Bands of Gold

by Angela Benson

  Christina abruptly stepped out of his arms and looked him square in the face. “Curiosity killed the cat.”

  Jackson stared at her. Then he laughed. Without saying anything else, he gathered his papers and walked toward the door. He turned back to face her before he opened it. “You know what I think about that, Christina?”

  When she didn’t respond, he told her anyway. “A cat has nine lives, so a little curiosity won’t really matter. Will it?” Without waiting for a response, he opened the door and was gone.

  Four

  Christina sat at her desk and rested her face in her hands. Curiosity killed the cat. Real good, Christina. That was a sparkling retort. Admit that Jackson has you rattled. He was right on every count. You’re attracted to him and it’s taking all of your energy to fight that attraction. And, yes, you would have kissed him if the phone had not rung.

  She lifted her head from her hands. What am I going to do? she wondered. She knew that she shouldn’t even consider a personal relationship with Jackson since he worked for her, but she was doing just that.

  Maybe I met Jackson at a vulnerable time, she reasoned. Only a few nights ago I was pouring out my heart to Liza about marriage and a family, then along comes Jackson Duncan, everything a woman could want in a man. Well, almost everything, she argued with herself; your ideal man doesn’t usually work for you. Except for that minor—no, major— point, Jackson Duncan would be a godsend. He was attractive, yes, but that was only part of his appeal. There was something about him, his self-confidence, maybe, that made her think he could handle anything. It instilled a sense of trust. It made her think Jackson would take care of her love if she ever gave it to him.

  “I’m not too sure how easily Mr. Duncan would give his love, though,” she said aloud. “Sometimes I think he carries as much baggage as I do in that area.”

  Christina got up from her desk and walked over to the window. She knew she should go home, but she didn’t want to face an empty house this weekend. She needed to talk to someone.

  I know what I’ll do, she mused, I’ll take a trip this weekend. And I know just the place.

  She packed her briefcase and left the office feeling better than she had felt since Jackson Duncan had come to Atlanta.

  ***

  Jackson began unpacking boxes in his new apartment that night. The confrontation with Christina had energized him. Now he knew how she felt. She felt the attraction, but she resisted it. He understood her apprehension, given their professional relationship. He had apprehensions, too, but he detected in Christina a fear that had nothing to do with their working relationship. All that talk about the job was a smokescreen. He was sure of it. What was she afraid of?

  Maybe something happened in the past. Some guy she worked with probably mistreated her. Now I have to pay, he thought. I hate that women do that. One man does wrong, and the next man who’s interested pays the price. Sometimes it makes a guy contemplate celibacy. Why even bother?

  We bother because we need women. “Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em” applies to women, too. It’s hard to find a good woman. When a man finds one, he’ll take all the bull that she dishes out because he knows she’s worth it. Too many women are looking for someone to take care of them, financially and emotionally. That burden is too big for any man. A strong woman with her own goals and her own identity is a treasure more than worth the wait and the hassle.

  “Hold on there, Jackson,” he chided himself. “You’re thinking like a man ready to settle down. That’s not you. You’re going to be in Atlanta at most two years, and then it’s back to Boston with a promotion. Now concentrate on unpacking those boxes before you get yourself in trouble.”

  ***

  It was a five-hour drive to Mobile in her recently serviced car. Christina’s first choice had been to visit her mother in Selma, but Louise was going to the Nursery Owners’ Convention in Memphis. Mobile was her second choice. Christina had promised herself that she would “see the South” this year. She planned to do it in a series of weekend trips. Among other cities, she had already visited Asheville, Savannah and Birmingham. Mobile seemed a reasonable next place. The drive down was uneventful. She arrived at the Malaga Inn in downtown Mobile a littler after one in the morning.

