Taste

by Kris Bryant

  “Well, that, too, but Dr. Wright called and told me I won the scholarship. Of course he made a point to mention Scott was a close second.” That sets her off.

  “What an asshole. He wasn’t close at all. He came in a distant second for the scholarship, but Mary beat him at the final meal. I can’t believe he said that to you. I will not let him get me, or you down. You were fantastic and totally deserve it. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. One more thing to celebrate today. What time do you want me?”

  “How about noon? I have to finish up a few things here at the academy. I can pick you up and we can plan the meal and go shopping.” She congratulates me over and over until I finally say good-bye. I lie back down and snuggle under the covers, I’m happy, but my head is starting to pound. Thankfully, I still have three hours to sleep before I have to get up and get ready.

  *

  “My mum loves lasagna. Do you want to make the noodles or buy them…” Taryn stops when she sees the disgusted look on my face. “Okay, we’ll make them. I just thought maybe you wanted more time with me.” I playfully pinch her side and she laughs. “With both of us cooking, we will knock this out in no time.” We pick out ingredients for a quick salad with an Italian blend dressing. As much as I would like to bake garlic bread from scratch, I do want some time alone with Taryn so I opt for store bought. I grab a fresh mozzarella ball and tomatoes to slice up and serve before dinner. Taryn approves. We’re out of there and back to her place within the hour. I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off of her as we climb the stairs to her apartment.

  “Call your mom and find out when they will be home. Maybe we have a few minutes alone.”

  We put away the groceries and Taryn calls her mom for an update. Even though the call is only about three minutes, it feels more like fifteen. Always impatient and desperate for her, I pull her closer and start unbuttoning her shirt.

  “So you won’t be home for about an hour or so?” she asks. That should be enough time for me to show her how I feel without speaking. I pull her shirt from her slacks. She lifts her arms up out of the way so that I can unbutton her pants. She smiles at me as I help her out of them. “No, I don’t need to talk to Olivia. I’ll see her in an hour when you get home.” Her mother simply isn’t getting the hint. I run my hands down her sides, over her hips and pull her against me. She moans slightly at the contact and I go still when I hear her mother ask if she’s okay. “Yes, I just ran into the counter. I’m fine.” I run my fingers over the silkiness of her panties. She stares into my eyes the whole time. I love that she is so open. She’s the kind of lover who is okay with the lights on or off. She even opens her stance a little bit to allow me to tease her slit through the slick fabric.

  Her mouth is on mine the second she hangs up the phone. Our kiss is deep and slow until I slip my fingers into her panties. She’s already swollen. I can’t get to her fast enough.

  “Let’s go to my room.” She breaks apart from me, her chest heaving. She grabs her pants off of the floor and we head back to her bedroom. She locks the door just in case an hour really means forty-five minutes.

  It’s different this time. She’s more in tune with me. It feels right. She’s watching me and touching me while I do the same to her. I can feel myself slip even further in love with her. It’s not something I want to think about because I still don’t know how to handle it. I want to show her how I feel. It’s the safest way right now. I run my fingertips from her neck down to her hip. I kiss her mouth, her collarbone, the sensitive skin right above her breasts. Her featherlike touches burn me with need and I’m overcome with emotions.

  I’m mortified when I feel tears slide down my cheeks. She stops me and pulls me close to her. I can’t stop crying. So much for playing it cool and being able to walk away from this casual relationship. She wraps a blanket around us and holds me until I get control of myself. I don’t even know what to tell her. What just happened? She kisses the top of my head and runs her hand up and down my arm. I’ve decided this is the best place to be, right here with her. I don’t want to go to Italy and be apart for almost a year. I’ll never survive.

  “It’s okay. You’ve had an emotional twenty-four hours. Totally understandable.” She’s trying to console me. I have no idea what to say to her. After about two minutes or ten, I’m finally able to talk.

  “So much for the great seduction I had planned.”

  She squeezes me softly against her. “It’s okay. We have time before you leave. But we don’t have a lot of time now, unfortunately.” I look at her clock. It’s been forty minutes already.

