Jerrica deposited Jamie in the first kitchen chair she came to. “Remember, you’re older than both of us.”
Lauren picked up the kitchen towel off the counter, tossing it at Jerrica. She caught it in her left hand, returning it with haste.
“You throw like a girl,” Lauren said, grinning.
“I am a girl! I can prove it if you would like evidence.” She winked at her.
Jaime straightened herself. “Oh, please no. I’ve seen enough nakedness where you’re concerned.”
Jerrica playfully swatted at Jaime.
Lauren just started laughing as she pulled the vegetables out of the grocery bags.
“Can we stop talking about what you saw in my office? I would like to try to get past the fact that you saw us.”
Jaime sat back in her chair with a smile across her face. “Well, I don’t have much of a sex life anymore. So, we might as well talk about yours,” she said.
“Oh please, if you’ve had sex in the past two months, you’re having more than I am,” Jerrica added.
Jaime’s cheeks got red, but her facial expression seemed sad.
Lauren picked that time to jump back into the conversation. “Leave her alone, Jerrica. Her boyfriend just broke up with her.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you,” replied Jerrica.
“Yes, you did.”
“Yeah, I kind of did, but I didn’t know about your recent break up. I just heard you had a meltdown, but nothing specific.”
Jaime looked to Lauren who was avoiding eye contact by bending down looking for a clean knife on the lower shelves. “Thanks, Lauren! You told her I was having a meltdown.”
“Well, I didn’t know how else to describe it,”
Lauren shot back still searching for the knife.
“Hey, no arguing, you two. We’re all friends here,” Jerrica said, acting like a referee.
Jaime slouched in her chair with her arms crossed, pouting.
“Hey, give Lauren some slack. She doesn’t understand the younger generation these days,” Jerrica teased.
“And you do?” Lauren said standing up with the clean cutting knife in her hand.
“I think so,” she answered, pretending to be afraid of the knife.
“I guess we brought the comic relief this weekend. Why don’t you stop running your mouth and help me with this salad,” Lauren ordered.
Jerrica put on her best frown, walking around the counter to wash vegetables. Once she had thoroughly washed all the vegetables, she placed them in a bowl she had lined with paper towels. She took the bowl to the counter on the island, placing it directly in front of Lauren.
“Thank you, my dear,” Lauren said with a smile.
“So, I want to hear about Jaime’s relationship problems.”
Jaime groaned loudly. The women just stared at her until she realized she had better talk or supper might be out of the question. Jaime let the blanket open around her shoulders, sliding it off to puddle on the arms of the chair. Softly clearing her throat, she began her embarrassing tale.
They had met at one of the many parties that Daniel & Daniel, Inc. had thrown. He was a dashing young executive from their company. He had the bluest eyes she had ever seen with chestnut color hair. Jaime sighed at the memories. They started sending e-mails and texting. After a week or so, he asked her out on their first date. He had made them a picnic in Boston Commons, took her to Fenway Park and the Boston Opera. Wined and dined her, but never pushed the subject about spending the night. Then about two weeks ago on what would be their last date, she took him home to spend the night.
“Spent the night? That’s all we get. How about a little more detail.”
“Lauren, leave her be. You sound like a horny teenager.”
“Maybe I am. It’s been so long since Brandon and I have had sex.”
“Umm...I don’t need to hear this,” Jerrica said, putting her hands over her ears.
Lauren laughed at how silly Jerrica looked. “Anyway, Jaime, please continue,” Lauren, said.
“That was pretty much all I’m going to tell you. I’ve called him maybe three times during the past two weeks. Then today I received a text that he doesn’t want to see me anymore.”
A thought dawned on Jerrica, “Please tell me he wasn’t your first?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes, it does,” Jerrica and Lauren, said in unison.
“No. He wasn’t my first. I just can’t believe I was so stupid to fall for his fake lines. I thought if I took my time, making him wait, it would be different this time.”
