by Carys Jones
‘I get off atfive,’ Brandy said, glancing briefly at the clock on the wall which was so modern in style that Aiden struggled to read the time by it as it only had hands. It was half pastfour.
‘We could get a Starbucks if you don’t mind waiting?’ Brandy asked him, glancing sheepishly from behind her thick, lustrous lashes.
Aiden wanted to tell her that he’d wait a thousand lifetimes to have a coffee with her, but held himself back.
‘Sure,’ he nodded.
‘There are so many Starbucks here!’ Brandy blurted, her accent thick as her old self rose up. ‘I mean, how much coffee can people drink!’ She giggled and then seemed to remember herself and tried to appear more professional.
‘I have a…lady upstairs…about to be waxed. I’d best go…’ she nodded towards the staircase.
‘I’ll wait here.’ Aiden noticed some leather armchairs near the entrance and pointed towards them. They were much more luxurious in both appearance and feel than the worn-out couch which perched outside his office back in Avalon.
Possibly the longest thirty minutes in Aiden’s life finally passed. During which he browsed through the various fashion magazines which were laid out and struggled to understand any of them. To him, clothes were clothes and hair was hair. They performed practical functions, nothing more.
Finally, Brandy reappeared, this time wearing a long beige coat which completely covered her dress.
‘Are you ready to go?’ she smiled.
‘Absolutely.’
They found a table nestled towards the back of the Starbucks which offered them some relative privacy. Aiden ordered a black coffee whilst Brandy opted for a hot chocolate. When offered all the trimmings of whipped cream and marshmallows, Brandy eagerly enthused, ‘Ooh, yes please! It’s not a hot chocolate without them!’ There was something so endearing and warm about her that even the sour-faced waitress managed to crack a smile at her remark. Brandy possessed that rare magnetism that just drew people to her. They were, like Aiden, powerless to resist her sweet charms.
‘I cannot believe you are here,’ Brandy stated as they sat down. ‘I mean, when I woke up this morning it was just an ordinary day. Well, as ordinary a day as living in Chicago can get, and then you walk in and suddenly it’s an amazing day! Isn’t life strange like that?’
‘Yeah, I guess it is.’ Aiden admitted. ‘Do you like Chicago?’
‘I love it!’ Brandy declared emphatically. ‘There’s so much to do here. I’ve been to the movies, the theatre, a concert. It’s amazing!’ Brandy took a delicate sip of her drink which left her with a whipped cream moustache. Aiden couldn’t help but smile as she continued to chatter on, oblivious to it.
‘And guess what?’ she asked him.
‘What?’
‘I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream and learning to play the piano,’ she told her, lowering her voice slightly for the latter part as though it were some great secret.
‘I didn’t know you wanted to play the piano,’ Aiden said, frowning. He didn’t like the thought that Brandy was developing into a person he did not completely know.
‘Ever since I was young. My mother said it was a foolish notion as only the rich get to play the piano. But now I’m a working girl I can spend my money how I like and so every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I’m having lessons!’
‘Good for you.’
‘By working girl, I mean, I got a job, not that I’m—’ Brandy fumbled her words, suddenly flummoxed. ‘People here, they often misunderstand me. Words seem to have…different meanings.’ She looked down at her hot chocolate and her sunny disposition briefly fell away to reveal a lonely girl struggling to fit into a world she didn’t really understand. Then, as quickly as her insecurities had manifested themselves, they were gone, and she looked back at Aiden, a warm smile on her face.
‘You’ve got a little,’ Aiden motioned to her top lip and Brandy blushed profusely.
‘Oh no, have I?’ she grabbed at a napkin and began to delicately dab the cream away. ‘Gee, I’m such a klutz sometimes,’ she berated herself. ‘Anyway, enough about me! What has been going on with you?’
‘Not much really,’ Aiden admitted. His life had carried on pretty much the same way since Brandy had left.
‘I’m still working with Edmond.’
‘Your wife and daughter, how are they?’ Brandy asked, but her voice had lost some of her sweetness and her smile no longer reached her eyes.
