Wednesday at Noon

by Teneka Woods

  “I’ll pass,” Nate chuckled.

  She rolled her eyes and ate a cherry before dropping two more in one of the tumblers, and then tossed the jar in the trash can. “There’s nothing wrong with them. It’s not like it was a jar of mayo or something.”

  “Alright… we’ll see how you’re feeling later on,” Nate teased, and accepted the cup from her. “Thanks.”

  “You really don’t have to sit over there, y’know. We shared a couch just last night, remember?”

  It was the second time she’d said it. He didn’t want to think too much into the suggestion, but he was moved by the fact that she wanted him next to her. If only the damn cat would get lost.

  “I won’t be attacked, will I?” he asked jokingly, and left the chaise for the couch.

  “My cats are real sweethearts. They won’t bother you.”

  There was another sneeze as he eased down on the opposite end of the sofa, as close to the corner as he could get. Silk appeared unbothered by his presence.

  Tora looked at him. “Are you sure you haven’t caught a cold?”

  “I’m okay,” he sniffed. “Whatever it is will clear up soon.” He wasn’t sure how much longer he would last, but he didn’t want the night to end either.

  They talked through another show. Nate wanted to hear more about her life in Pittsburgh and all the other places she’d lived. He asked about her dreams, if she had any fears.

  He loved listening to her recount special moments, and was surprised when she shared some of her embarrassing moments. He wasn’t expecting her to be so open with him considering she’d told him before when he wanted to know something about her that he was being too nosy. He learned that, despite her affinity for bold makeup, tattoos and piercings, she was a woman who wanted a simple life where she was free to express herself creatively and make a living with her art. Like him, she couldn’t fathom being tied down with an ordinary nine to five desk job.

  “What about a life partner?” Nate asked. “I know you wanna create memories with someone special, right?”

  She sighed and looked over at him. “Of course I want someone to go through life with. Who doesn’t? My parents divorced when I was young, but I’m still amazed by their friendship. They genuinely care a lot for each other after all these years. I look forward to that type of lasting love for someone.”

  “But you’re not just talking about friendship only, right? You want more than a platonic relationship eventually?”

  She laughed and he worried that he was coming across too desperate in his questioning.

  “Well… with the losers I’ve met in the last couple months… things aren’t looking too good.”

  She got up from the sofa before he could say anything else and told him she was going to the bathroom. He took the opportunity and escaped to her balcony for fresh air, leaving the door slightly ajar. As soon as he was outside he took a deep breath and worked to scratch his itchy throat. Of all things, he mused, why did she have to be a cat lover? There was no way he could ever hang out in her apartment again.

  “Did he leave?” Nate heard her say minutes later.

  “I’m out here,” he answered.

  “What made you come outside?” She stepped out onto the balcony. In the short time she was gone she had changed out of the clouds-printed pajama pants and into a purple satin short set. He caught a whiff of perfume, too.

  “I have a confession to make. I’m allergic to cats.”

  “What?” she said, her eyes wide. “Are you serious? I had no idea! Is that why you’re sneezing all over the place?” Then she laughed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Nate wasn’t expecting her to touch his chin, raising his head to look at her. Even in his state of misery that simple touch caused a stir inside him.

  “Your eyes are kinda red, too. You poor thing. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

  “I should be okay after a few more minutes out here,” he said.

  “I’ll lock the cats in my bedroom,” she chuckled, and went back inside.

  Nate tried his best to hang, but he was miserable. She’d switched the television to an episode of Power, but between constantly trying to clear his throat, sneezing, and wiping his watery eyes he couldn’t relax and enjoy her company.

  “Tora, I hate to say this,” he said finally, “but I have to go. I’m having a hard time right now.”

  “Aww… you poor thing.” She stood and walked him to the door. “How sad to be allergic to cats because they are the best creatures in the world. I can’t imagine life without my babies.”

  Nate chuckled. “I see. Next time we’ll just have to meet at my place again.”

  “Apparently,” she said, smiling.

  He wanted to pull her body into his for a warm hug.

  “Thanks again for the fajitas,” she said.

  “No problem. I really wish I could stay longer, but…”

  “And you should have told me you were allergic!”

  “I know,” he smiled, “but I really wanted to spend some time with you.”

  “Just crazy,” she shook her head and laughed.

  Nate opened the door and both of them were startled by the man standing there.

  “Eric, what the hell are you doing outside my door?” Tora yelled. “What the hell are you doing at my apartment?”

  He glanced at Nate. “I came over to talk to you, Tora.”

  “You need to leave right now or I’m calling the police. How dare you show up to my front door!”

  “Oh, come on. You’re being overly dramatic. I just want to talk to you.”

  “I’ve told you before we have nothing to talk about, Eric. Especially after all the shit you said to me.”

  “Look… I was upset, okay? And just talking out of my ass.”

  “Eric, leave,” Tora said tightly.

  Nate stood between them watching and waiting. Waiting to see if he would need to intervene on Tora’s behalf should the guy try something crazy.

  Eric looked at him. “Will you give us a few minutes, buddy?”

