“I do too, and I know, but you’re still grounded.”
“Why do you refuse to date him?”
“I don’t refuse to, it’s just complicated.”
“I know, it’s because of Dad, isn’t it?”
“No, and you don’t need to worry with this, okay. Things will work out.”
“Whatever.” I know I should be honest with her. She’s smarter than I think most days. I just don’t want to taint her father’s name to her. She’ll figure it out in time.
The sound of the doorbell echoes throughout the house, and Sophia excuses herself from my room to answer the door. I take the time to put the final touches on my outfit, clipping the heart necklace around my neck and small diamond stud earrings in my ears. Grabbing my purse and phone from the desk, I leave and take the stairs two by two. It’s not until I get to the ground floor that I spot David instead of Lenny.
“David, what are you doing here?”
“I just need a moment of your time, please, Jules.”
“Sophia, can you give your father and I a moment please?”
“Sure, I’ll be in the kitchen with Grandma.” She retreats to the kitchen out of earshot.
“David, you can’t just show up when you want. You missed your days with Sophia already, and we have plans.”
“I know, I’m not here for that. I need to speak with you and give you these,” he says as he thrusts a brown envelope in my direction.
“What’s this? Some new game you want to play?” I say as I slide my finger under the lap of the envelope and bring the papers out. When my eyes land on them, all the air in my lungs freezes. I look up at David before glancing over the divorce papers. Quickly I shift and try to hold everything in my hands as I flip to the back page, spotting his signature on the line above husband.
“Why the change? Are you playing with me right now?”
“No, Jules. It’s official. All you have to do is sign and give them to your lawyer. I’m not contesting anything. You have full custody of Sophia with me having every other weekend. The house goes on the market Monday morning, and we’ll split the money. Use it to buy yourself something nice. I’ll continue to pay for Sophia’s education and whatever else she needs.”
“I don’t know what to say, David.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just want y’all happy.”
“David,” I start to say, but the doorbell rings again. This time, I know it’s Lenny, and I brace myself for the fight that might happen. Before I can move to answer it, Sophia races by us and swings the door open.
“David,” I say, trying to get his attention as Lenny enters the living room. I glance between them, trying to gauge what they are both thinking. In the meantime, Sophia bounces on her heels like she just won the lottery. That little sneak was listening. She’s just like me, and I should’ve known she’d sneak around to the other side of the hallway and eavesdrop.
“Don’t worry Jules, it’s okay.”
“David,” Lenny says with a nod.
“All right, let’s split this up before you two end up in some kind of cockfight like chickens battling it out,” I say and get a few laughs. The sad thing is, I wasn’t saying it be funny. I meant it. I refuse to let this evening be ruined by two men who think they are back in high school.
“I’ll see you later, Jules. Sophia honey, I’d like to pick you up from school this week and take you to dinner. Will that be okay?”
“Sure, I guess.” She shrugs at her father, and it breaks my heart that he’s done this to her. She’s ready to go to dinner with Lenny and me, but when her father asks she hesitates away from the situation. In time, they will repair the damage. Lenny steps to the side for David to pass. It doesn’t go unnoticed that his shoulders are square and ready to act if David messes up. Note to self… Never allow these two to be alone in the same room without guards.
“Well, that was fun,” Lenny says, breaking the ice as the door closes behind David.
“Always,” I say, forgetting that I still have the envelope in my hand.
Sophia comes over and grabs the papers and doing a quick look before she glances up at me. “Mom, he did it?”
“Yes, he did,” I say with a smile, and a rush of relief washes over me.
“Did what?” Lenny asks, and I hesitate to announce what Sophia’s holding.
Apparently, I take too long because Sophia answers for me, “My dad signed the divorce papers and is calling his guards off my mom. So, you know… You can date her now.”
“Sophia!” I glare at her with my eyes wide open.
“I’d say this is going to be the best date in the history of dates. Now, if you two ladies are ready to go celebrate, I think it’s time for us to leave,” Lenny states, and I nod as I thank him for not making this uncomfortable.
“Where are we going?” Sophia pesters Lenny as we drive.
“One of my favorite places to eat.”
“Where’s that?”
“Is she always full of so many questions?”
“Always, you might as well tell her or she’ll drive you nuts until we get there.”
“Don’t laugh, but Crystal Beet Parlor.”
“Oh, is that the place we went to with Aunt Lacy that one time, Mom?”
“Yes,” I say and laugh that he picked this place.
“Did you know, Sophia, that the restaurant was a grocery store? It opened in the 1900s, and the family lived upstairs. They sold it, and it became the first establishment to serve alcohol after the repeal of Prohibition.”
“No, and I also didn’t know we were going to get a history lesson tonight either,” Sophia whines from the backseat.
“No, just making sure the younger generation knows the history and heritage of our city.”
“God, you sound like my mom now.”
“She’s right, you sound just like me. I swear, for years I’d give her a history lesson on all the places we’d see.”
“We have more than you know in common,” Lenny states as he places his hand on my thigh. I know he feels me stiffen up from his touch since he removes it just as fast as he placed it on me. It’s not that I don’t want him to touch me, but this is new, and my impressionable daughter is in the backseat snickering.
