Duly Noted

by H. M. Shander

  Introductions were needed, and pronto. “Kaitlyn, this is Nate. Nate, Kaitlyn.” She breathed hard as the two sized each other up.

  “Kaitlyn.” Nate rubbed his chin in thought as if searching a huge database of names. “Ah, yes, you’re the girl from the bar, right?”

  “Huh?” Kaitlyn said.

  “Aurora and you were dancing that night. Although,” he wrapped his arm around Aurora, “she snuck out before I got the chance to dance.”

  Kaitlyn looked mildly amused. “Yes, she’s a great dancer.” A subtle wink meant only for her. “Speaking of which, do you want to go clubbing tonight? I could meet you there?”

  “Want to join us, Nate?”

  “Not tonight,” Nate said. “I have a busy day tomorrow. Lots to prepare for.” His tight body turned its full attention to Aurora. “Pick up you at noon?”

  “Noon?” she whispered, “That seems so early.” Her hand trembled in his.

  “It’s a long drive.”

  “I know,” she said, hanging her head.

  Nate lifted her chin with his finger. “You’ll be fine. I promise.” He placed the world’s gentlest kiss on her lips. “Noon. Have fun tonight.”

  “Get a room.” A fit of giggles erupted from Kaitlyn. “I’ll leave you lovebirds alone. Text me if you want to hang.”

  “Kait,” she said, “come by my place in an hour, okay?”

  “Sure thing. Nice to meet you, Nate.” Kaitlyn blew a kiss as she walked away.

  “You too,” he said.

  She waited until Kaitlyn hopped in her car and drove away before speaking to Nate. “Sorry.”

  “For what? You didn’t know she would show up.”

  Her hands danced their way around Nate’s hips to his lower back. Lacing her fingers together, she pulled him closer. “Where were we again?”

  He kissed her, and once again lifted her effortlessly onto the hood of his car. “Here, I think?”

  Aurora’s hands moved from his lower back to around his neck, feeling moisture along the nape. She pushed her fingers through his silky hair, and her tongue into his hot, little mouth searching out that sweet stud. Moments passed as hearts pounded.

  “Open your eyes,” he whispered, his tantalizing mouth moving towards her ear.

  Slowly, she opened her eyes. She still sat atop the car, although a moment ago, she could’ve sworn she was flying. With every ounce of determination in her, she remained on the hood, but pulled out of his embrace. Her hands hovered above the hood, inches high. With great trepidation, she inched them down, bit by bit until they splayed out on the hood beside her thighs. In Nate’s eyes she saw pride flash behind them. She knew from his expression that she had impressed him once again.

  She stared at him, focusing on him to hold her in the present and not flashback like her mind wanted. It was a battle of wills fighting inside her, and she outlasted her longest battle. With a gasp and cry she leaped off as the memories crept in, halting her progress.

  “Wow,” Nate said, holding her close.

  Although she trembled in his warm embrace, she managed a smile. She managed to go longer than she’d ever thought possible. It had to have been at least ten minutes. “How long was I on there?”

  “In total? Maybe three minutes?”

  “Oh.” Her face sank.

  “Don’t. You did so well. I’m so proud of you.” He tilted her head up and placed a kiss on her lips. “That was a really long time.”

  “I’ve kissed longer than that.” She laughed as she playfully smacked him.

  “Shall I take you home? I’m sure your friend will be chomping at the bit to get you out dancing.” He locked up his car and headed toward her apartment.

  “Sure you won’t come along?”

  Her hand moulded perfectly in his. “I wish I could. But I have a lot to do in the morning before I pick you up.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  He kissed her hand. “Nope. Just be ready.”

  “What do I wear?”

  “Sunscreen, although I’m sure Mom will have some too. We’ll be outside all day and the weather’s supposed to be great.”

  “So, like, at a beach?” He laughed, but she didn’t understand why. It was impossible trying to get a hint or two from him.

  “Not a beach and bring a sweater as the nights can be a little cool.”

  “How long are we going to be out there?” Her voice ripe with concern.