  After a good night’s sleep, Christina faced Saturday morning, late Saturday morning, with excited anticipation. She decided to take an escorted tour to get an overview of the historic downtown area and then to visit the battleship. The tour bus was one of those open air buses patterned after the nineteenth-century horse-drawn trolleys. She took an empty seat about midway the bus. There were quite a few people on board, three older couples, four couples about her age, and about two groups of two together. She was the only person alone. Though she regularly traveled alone, sometimes she envied the couples and friends traveling together. She had tried vacationing with girlfriends before, but it had never worked out. You needed to be pretty good friends with somebody for it to work.

  Christina’s attention was drawn to the front of the bus as a tall, dark man got on. She watched him as he moved down the aisle to take a seat. As he passed her, she averted her eyes so as not to make eye contact. When she realized what she had done, she cursed herself. Damn, I could have smiled at him. He’s alone; I’m alone. We could have shared this tour together. At least I would have had someone to talk with.

  The tour went down Dauphin Street, circling the park at Bienville Square before stopping at Horst House on Conti Street. After getting off the bus, Christina consulted her tourbook. A deep voice interrupted her.

  “An amazing restoration job, wouldn’t you agree?” It was the man from the bus.

  “I was thinking the same thing. I can’t imagine anyone ever living here, though,” she said with a nervous laugh. “It’s too formal.”

  “I prefer a place that’s a bit more casual myself,” he said, “but it is impressive.”

  “Like fine art. You enjoy looking at it in a museum, but you would never be comfortable with it in your home.”

  “Yes, that’s it exactly.”

  Christina walked over to get a closer look at an odd-looking object that may have been a vase, but it contained no flowers. The man followed her.

  “Do you have any idea what it is?” he asked.

  God, the thing is ugly. She frowned. “No, I don’t. It’s kind of . . .interesting looking.”

  He smiled. “It is ugly, isn’t it?”

  She returned his smile. At least he was honest enough to speak his mind.

  “I’m Reggie Stevens,” he said, extending his hand to her.

  She shook it. “Christina Marshall.”

  “Nice to meet you, Christina. How about me following you around for the rest of this tour? Maybe you can teach me something about history and art appreciation.”

  She saw the kidding in his eyes, so she laughed. “I don’t know about my teaching you anything. It may be a case of the blind leading the blind, but you’re welcome to follow me around.”

  He bent at the waist in an exaggerated bow. “Thank you, madam. After you.”

  Christina and Reggie spent the rest of the tour together. He was funny, and she enjoyed his company. From Oklahoma City, he was in town for an interview with International Paper. Having never been to Mobile before, he had come in early to see the city.

  When the tour ended, Reggie asked, “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  She pulled her tourbook from her purse. “I’m going to Battleship Park. What about you?”

  “I was planning to visit there myself. Mind if I tag along?”

  Christina hesitated. She was sure she wanted his company, but she wasn’t sure if that was wise. A woman alone could never be too careful.

  Reggie jumped in before she could answer. “We can take separate cars. That way, you can dump me if I begin to bore you,” he said with a smile.

  She considered his request. He’s a pleasant man
and we won’t be traveling together, she reasoned to herself. Oh, what the hell? “Sure, it ought to be fun.”

  They drove to Battleship Park in separate cars, with Christina leading the way. She wanted to take the harbor tour of Mobile Bay.

  “I’m sorry, the last tour was at one-thirty,” the reservationist said.

  “I thought the last tour was at three-thirty,” Christina responded, her disappointment obvious. “I’m sure I read that somewhere.”

  “You probably got our schedules mixed up. We only have the three-thirty tour in June, July, and August.”

  “I hate that I missed it.” She looked at Reggie, who hadn’t said a word. “I really wanted to go out on the water.”

  “Maybe we could do it tomorrow.”

  Christina noticed with a grin that he had said, “we.” So he was planning to spend time with her tomorrow. She liked that.

  Reggie turned to the reservationist. “What’s tomorrow’s schedule?”