“All men are scum,” Jerrica proclaimed. “Except Brandon of course.”
“Thank you for clarifying that, but at least tell us it was fun.”
“You are incorrigible, Lauren,” Jerrica rolled her eyes.
“I imagine if I don’t give her something, she will just keep hounding me.”
“You’re getting to know Lauren, pretty well.”
“Ok, fine. The sex was ordinary, I’ve definitely had better,” Jaime said, raising her pinky in the air.
Lauren started to laugh as Jerrica squeezed her eyes shut in horror.
Jaime just smiled as she wobbled to the refrigerator.
“Whoa, take it easy, speedy,” Jerrica reached for her.
“I’m ok. I’m coming out of it.”
Retrieving a bottle of lemonade from the fridge, Jaime stated, “So, when are we going to eat?”
“Oh, sure, she’s been drunk most of the afternoon and now that she sobering up, she’s hungry,” smirked Jerrica, “I’ll go outside and start the grill, your highness.”
†
“That supper was wonderful,” Jaime exclaimed plopping down on the couch and rubbing her very full tummy. “I might burst.”
“I’ll second that. Those steaks were cooked just right,” Lauren complimented Jerrica, setting down a newly opened bottle of wine on the coffee table.
“I’m not the greatest cook, but I do know how to cook a great steak,” Jerrica boasted, looking at her friends with a smile.
“It’s getting chilly in here,” Jerrica commented as she picked up a couple of small logs to place in the fireplace.
A small chuckle escaped Lauren. “I keep forgetting you stayed here for a while, so you know how to do that.”
“I’m not powerless.” Jerrica reached for a few more items to get the fire started.
Jaime watched as Jerrica lit the match, placing it under the little tee-pee of wood and paper she had made in the fireplace. To her amazement, the fire didn’t start blazing as you see in the movies or on television. The bright colorful flames slowly crept their way up the paper. As it lightly licked the logs, she was sure it would go out when the colors dimmed only briefly and then the flame expanded its brilliant colors covering the first log. Only then did the flame crawl across the other pieces of wood continuing its mesmerizing show.
“Earth to Jaime,” Jerrica said, waving a hand in front of her.
“Sorry, Jerrica. I must have zoned out.”
Jerrica just smiled, getting comfortable in the recliner. She knew what Jaime was feeling. She had felt the same thing the first time she stayed at the cottage. The cozy beach décor rooms, the soothing accents of Lauren’s impeccable taste splashed in different places and now, seeing the exceptional fireplace roar to its full potential. The experience could be overwhelming, but heartwarming at the same time.
“Well ladies, let’s toast.” Jerrica raised her glass. “To a wonderful weekend, to great friends, old and new. And to the future, may it be everything we hope it will be.”
They talked then. They shared growing up and family stories. They all learned something new about their associate, boss, and now new friend, bringing them all closer to one another. The evening hours passed by as quickly as a blink of an eye as they opened up to one another, drinking wine and laughing.
Jaime yawned and looked down at her watch. “Wow! Its eleven thirty already!”
“If I’m going to help with this house tomorrow, I need my sleep.” Jaime stood, strolling toward the stairs.
Just before she was out of sight she turned. , “I would advise you two to go to bed soon. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”
Jerrica looked at Lauren. “You haven’t told her what opening up the cottage entails, have you?”
She looked up and smiled. Lauren’s idea of opening up the cottage for the season was making all the beds and placing any dirty sheets from the first weekend into a laundry bag then uncovering the rest of the furniture and leaving.
Lauren had a maintenance man, Willard who would come in and do the rest of the opening. He would take the dirty sheets home for his wife to clean and return them the next time he was at the house. Willard used to take care of the beach house when it belonged to Lauren’s grandmother. Therefore, it was natural to keep him on when Lauren took the house. Jerrica had met him when he opened up the cottage the months she went into hiding. “You can be so evil sometimes, Lauren.”
