Sweet Bits

by Karen Moehr

  “Pretty good,” he said. “You?”

  “Good.”

  “So, you’re a chef now, huh? You always wanted to cook and be a chef.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t call me a chef exactly,” she said. “I have a personal chef business and I make specialty cakes and stuff.”

  “Well, you were the best darn cook I ever knew,” he said. “I’ll bet you’ve got them lining up for your cakes.”

  “Well, not exactly.” She was doing well, but lining up? No, not quite.

  “Hey, remember that lemon chiffon cake you made for my mom on Mother’s Day that year? You know she still talks about that cake.”

  “Oh, yeah, I remember. That was a good one,” agreed Ali.

  More awkward silence. Each struggled with what to say.

  “So, where are you living,” asked Ben.

  “I have an apartment at 12th and Sunrise. It’s pretty small, but it’s got a good kitchen.”

  “Yeah, I know that area. I live over at Crosswood and Bonaventure.”

  “Oh, swanky,” said Ali.

  Ben laughed. “Yeah, it’s pretty nice. No biggie.”

  “You still say that? No biggie?” She remembered he used to say it all the time. People started calling him No Biggie Ben.

  Ben laughed. “Yeah, I guess old habits you know.”

  Ali laughed. It was so good to talk to him. They had been so close. Hearing his voice was like a soft, warm blanket.

  “Well, you want to get together and catch up?”

  “I thought we just did,” teased Ali.

  “You know what I mean. I’d love to take you to dinner and see you.” He suddenly realized he didn’t know if she was already involved or married.

  “Oh, uh, I mean if that’s OK. If you don’t have a jealous boyfriend or husband or something.”

  “No, not jealous anything. Not even a cat,” she chuckled. Sometime she felt like she was becoming the stereotypical old maid. All she needed was the cat. “I’d love to Ben,” said Ali. He could hear the warm sincerity in her voice and for the first time since dialing he felt good about the call.

  She hung up and sat in a large, overstuffed chair in her living room. She grabbed the throw pillow and hugged it close.

  Ben Harper.

  She thought about the last time they saw each other. It had been so many years ago…six? Yikes. Where had the time gone? She could see him, his dark hair ruffling in the wind. His blue eyes crinkled, his brow furrowed as he stood next to his old Chevy packed and ready to leave.

  He’d left for college six months early. His high grades had gotten him a scholarship and early acceptance to a good school and his father had made him take it. His dream was to have his son follow in his footsteps as an attorney and even though Ben wasn’t quite sure it was the right path for him, it was what his father wanted, so he did it.

  They’d parted on a windy day that had threatened rain. She had gone to his house to see him off. It hadn’t gone well. She wanted nothing more than to wish him well and let him know she would support his decision.

  Until that day, all their decisions had been made by consulting each other. They’d been best friends for years. Ever since the day Tommy Jagger had pushed her down and stole her lunch in second grade. Ben had helped her up and threatened Tommy Jagger that if he ever did that again he’d have him to contend with. Tommy was skinny and stood about two inches under Ben’s taller, athletic build, and it was all but written in stone since that day that if you messed with Ali, Ben would come calling.

  But when Ben had decided to take the scholarship and go to school and then law school, Ali couldn’t stay silent. “Ben, you don’t want to be a lawyer. You know you don’t!” she cried. “You’re an amazing guy. You told me you wanted to be a teacher and work with kids; maybe even be a counselor one day.”

  “I know, Ali, but that’s not my reality. I need to think of my future. This is a great offer.”

  “You’re going because of your dad and you know it.”

  “So what’s wrong with that?” Ben got indignant.

  “Nothing, but you know it’s not for you. You’ve told me so many times.”

  “Well, maybe it is. Maybe it’s just exactly for me,” said Ben. He didn’t want to even sort of entertain the fact that Ali could be right. It was too painful and he’d forced himself to put those thoughts away. His Dad had all but laughed at the idea of him being some second grade teacher.

  “You’ll never earn enough to support a family,” he said dismissively. “The law will not only give a great career, but a substantial future.” Ben knew the truth of what his Dad’s words meant. He was a top attorney in the city and well-respected, even up for a judgeship. Having his only son work in some public school teaching snotty-nosed kids was not the kind of future he’d mapped out. What would people say?

  Ben had relented and was soon leaving for school. He and Ali parted after arguing and had only cursory phone calls and a few cards for the first year or two. The relationship had been strained; possibly beyond repair. As Ben graduated from law school he’d heard less and less of Ali. After his graduation, he received a simple card that said only:

  Congratulations! I hope your life is all you deserve.

  - Ali

  That had said it all. They were on separate paths.