  “If everything goes well, I should have you home by midnight. Maybe later.”

  She swallowed. “So it’s an all-day birthday party.”

  “Essentially. But it’ll be fun. It gets your blood pumping.” His face split with an ear to ear grin.

  My blood’s pumping already but I suspect for different reasons. “Hmm.” She tried to read between the lines, but came up empty. She was a terrible guesser.

  They arrived at her apartment. “I’ll leave you here. Think you can manage the elevator ride up?”

  “Most days,” she said, shrugging.

  After another kiss, she watched him leave, and followed him as far as her eyes could see.

  Upstairs in her apartment, she was about to text Kaitlyn to see where she was, when someone pounded on her door.

  “Get in here, you freak,” Aurora said to her friend after a quick peek through the peep-hole.

  “We’ve got to talk, girly. Tell me more about Nate. He’s sex-on-a-stick.”

  She sighed. “Oh, he is.”

  Kaitlyn walked into the dining room, and gave the dying flowers a sniff. “Did he buy you these? They’re gorgeous.”

  She didn’t confirm nor deny who sent them, having lied enough these past few days. However, it was hard to control the flood of colour filling her cheeks as she thought of Nate – and the perfect way he made her soul soar.

  “Ooh, girlfriend, you have it bbaaaaddddd.”

  “Fuck off, I do not.” She walked to her bedroom. She still hadn’t packed for clubbing.

  “Look at you. You’re like a Christmas tree bulb – burning bright.” Kaitlyn flopped on the bed. “So, is he coming tonight?”

  “No. We’re going out all-day tomorrow though. What should I wear to a picnic? I’m meeting his family tomorrow.”

  “You’re meeting his family? Girl, you do have it bad.”

  “And it’s his birthday.” A blank stare into her closet. “What in hell do I wear?”

  Kaitlyn pulled open her underwear drawer and flashed a corset-type piece of lingerie. “How about this?”

  “No.” She tore the outfit from Kaitlyn’s hand and stuffed it back into the drawer. She limped back over to the closet, and rooted through it. Clothes flew out and landed on her bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I have no fucking clue.”

  “Typical guy. Says nothing.”

  She flipped through a few dresses. “All he said was wear sunscreen and bring a sweater because it gets chilly at night.”

  “Yeah, that’s not a lot to work with.”

  “Would a dress be wrong? I’m want to impress his mom.”

  “Well, I’d start with your mouth then,” Kaitlyn said in earnest. “Watch your language.”

  “Good point.” Had I ever heard him swear? Maybe once or twice. “Ahh, what the hell do I wear?”

  Kaitlyn flipped through the piled up clothes on the bed, selecting a couple. “Here. Black capris and this floral button-up. But iron it please. And you can add this,” she pulled out a black sweater, “for when it’s cool. It's picnic-y, but it’s also not trying too hard.”

  She smiled at her friend and placed them on hangers. “That’s great.” Walking into the en-suite, she hung the hangers on the shower curtain rod.

  “That won’t count as ironing,” Kaitlyn laughed from the other room.

  “I know. But it’ll help.” She leaned against the doorframe as her best friend hung up her clothes. Always tidying up.

  “So, how are you getting there?”

 
Aurora launched into details about the special pill she’d be taking, and how her daddy showed Nate what she was like while ‘under’.

  “Good lord, girl. This relationship had better be the one for you and your dad to put that much trust in Nate. He’d better not fuck this up.”

  “I think Dad threatened him within an inch of his life.”

  “Good, and then I’ll finish whatever’s leftover. This is some birthday present you’re giving him. That’s a lot of trust.”

  Aurora spun in the spot. “What did you say?”

  “I said, ‘That’s a lot of trust?’.”

  “No, the other part.”

  “This being some birthday present?” Kaitlyn looked confused.

  “Oh my god. A birthday present.” She fell back onto her bed. “What am I going to get him?”

  Kaitlyn lay beside her. “You haven’t got one yet?”

  “Shit, shit, shit.” Aurora stood and paced around the room. “What can I get him? I have no idea.”