We pull into the busy parking lot, lucky to find a spot. That’s always been the downfall—the parking area is small, and there have been many times we’ve had to find off-street parking and walk a few blocks to enjoy the food here. In my opinion, it’s well worth it.
Lenny opens the back door for Sophia before opening mine. When he reaches in to grab my hand, it hits me like a semi-truck. I’ve fallen for Lenny Ward, and I’ve fallen hard. It’s not like the movies where they say a stroke of electric shock courses through your body. No, it’s the flutter of my heart. The swirling of butterflies deep in my gut. Lenny pulls me close to him. I stare up at him for a little longer than needed until Sophia clears her throat behind me. Whispering, I say, “Thank you.” Why I picked those two words is beyond me, but Lenny understands them. He doesn’t say anything. Instead, he leads Sophia and me to the entrance and holds the door open for us. This is what we’ve been missing this whole time. This is the more out of life that I’ve been craving. Not just for me, but for Sophia too. I’m saddened by the realization that this was never our life when I was married to her father. That we didn’t share meals out like this. That doors weren’t opened nor were we made to feel important. Tonight, Lenny Ward has not just captured my heart, but he’s winning my daughter’s too.
Dinner was great, and I must admit—funnier than I thought it would be. There was a moment where I thought I was the third wheel as Lenny and Sophia took over the conversation. I’m okay with that. It gave me time to think. To really take him in and notice things that I hadn’t before. He’s not just a player. Lenny Ward is one they tell you about. They explain them as true lovers. When they find someone, they love them hard and forever. I can’t say that I love Lenny, but I can state that I have
deep feelings for him. The fear of rushing into something is still strong and scary when there’s more than just my heart at stake here. I want to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, but then I’d have to go back to reality if this was a dream.
“Where do you live?” Sophia asks, bringing me back to reality.
“Sophia, that’s rude.”
“No, it’s not. He knows where we live, why can’t we know where he lives?”
“It’s a normal question,” Lenny says with a shrug.
“I have a brownstone on Jones Street,” he states, and I turn my head toward him as my ears perk up.
“What?” I question again as I’m afraid I didn’t hear him correctly.
“Jones Street, 321 East Jones if you need the address.”
“How long have you lived there?”
“Ten years or so. Bought it from a guy and fell in love with it. It’s bigger than what I need, but I’ve redone the whole place.”
“Mom, didn’t you live on Jones Street?”
“I did, 308 East Jones,” I say and think how small the world is again.
“I’ll show you sometime,” Lenny says, and I remember back to that night in my office when he said he wanted to wake with me in his arms. My cheeks burn at the memory. He may be thinking of the same thing that I am. The glimpse of desire that shines in his eyes is back. My whole body is on alert. Afraid of what might happen next as we both relive that same night in our heads. Keeping things PG-13 I find another topic to talk about.
“So, did Sophia tell you that she’s going to study fashion after she graduates?”
“Is that so? Following in the designer footsteps of your mother, huh?”
“Something like that,” she bashfully responds. She’s great at fashion and has an eye for style.
“Sophia gets embarrassed when I gush over her talents.”
“My parents did the same thing when I was your age. I used to put model homes together. I’d hide them in my room away from my father. It wasn’t until one day he found them and the rest is history.”
“Is that how you got into building houses?”
“No, my father started grooming me to take over the family business right after college. I wanted to work in a big city. You know, make a name for myself and not just the one I was given.”
“Kinda like Mom. She wanted to run away to New York. If she’d have done that, I wouldn’t be here, nor would she have met you,” Sophia says. I smile at her because she’s right. My life went in a different direction all those years ago, but it has led me to this point in life.
“Let’s have a toast.” Lenny picks up his glass of tea. Yes, I find it funny that here we are at dinner and all three of us are drinking sweet tea instead of just Sophia while we enjoy a glass of wine or another adult beverage. It’s the simple things like this that I’m learning to appreciate from Lenny. With all our glasses raised, Lenny starts, “Here’s to new beginnings and making all your wishes come true.” We click the glasses before taking a sip from our straws.
“Mom, can we get some ice cream?”
“Um, I’m sure Lenny has other plans. We should probably get home.”
“I love ice cream, where to, my lady,” he asks as he looks back over to Sophia.
“Only the best ice cream shop in town: Leopold’s,” they say at the same time causing me to laugh at them. Seems we have more in common than I thought.
Lenny waves down the waiter, asking for the check. Here’s the part where I’m unsure of what to do. Do I pay for Sophia and me, or do I allow Lenny to pay? Times have changed since the last time I dated. I reach behind me to grab my purse. When I turn back the look written across Lenny’s face as he scowls at me tells me that I need to not even try. “I’ll get ice cream,” I say.
“We’ll see,” Lenny mumbles as he drops his platinum card down in the black tray holding our receipt.
“Mom, I know I’m still grounded, but do you think I could stay over at Stacie’s tonight after ice cream? I promise we will just be at her house, and there’s no party in the future.”