  Tora tried to step around him, but Nate raised his arm to keep her back. “Hey, man,” he said to Eric, “I’m not sure who you are, but she’s a friend of mine. And she asked you to leave. So why not respect her wishes and go?”

  Eric stared Tora down. Shaking his head, he finally turned to Nate. “Yeah, well, it looks like you got farther with her than I did. Congratulations,” he said, and walked off.

  “You son-of-a-bitch!” Tora screamed as Nate closed the door.

  “What’s up with that guy, man?” Nate said.

  “He’s an arrogant bastard,” Tora said.

  “You need to call the police and report him.” He followed her back over to the sofa and sat down next to her.

  “I know he must’ve followed someone in the security gates.”

  “Right,” Nate nodded his head. “I’ve always thought those gates were a joke myself. Has he ever done this before?”

  “No. I haven’t even known him that long. We went out only two times.”

  “Well, this guy is definitely crazy if he’s showing up to your place uninvited, so you should go ahead and call the police just so it’s on record.” He stepped out onto the balcony as she made the phone call. He scanned the sidewalks just to be certain the punk wasn’t still hanging around.

  When the police arrived, Tora gave a report of all she knew about Eric, how they met, and details of their conversations. Nate tried not to be jealous as he listened to her recall their nights out together.

  One officer pulled him aside and questioned him, surprising Nate when he said:

  —Listen…we come across women like her all the time. Are you sure she didn’t set this whole thing up? It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if she did just to have you two fighting over her. We’ve seen it plenty of times before.

  There was no way he was going to leave her alone tonight, Nate thought, so when the unenthused officers left, he said, “You might as well
pack an overnight bag and stay with me tonight. In case that fool comes back and tries something.”

  “Nate, I’m not gonna let him run me out of my apartment! I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’m not going to give him control over me. I have a Taser. And will have no problem zapping his ass if he shows up again acting crazy.”

  “Alright, well… call me if you need me.” This time he did wrap his arms around her and told her to stay safe before he walked out the door.

  But it wasn’t until he pulled into his own apartment complex that he was compelled to return to hers. He picked up his smartphone and called her. “Tora,” he said, “I can’t do it. I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’m spending the night with you.”

  “What?” she said. “You don’t have to do that, Nate. I am fine.”

  “I don’t trust him.”

  “What about your allergy?”

  “I’ll tough it out.”

  THIRTY

  “If that doesn’t make you wanna drop your hang-ups and give that man a chance, then you are the dumbest woman in the world for real. Just saying.”

  Tora rolled her eyes, but smiled at Candace. “It was so sweet of him to do that. Poor guy sneezed and coughed all night. And when we woke up the next morning his eyes were so red and swollen. I felt so bad for him!”

  “Allergies are no joke. Some people die from theirs, Tora. He could’ve died trying to protect you from a jackass!”

  “I know.” Tora shook her head sympathetically. “I asked if he wanted me to take him to the emergency room, but he told me he felt okay and just needed some fresh air. He refused the Benadryl I offered.”

  Candace popped her gum and a devilish grin curved her lips. “So… where did he sleep?”

  “Oh god, Candace. He slept on the couch!”

  Candace tsked. “What a shame. The man puts his health—and life—at risk to take care of you and you made him sleep on a hard couch. I would’ve had that fine, sexy man in my bed so fast!”

  Tora laughed out loud. She wouldn’t tell Candace the thought had crossed her mind. That night, in the early predawn hour, she’d gotten out of bed for a drink of juice as she oftentimes did in the middle of the night. She thought Nate was sound asleep on the sofa, and she tiptoed through the kitchen, but just as she opened the cabinet to grab a glass his voice echoed in the darkness.

  —You okay? he said.

  Tora turned around and almost dropped the glass at the sight of him standing there wearing only his boxer briefs. Even in the dark room his silhouette left nothing to the imagination and Tora found herself clutching the counter for balance as her heart and stomach cartwheeled at the outline of every curve of every muscle on his body.

  —Just getting a drink, she said. Are you okay?

  —Yeah. Just went to the bathroom to grab some tissue.

  —I’m so sorry.

  —It’s nothing. I just wanna make sure you’re good. That you’re not losing sleep over this crazy dude Eric.

  —I’m sleeping fine. Just got thirsty.

  —Well… come and get me if you need me for anything.

  She’d climbed back into bed with a knuckle between her teeth to stifle a whimper because the man was so damn fine and she definitely needed him. Needed him in her bed, between her legs….

  “He insisted we be friends after I told him there couldn’t be anything between us,” Tora said to Candace. “So… that’s what we are. I told you I was burned before. I’m not going through that again.”

  Candace rolled her eyes heavenward. “Fine,” she said, “but I don’t wanna hear nothing out of your mouth when some other woman snatches him up.”

  * * *

  “Ohhh… you are such a cutie, I wish I could take you home with me.” Tora returned the cat to its cage—a beautiful fat and fluffy Maine Coon who was the newest addition to the shelter. After leaving Driskell & Co. for the day Tora decided to put in a couple volunteer hours. Nate was all she could think about as she tended to the fur babies. When he walked her to her jeep the morning after he stayed the night, he warned her to be on the lookout for Eric and to also report him to the Leasing Office so they have a description of his car. She’d told him she appreciated his concern, but she was a big girl and knew how to handle Eric if necessary. But he’d given her a no-nonsense look and told her to do as he suggested, and she had to admit it turned her on as he stood there, swollen eyes and all. He then told her he would call later that night to make sure she’d made it home safely, which he did.

