Slender Bridge

by Katrina Clemons

  “What? Is something wrong with my make-up? My outfit?” Her eyes twinkled. “Do I smell?”

  I laughed. “Your makeup is perfect. Your outfit is tantalizingly sexy.” I bent and sniffed her neck, placing a gentle kiss on the pulse I found fluttering there. “You smell like heaven.”

  She laughed softly. “Let’s go.”

  We drove out and in no time were on the highway. Now and then, I chanced a look over at Helen. She had her face turned to the window as she watched the scenery pass by. She played with her fingers absentmindedly. Her shoulders rose and fell now and then as she sighed. I reached across to take her hand in mine and was surprised to feel that it was slightly cold and a bit clammy. She gave a start as I took her hand.

  I squeezed her hand gently. “Are you okay? You seem to be a bit far. A penny for your thoughts?”

  She gave a slight smile and shook her head. “I’m fine. Nothing to write home about. Are we almost there?”

  I checked the GPS. “Another five minutes. Have you ever eaten at Coccillo?”

  “Nope. I barely have time to explore the restaurants in Creek Town, much less the other towns around us.”

  “Great! I get to surprise the chef with a restaurant she hasn’t tried. And with a name like Coccillo it’s probably some little Italian grandma sitting in the kitchen somewhere serving up some tasty old country recipes. I hope it meets up to your discerning gastronomical standards.”

  “I’m sure it will.”

  The GPS dinged as we pulled into the parking lot. I found a spot and shut off the ignition. I was out and on her side in a flash. I opened her door and handed her down. I bent and brushed my lips across hers before taking her hand in the crook of my elbow.

  The restaurant was a showstopper. The ambiance gave the feel of a vineyard and was decorated accordingly. There was a series of shelves all around with a selection of wines. We were shown to our seats, and I had the chance to look my fill of her in the soft spotlight that bathed our table. I rested my elbow on the table and propped my chin into my hand. I watched as her eyes darted across the menu.

  She nibbled her lower lip as she thought through her order. She looked up and caught me staring. She gave a tiny smile and looked back at the menu. She seemed a bit tired. Even with the make-up, I detected faint darkness and puffiness beneath her eyes. How different she looked in three days. I surmised that the café must have had her extremely busy since I had last seen her.

  Finally, she closed her menu and looked around.

  “This is very nice, Scott. I like it. If we were Italian, this has the sort of ambiance I would have chosen.”

  Suddenly her eyes widened, and she grew pale. She looked away quickly, but my curiosity followed the direction her eyes had taken a few moments before. All I saw was a couple. The woman was a petite blonde while the gentleman was bald and wore glasses.

  “Are they people you know?”

  She shook her head as her eyes glanced back over. “Just a resemblance to someone I thought I knew, that’s all.” Her eyes darted about nervously. She shivered.

  “Cold, love?”

  “Just a bit. Could we switch seats?”

  “Sure.”

  We switched quickly. A waitress took our order a few minutes later. I asked for the wine list and chose a sweet white wine to accompany the meal. As I poured, Helen shook her head.

  “None for me, please.”

  “It’s just a glass, love. It’s not going to kill you. I promise not to let you overindulge this time. You are one frisky drunk.” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. “That’s not a bad idea. I quite like the consequences of your being under the influence.”

  She blushed as she remembered the demands she had made of me in bed one night when she had had just a little too much to drink.

  “I’d like to stay completely sober tonight if you don’t mind.”

  I shrugged. I took a sip and looked around the restaurant. My eyes made four with the gentleman from the other table. I leaned across to Helen.

  “Are you sure you don’t know that gentleman. He’s looking over here.”

  She gave a start and shook her head. “Maybe we just have familiar faces. Or maybe he recognizes you.”

  I stroked the beard and mustache I still sported. “Well, my face is far from familiar these days, so it must be you.”

  Further conversation was hindered by the arrival of our meal. I dug into the meal with gusto. I was halfway through mine when I noticed that Helen was barely picking at hers.