‘They are both good, thank you,’ Aiden answered politely. He desperately wanted to change the subject.
‘So are you any good at playing the piano?’
Brandy lifted up her hands so that her palms were facing him. He noticed that she wore a ring on her right hand which appeared to be encrusted with diamonds.
‘I have small hands, you see? Apparently that’s good for being a pianist as I can navigate the keys; look at me knowing what everything is called! But my fingers aren’t long and if they were, it would make things easier.’
She lowered her hands and giggled self-consciously.
‘That’s an expensive-looking ring you’re wearing.’ Aiden blurted.
‘Oh this,’ Brandy instinctively looked at the ring, which appeared to be white gold and covered in diamonds. An eternity ring.
‘It was a gift.’ She shrugged dismissively and drank some more of her hot chocolate, careful not to get any more cream on herself.
‘From who?’ Aiden asked, trying to sound casual but aware that he risked coming across as a jealous boyfriend.
‘Just a guy.’
‘A guy?’ Aiden queried, feeling his blood pressure begin to rise. He’d feared that this might have happened, that Brandy might have found someone whilst in Chicago and, worse, fallen in love. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle that, as hypocritical as it was for him to feel that way.
‘Yes, a guy. A guy who buys me nice things because he wants to get in my panties.’
Aiden raised his eyebrows at the bluntness of her comment and she smiled sweetly at him.
‘Aiden, I’m Southern, not stupid. I can smell a rat at ten paces. I’m looking after myself out here,’ her smile deepened and she held her hands out to him. He grabbed them across the table but found his jealousy getting the better of him. He turned her right hand so that the ring was blinking at him, taunting him with its opulence.
‘Why do you wear it if you don’t care about the guy?’ he asked her, trying not to sound hurt.
‘Because it’s expensive and I’ve never owned anything expensive before,’ Brandy admitted shyly. ‘I guess I was just overwhelmed that someone bought me something.’
‘Well I’m going to buy you something tonight!’ Aiden declared proudly.
‘You are?’
‘Yes, BrandyCotton, I’m going to buy you dinner.’
*
Aiden waited nervously in the lobby of the apartment building in which Brandy now lived. The cream walls and plush recliners which accompanied the solid pine reception desk were a far cry from the trailer she had once lived in. He wondered how difficult it had been for her to adjust to a world so far removed from her own.
There was a soft chime as the elevator arrived and the doors eased open to reveal Brandy, wearing the same coat as earlier but now her hair was up, sat neatly atop her head in a ballerina’s bun which accentuated her cheek bones and deep-set eyes. She walked towards him, her black peep-toe shoes clipping on the tiled floor as she did so.
‘Good evening.’ She smiled at him with lips which were slicked with gloss.
‘Evening.’ Aiden felt incredibly anxious. Brandy looked nothing short of stunning. Her eyes were set off by dark make-up which, against her pale skin, made them even more striking. Each time she looked at him he felt as though her gaze were penetrating him to his soul.
‘Where are we going?’ Brandy asked as they walked through the lobby towards the street and the awaiting city beyond.
‘I found a nice little restaurant nearby. They serv
e Southern cuisine.’ Aiden explained, immediately worrying that Brandy might not like his choice of venue. Perhaps the last thing she wanted was to be reminded of her roots.
‘Ooh, sounds lovely,’ she gushed. ‘I’ve not eaten anything Southern since…’ She didn’t conclude her thought, instead biting her lip and casting her eyes down at the floor.
‘I’m sure the food will be great,’ Aiden said. ‘It’s only a few minutes’ walk, if that’s okay?’
‘That’s fine,’ Brandy smiled, though her eyes had dulled and momentarily lost their sparkle. ‘If there is one thing a pageant girl knows how to do, its walk in high heels!’
The restaurant was charming in a quirky way. Almost every inch of the wall was covered in Southern-themed paraphernalia. The floor and dining tables were made of rustic wood, whilst in contrast the seats were plush and comfortable. Country music played softly overhead though it wasn’t overpowering enough to invade patrons’ thoughts.
