by Holly Smith
“Hey, Petal, where’s your husband?” Vince asked.
“Right here. How are you, Vince? Nelise?” Byron asked, coming up behind Petal.
When they went to the living room and sat down with their drinks, Petal and Byron looked expectantly at Nelise so Vince did also.
Nelise gingerly removed her jacket, and pulled the neckline of her sweater down to reveal the tattoo on her shoulder.
“Ha! Would you look at that!” Vince exclaimed with surprise. “I would have never expected it of you, Nelise. They did a good job; it will look really nice when it heals.”
“Yeah, it will. Whatever possessed you, Nelise? I’m surprised too,” added Byron.
“I just felt moved on the spur of the moment and did it.”
“That’s the truth,” Petal said. “I watched her and I can tell you, it’s not for me.”
“Oh, you’re such a baby; it’s not even that big,” Byron joked and nudged her affectionately.
“Nevertheless, I don’t like pain,” Petal said, nudging him back.
“So Byron, you just got back from another trip, right? Where did you go this time?” Vince asked.
As Byron was talking, Vince nonchalantly reached over, took Nelise’s hand and gave it a squeeze. She felt the butterflies in her stomach stir.
They ended up drinking and playing cards into the night. Every now and then, Vince would playfully nudge Nelise’s leg with his under the table and she would push back. She didn’t really want to but kept thinking of what Petal had said about Jaelynn.
They left after midnight and Nelise again had had more alcohol than she should have. She didn’t worry, though, since she knew she could trust Vince.
The next thing Nelise knew, she was awakened by bright sunlight; she squinted through her eyelids to see where the light was coming from. After a few moments, she realized she was not in her own bed and a feeling of panic rushed through her. She felt a body lying snugly against her and glanced over her shoulder to see Vince sound asleep. She looked under the comforter and was relieved to find they were both fully clothed. The butterflies in her stomach began stirring about. I’ve got to get out of here before he sees me with no makeup and with alcohol breath at that! She carefully wriggled her way out from under his arm and off the bed, retrieved her purse and jacket and let herself out. Thank goodness I’m close enough to walk home!
Thankful to get home before Vince noticed, she washed her face and brushed her teeth while coffee was brewing. All the while she replayed the evening mentally. She was warmed by the fact that they had slept together as they did, validating Vince’s trustworthiness. I must stop drinking like that before I start gaining weight again, and before he starts thinking of me as a lush, she scolded herself.
Her cell phone rang.
“Hi, Vince; you just wake up?”
“Yeah, where are you?”
“I’m home.”
“Why did you leave? I thought we could have breakfast together,” he said, sounding disappointed.
“I had no toiletries or makeup there, and I couldn’t let you see me like that.”
“Ahhh, we’ll have to fix that,” Vince said assuredly.
“Uh, yeah, at some point,” was all Nelise could think to say.
“Well, since we didn’t do breakfast, how about I take us out for a nice long ride and find a place for Sunday brunch?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll be there in a couple of hours then,” he said and hung up.
The butterflies were all over the place in Nelise’s stomach along with the headache she had. Hey guys, settle down please! she chided.
Vince ultimately drove right to the restaurant in the town where Nelise ran into Loyle. The butterflies dropped like raindrops caught by a sudden windy freeze.
Why did he have to come here? I knew I should have been going to Garden more!
They chatted in generalities while Nelise made constant furtive glances towards the door every time it squeaked.
“Bumblebee, are you nervous? You’re acting like an escapee,” Vince noted humorously.
Nelise laughed guiltily.
“Ha, no, just people watching. Don’t you ever do that?”
“Yes, but I make no secret of it,” he said. “Let’s go; I brought you all the way out here for a reason. There’s a place I want to show you,” he said, taking her hand.
It was a crisp sunny day and Nelise had become accustomed to riding the motorcycle in the chilly air. As a matter of fact, she loved it and had a passing thought that one day she’d get her own.
They exited off the main road and drove for some time before Vince rounded a bend and pulled off onto a partially cleared plot of land, stopping in front of a clump of three trees. He parked, took a blanket out of the motorbike pouch, and laid it on a grassy area. He sat down and reached up for Nelise’s hand as she joined him.
“If you look through those trees over there, you can see the horizon. How’s that for a morning coffee panorama?” he asked.
“Awesome. Is this your dream land?”
“It’s more than that; I bought this property. Now all I need is the money to finish clearing it and then build. It may take some time, but I’ll get there. What do you think?”
“It’s magnificent, Vince! When did you buy it?” Nelise asked, imagining how she’d feel about such a venture.
She turned to him for an answer and felt his lips firmly on hers. While they lingered there, Nelise felt the butterflies flying wildly about in her stomach and ended the kiss. She was so startled she didn’t know what to say.
“Say, how is that tattoo doing?” Vince asked abruptly.
Nelise took off one side of her jacket and pulled down the neckline of her sweater. “A little itchy but I think it’s healing well.”
“Looks like it,” Vince said and kissed it gently, much to Nelise’s surprise. The butterflies were flying frantically about as if trying to get free. Vince’s lips traveled up the side of her neck to her ear lobe to her forehead and down the other side of her neck as he gently laid her down on the blanket and kissed her mouth. His tongue began to probe.