  “Is something wrong, dear? Is the food not to your liking?”

  “No, no. The meal is fine. Excellent really. I just don’t have much of an appetite tonight.”

  I looked at Helen. She gave me a wan smile and attempted to eat a morsel. Still, when the waitress retrieved our plates, three-quarters of her meal was untouched. I had another glass of wine, then called for the check.

  The drive home was a quiet one. We talked about random things, but I could sense that she just was not herself. Silently we climbed up to her apartment. I swooped her up in my arms and deposited her on the couch. I sensed some alarm in her demeanor and frowned. What was going on with her tonight?

  I pulled her feet to my lap and slid her shoes off. She lay back against the arm of the couch. I massaged her feet gently and watched as she clasped her hands across her stomach and sighed. Some of the tension ebbed, but still, there was an air of brooding that hovered over her.

  “Had a rough week?”

  She nodded and sighed.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  She shook her head.

  “I’m a very good listener. I won’t interrupt.”

  She sighed. “Maybe another time. I’m just tired and want to go to bed.” She wiggled her toes slightly as she settled into the corner of the couch more comfortably. Her lids began to flutter close.

  “Let’s get you into bed.” I stood and picked her up yet again. I took her to the bedroom and allowed her to slide down my body. I took hold of the hem of her dress.

  “Arms up.”

  Obediently, she raised her arms above her head. I pulled the dress up and over her head, leaving her clad in just her underwear. She turned away to rummage in her drawer for a t-shirt. By the time she found the one she wanted, I had stripped down to my boxers.

  I followed her to the bathroom and watched as she removed her make-up, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. I used the extra toothbrush that she had put out for me. I brushed my lips across hers and received the barest of responses. I nuzzled her neck gently before raising my head.

  “Let’s get some sleep.”

  I tucked her in before turning off the light. I got in on my side of the bed and turned to pull her into my arms. I found her back to me. I frowned a bit, then smiled when she scooted backward to meet me. I spooned my body into hers and wrapped my arm around her.

  “Sweet dreams, babe.” The words ‘my love’ hovered on the tip of my tongue. My heart raced as I thought about the implications of that one little four-letter word – love. What was it that I felt for Helen? Could I be that I had indeed moved from just wanting to have a relationship that I took day by day, to having a more permanent thing where I saw Helen in my future? I promised myself that we would have to have the talk about how we would continue after I went back to New York next week. We would have to figure it out together.

  The sound of the shower woke me up the next morning. I frowned as I checked my phone. It was barely five a.m.. What the heck was Helen doing up so early? I yawned and stretched. I sighed pleasurably as I recognized that she was not the only one up early. I slipped out of my boxers and walked to the bathroom. Her silhouette behind the class only made me more aroused. Silently I stepped in behind her. She jumped slightly as I touched her shoulder.

  “You startled me.”

  I nuzzled her neck as I took the washcloth from her. “Who else would it be in your apartment at five a.m., babe?” I slid the hand with the washcloth across her
chest while I slid the other down over her stomach. She tensed and jerked as my fingers circled her navel before sliding down to her pussy. She leaned back slightly as I slid my fingers back and forth. I felt the nub of her clit grow hard, and I pinched it gently.

  I breathed deeply as slowly I bent her over. I braced her legs apart as I positioned myself behind her. I took hold of my cock and used the tip to stroke her pussy, just the way she liked. She trembled slightly but remained silent, her hands braced against the wall.

  I pushed forward slowly and felt her body flex to allow me to enter. When I was completely in, I took hold of her hips. Slowly I thrust my hips back and forth. She closed her eyes and rocked back slightly, breathing deeply. It never ceased to amaze me how perfectly we matched each other sexually. In the few short weeks we had been together, we had learned each other so well. I felt the telltale tension as her body tightened and gripped me. Her lips parted slightly as she trembled and pushed back. I thrust faster, knowing what would push her over the edge. I was not disappointed. Her lips parted, and a low groan escaped as she shuddered through her climax. I was not far behind and soon bent over her, moaning my satisfaction.

