Sweet Beginning

by V. M. Holk

  "Hi baby. How are you?" he asks.

  "I'm good. Do you need any help?" I ask and smile back at him.

  I jump when I hear the door bell ring. Lucy lets out a bark and runs to the front door.

  "Can you grab the door? I hope you don't mind I invited someone for dinner," he says.

  Dad rushes down to the basement to grab something, before I can ask who is here. Who did he invite? Maybe he is dating and wants me to meet her tonight. I am excited to see.

  I open the door to see Wyatt smiling at me. WHAT?? I can't believe my dad invited him over for dinner. Why isn't he with his family or girlfriend. No wife, because I looked for a ring and there isn't one. I smile back and open the door.

  "Hello Wyatt. Come in, this gal is Lucy." I say pointing to the rambunctious grey ghost next to me.

  He walks in , "Hi Anne and hello Lucy." He bends down to give Lucy her greeting. He stands up and looks at me, "I hope you don't mind that I accepted Tom's invitation for dinner. I don't have home cooked meals too often and couldn't resist."

  "No not at all, it took me off guard, that's all. My dad didn't tell me anyone else was joining us." I reply.

  Dad comes out of the kitchen and walks up to Wyatt. They shake hands and Wyatt says,

  "Thanks again, Tom. I really appreciate you inviting me over."

  My dad looks at me and then back at Wyatt.

  "Well we couldn't let you be alone on Christmas Eve," he says. Dad gives me a quick wink. "Come on Lucy, go lay back down." He walks back into the kitchen.

  I look over at Wyatt, "Let me take your coat."

  He hands it over to me and I head back to dad's room to lay it on his bed. I take a quick look at myself in the mirror. Thank god I put my purse back here and I refresh my lipstick. I shake myself as I get ready to walk back out. What am I doing? Its fun to look, but that's it. He probably has a girlfriend and isn't interested. I'm not ready anyway, we can be friends. I have to keep reminding myself of this.

  I walk back to the kitchen, dad turns to me and hands me a beer.

  "Thanks." I turn to Wyatt to see that he already has one. "Can I help you get dinner ready, dad?"

  He looks from Wyatt to me, "No honey thats okay, you kids go sit and talk for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon."

  I look over at Wyatt and he is smiling at me. We walk into the family room that is off of the kitchen. Its an older house, so it doesn't quite have an open floor plan. It has an opening in the wall, so when you are in the kitchen you can see into the family room.

  We sit down across from each other. Dad has a fire going in the fireplace. I have always loved having a fire, especially this time of year. In another senerio, it would have been down right romantic. I love dad's furniture, its so comfortable. He has the same recliner he bought when I was in high school. It is in the perfect spot for watching TV. This is where Wyatt decided to sit. I sit next to Lucy, which she clearly doesn't share to often. She is a very spoiled Weim. We sit in silence for a bit, as I pet Lucy behind her ears.

  "So, how has your car been driving?" he says breaking the silence.

  I look over at him, "Great, thank you."

  I'm not sure what to talk about, without sounding too nosey. What the hell, I have nothing to lose.

  "So why are you alone tonight? No family or girlfriend to spend it with?"

  Wyatt chuckles, "No girlfriend and my family is all up north. I am driving up in the morning."

  I don't know why I feel like doing a little dance when I hear he has no girlfriend. Lucy decides that she needs to be in my lap for her to be properly petted. We both laugh at Lucy's behavior.

  "Where does your family live?"

  "I grew up by Houghton Lake, its a beautiful place. Its about 3 hours from here." he says.