  “We have tours at eleven and one-thirty. We also have a dinner cruise tonight at seven. You’d probably enjoy that more. You don’t get the narrated tour, but it’s pretty out there at night. Couples enjoy it. There’s plenty of food and good music. You can even dance if you like.”

  “Sounds like it might be fun.” Turning to Christina, he asked, “What do you say?”

  Christina still wondered at the reservationist’s assumption that she and Reggie were a couple. She liked the thought of being part of a couple. Jackson’s smile registered in her brain at that thought. She pushed the thought aside. “Okay, let’s do it.” She turned to the reservationist. “How much is it?”

  The reservationist told them the price and they paid. Reggie offered to pay for Christina, but she declined with a polite smile.

  Reggie checked his watch. “We don’t have to be back until six-thirty. That gives us three hours to make our way through the battleship. Let’s get started.”

  The tour of the battleship took ninety minutes. Reggie had spent two years in Navy ROTC, so he had first-hand information about ships that made the tour more enjoyable.

  “You weren’t lying when you said you were planning to come here, were you?” Christina asked.

  His eyes widened in surprise. “No, I had planned to come. Did you think I was lying?”

  “I didn’t exactly think of it as lying,” she said, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “I thought of it more as a pick-up line.”

  He laughed. “I might have used one if you’d said you were going somewhere else, but fate was on my side and I didn’t have to.”

  She lifted a questioning brow. “You think it was fate, do you?”

  “Of course. How else can I explain an attractive woman like you on a tour bus alone, in Mobile, of all places, at the same time that I am in Mobile on that same tour bus? The gods must be watching out for me.”

  “I take that to mean you’ve enjoyed my company.”

  He took her hand and led her toward the submarine. “That’s the understatement of the year.”

  ***

  “I’m starving,” Christina said, after the tour of the submarine. “What time is it?”

  Reggie turned his wrist so he could see his watch. “It’s about six. We still have some time before the cruise. Can you hold out, or would you like to get something to drink?”

  “I’d better get something to drink.” She looked around. “Where can we go?”

  “I remember a snack bar near the entrance.” He took her hand and led her to it.

  They took a seat after getting their drinks. Reggie told her about his upbringing. She had a warm feeling as she listened to the stories of his happy clan.

  “Do you have a close family?” he asked.

  “It’s only my mom and me. We’re very close. Over the years we’ve become friends as well as mother and daughter. She’s one special lady.”

  “That’s the way I feel about my mom. My dad’s also a good guy. They’ve been married for forty-two years. That’s good in anybody’s book.”

  Christina envied Reggie his parents. Not that her mom wasn’t fantastic, but she missed having a father. The more she thought about having a family of her own, the more she thought about her father. How she wished she could have known him. “I can’t even imagine a marriage lasting that long. I’m only . . .” She stopped before revealing her age.

  Reggie laughed. “You can tell me your age. I promise not to hold it against you.” He raised his right hand. “Scout’s honor. To make it easy for you, I’m thirty-seven.”

  “I’m thirty.”

  “I would have guessed that you were younger.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere. Now, back to your parents. I can’t imagine being with someone that long. Their marriage is older than I am. What’s their secret?”

  “I wonder at that myself sometimes. I think the key is openness. They don’t keep secrets from each other. They talk about everything.”

  “Ummm . . .” Christina wondered what sharing your life with someone for forty-two years would be like. She hoped she’d get to experience it. Maybe with someone like Jackson. Christina felt her face flush. Now where did that come from?

  Reggie pushed aside his drink cup. “We’d better start making our way back to the boat now.” He stood and helped her with her chair.

  Christina welcomed the short walk. She needed the time to clear her mind of thoughts of Jackson.

  They heard the music before they saw the boat. Though there was already a crowd, Reggie found a table near the crowded dance floor.

  Before they took a seat, he asked, “Is this okay?”

  She nodded and took the chair he was holding for her. She searched for the buffet table; she was hungry.

  “Would you rather eat or dance first?”

  Christina moved her gaze to him. “Food first.”