Aiden and Brandy were shown to a table towards the back which was, thankfully, relatively secluded. Aiden felt sick as they settled down in their chairs and surveyed the menu. He knew he needed to tell her about Brandon’s love child, he just didn’t want to ruin their evening. But then it was all a façade. This wasn’t a legitimate date. He was a married man and she was too beautiful and desired by almost every man that saw her. Aiden couldn’t help but notice the countless heads which would turn to watch her as she strode down the sidewalk, but Brandy was completely oblivious to them, safe in the bubble of her own self.
He couldn’t let himself pretend the entire trip that this was anything other than what it was. He needed to tell her the real reason for his visit; he just found himself procrastinating as he was terrified she would hate him for his role as messenger. And a part of him wanted to believe in the myth, that this really could be a date. That Avalon, and the ties which bound him there, for perhaps this one night, no longer existed.
‘This place is lovely,’ Brandy noted as she let her gaze float around the modestly sized dining room. ‘I can’t believe I’ve never been here.’
‘Do you eat out a lot?’ Aiden asked. Brandy looked a little alarmed by the question and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
With her coat off, Aiden could see the black dress she was wearing which hugged each and every one of her curves. It was hard for him to pry his eyes away from her as she looked so amazing, like an intricate porcelain doll which had been breathed into life; she was both exquisite and precious. He wanted to ravish her but also to protect her. No other woman had ever made him feel so conflicted.
‘Not a lot, no,’ Brandy admitted sadly, not meeting his gaze.
‘Why not?’
‘I eat at my aunt’s a lot. Or in my apartment. To be honest, the city scares me. It’s so big and vast and sometimes I fear if I go somewhere new I’ll end up getting lost and…’ Brandy coughed to steady herself.
‘It’s okay,’ Aiden reassured her. ‘It’s a big adjustment. You’ll get there. And now you know about this place.’
‘And now I know about this place,’ Brandy smiled warmly at him.
‘What about when you go to the movies or the theatre?’ Aiden asked, remembering their previous conversation.
‘I lied,’ Brandy admitted shamefully. ‘I wanted you to think I was living the life out here. And I am, but even my apartment seems too big! I’m used to living in a trailer! It’s just taking me longer than I thought to settle in.’
‘It’s a big city,’ Aiden empathized.
‘But now you’re here and that makes me feel safer, which is stupid I know. With you around I’m not so scared about getting out and about,’ she admitted, glancing up at him shyly.
‘Yeah, I’m here,’ Aiden sighed. He knew he needed to tell her the truth about why he was there. He owed her that much.
‘Brandy, actually, there is a reason I’m here.’
‘Oh?’ Brandy took a delicate sip of the cosmopolitan she had ordered and looked at him with wide, expectant eyes.
‘It’s to do with a case I’m currently working on.’
‘Uh huh.’
‘Basically it is a paternity case involving Deena Fern.’
Aiden noticed a shadow pass across Brandy’s face. Clearly she was familiar with the name.
‘She has two sons, and the paternity of the second son has been called into question by the paternal father of the first. I’ve met with Deena and spoken with her.’ Aiden didn’t know how to break the last part to Brandy. He didn’t want to hurt her. He wanted to protect her from this sordid truth but he knew she’d ultimately find out. She had to hear it from him. Only he could shield her from the ugliness of it all and be there for you.
‘Deena claims that the father of her baby is your late husband, Brandon.’ He delivered the news as delicately as he could, his voice gentle and low.
Brandy absorbed the information and he watched her face crumple in on itself like a disregarded tissue. Her shoulders began to rise and fall with silent heaves and she frantically tried to calm herself, putting a hand to her temple and then her eyes to try and suppress the tears which now sparkled brightly in her doe eyes.
‘Brandy, I’m so sorry to have to tell you that,’ Aiden moved not only himself but also his chair so that he was no longer opposite her, instead he was by her side, wrapping his arms around her. He kicked himself for having foolishly broken the news to her in public.
Brandy hid herself in his embrace and cried softly. When at last she surfaced for air, her cheeks stained black from her fallen make-up she simply whispered,
‘Can we leave?’