  Before I can ask anymore questions dad yells, "Dinner is ready."

  ~~~

  Wyatt

  Anne looks so beautiful, I love her smile. I would have liked to switch places with the dog and talk more. I shake my head, what the hell am I thinking? I get up and follow Anne to the dinner table.

  "Dinner looks and smells great, Tom" I say as we all sit.

  I am thankful that Anne sits across from me. I can steal looks through dinner. We pass the dishes around to fill our plates. I touch Anne's hand as much as I can. I see a smile cross her face.

  "So Anne, what time are the girls coming home tonight?" Tom asks.

  She glances over at me, then back to Tom, "About eight, Kyle is going to text me when they are on their way." She looks over at me, "I am going through a divorce right now. Kyle is my soon to be ex. I have two girls, Katie and Shannon."

  I smile, "Tom talks about his grand-daughters all the time. They sound like great kids." I smile at her and she smiles back. "I am sorry to hear about your divorce. I know how hard it can be. I have been divorced about six months."

  She looks almost shocked when I tell her this. Most people are, I'm not sure why. I look down at my food, trying not to think of my ex-wife.

  "Well lets talk about something more cheerful," Tom says.

  I steal a few glances at Anne throughout dinner. I am thankful, she hasn't caught me. I look over at Tom, he smiles and shakes his head at me. Great, I hope he can't read my thoughts right now. We talk about both of the shops as we continue to eat.

  Once we are done, I get up and help Anne clear the dishes. We don't talk as we clean up. She seems lost in her thoughts.

  "I hope you guys don't mind if I step out for a quick cigarette." Tom says to us both.

  Anne looks over at her dad, "No problem, we got it. You cooked, we can clean."

  He smiles at us, "Come on Lucy, lets go outside." I hear the door wall shut behind him.

  I look over and she is putting leftovers in the fridge. As I am clearing the rest of the dishes off the table, "Anne, look I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable or upset at the dinner."

  She looks over at me, "Why would you think that? Because of my divorce? Really its ok. Its still new and fresh."

  "I know how it is. It does get better, but I know its not always easy to talk about. When will it be final?"

  "Hopefully in February," she whispers.

  I decide I better change the subject, its obvious she is uncomfortable talking about it. "So what kind of dog is Lucy?" I ask with a huge smile on my face. She looks at me and busts out laughing.

  "Nice way to change the subject."

  I love the sound of her laugh. "Yeah well.... you still haven't answered my question."

  "What question is that Wyatt?" I hear Tom say behind me.

  Anne starts laughing harder, at the shock on my face. I feel like a teenager who gets caught making out in the back of the car. I clear my throat,

  "I was wondering what kind of dog Lucy is?"

  On que, because she heard her name, Lucy walks over to me. I pet her behind her ears.

  "She is a Weimaraner, the best hunting dog out there, if you ask me." Tom replies proudly.

  Tom gives me the history of "The Grey Ghost," as I learn Weimaraners are called. We finish cleaning up dinner, as Tom talks. Once done, Anne looks over at Tom.

  "Well I better load up the presents and head home. I want to make sure that I have time to unload everything before the girls get home." she says.

  Tom looks over at me, "Would you mind helping Anne?"

  "No problem, I'd love to help." God I hope I don't sound stupid, as I mentally shake my head.

  ~~~

  Anne

  I smile at Wyatt, "Let me use the bathroom real quick, okay?"

  He nods his head. I head down the hall pulling my phone out of my pocket and start texting.

  Anne 6:46pm

  OMG....guess who my dad invited to dinner?

  JayJay 6:47pm

  OMG...ur dad had a date? what was she like?

  Anne 6:47pm

  LMFAO...NO, I almost pissed my pants J

  JayJay 6:48pm

  WHO?????? tell me woman

  Anne 6:48pm
/>
  WYATT...I will fill you in tomorrow

  JayJay 6:49pm

  Holy Shit! you are such a bitch, leave me hanging. lol

  Anne 6:50pm

  :) i try...been in bathroom too long, lol xoxo

  JayJay 6:50pm

  lol, ok....love ya, darlin' xoxo

  I check my reflection in the mirror before I leave the bathroom. As I walk into the hall, I run right into Wyatt. He catches me from falling over. Wow, he is built like a brick house. God, how I would love to see what is under that shirt.

  "I am so sorry."

  He smiles, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so close to the door. Tom sent me to help you."

  I had to think why I needed help and start laughing when it dawns on me. He looks at me confused.

  "Sorry, the gifts are back here."

  We walk into dad's spare room. All the presents are stacked on the bed, with one large gift on the floor.