The butterflies increased their momentum and Nelise couldn’t quiet them so she pushed Vince away, saying she couldn’t breathe.
“Do I make you that uncomfortable?” he asked, looking hurt.
“I’m just not ready for too much of that yet, Vince. I really like you and I enjoy our time together but can we take it a bit slower?”
“OK, Bumblebee, sure,” he said and got up. He reached out for her hand and helped her up and put the blanket back into the pouch.
They took off on the bike in silence and Vince drove her straight home without a word.
Chapter 38
Nelise got to work late the next morning because she kept waking up through the night thinking about Vince. I do want a relationship and he’s a good guy. He’s handsome, polite, has a sense of humor, handles his money well, and heaven knows, is patient. What more could a girl want? What’s wrong with me? Petal came into her office with two coffees.
“I already got my coffee, Petal, but thank you.”
“Yeah, and I saw you come in late so I know you’ll need another one. My mind has been cooking up all kinds of scenarios about why,” she said with a knowing smile. “Where did you sleep last night, girlfriend?”
“In my own bed, Petal, as if I should tell you anyway, you nosy broad.”
“Of course I am; that’s what friends are for, right?”
“I don’t remember you telling me much about you and Byron except that he asked you out. Next thing I know, you two bought a house here, he found a new job, and you were planning to get married, all without a word to me, eh?” Nelise looked at her accusingly.
“OK, you’re right,” Petal said and giggled. “Well, how are you two getting along? Can I ask that?”
“OK I think; we spent pretty much the whole weekend together doing stuff. Why, do you have something more to tell me about Jaelynn?”
“No, actually she’s been under the radar lately and Vince hasn’t been around or if he has, it’s been strictly business and out the door.”
“How would you know? Do you have a camera focused on her?” Nelise asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No, but I know a couple of the monitors and they would tell me.”
“Well, I’ve got work to do so I’ll meet you later for lunch. I brought my own; I won’t have time to go out and eat.”
“Me too, see you then.”
It was near closing when Petal came to Nelise’s office. She saw through the door window that Nelise was on the phone so she quietly came in and sat down.
“You can? That’s great. I’ll come down after work. You close at nine o’clock, right? I’ll be there before that, thank you so much,” Nelise said and hung up. She jumped when she saw Petal sitting there.
“How long have you been here?” she demanded.
“Long enough to hear you say you’ll be there after work. What’s that about? You’re not getting another tattoo, are you?” Petal asked with wide eyes.
“No, I’m picking up a silver bracelet that I had specially made.”
“Awww, is Vince getting it for you?” Petal pursued.
“No, I am getting it for Vince; I hope he likes it. What have you and Byron got planned for the weekend?”
“Not much. He doesn’t have to go away for a while so we’ll probably hunt around for garage sales. Would you and Vince like to join us?”
“I’ll have to get back to you on that; time to get out of here. I’ll call you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, have a good evening,” Petal said, rolling her eyes shiftily. “That is to say, whatever you do.”
“Get outta here, you bad girl!” scolded Nelise with a laugh.
Nelise had no sooner placed her things down on the kitchen counter when Vince called.
“Hey, Vince.”
“Bumblebee, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
“OK, but then I have to get home and get some things done so I won’t be hanging around. Am I still invited?”
“Of course, c’mon. I’m cooking white fish with sautéed veggies,” he said and hung up.
Nelise was getting used to his abrupt endings. He usually did that when he either didn’t know what to say or had nothing to say; it was never meant as rudeness.
“Dinner was good, Vince, thanks. By the way, what do you think of this?” she said handing him a box with the bracelet.
“For me?” he asked, pulling his chair closer to get a better look. “Wow, I like it a lot, Bumblebee!” He put it on his wrist with flair and smiled.
“I was hoping you would,” Nelise said happily.
“OK, I forgive you,” he said.
“Forgive me for what?” Nelise asked, surprised and somewhat miffed.
“Isn’t that why you bought it? To make me feel better about your rejection of my romantic advances?”
“No. I liked it and hoped you would too,” Nelise said straightforwardly with a slight smile.
“Oh, OK,” Vince said and kissed Nelise on the cheek.
She returned home, still muttering about Vince’s comment and decided to visit Garden.
“Hi, Nelise; glad to see you back. What’s going on?” Esleen asked.
“Can we walk the beach under the moonlight again? That’s always soothing to me.”
“How’s this?” Esleen asked as they arrived.
“A lighthouse, nice touch.”
They walked along the water’s edge, allowing the frothy waves to run over their toes and pull the sand out from under their feet.
“Why do you need soothing?”
“About this shifting business; it seems to have settled down some. Am I right?”
“For the time being, yet more people than ever are dreaming of a better life due to the upcoming holidays; I advise you to visit me daily to stay grounded.”
“What do you mean?” Nelise asked nervously.
“The holiday season brings on a lot of shifting, more than usual. Even if people are not aware of it, they feel the changing atmosphere and become restless and uneasy. That is a time to be vigilant about your thoughts as well as what is going on around you.”