Lauren’s grin broadened as she stared at the fireplace.
Jerrica slid her hand around the stem of the glass left by Jaime and stood. After depositing the glasses in the kitchen, she wandered back to the living room. Stopping behind Lauren’s chair, she leaned forward so her chin was on the top of Lauren’s head. “I’m headed up too. Don’t stay up too long, okay?”
Lauren lifted her hand to Jerrica’s cheek, “Don’t worry, I won’t. I’m going to spread the fire out and watch it go out some more. Then I’ll be up.”
Jerrica smiled at the comforting gesture. Softly kissing her on the head, Jerrica backed away.
†
Within seconds, Lauren was alone in the living room. She loved being in this house. She loved having her friends here. When she was a child, she used to be scared of the noises the house made at night. Her grandmother used to tell her the house was like an old friend. In the silence of the night, it would share stories to those who listened. Lauren understood as she grew older what her grandmother had meant. The house had been a reliable friend for her and her family.
Leaning her head against the chair, she closed her eyes, listening. Sounds emanating from soft creaks on the ceiling, told her that someone was still awake upstairs. A light wind was blowing outside and she could hear the wind chimes on the back porch. She heard the soft sounds of the waves quietly rushing onto the beach, than retreating quickly, just to repeat the action again.
Lifting her head up, she stared at the fireplace, thinking of Brandon. She suddenly missed him. His job was very demanding and she didn’t get to see him as often as she would like. They used to spend almost every weekend at the cottage together when they were first married. Now, she was lucky if he made it down for one week in the summer. Lauren started to feel sad about the time they’d wasted being apart. She decided she would call him first thing in the morning. After separating the logs in the fireplace, Lauren decided it was time for her to retire for the evening. Standing before the staircase Lauren glanced around the first floor, speaking softly into the silence. “Goodnight, old friend.”
†
As the sun awoke above the cottage, three very unique and special women lay sleeping, unaware of its arrival. Lauren was the first one to stir. The sun was patient in its pursuit to slowly raise the other two from their slumber. One by one, they all found themselves half-awake sitting at the breakfast table. Jaime pulled her sweatshirt hood over her head and gently lowered her head to the table.
“How did everyone sleep?” Lauren asked as she poured her second cup of coffee.
“Ok, fine,” mumbled the two sleepy women.
“I would suggest getting some breakfast into you before we start working on the cottage.”
Setting two plates of food and two cups of coffee on the table, she continued. “Once we are done, we can all take turns showering. I would like to leave around one. We can catch lunch on the drive back.”
Jaime never picked up her head.
Jerrica’s eyes looked in Lauren’s direction, sleep still in them, “You’re joking right? It’s only seven thirty in the morning.”
“Best time to get started,” Lauren answered, heading up the stairs.
Jerrica slowly shook her head in disbelief. Cautiously she lowered her head onto her crossed arms, leaning on the table and within minutes, she was lightly snoring in tune with Jaime.
Chapter Five
“Don’t drop that!” bellowed a heavy southern accented voice on the other side of Jerrica’s office door. “That’s irreplaceable!”
It was too early on a Monday morning to hear yelling already in the office. Making her way to her door, Jerrica saw what all the commotion was—Olivia had two movers carrying a large wooden desk across the department. By the strain on the workers’ faces, the desk was as heavy as it looked. With her shoulder leaning against the door framing, she watched in amusement. Olivia was giving them so many different directions it wouldn’t surprise Jerrica if they set it down in the middle of the walkway and left it there. She grinned at the thought of Olivia’s horrified expression if they did just that.
“Good morning. What a devilish smile on such a beautiful face. What were you just thinking?”
Jerrica swiveled to see Madison standing next to her. “Hi. Ms. Jeffery, I mean…Madison. I didn’t see you there,” she said, her gaze falling to the floor as her face flushed with embarrassment.
“It’s ok, Jerrica, you really don’t have to answer my question. I’ll use my imagination.”