  CHAPTER 3

  “Dude, really? You’re going out?”

  “Yup,” said Ben smiling. He had a new twinkle in his eye and Dirk could see it.

  “Why’d you guys ever break up anyway?”

  “We didn’t break up,” said Ben. “We never dated. We were just good friends.”

  “Weird, dude. You never wanted more than that? I don’t think I could do it. Especially with Ali. She’s gorgeous.”

  “I know, but we were just best friends. That’s all. “

  “Weird,” echoed Dirk.

  “Yeah, maybe, but honestly, she was the one girl I could talk to about almost anything. It was never strange.”

  Dirk just stared at him like he was an Alien.

  Ben continued. “She always just listened and gave me great advice. I’ve never met a girl like her.”

  Dirk smiled. “You never wanted to…you know?”

  Ben shoved his arm. “Stop. I loved her…like a friend, darn it! She was just…cool. You know?”

  “Yeah, I guess. But still…”

  Dirk would never get it. They had just been best friends for the last three years. They each dated other people and then figured out why things didn’t work out after they’d break it off. They’d talk for hours breaking things down. They never would kiss-and-tell; theirs was more of a confident-type of relationship. If anything was wrong or worrying either of them, it was the other who would help them work through it.

  “So, what about your job? Sticking it out?” asked Dirk.

  Ben’s smile dissipated slightly. “Yeah, I guess. It’s OK for now. We’re going through a merger though, with another firm. Everyone is freaked out.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard mergers can be brutal. You worried?”

  “Not really. I did bring in one of the biggest clients last year and I’ve got a pretty good record in court, so I’m guessing I’m safe.” Ben was almost disappointed to have such a great record lately. While others worried about their future, Ben half-hoped they would dismiss him. It was an irresponsible thought; like a fantasy.

  “Cool,” said Dirk. “Keep the paycheck coming in. Especially now that Ali’s back in the picture.” He smiled at Ben.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Ben’s eyes narrowed at his friend.

  Dirk just smiled slyly. “You never know, dude. You just never know.”

  ***

  “Shoot!” Ali exclaimed looking down at her dress. She had just spilled an entire box of face powder down it. “Oh why didn’t you get dressed after you did your makeup, dummy?” she asked herself.

  She finished her makeup and went to the closet to survey it’s offerings. The red dress? No, too f
ancy. She wasn’t sure where they were going. Ben just said to be ready at 7:00. The blue dress? Hmm, maybe. She took it out and looked it over. It always brought out the blue in her eyes. Yes, it’ll do.

  She changed and looked in the mirror. Good choice, she thought. It’s not too sexy and not too clingy. The sheath dress hugged her curves just slightly and it left just enough to the imagination. She was thankful she’d gotten it dry cleaned and it was ready to go. “Thank you,” she said looking upward. It didn’t hurt to throw the appreciative shout out to the Man upstairs whenever she could.

  ***

  The doorbell rang and a sudden pang jolted through her. Ben. After all these years, he was here standing just outside of her front door.

  As she opened the door she realized the porch light was off. It had just gotten dark, but it didn’t matter. There he was. His dark hair a little shorter than last time she’d seen him. His muscular physique now dressed in a sleek dark suit and not the flannel shirt and jeans she’d remembered him in the last time they’d seen each other. And those eyes. Those light blue eyes than crinkled at the corners when he smiled. They were the same.

  Ali smiled. “Hi handsome,” she said.

  “Hi, beautiful,” he said not missing a beat. Man, she looked good, he thought. Her figure has filled out just a bit and her shiny hair was a bit shorter falling just below her shoulders. Her perfect face was the same. It was as if it was six years ago and they were stuck in time.

  “Come on in.”

  He stepped up into her small apartment. It was fragrant from a cake she’d baked earlier in the afternoon.

  “Hmm, it smells good in here,” he said turning to her. “Chocolate?”

  She smiled. “Good nose!” They stood in front of each other for a few moments when he finally reached out and hugged her. It was a long, familiar hug. It felt good to both of them.

  “Well, we got that out of the way,” she teased.

  “Man, it’s good to see you, Ali. You haven’t changed.”

  She smiled. “Liar. I think I’ve added a bit,” she patted her stomach. “You don’t make cakes and cook for a living without that.”

  “It’s just enough and it looks great,” he said. She’d always had long legs and he didn’t miss those. They were tan, just like he remembered from the summers in their youth.

  “You look good, too,” she said to him. He looked the same, but more grown up. He looked corporate, but still with the just a little messy look she always liked about him.

  “Thanks, I try to get to the gym a few days a week,” he said. “But I’ll admit lately it’s tough.”