  "Wow, these are two lucky little girls!" he says.

  "Yeah they are." I smile back at him. "Hey let me go put my coat on, start my car and pop the trunk."

  He looks over at me, "Give me your keys and I will do that. You can get ready."

  "You don't have to. I got it."

  "Don't be silly, give me your keys" he says.

  I hand them to him, then watch him walk down the hall. I forgot that men do things like that. It had been forever since Kyle had done anything like that.

  With my coat on and purse in hand, I go find dad.

  "Thanks for a great dinner, it was excellent!"

  "Your welcome, baby. I will see you guys tomorrow," he replies.

  I give him a hug and kiss. I bend down to give Lucy her goodbye. I give her a kiss and tell her to be a good girl. I look over at Wyatt as he walks in.

  "I got everything in the car for you Anne." He shakes my dads hand and says, "Thanks for the great meal, Tom. I will see you next week." He bends down and pets Lucy as well. "I will walk you out Anne."

  I smile and think what a gentleman.

  "Thanks for taking all my presents out, I really appreciate it."

  "No problem," he replies.

  We walk up to my car, and I turn to him. God I would love to run my fingers through his hair. He breaks into my thoughts.

  "It was great to see you again. I hope you don't think me strange, but here is my number." He hands me a small piece of paper.

  I take it from him and look at him in shock. Is he asking me out? I start to get excited, then panic. I am not ready for this, what am I thinking? I have to make him understand, without upseting him.

  "Look, Wyatt. I think you are a great guy, but I'm not even divorced yet. and...."

  He shakes his head and interupts me, "No you misunderstood me. I wanted to give it to you as a friend. In case you needed someone to talk to about your divorce. Or just need something."

  God, I feel like such an ass. Has it been that long? I completely miss read what was happening. I feel so stupid. I need to get out of here.

  "Sorry, umm thanks," I reply, and stuff the paper into my purse. "Look have a safe drive home tomorrow. Merry Christmas."

  I open the car and get in, as fast as I can.

  "Thanks and Merry Christmas to you too," he says, looking confused.

  "Thanks, bye."

  I close the door as quickly as I can. As I drive, I look in my rearview mirror. I see Wyatt watching me drive away.

  Chapter 9

  I sit on the couch and check my phone. It looks like I got home just in time. The gifts are all tucked away in my room. I recieve a text from Kyle that they are on their way. I lean my head back on the couch. God I feel stupid. I shouldn't have automatically thought he was asking me out. I guess I was hoping just a little, that he was asking me out.

  I hear the girls running up the stairs and saving me from my thoughts. I walk into the kitchenn and see Kyle walk in behind them.

  "Hi Anne."

  I haven't seen him in so long, I almost didn't recognize him. I shake myself, "Hi. Hello ladies." I smile at them. They run up to me and hug me.

  "Mama we had so much fun at Daddy's. We had our Christmas morning today and then went to grandma and papa's house." they chimed together.

  Kyle walks up to me, "I hope you don't mind, but the girls wanted me to come up with them." I look at the girls and they are smiling at me.

  "No problem, how are you?"

  The girls run into their room to drop off all their stuff. He looks over at me.

  "I'm okay. I wanted to thank you for the gift, you didn't have to do that."

  "It know, but the girls really wanted to shop for you." I explain.

  Katie and Shannon run out, "Daddy come see our new room."

  He looks over at me to see if it's okay. I nod and he follows them to their room. I see him looking over the apartment on his way. I go into the living room to wait for them to be done. Kyle walks out and smiles at me.

  "Well I better head out. The place looks really nice, Anne."

  I smile, "Thanks. I hope you have a nice Christmas."

  He walks over to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "You to."

  The girls run out to say goodbye. They walk Kyle to the door, he turns. He smiles and winks. I laugh, its nice to be able to laugh with him in the room.

  It takes me forever to get the girls settled down. We set out cookies and milk for Santa, then read "The Night Before Christmas." I finally get them tucked into bed.