  They made their way to the buffet line and helped themselves to generous servings. They didn’t talk much as they ate. Christina took the opportunity to observe Reggie more closely. She liked him. He was easy to talk to, and he liked to laugh. Strong and confident like Jackson, but much more open. Christina shook her head at the comparison. Why was she thinking about Jackson?

  “Something wrong?” Reggie asked.

  His voice brought her attention back to him. “I was thinking about the fun we’ve had today. It’s been a real pleasure, an unexpected, but welcome pleasure.”

  “You talk like the night is over. Not yet, Cinderella. How about a dance?”

  “I’d like that.”

  It had been a while since Christina had been out dancing, and she was enjoying herself. The music was good, and Reggie was a smooth dancer.

  They danced for a long while, then took a walk on the top deck away from the dancers. They held hands but didn’t speak as they watched the Mobile city lights shine in the distance. Christina liked the sense of togetherness she was feeling. It’s been too long, she thought. She had almost forgotten what it felt like to be with a man like this. It was definitely something she could get used to.

  The night passed quickly, and soon the cruise was over. She and Reggie walked hand-in-hand to her car. Reggie hadn’t kissed her all night, though he’d had many opportunities. Well, if he doesn’t kiss me, I’ll kiss him.

  She didn’t need to worry. When they got to her car, Reggie leaned over and kissed her. A short, sweet kiss on the lips. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I think something special is happening.”

  Christina started to speak, but Reggie put a finger to her lips. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m not rushing you. I’m only telling you what I’m feeling. Will I see you tomorrow?”

  Christina wasn’t sure what was happening, but she liked it. “I’m leaving early in the afternoon.”

  “Why don’t I meet you for breakfast?”

  She nodded as he ushered her into her car. She rolled down the window to say a final goodnight. He leaned in and ga
ve her another kiss. “Sweet dreams,” he said, and walked to his car.

  He followed her to her hotel and waited in his car until she was safely in the lobby. Without any attempt to extend the evening, he drove away.

  Christina had sweet dreams that night. She dreamed of her and Reggie. At some point in the dream, Reggie began to look a lot like Jackson.

  ***

  Jackson considered it a stroke of luck that the Atlanta chapter of his fraternity was having a picnic this Saturday afternoon. He had finished unpacking this morning and had called a fraternity brother who was a friend of a friend. He hoped to meet some interesting people, maybe some women to take his mind off Christina. After rethinking the situation last night, he decided it would be best for him and Christina if he didn’t pursue her. If she’d been a little more receptive, he might have gone through with it. If he had been looking for a long-term relationship, he might have gone through with it. Since neither was the case, he was going to leave it alone.

  “Hey, man, you must be Jackson.” A smiling, light-skinned man in an Omega T-shirt with the name “Maddog” written across the front was speaking to him. “I’m Ellis.”

  Jackson gave the fraternity handshake. “How did you know who I was, man? I didn’t describe myself when we talked this morning.”

  “Maybe I’m psychic,” Ellis joked. “Really, man, I called Tom in LA last night and he told me your line name.” Ellis pointed to the name “MackDaddy” printed on Jackson’s T-shirt.

  Jackson laughed. “What else did Tom tell you about me? I haven’t talked to him since I’ve been here.”

  Ellis turned away when someone called his name. Then he turned back to Jackson. “The guys are all here. Let’s get this meeting over so we can party. The women will be here in a couple of hours and we need to have the business finished then.”

  Jackson followed Ellis over to the other guys. They had a large chapter. Over two hundred on the roll, and nearly seventy-five at this meeting. Once again his fraternity affiliation was helping him settle into a new area.

  As Ellis had said, the women started to arrive a couple of hours later. There were wives, girlfriends, and female friends. There were mostly couples, but that didn’t bother Jackson; he liked going out alone. Usually a wife or girlfriend knew someone they would love to fix him up with. He took it all in stride. Today was no different.