  As our breathing slowed, I gently pulled back. I reached for the forgotten washcloth on my shoulder and pulled her to stand. I pulled her back to my torso and gently soaped first her body, then mine. I rinsed us off under the warm spray of the shower then turned it off. I slung a towel around my waist before enveloping her in a huge fluffy robe.

  We stood side by side as we brushed our teeth. I nudged her mischievously, and she pushed back with a grin. We completed our routine in silence. When we were done, I pulled her into my arms for a kiss.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  “I did.”

  “Why are you up so early, though?”

  “I need to get to the café early. She kissed my cheek, then stepped away to the closet. I sat on the bed as she rummaged through and took out her jacket. She padded to the drawer and took out her underwear and a pair of sweatpants. I frowned as she kept her face turned away from me as she wriggled into the clothing. She did not turn back to me until she was buttoning the jacket. She picked up her hairbrush. She did not usually wear her jacket to work.

  “Helen?”

  “Hmmm?” She continued brushing her hair.

  “Come here, baby.” Slowly she walked to me. I put her to sit and took the brush from her. Silently I brushed the curls back until they lay in smooth waves against her scalp. I skillfully braided her hair in one single rope down her back and secured the end with a rubber band. I kissed her on the forehead.

  “All done.” She looked up at me. Was it my imagination, or did I detect a hint of sadness? She stood and walked out to the living room. I watched as she slipped her feet into her sneakers and pulled her purse from the hall closet. She turned to look at me with that same haunting sadness.

  “I’ll let myself out.” The door closed behind her, and I was left wondering what the heck was going on. I remained puzzled hours later when I was back at my hotel.

  Chapter 16 – Helen

  It had been three days since I had last seen Scott. That night we had gone out for dinner had been hard. I knew that I had not been in the best of moods and unable to hide it. I was just grateful that he had not pressed me any further, especially when I had seen Dr. Hinds in the restaurant. I had thought for sure that he would have picked up on my unease.

  The truth was that I felt like a louse. I felt lower than a louse. I felt like a louse on a louse for keeping the secret that I was carrying his child from him. I had been in a self-imposed hell since I walked out that morning and looked back at him standing in the middle of the living room in just a towel. I had been tempted to turn back and throw my arms around him. Instead, I had gone ahead and opened the café, moping in the silence until the first of my staff arrived.

  I had dived into the fray of activity, barely taking a breath until the last customer left after the dinner service. I had gone home that night to find some packages on my couch with a note attached.

  Just a few things I got for you.

  I had smiled as I opened each one. It had been late, but I had texted him when I had opened the last one. I was not surprised to see a response a few seconds later. We texted for a few minutes before I signed off.

  The next day, even more gifts had arrived. I felt as if my guilt was choking me. I had barely slept, and it showed. By the third day, I was climbing the walls. There was no way I could go through the next week like this. I was going to enjoy the seven days I had remaining with him. But at the back of my mind, I knew I could not fully enjoy being with him without him knowing. I had to tell him. I knew his stance on children. But had it been my imagination that perceived that he had a bit of a soft spot for me? Could I dare hope to believe that he would make an exception for me?

  I had sat up most of the night, weighing my options. Everything pointed to telling Scott about the baby. Nothing good could come of keeping the secret from him. And besides, it would be easier to deal with his reaction now, than run the risk of his finding out later. That morning, I sent a text inviting him over for dinner around seven. It was my early day, and I would be leaving at five.

  I rushed home to get the meal started. When it was done, I put it in the oven to keep warm. I had just pulled on a pair of jeans and a blouse when I heard the door open. I spritzed on some of the perfume which had been in my last batch of gifts, then stepped into the living room. I smiled tremulously as he closed the door and walked over to me. He hugged me and bent to capture my lips. I rose up on my toes to meet him. For that moment, I forgot about everything except being in his arms. Long moments later, he raised his head and placed his forehead against mine.