  Wow, what an evening this was. First with Wyatt, then the surprise visit from Kyle. I sit on the couch to watch my favorite Christmas movie "White Christmas." When its over, it should be safe to lay out the presents.

  ~~~

  Wyatt

  As I watch Anne drive away, I think....what a jackass. I can't believe I made her feel that way. She couldn't get away from me fast enough. I get into my pick up and drive the short distance to my one bedroom house. It's not much, but it's on five acres of property, which is mostly woods. I love walking through the woods, it always brings me peace. It's a nice house, just small. Since it is only me, it works out perfect.

  Mr. Nolan was so glad I said yes, when he showed it to me. He told me it had been empty for almost six months. He is in his early seventies and reminded me of my grandfather. We hit it off right away, which works out nice for both of us. I take care of the property and house, Mr. Nolan gets an income.

  I pull into my drive and turn off the truck. I sit there for a bit. I think about what happened, she isn't ready for any kind of relationship. For that matter, neither am I. I get out of the truck, walk into the house. I need to get some sleep, I have a long drive in the morning.

  ~~~

  Anne

  The morning went by in a wrapping paper blur. I woke up to the girls jumping on my bed and yelling at me to come see all their gifts. I love watching Katie and Shannon on Christmas morning, every year. This is what makes everything worth it.

  I have the girls call my mom and Stan to wish them a Merry Christmas. I waited for my dad to come, to call my brother, Jack. I know my brother and dad are not real close, like mom and me. It's to bad that things aren't different. But sometimes things work out the way they are supposed to be, no matter what we think or do.

  I get everything cleaned up from brunch. I wish my dad would go with us to Jaylah's parents. I never understand why he says no. He plays horse shoes with Jaylah's dad Mike, once a week in the summer. They play Euchre every month all year long, plus they have talked about trying a dart league together. Maybe because its a holiday, I'm not sure.

  I get Katie and Shannon dressed and finish getting myself ready. I told them they could pick one toy to take with them. It's always hard to leave the house on Christmas day.

  ~~~

  We arrive at Papa Mike and Nana Stella's house, as my girls call them. How lucky that my girls have so many sets of grandparents, that truely love them. We pull up to the house and Jaylah is on the deck having a cigarette. Katie and Shannon wave to her, the
n run into the house to play with the rest of the kids. I walk up to the deck and look at Jaylah.

  "Join me in the garage, toots." she says as she grabs my arm. I laugh, because I know this means spill time. As we step in the garage, Jaylah looks at me and says, "Spill!"

  I laugh at her. "Spill what? Whateva do you mean, JayJay?" If looks could kill, I would have been dead.

  "Don't mess with me, woman. We don't have lots of time.....SPILL!" she yells at me.

  I smile, "Not much to tell. He came over for dinner, we talked a little and he helped me carry all my presents out to my car. He gave me his phone number." I whispered the last part, in hopes that she really didn't hear it.

  "WHAT??? Did he ask you out?"

  I roll my eyes and sigh. "No. I thought he was. As I was explaining to him that I wasn't divorced yet, he interupted me to tell he wasn't asking me out. He was giving it to me as a friend, in case I needed someone to talk to about my divorce." She looks at me with a confused look and then mad.

  "What?"

  "He got divorced six months ago." I say in way of explanation.

  She looks at me and shakes her head. "What did you do?"

  I smile, "I wished him a Merry Christmas, got in my car as fast as I could. I already felt like an ass, no reason to stick around."

  We both laughed, "Hey, I would have thought the same thing. I keep telling you that men are douche's! You need to get rid of asshat first, before you even think of letting another one in. Come on, we better get in the house, Mom will be looking for us."

  We walk into the house. Jazmin is at the counter helping with the food, she looks over at us as we walk in.

  "How are you doing?" she asks.

  "I'm fine, thanks."

  She gives me a quick hug and goes back to work. We always looked up to Jazmin, she is four years older than Jaylah and me. We always tried to do our hair like her and dress like her. She was always so great about it and would give us tips on fashion. We could always go to her about boys and our problems.

  She has been married to Don for sixteen years. They have two daughters as well, Angel is twelve and Alex is ten. My girls love to play with them, they are like cousins.