“Sophia.”
“Mom, her and Dustin just broke up, and she’s a wreck,” she pleads with me.
I glance over toward Lenny, seeking his help in the matter. I’m not sure why I feel like I need his approval, but I’m grasping for straws here. He shrugs his shoulders giving a smug look in return.
“I guess, but if I hear you’ve left her house, you’ll be grounded until you’re fifty. Do you understand, Sophia?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We leave the restaurant, and as soon as we get in the car, Sophia pipes up, “You know, I’m really not in the mood anymore for ice cream. Can I just go to Stacie’s now? She’s really upset.”
“Lenny, do you mind?” I ask as it’s closer to where we are now instead of going all the way home and then back out.
“Not at all,” he says before asking for the address. I try to not focus on the evening and how we had a great time. Sophia laughed more tonight than I think I’ve seen her do in the past year.
Saying good night to Sophia, I remind her no parties and that she needs to be home before lunchtime tomorrow. She thanks Lenny and leans in to give me a hug before rushing toward the door where Stacie is waiting for her. Lenny waits in the driveway a little longer, making sure they go in before we pull out.
“It’s still early, where to?”
“Oh, I thought we were done.”
“Nope, it’s time the adults have some alone time, don’t you think?”
Swallowing, I find my voice and blurt out, “I’d love to see your house.”
“My house it is,” Lenny agrees as he places his hand on my thigh, and I relax as I accept his touch.
20
Lenny
The stars are in perfect alignment for me tonight. I couldn’t have planned this better if I tried. I wasn’t sure how tonight would end. I dang sure wasn’t expecting Jules to say she wanted to see my house. Something awakens inside me at the mere thought of Jules inside my home. Maybe I can talk her into staying the night since Sophia will be away. I won’t push my luck. I’ll just take what I can get.
Parking, I hurry around and help Jules from the car. We make our way up the sidewalk and up the stairs to the front door. Opening it, I glide Jules in and watch her eyes light up as she looks around the place. “This is gorgeous, Lenny.”
“Thanks, I like it. I’ve been thinking about selling, but I just can’t part with it.”
“How many square feet and how many fireplaces?” Jules sputters about.
“A little over 2600 square feet, and a total of five fireplaces. There’s even one in the kitchen that I converted to a pizza oven.”
“I have to see this. Which way?”
“Right through that door.” I point over to the back of the room and watch as Jules runs off like a child on Christmas morning.
“If you really want to get excited you should see the master bathroom,” I say as I lean against the doorframe. Jules looks comfortable here in my space. She seems to belong here.
“Do you have a clawfoot tub?”
“I do.”
“That was the best feature of the old house. The bathroom was my retreat. I’d soak in that massive tub for hours on end.”
“Well, I can’t say I’ve soaked in my tub or even used it. It was here, and I wanted to make sure I kept parts of the history from the house intact.”
“Makes sense. I don’t think most men worry about a tub, but us ladies do. It’s an important feature in a house.”
“Did any of the ones I showed you have tubs worthy of your soaking time, Jules?”
“No, but that’s what happens when you downgrade, and I could make them work.” She shrugs it off like it’s no big deal, but I can tell she’d give anything to have a private area to just relax and unwind from the day’s events.
“Want a glass of wine?”
“Sure.”
I pull down the glasses and reach
behind Jules for a bottle of wine that is resting on the counter. Opening it, I pour us each half a glass and lead Jules to the living room. “I’ll give the full tour here soon. Here, take a seat.” I nudge my head in the direction of the couch and wait for her to take a seat. Once Jules is settled, I hand her the glass and take the cushion next to her. “Care if I put some music on?”
“Don’t mind if you do,” Jules says as she leans forward and tucks her feet underneath her. I drag my phone out of my pocket, loving that I have Bluetooth speakers since I have a treat for Jules. It’s a little something to help her reflect back to our time in her tiny bedroom. I click on a playlist that I’ve been building just for her. Once I hit play, I wait for the sound to filter through the house. It doesn’t take long before Jules’ head pops up as she looks directly at me. “Are you really playing New Kids on the Block’s, ‘Hangin’ Tough?’”
“I am. Wasn’t sure what type of music you liked. I’m going off your posters. I have Wham, Whitney, and so many others if you’d like me to change it.”
Through her laughter, she shakes her head and assures me that my music selection is good for now.
“For the record, I love all kinds of music. Jazz, pop, country, and of course, old school.”
“I think we might be a match in the music department, except for your old boy bands. I never listened to them while growing up.”
“That explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“Explains the one thing wrong with you. It’ll give me enough to hate you.”
“Hate me? Over my music?”
“I had to find something wrong with you, and now I know what it is.” She winks, and I realize that she’s just giving me a hard time.
“Want to talk about the papers?”
“No, not really. I mean…I’m glad he signed them. Not sure what made him change his mind, but I’ll be heading to my lawyer first thing Monday morning to file.”
“I’m glad you’re free now. Maybe now we can actually date.”
“You still want to date me?”
“That, and other things. Spend the night with me, Jules.”
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