  “I’m sure he’ll understand. Your relationship is new. I’m sure he doesn’t expect a birthday present.”

  “Probably not, but he’s taking me to meet his family. I need to get him something.” She paced in the room. “Think, Kaitlyn.”

  Kaitlyn shook her head. “What did you get your last boyfriend?”

  “We weren’t together on his birthday.”

  “Have you ever dated a guy and celebrated his birthday?”

  “Just Derek, but we’d known each other for months first. Not a couple of weeks.”

  “So get him a gift card.”

  Aurora tossed a throw pillow at her friend. “That’s not at all romantic.”

  “What does he like?”

  “Kisses. Cars. Construction.”

  “Not helpful, Aurora.”

  Her eyes widened. “I know.” She dashed to the kitchen, and flipped through an old recipe book. “I’ll make him some of the best damn truffles he’s ever eaten.” Ripping through the cupboards, she pulled out various ingredients. “Sorry, Kait, but I’m not going dancing tonight. I’m making these.”

  “Well, I’m staying to watch. And sample.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  By the time Aurora fell into bed, it was well into Saturday. However, the truffles turned out perfectly, at least according to Kaitlyn, and she couldn’t wait to give a nice box to Nate for his birthday. She made five different varieties, and made up a smaller sample box for his mom. Aurora was more than a little nervous to meet her, and wanted to make sure she gave a good impression.

  After a quick sleep, she readied herself, making sure to apply a hint of makeup to her tired eyes and take a couple more minutes to style her hair. Pinching some colour into her cheeks helped a bit too, but she still looked exhausted. Which she was.

  She refilled her travelling pill containers in case she needed pain or anxiety relief. As she filled her container, she debated taking a Xanax, but worried what that might do combined with the Isas. So she held off and instead, drowned her anxiety in coffee. But not too much so she’d have to take a pee break on the road.

  As she nervously paced the apartment, Nate buzzed right at noon, and she let him in.

  “Wow,” he said when she opened the door, “you look amazing.”

  “Too much?” She twirled, throwing her arms out to the side. “Figure, if they’re meeting me, and know that I need a special pill to get there, they may as well get all of me– visible scars and all.”

  He tipped his head from side to side as if trying to figure out the best answer to that. His finger trailed down her arm, and he gave her a quick kiss. “And yet, you’re still beautiful. They won’t even notice your scars, they’ll be too mesmerized by your beauty.”

  “Always with the cheesy lines.” But her cheeks heated regardless.

  “Are you ready?” He held up the special case Cole had given him containing two Isas – one for the trip there, and one for the trip back.

  Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Yes, but first, happy birthday.” She reached up and threaded her hands through his hair, giving him a kiss filled with passion and minor hesitation.

  “You okay?”

  “Nervous,” she said, trembling.

  “Don’t worry. My mom will love you.”

  “That’s only part of the worry.” Her gaze fell to the container he held.

  He sighed. “I know. This is huge. Bigger than a baby step. But I give you my promise, nothing will happen to you. I swear.” He crossed his heart.

  She tapped her hands against her arms, and breathed. “I know. I’m just worried.”

  “It’ll be fine. I’m to text your dad when we leave and when we arrive. It was part of the deal.”

  “Okay,” she said, stepping backwards into the kitchen where she grabbed a small box and pressed it into his hands.

  “What’s this?”

  “For your birthday. I didn’t know what to get you, since we’ve only known each other a short time, so I made you something.”

  With a curious look on his face, he pulled off the velvet ribbon and opened the lid. “Chocolates?”

  “Truffles, actually. It’s my momma’s recipe.”

  He grabbed one and popped it into his mouth, moaning as he bit into it. “Oh my god, this is heavenly.”

  “Thanks.” She grabbed the other box off the counter. “This is for your mom.”

  “She’ll love it, thank you.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “We need to get going.” He held up the pill container and opened it. “Ready?”

  With her heart racing, no doubt due to extreme nervousness, she turned up her twitching palm.

  He rolled one of the tiny purple pills into it. “I promise.”