  “Did I fall asleep or something? How did we lose that much time?” I’m perplexed. She smiles at me and wipes away the last of my tears.

  “Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you freshen up and I’ll get started in the kitchen. I want my mum to see you as the happy scholarship recipient, not the sad woman who’s had a very emotionally charged week.” She leans up and kisses me softly. She kisses my wet cheeks and I can’t help but hug her.

  “Thank you,” I say. She nods against me. I sniffle for a bit, grab my clothes and head for her bathroom. I lean over the sink and look at myself in the mirror. My eyes are puffy, and my cheeks and nose are red. My heart is raw. I splash water on my face until the heat of my emotions cools down and I’m no longer splotchy. I use her hairbrush and braid my hair back from my face. My shirt and shorts are wrinkled, but I have no choice but to put them on. I wet my hands and smooth out the wrinkles the best that I can and give myself a final look over. Better than I was, but not quite myself. My smile doesn’t reach my eyes.

  I take a deep breath and head into the kitchen. Evelyn and Olivia aren’t here yet, so I have a few minutes alone with Taryn.

  “You doing better?” She gives me another hug. I can feel the sting of tears in my eyes so I hug her back fiercely. I’m the first to break it.

  “I’m really sorry about that. I don’t know what happened,” I say.

  She waves it off. “No worries. It’s been a crazy week for you. Quit worrying and quit apologizing. Let’s make some pasta.” She is able to get my mind off of my breakdown and we are making fresh pasta when her mother and Olivia arrive.

  “Pie! You’re here!” Olivia runs over for a hug. I squeeze her just a bit too tight and she squeaks. I quickly apologize to her and pull her braids playfully. “Grandma, this is Ki, but I call her pie. She calls me stinky.”

  “I’ve heard so much about you, Ki. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Evelyn says. She looks like Taryn, only shorter, but with the same grace and poise.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.” I’m nervous. I don’t know if she knows about our personal relationship or just our professional one. “Have you enjoyed your stay so far?”

  “I can’t wait until we move back for good. I do miss the quick and easy things here in the United States.”

  “When do you think you’ll move back for good?”

  “In two years. We’ll just have to figure out where Taryn and Olivia will put down roots. Even though I’m from the northeast, this city has quite the charm and the cost of living is palatable.” I smile at her culinary reference.

  “Why do I get the feeling Taryn isn’t the only cook in your family?”

  Evelyn laughs. “That girl taught us all how to cook. Not a skill she acquired from either of us.” She has a slight accent, like Olivia, but not nearly as strong as Taryn’s.

  “Well, she’s fantastic and I’ve learned so much from her. I hope she puts down roots here, too.” Our conversation is light and fun, even Olivia hangs around to participate. She’s very well behaved for a six-year-old.

  Taryn and I start the pasta and put Olivia in charge of cranking the handle of the machine that will flatten the dough. I help her because she’s not strong enough to do it on her own, but I pretend that she’s doing it all herself. I catch Taryn watching us and my heart jumps and twirls. I think about what a life with her could be like. She’s great at mask
ing her emotions and only smiles at me when we make eye contact. Evelyn is very laid back and a great conversationalist. Her stories of living in South Africa are amazing, probably more so because I’ve never been out of the country. I would love to visit someday. Evelyn is sweet and extends an open invitation to visit until they move back to the United States for good.

  When it’s time to stack the lasagna into the pan, Olivia wants to help, but the noodles and the sauce are both too hot for her to handle so I give her the job of sprinkling the cheese on the sauce between the layers. Evelyn watches us, openly, without judgment.

  “Grandma, let’s go to the pool,” Olivia says.

  “Wait, you don’t want to help us clean up?” I ask.

  Olivia rolls her eyes at me. “That’s the worst part.” I agree.

  “When will dinner be ready?” Evelyn asks.

  “We can cook it whenever. Just plan for dinner at six.” It’s four now.

  “Are you staying, Ki?” Olivia asks.

  “I helped make it. Of course I’m staying.” I roll my eyes back at her. She giggles.

  “Go put your swimsuit on,” Taryn says. “Mum, are you going to be okay in the heat?” Evelyn waves her off.