  “How is your job?” she asked. She still felt a pang of uneasiness at the subject since it was what had torn the relationship apart.

  “It’s OK,” he said.

  “Just OK?”

  “Yeah, mostly. I mean it’s good. I’m just a little burned out,” he admitted.

  She shook her head.” I get it, she said. I’ve seen the law shows. They work you pretty hard, huh?”

  He laughed. “Well, it’s not exactly like TV…” he paused, “but pretty close. So how about you?”

  “Well, I’m baking and cooking. I still haven’t gotten to culinary school, but it looks like that’s going to change soon.”

  “Really? Culinary school?”

  “Yeah, you know I’ve always wanted to go,” she said. “After my dad’s accident, the bills were crazy and I had to take time to care for him so it got put on hold. But, my aunt’s given me a year of culinary school as a gift,” she said smiling brightly.

  “That’s terrific, Ali. Where will you go?”

  “I don’t know. There are so many great schools. I’m doing some research now to choose.” She knew where she really wanted to go, but felt she should investigate other schools, too.

  He smiled at her. It had been her dream to go to culinary school and become a chef for as long as he could remember. He was happy for her. At least one of them was going to live their dream. The thought gave him an uneasy feeling and he swiftly pushed it away as he’d done so many times before.

  “So, ready to go?” she asked standing.

  “You bet,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to this since we spoke on the phone.”

  “Me, too,” she admitted. “It’s really good to see you.” She suddenly realized just how good it was and it made her heart flutter a bit. Ben Harper is here in my living room. It was like a dream.

  ***

  Dinner had been delicious. He’d taken her to a newer restaurant across town and it had lived up to its reviews. As they drove back to Ali’s place they talked easily just like they’d never parted.

  Ben walked her to her front door. “Gosh, I feel like this was a date or something,” he joked.

  “Yeah, weird, huh?”

  “Do you date much?” he asked. The entire dinner they had talked about family and friends and caught up on gossip without really talking about themselves.

  “Nah, not much. Here and there. I guess I’m going to be an old spinster with cats,” she joked.

  “No, not you,” he laughed. “Aren’t you allergic to cats anyway?”

  He looked at her in the moonlight. He couldn’t imagine her ever being alone.

  Ali laughed. “Yeah, I guess that will save me.” She wanted to know the same. “Do you?” she asked him.

  “Not much. Same as you. Here and there. No one special,” he said.

  They stared at each other for a moment. If they had been on a date, now would be the time for a goodnight kiss. But it wasn’t a date. It was just two old friends catching up.

  “Well, I guess I better get going,” said Ben.

  “OK, I’ve got a full day tomorrow,” said Ali. “I have to cook a week’s worth of food for a lady who’s going into the hospital for surgery. She doesn’t want her family to starve while she’s there so I’m going to stock their freezer,” said Ali.

  “That’s thoughtful,” said Ben. “Sounds like you like your work.”

  “I do,” she said not wanting to get into the subject that once parted them. It was best to leave it alone. He seemed happy enough. It was his choice and she was bound and determined to live by it as he had.

  He gave her a quick hug and was gone promising to call in a few days.

  She looked after him as he walked down the sidewalk to his car. If he’d been just a guy she passed in the street he would definitely turn her head. But it was Ben. And she was glad to have him back in her life.

  CHAPTER 4

  “So, how did he look,” asked Josie? Ali put the phone on speaker and changed her clothes while she talked. It had been a grueling day and she was beat.

  “He looked good. Great, actually.”

  “Still gorgeous?”

  “Yeah, still gorgeous.” Ali had filled her friend in on Ben and their history together, not leaving out the fact that he was one good looking guy. This fact alone intrigued Josie, who was constantly on the hunt for a man.

  “Is he seeing anyone?” asked Josie.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Hmm,” said Josie.

  “What do you mean by that?” asked Ali, but she knew.

  “Oh, nothing.”

  “Forget it, Josie.”

  “I know, I know.” Josie wouldn’t push it, but if Ben was so good looking and not dating anyone then what about her?

  “OK, so how was your date?” Ali asked. “Didn’t you have a date with that salesman last night?”

  While Josie talked about yet another date gone wrong, Ali washed her face and brushed her hair back into a ponytail. She’d heard all about Josie’s bad dates for the last two years and this story would likely be no different. The running water obscured some of the details, but all of it pretty much sounded the same.

  “Sorry to hear that,” said Ali. “I told you that internet dating was shady.”

  “Yeah, but Melissa from my work met her husband that way,” said Josie, ever hopeful.

  “
Well, just be a little more picky, I guess,” said Ali. This had to be the 20th bad date story and she was growing a bit weary of listening to them.

  “So set me up with Ben,” joked Josie.