’s bouncing around in front of me like he has ants in his pants.
“Did you also have a good day at school today like your brother?” I try to encourage Sophia to talk to me.