  “It’s not that hot out. I’ll wear my hat. I might even get into the pool, too.” She disappears to change, too, and it’s just me and Taryn in the kitchen.

  “I like your mom a lot.”

  Taryn smiles. “She likes you, too. She normally isn’t this chatty,” she says. Clean up doesn’t take us long and we finish stacking the dishwasher just as Evelyn and Olivia head out the door.

  “Have fun, ladies,” I say.

  “Why don’t you come with us, Ki?” Olivia asks. She’s hopeful and it actually hurts me to have to say no.

  “Maybe later we can go. Go spend time with Grandma.” She nods her head and follows Evelyn out the door. I turn to Taryn.

  “It’s amazing how thoughtful Olivia is. She genuinely thinks about suggestions before making a decision. She did that in the River Plaza the first time I met her. That’s so remarkable for her age,” I say.

  “I try to give her the opportunity to think things through before she makes a decision.”

  “Most parents don’t have the patience to do that.”

  Taryn fixes us iced tea and we sit on the couch. I’m nervous because the last time we were alone I had a meltdown. I’m drained so I don’t think that will happen again. She holds my hand and I smile at the warm gesture.

  “So what are your plans between now and when you have to leave?” she asks.

  “I really haven’t given it much thought. I can sublet the apartment and Jessie has already promised to take care of Sophia. Past that, I have no idea.”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we can take care of Sophia, too.”

  I look at her, my eyes wide with surprise. “That’s a great idea. Then Olivia can play with a cat and figure out if she’s going to like having one around. You would want to watch my cat while I’m gone?” This is big. This is relationship talk, not casual talk.

  “Sophia loves me. Of course I would watch her. I mean, I’m sure she’s closer to Jessie having known her for years, but Olivia would be thrilled and would play with her every day.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure, I would love that and so would Sophia.” I’m shocked that she wants to do this. She barely knows Sophia. Plus, I think that with Olivia chasing her most of the day, Sophia might even bring out her kitten side and play more. I’m a bad mom. I’m okay with her getting virtually zero exercise and hanging out with me on the couch. “Do you even like cats?” She laughs.

  “I like all animals. Sophia is sweet and she loves me. I can’t imagine it being a bad idea.” Wait until it storms. She might rethink that.

  “Now that school is done, you can bring Olivia over one day so she can meet her and we can make it a done deal,” I say. Taryn nods. I notice I’m sliding down the couch more, exhaustion settling in. Taryn reaches for a pillow.

  “Here, put your head down on my lap.” She taps the pillow with her hand. I sprawl out and put my head down. She plays with my hair and within a minute, I’m asleep. I don’t even feel her leave to put the lasagna in the oven or take it out. I wake up to a tiny finger touching my face. At first, I think I’m home and Sophia is nudging me to feed her, but the poke doesn’t feel furry. I feel it on my cheek, then my nose, then my eyebrow. I realize it’s Olivia by her feeble attempt at stifling a giggle. When her finger gets close to my mouth I pretend to bite it and she screams.

  “Olivia!” Taryn says, but I raise my hand to let Taryn know I’m awake. I reach out to grab Olivia, but she scoots out of the way. I growl and she runs into the kitchen to hide behind Taryn. I sit up and see Evelyn watching me. I blush because I completely forgot she was in town. I’m embarrassed.

  “That was a much needed nap. I’m sorry.” I don’t know why I’ve apologized to her, but it feels like the right thing to do.

  “Don’t apologize, dear. Long week for you, I’m sure,” she says.

  I look over at Taryn and notice she finished cooking and prepping everything for our meal. “Why didn’t you wake me?” I walk into the kitchen to see if there is something I can do.

  Taryn smiles at me. “I tried to but you grumbled at me.”

  “Did I really? I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry. It was cute. You can help me with the drinks. What do you want to drink? I have a nice Cabernet Sauvignon or we have tea or ice water.”

  “I’ll open the wine if you or Evelyn would like a glass. I’m going to stick with water. I think I’m dehydrated.” She hands me the bottle and opener and I open it like an expert, impressing even myself.