‘Of course.’
Back at Brandy’s apartment she sat on her cream fabric sofa, looking stony-eyed out of the window at the twinkling lights of the city beyond. She was clutching a mug of hot chocolate which Aiden had made for her and he had draped a green blanket around her exposed shoulders yet still she shivered, though not from the cold.
‘I think I always knew,’ she said sadly.
‘You did?’ Aiden sat down beside her, listening intently.
‘I always knew he’d been unfaithful. And Deena Fern used to stare at him like a puppy dog whenever we saw her at church. I guess I just didn’t want to see it at the time. Though I never imagined she’d have his baby.’ Brandy began to weep at his and Aiden once more held her tightly, wishing he could absorb her pain for her.
‘And he killed my baby,’ Brandy was sobbing now, long, hard sobs which made her tiny body shake with emotion.
‘I know,’ Aiden said soothingly, stroking her golden hair, most of which had now fallen out of the bun which had previously been so immaculate.
After a while, Brandy pulled back and looked at Aiden. Her eyes looked red and sore. She dabbed at them gently with a tissue.
‘What is he like?’ she asked, her voice was hoarse from crying.
‘Who?’
‘The baby.’
‘Well, he’s a little boy called Davis. He’s two and has brown hair and brown eyes.’
‘Have you met him?’
‘Yes,’ Aiden nodded.
‘Is he a nice little boy?’ Brandy asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
‘Yes, he is.’
‘Good,’ she nodded solemnly. ‘And you came all the way out here to tell me about him?’
‘I knew you’d be upset and I thought it best you hear it from me,’ Aiden explained. Their faces were now only inches apart. He stared into Brandy’s deep-brown eyes and felt his stomach dip as though they had just descended twenty feet. He could smell the warm chocolate on her breath, could see the droplets of tears upon her cheeks.
Raising his hand, he stroked her cheek. It was soft and warm.
‘I’m glad you’re here, whatever the reason,’ she whispered.
‘Me too.’
‘You’re a good man, Aiden Connelly.’
‘I try to be.’
The reality of Avalon, and his family waiting for him, suddenly threatened to ru
in the moment. He couldn’t shake the feeling that if anything were to happen with Brandy, it would make him no better than Brandon. And she deserved so much more than that. He leant back, creating distance between them. Brandy smiled sadly as he did so and moved so that her head was now resting on his chest.
‘I’m tired,’ she admitted. ‘Crying can really tire a girl out!’
‘It’s okay.’ Aiden used the hand which had just touched her cheek to softly stroke her head as she lay on him.
‘Can we sleep here?’ Brandy asked him sleepily.
‘Sure.’ Aiden kicked off his shoes and lifted his legs up on to the couch to make himself more comfortable.
‘I wish we could stay here forever,’ Brandy mumbled into his chest.
‘Me too,’ Aiden admitted.
Outside, a soft patter of rain began to beat against the window, distorting the lights of the city beyond, making them blur as though they were in a Dali painting. It was oddly beautiful to watch.
A sudden thought crossed Aiden’s mind. He dwelled on it for a moment before asking Brandy.
‘Tomorrow, will you play the piano for me?’ It was a simple request but he felt an overwhelming desire to see her play.
Brandy tilted her head so that she could see him. She was smiling though she appeared weary.
‘Yeah, sure. But what will you do for me?’ she added cheekily.
‘What will I do?’ Aiden laughed.
‘Yeah, what’s your talent?’
‘My talent? I don’t know, I don’t think I have one.’
‘Yes you do,’ Brandy told him confidently.
‘What is it then?’
‘Your talent is you save people. Like you saved me, like you continue to save me,’ Brandy nuzzled further into his chest. ‘You’re a hero.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Well, you’re my hero.’ Brandy yawned and then let her eyes fall shut. Aiden sat there and listened to the soft rise and fall of her breath. She looked so peaceful, so perfect. He wanted to remain there for the rest of time with her sleeping on him, safe and content. Nothing else in the world seemed to matter, he felt as though he had everything he could ever want or need.