“You mean the atmosphere will change too? Are we going to have a blizzard?”
“Nelise, not that kind of atmosphere. I’m talking about the mental atmosphere, although that does have an effect on weather conditions.”
“It sounds like there are going to be negative changes and I thought you said everything always gets better, at least a little bit. Then why should any of us feel anxious or restless?”
“Because most people don’t know why they’re feeling what they’re feeling. What they don’t understand, they think negatively about, conjuring up fearful mental images which they react to negatively causing the very things they were anxious about to occur. If you visit Garden every day, you’ll remain calm and all will be well during the shift. Do you understand?”
“I don’t know why I always get drowsy when you talk about that stuff, Esleen. I think I understand. I do know that when I come to Garden every day, I feel better so I will,” Nelise said, drifting off into slumber land.
Chapter 39
Nelise kept to herself the rest of the week to catch up on her housework as well as visit Garden like she said she would. Vince was fine with it since they spent an hour or so on the phone each night. He asked her out for Friday night supper and to go shopping with him for a new suit.
“What do you need a new suit for?” Nelise asked as they walked into the store.
“I’m going to a memorial service with a friend for moral support. I don’t have any suits so I thought I might get a couple with some shirts and ties. They’re good to have for happy occasions as well, right?” He asked, giving her a sideways glance.
“Yeah.”
“You are an expert at evasive maneuvers, Bumblebee, but I’m onto you just so you know. Let’s see, I want a black suit and a dark grey one,” Vince said while looking at the price tag of one.
Nelise ignored his comment and chuckled inwardly.
After shopping, they went to his place to try on his purchases. Nelise made tea and searched the cabinets for something to go with it. She found cinnamon cookies, put cream cheese on them and brought a tray to the living room.
“When does the fashion show begin?” she called out.
Vince stuck his head out of the bedroom in his undershirt and the new slacks. The sight of his tan, muscular arms caused the butterflies to spontaneously fly upward from their sleep.
“Just a minute,” he said.
Nelise began nervously munching on the cookies when Vince came out wearing one of the suits. It fit him well and the green shirt accentuated the green in his eyes. This was the first time Nelise had ever seen him dressed up and after seeing his arms, she felt particularly warm and took off her jacket.
“What do you think? Of course, I’ll wear the black shirt at the funeral but this would work at a holiday party, right?” Vince asked.
“Yes, it would. You clean up pretty good, Vince, as handsome as ever.”
“Thank you, Nelise. I love hearing that from you.”
“Does that mean you’re used to hearing it from other women?” she asked feigning jealousy.
“Yes, but it doesn’t mean as much unless it comes from the one you love,” he said, going back into his bedroom.
Nelise choked on a cookie and took a quick sip of her tea. He said the “L” word? No!
Vince returned from the bedroom and joined her on the sofa.
“Cookies, eh? I hadn’t thought of putting cream cheese on them. Good idea,” he said and popped one into his mouth as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
“What are your plans for the weekend, Nelise?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it, Vince. What are yours?”
“I thought we might see a play. Do you want to see another one?�
� Vince asked.
“Sure, I enjoy them. Do you want to see if Petal and Byron want to join us this time?”
“Sure, I’ll call Byron tomorrow. Do you want to watch a movie?” he asked.
“Vince, I’d like to walk home before it’s too late.”
“OK, I’ll walk with you,” he offered.
“That’s all right; it’s not far.”
“No, I don’t want you walking alone at night,” he said, grabbing his jacket.
“OK,” Nelise said, not wanting to argue yet she had wanted to walk in the cool night air and think.
They got to Nelise’s apartment building and Vince asked to use her bathroom.
As she waited for him, the phone rang.
“Hi, Auntie; what’s up?”
“Nelise . . . ,” Nelise heard sniffing.
“Auntie, are you crying? What’s wrong?”
“Nelise, Stanley is in the hospital. He was hit by a car. They’re working on him now,” Gertie said, losing control and sobbing.
“Auntie! What hospital are you at? I’ll be right there!”
Just then, Vince came into the kitchen.
“What’s going on?”
“Auntie’s boyfriend was in an accident and she’s at the hospital with him. I’ve got to get over there,” she said in a panic.
“Let’s go. Do you know which hospital?” he asked as they rushed out the door.
As Nelise drove, she recalled Esleen talking about the major shift occurring and to stay vigilant. I didn’t realize it was about “now” she thought, as a car careened out of a side street cutting her off.
“Look out!” yelled Vince, causing Nelise to stop short as he reached in front of her and blasted the horn at the car speeding out of sight.
“We were lucky there was nobody behind us,” she said, trembling.
“I’ll drive the rest of the way, Bumblebee.”
“Thank you, Vince,” Nelise said.
When they reached the hospital, Nelise found Gertie and hugged her.
“When did this happen? Is he going to be all right? What did the doctor say?” she asked.
“I’m still waiting to hear.”
“I’ll go get coffee,” Vince said.
As Nelise sat holding Gertie’s hand, she started sending everyone and everything to do with Stanley to the Great Hall of Light, especially her aunt.