  A huge sigh, and then she popped it into her mouth, allowing it to melt under her tongue. “Let’s go,” she said, grabbing her purse and sweater before locking her apartment.

  They stood beside Nate’s car, and as a test, Aurora put her hands on it. She knew there’d be a point where it wouldn’t bother her, and that was Nate’s cue to load her into the car. While she played tag with the vehicle, Nate put her belongings in the back seat.

  ***

  A high-pitched voice screamed, while a symphony reached a crescendo. What is that? Opera? She stretched her ears out to listen, to find a phrase to focus on. She bounced in her seat. Wait? I’m in a seat. Her heart picked up speed, racing faster than normal coming out of the fog, and sweat formed in her pits and along the base of her neck. Oh. My. God. I’m in a car. Smell usually followed the re-introduction of sound, but she couldn’t sniff much. A tiny hint of aftershave. Who’s wearing it though?

  A deep breath. A voice. “You doing okay over there?”

  I recognize that voice. It’s Nate. Relief flooded through her. We must be there already, but why am I still bouncing?

  “Nate?” she asked, “Why are you listening to opera?”

  “Aurora, are you coming out of it?”

  “Yes,” she said relieved for the haze dissolving. It was the worst feeling not remembering.

  “No,” he said, panic clearly written on his face as she focused on it. “We’re not there yet.”

  In a smooth motion, she turned to the front and scanned her surroundings. Sure enough they were on the road still and a gravel road was responsible for the bouncing. “Oh no, Nate. I can’t be in a car!” Her voice rose an octave as she spoke. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she screamed.

  “Aurora, listen to me.”

  “Nate.” The pull of black memories covered her. Not wanting to see the darkness come for her, she cowered into her seat. Her nails dug deep into her palms.

  “Aurora,” Nate said with more firmness in his voice than she’d ever heard. “Listen to me. Listen to my voice.”

  She shook her head and bit her lip. The darkness in her mind wavered in and out. Two steps in, one step back. It was only a matter of time before it completely consumed her.

  “You can do this. We’re almost there, okay?�
� Nate’s voice jumped. “Please hang on.” He paused. “Tell me about the giraffe.”

  What the hell? What giraffe?

  “Aurora, tell me about the giraffe when you were little.”

  “There was no giraffe.” She closed her eyes, trying to block out the sight of trees and buildings racing passed.

  “Think, Aurora. Where were you the first time you saw a giraffe?”

  Her mind floated back many years to when she was a little girl.

  “Out loud,” he pleaded.

  “I was five or six,” she said highly irritated, trying to see the memory clearly. Like picking through multiple file folders, she stumbled upon the correct memory. But a dark curtain hung on the edge. “It was at the Calgary Zoo.”

  His voice a little further away. “Good. Good. What do you remember? Describe everything.”

  “Well, I remember walking a long ways and my feet were sore, as I wore those cheap thongs. The day had been a long one, but Daddy insisted on seeing one more set of animals. The African area smelled terrible, but that was because it was a hot day.”

  His voice miles away. “Keep going.”

  Fighting against the black curtain of doom, she viewed the memory. All four of them were there. They looked like complete dorks in tank tops, short shorts and flip flips, but it was so hot. Everything they touched burned their skin.

  “We rounded the corner,” she said, “and there were three giraffes. I’d never seen one in real life before, but there they were. And they were so tall. Bigger than the buildings they stood beside. It was so neat. I wanted to reach out and touch them. Daddy lifted me on top of his shoulders as one came closer, but it never got close enough to touch. Even on Daddy’s shoulders, I still wasn’t as tall. They were so amazing to watch. So graceful. So calm. They never made a sound, but they did keep an eye on us. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay and watch them forever. I didn’t care how hot it was. All I wanted to do was watch the giraffes.”

  “Then what?” His voice calm as it floated on the breeze.

  Her eyes shut tight, she sighed. “Well, we had to go because the zoo was closing. So we stopped in the gift shop and Daddy bought me a tiny glass giraffe. It was no bigger than my hand, and I loved it. It sits on my dresser.”