  “I’ve missed you these past three days. If you hadn’t texted, I swear you would have come home to find me camped out in your living room. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you too.” I pulled back slightly. “Ready to eat?”

  “Yup!”

  He took a seat while I brought out the platters of roast chicken and herb mashed potatoes. Steamed vegetables on the side completed the simple fare. We ate in silence as I went back into my doldrums. I picked at my food as panic overtook me. I jumped as fingers snapped in front of my face.

  “Huh?”

  “Where was your mind, baby? I called your name about three times. You’re picking at your food again. What’s going on? You’ve been edgy for days now.”

  “Nothing much. I’m fine. I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

  He sighed and stood. He walked over to me and pulled me out of my seat.

  “Listen, we can make it work. We’re just a plane ride away. We should have had this talk long before, but we can’t avoid it any longer.” He walked us over to the couch and took a seat, then pulled me down to sit on his lap.

  “I know why you’ve been so distant this past week.”

  I swallowed hard as a cold sweat broke out on my brow. I squirmed in his grasp, and he held me still.

  “You do?”

  He nodded. “I do. I know that next week this time I’ll be in New York, but I’ll be back before you even miss me. We’re going to make it work. My schedule is a lot more flexible than yours, but there may be some times when I would want you to come to New York for a few days. I’m going to miss you too, baby.”

  “Scott, it’s not that…”

  “Simple? I know. But we can make it work. Helen, there’s no way I’m leaving you. For the first time, I found someone I like. I can talk to you about anything. I can develop patterns with you. I have developed patterns with you. I’m in this one for the long haul, baby.” He pressed his forehead against mine and nuzzled my lips.

  A ray of hope shot through me. Scott wanted to be with me. He liked me. He didn’t want to leave me. Maybe when he heard the news, he would be shocked, at first, then thrilled. I took a deep breath.

  “Scott, I haven’t been distant for the reason you think. I
have some news…”

  “Is the café doing okay? You’ve been doing some pretty long hours there lately.”

  “It’s not the café.”

  “Are your parents well?”

  “My parents are fine.”

  “Then what the heck is the problem, baby?”

  “It’s me…”

  He held me closer. “What’s wrong, baby? Are you well?”

  “I-I-I…,” my eyes filled with tears, and I saw his eyes go wide.

  “Whatever it is, we can get through it together, baby. You will have the best care money can buy. We will get through it together. Do you want me to stay longer? All it takes is a call to Vivian to push any appointments back.”

  I shook my head. “No. Scott, please, just listen. I’m-I’m-I’m…”

  “You’re-you’re-you’re?” He stroked my cheek gently.

  I took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant, Scott.”

  I felt his entire body go rigid beneath me. Slowly I slid off his lap and sat on the couch. I sneaked a look at his profile, and my heart sank. Gone was the soft and tender man from just a minute before who had been willing to put his life on hold for me. His face seemed to have been carved from granite.

  It felt like hours before he spoke. His voice was low, and his words enunciated.

  “What do you mean you’re pregnant? Don’t you take birth control?”

  I swallowed hard. “The doctor said I just happened to be among the one failed percent.”

  “How long have you known?”

  “Since last week.”

  “How far along are you?”

  “This week makes seven.”

  He went silent and closed his eyes. Then he opened them and looked me dead in the face.

  “What convenient timing. It would have been a bit suspicious to get knocked up as soon as we had started having sex, right. And I guess you continued long enough just to make sure, and then you tapered off the pussy.” He stood and started pacing. “Now last week makes a world of fucking sense. The cold shoulder. The distance. The half-hearted climax the last few times we did it. Now it all makes sense.” He stopped and stared at me through glittering eyes. “So tell me what it was. Did you regret walking away from a prime opportunity in Miami and figured that my ending up here in Creek Town was a better chance to trap me with a pregnancy?”