  And he’d called every morning and night since then.

  She wondered what he was doing now as she cleaned her hands in the restroom before heading to the front desk to return the volunteer badge. She was still feeling bad for how he suffered through the night at her apartment.

  She wanted to see him. A thought came to mind just as she was exiting the doors of the shelter.

  “Oh, Tora?” the receptionist called after her.

  “Yes?” she turned around.

  “We were viewing your profile and noticed that you’re also a photographer. We’re getting ready to update the adoption photos in preparation for fall. Is this something you would be willing to help us with?”

  Tora smiled. “Of course. I’d love to.”

  “Okay. We will be starting that sometime in the next couple weeks, so we will give you a call and work out a schedule soon, okay?”

  “No problem. Thanks.”

  “No, thank you. We really appreciate your commitment to the shelter.”

  * * *

  She still had Nate’s gate access code saved in her phone, but instead of entering the gate she idled at the curb and called him. It was a risky thing to do and she hoped he was in the mood for company; otherwise she would have to return to her apartment and eat the pizza and hot wings she picked up all by herself.

  When he answered she said, “Kickoff is in thirty minutes. Are you ready to witness this Steel City beatdown?”

  He laughed out loud—a glorious laugh—and she couldn’t help laughing along with him.

  “Man, you are crazy for real. I like that. What’s up?”

  “I’m outside your apartment.”

  “You are?”

  She noted the surprise in his voice. “Yes. With pizza and hot wings. Do you mind if I join you to watch the game?”

  “Tora… if you could see the grin on my face right now,” he said. “I’m on my way outside to meet you.”

  “You are such a bad influence. Do you know how hard I had to work to reverse that root beer float last weekend?” He reached over to grab a slice of pizza and she slapped his hand away.

  “I got the veggie pizza for you for that very reason.” She laughed at the shocked expression on his face.

  “You serious? So you’re not sharing?”

  “Nope,” she said, crossing her legs and taking a bite of the slice she held in her hand. An Italian sausage meatball fell in her lap and she picked it right up and popped it into her mouth. “I figured you would have something to say about my choice, so I got you your own pizza… thin crust veggie.” He pouted sadly and Tora thought it was the cutest thing.

  They were sitting on his sofa eating pizza and hot wings straight from the boxes as they watched the pregame commentary. It was the first preseason game and the Steelers were playing the Cowboys.

  He asked, “Still no word from that fool, huh?”

  “Nope. Not one phone call either. I checked my blocked calls list.”

  “Good,” Nate nodded. “If he knows what’s best for him he won’t come around again.”

  “I hope so. Because I seriously don’t want to be the reason he ends up in jail and away from his daughter.”

  “I doubt he’d like it if somebody was stalking his little girl.”

  “Exactly! That’s exactly what I told him!” She slapped her palm with his. “I’m glad you were there though. I think seeing you made him take me seriously this time.”
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  “And I will gladly do it again if necessary.” He looked at her.

  “Thank you,” she smiled and turned towards the television as the game’s start was announced. Clapping her hands excitedly, she said, “You should go ahead and get a box of tissue now because your team is getting stomped tonight.”

  “Oh, so you talk a lot of noise, don’t you?” he laughed. “If you’re like this for a preseason game, I can imagine how cocky you are during the playoffs or Super Bowl.”

  “Hey… I’m just letting you know how serious I am about my team.”

  They settled back on the sofa and for the next two-and-a-half hours they rooted for their respective team, trash-talking each other at every significant play. It was a low-scoring game with the Steelers ahead by only a field goal, but that didn’t stop Tora from getting in Nate’s face, rubbing it in so to speak.

  “There’s still plenty of time for us to score,” Nate said, “So I wouldn’t get too excited if I were you.”

  “Save it! The Cowboys will lose this one… again. As they always do.” She got up to go to the kitchen, but Nate snatched her as she passed him, pulling her down onto his lap. She squealed, “Nate! What are you doing?”

  “I’ve had enough of your sassy mouth.” He captured both her hands and pinned them above her head. “Now what? Huh?”

  Laughing, Tora said, “Don’t get mad at me because your team’s weak. They’ve got the rest of the season to practice and improve, but we both know that’s highly unlikely.”

  Nate shook his head. “You’re so…. So…”

  “So what?” She squirmed trying to break free of his hold. “The truth hurts, I know.”

  He held her wrists with one hand and squeezed her side with the other, causing her to flop like a fish.

  “Please don’t! I’m ticklish,” she laughed.

  “Oh yeah?” He squeezed again and Tora nearly fell out of his lap trying to escape, but he held her firmly against him. “You’re just so damn sexy. And beautiful.”

  “I think you’re sexy and beautiful, too,” she admitted.

  Nate lowered his head to hers, but quickly pulled back. “Wait… did you kiss the cats today?”