Looking up from the floor, she tried to redirect the subject, “Why does Olivia have such a large old desk? She has plenty of financial backing to get new stuff.”
Madison smiled at Jerrica’s awkwardness. “She’s had that desk for as long as I’ve known her. She told me it has special meaning to her because it belonged to her father. He was a very successful southern lawyer.”
“Oh, so you come from the south?” Jerrica avoided eye contact. “How long have you worked for Ms. Hutten?”
Madison stepped forward, entering Jerrica’s personal space. Leaning in toward Jerrica’s ear, she replied in a sultry tone. “If you want to get to know me, Jerrica, you’re going to have to buy me dinner first.”
Jerrica’s eyes fluttered closed smelling the intoxicating musky perfume now surrounding them both. She could feel Madison’s soft black hair graze the side of her cheek sending electrifying chills up her spine.
This woman is so sexy, Jerrica thought frantically.
Madison stepped back, staring at a very flushed Jerrica.
“Madison, can you help me with these guys? Nobody’s listening to me,” Olivia bellowed from across the room.
Madison sighed in frustration but waited a few extra seconds for Jerrica to say something. When it was apparent the friendly banter was over, she commented graciously as they parted. “I’ll catch you around.”
Jerrica watched as she strolled away, taking in the gentle sway of her hips. It was mesmerizing to observe how her pants hugged her hips, thighs and the pair of shapely legs. Jerrica suddenly realized she was staring. Looking around to see if anyone had seen her, she stepped back into the office and closed the door.
Madison heard the office door click closed. A nervous feeling started in the pit of her stomach.
Maybe I offended her, I shouldn’t have said that to her, she thought, agonized.
Madison didn’t have much time to ponder those kinds of questions for very long as Olivia’s temper was skyrocketing. “Olivia, why don’t you go to the lounge and get yourself something to drink. I’ll handle this,” she said, putting a hand on Olivia’s shoulder.
Olivia nodded in agreement. Walking around the struggling workers, she disappeared around the corner.
The moment that Olivia was out of sight, Madison had the men set the desk down.
Lowering the desk to the floor, the workers b
ent in pure exhaustion. Their chests heaved to intake as much air as they could get, as they tried to stand erect again.
Madison waited patiently until breathing returned to normal before she would negotiate with them.
“Listen,” she said, putting her hand on the desk, “I know this desk is heavy. I know that Olivia can be a handful.”
Madison watched as both men glanced at one another. “But I’ll make a deal with you. If you get this desk in her office, exactly where I tell you before she gets back, I will give you a bonus of one hundred dollars each.”
The men smiled at one another. They picked up the desk again, bringing it carefully into the office. When Olivia returned, Madison was in the office wiping off the top of the desk. “The movers will be back shortly with more stuff. Olivia you need to remember to be patient, we are just moving in. You wanted this job and I’m making it happen for you. You need to relax. It will all come together sooner or later.”
Olivia walked to Madison, placing her arms around her. “Thanks, my friend. You’re always here for me.”
Standing in the middle of the office, with the door open, in the arms of her boss was not what Madison wanted to be doing the first hour of a new job.
“Olivia,” she joked, talking into her ear. “Please let me go. You don’t want the movers to think there’s something going on in here, do you?”
Olivia released her from the hug, smiled, then walked to the windows.
Madison knew her boss needed a few minutes to collect herself, so she left the office to look at her own workstation. Standing next to her cubicle, she glanced back at Olivia in her big office.
One day Madison, you’ll have an office like that, she thought, straightening her posture in pride.
Sitting down at her desk, Madison looked around at her new home. The cubicle had three walls that were tall enough for privacy, but short enough that she could glance over them. She had two file cabinets on her left that extended one wall. It wasn’t the greatest desk she had ever had, but she would make do. As she surveyed the department, she noticed she could see Jerrica’s office door from her seat. She leaned back in her chair with a huge grin.
Finding Her Way Page 10