  “I want a glass,” Olivia says.

  “No, you don’t. You want a juice box or milk or water like me,” I say.

  “I told you. Six going on sixteen,” Taryn says. She rolls her eyes at Olivia and Olivia laughs.

  “Okay, I’ll have water like Ki,” she says. I help her with the ice and we put our water in wineglasses. She gets a kick out of it and then I realize I’ve given very thin glass to a six-year-old.

  “Be careful and don’t drop the glass or clink it against anything too hard, okay?” She nods and carefully carries her glass over to the table with both hands. I take Taryn and Evelyn’s glasses over to the table in case Olivia spills them.

  “You are very good with children, Ki,” Evelyn says.

  “Thank you. I’m rarely around them though. They are fun little people.” Olivia high fives me and we all laugh. We start dinner and have a great time talking, eating, sharing, and just being women. It’s very peaceful and I find myself enjoying the night more so than last night with Jessie. I need roots. I need love. I need this. It’s eight before we even think to get up and start cleaning the table off. Taryn shuffles Olivia off to get ready for bed. She asks that we all tuck her in. I tell her that if she hurries up, we will all read her a quick story. She runs off and Taryn and I work quickly to clean up the kitchen. We aren’t quite done by the time Olivia is in bed so Evelyn goes to Olivia’s bedroom to help pick out a book so that we can finish. Taryn grabs me when Evelyn leaves and pulls me close to her. She puts her forehead against mine and kisses my nose.

  “You’re great with my family. Thank you,” she says.

  I lean up and kiss her lips. “Your family is wonderful and I enjoy them. No need to thank me.” I kiss her again, but break apart when it starts getting heavy. Now is definitely not the time. I point down the hall and give her a look and she laughs at me.

  “You’re right. Let’s hurry up and get back there to them.” We are done within five minutes and head back to Olivia’s room.

  “We picked out a story already.” Olivia is fully awake, her eyes shining with excitement. She’s holding a thin board book that looks like she’s had it a few years. “Giraffes Can’t Dance is my favorite book.” I know her reading capabilities are higher, but it looks like a quick read and I don’t argu
e.

  “We can have some fun and each of us reads one word in order instead of just one reading,” I say. We hunch over the book and read it that way until we are all laughing too hard to finish. I end up speed reading the book out loud so that we can leave and Olivia can go to sleep. She laughs the entire time. Evelyn and I say good night to her while Taryn tucks her in. Taryn’s back in a few minutes.

  “Out like a light.” She sits next to me on the couch. I almost have another meltdown when she holds my hand. My heart races and throbs inside of my body because her mother is watching our entire exchange. I’m playing it cool. I haven’t been around any of my girlfriends’ parents mainly because I didn’t care before. Evelyn seems unaffected by it and I eventually relax. When ten rolls around, Evelyn decides to retire for the night. I automatically stand when she does and she smiles at me.

  “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Ki. I hope I get to see you again before I leave,” she says. She hugs me and again I’m plagued by tears. What is wrong with me? I manage to keep them inside, but I know my eyes are glassy. She kisses Taryn and disappears down the hall. I can’t pretend I’m not close to tears.

  “I have no idea why I’m still emotional.” I plop down next to Taryn and she puts her arm around me. I rest my head on her shoulder.

  “You need plenty of rest, not just a cat nap here and there. Please sleep tonight,” she says.

  We sit on the couch and talk and kiss quietly and softly for the next two hours. It’s midnight before I untangle myself and head home. Thankfully, I live only a few minutes away from her apartment so the drive isn’t bad. I spend the time in my car trying to figure out my life. What is the most important thing to me? I’m still questioning everything by the time I crawl into bed.

  *

  I wake up after almost ten hours of sleep and have an incredible urge to go to the market. Shopping with Taryn yesterday got me in the groove and I’m excited to find something new to cook. I shower, throw my hair back into a messy bun, and hit the ground running. I know I’m too late for the great stuff, but there are still enough good vegetables to pick through. I reach the end of the last aisle and see Mary walking into her new soon to be café. I follow her and knock on the door. She motions for me to come in.