by Laurie Lyons
"Well, that's the thing mom," she said sadly, "we aren't seeing each other." Her mother's face fell. "It's like," she stopped for dramatic effect, "It's like I'm invisible to him!"
"Oh for the love of…," Nathaniel exploded beside her.
"Lucy," her mother was irritated, "you are beautiful girl. You are wonderful. This guy doesn't know what he's missing."
"This is painful," Nathaniel moaned.
"You have to make him see you. Ask him out for Pete's sake! It's the twenty first century! Assert yourself! And if he says no, well, he's an idiot and not worth your time!"
"Ok," Lucy said deciding to shut this down before Nathaniel started throwing things. "I will, thanks mom."
Sandra patted Lucy's hand and looked at her watch, "Oh yikes, we have to get going." She stood up and started pulling on her coat.
Lucy stood too, "Do you have plans?" they moved to the door and walked out to the street.
"Um yeah, I kind of do," Sandra answered unlocking the car doors. Nathaniel appeared into the back seat as Lucy got into the front. Sandra slid into the drivers seat.
"So where are you going?" Lucy asked.
"Well, um," her mom started the car and pulled out into the street, "um well um ….I have a date," she finished finally.
"Oh," Lucy didn't know what to say to that. Honestly, she had never even thought of that as an option.
"I'm sorry," Sandra said apologetically, "it's your first night home and if you want me to cancel, I certainly will but this was the only night that worked for him and well…um… honey are you ok with this?" Lucy realized that her mom had been nervous to tell her about the date. Lucy's heart went out to her, no wonder she had been so chatty this whole time. She was avoiding this topic.
"Mom," Lucy reached out and touched her leg; "you and Dad have been divorced for like five years."
"Well, I know that honey but I loved your father, even after the divorce. It wasn't like we hated each other; we just disagreed on some things." Lucy knew her Mom had moved past her father's death but now she realized that she hadn't quite gotten over it. Her heart broke a little. Lucy had lost her father but Sandra had lost the love of her life. "I still on some level," her mother continued softly, "feel like I am cheating on him. I just don't know how he would feel about this. Do you think he minds I'm dating?"
Lucy knew the answer but for confirmation looked into the backseat where Nathaniel was confidently shaking his head slowly side to side. "Mom, Dad wouldn't mind at all. He would want you to be happy."
Sandra breathed a sigh of relief, "And you honey, do you mind?"
"Not at all Mom, have fun," Lucy said just as confident in her answer.
Her mother smiled, "Thank you Lucy."
"So…." Lucy sang out, "where did you meet him?"
"Well to be honest, I met him on a dating website," her mother admitted.
"Oh man!" Lucy groaned.
"Now don't be like that," Sandra defended. "Miles seems very nice and our profiles match quite well."
"Ok fine," Lucy relented. "But can I meet him and check him out?"
"Sure! But honey, you have no veto power," Sandra grinned as she pulled into the driveway. "Your old mom is pretty lonely these days. I swear the Devil himself could walk in the door and if he was willing to buy me dinner I'd still go out with him." Nathaniel burst into laughter from the back seat. Lucy started to giggle. "It's true!" her mother started laughing, "I think the Devil might be a better date than most of the men in this town!"
"Oh I hope not!" Nathaniel yelled at the ceiling laughing. Lucy got out of the car doubled over with laughter. Her Mom was up at the front door using her key to unlock it. Lucy closed the back door and paused, grinning at Nathaniel.
He grinned back and kissed her forehead, "What are you doing to me Lucy?" he mumbled in her hair.
"Loving you," she muttered under her breath.
They turned and headed towards the door. Lucy's childhood home was a typical middle class three-bedroom two-story house. It was white with black trim and a bright red door. As Lucy walked in she hadn't realized how much she had missed it. The cozy den was on the right, the family room with the most comfortable couch in the world was on the right and at the back of the house was Sandra's blue and white kitchen with the kitchen nook that had glass doors that led to the backyard. Lucy loved it all. It felt a little foreign after all her time spent in her tiny dorm room at Mulbridge but it was still her home. She paused and took a deep breath, she was home and she was happy.
"Welcome home baby," her mom said lovingly and gave her a hug.
Lucy hugged her back tightly, "Thanks Mom, I love you."
"Love you too my little Click," Sandra looked at her watch again. "I've got to go get ready, Miles will be here in an hour." She paused and looked at Lucy, "Are you sure this is alright with you?"
"It's more than alright," Lucy assured her. "I think it's great. Plus it will give me a chance to take a long soaking bath. I have been dying for a bath for months."
"Oh honey I'm sorry," her mother said. "I'm redoing the main bathroom, the tub is gone. They were supposed to have it done by now but you know contractors!"
"No way!" Lucy groaned. "Mom, other than seeing you, that is all I was looking forward to."
"I am so sorry honey!" Sandra started to bolt up the stairs like a girl getting ready for the prom. "Tomorrow will make up for it, it's all about us. I've got spa time, shopping, lunch, the works!"
"Sounds great!" Lucy yelled up the stairs. "A bath sounds good too!"
"Get over it!" her mother joked back yelling down the stairs. Lucy heard her mother's door close.
"Click?" Nathaniel asked over her shoulder. Lucy smiled and walked towards the kitchen, motioning for him to follow. She poured a glass of water, took a sip and slid it across the counter for him to finish. Nathaniel sat on the stool at the counter and drained the water.
Lucy lowered her voice even though she could hear her mother's shower running, "When they first discovered my photographic memory, I was only two years old so my vocabulary was still really limited. My Mom came up with the idea of asking me to take a picture of something to get me to remember it. I used to look at whatever it was, say 'click' like a camera and they knew I had it." She shrugged. "The nickname stuck and still to this day, once in a while I'll say 'click' out of habit when I want to remember something and lock it in."
"But do you have to lock it in?" Nathaniel asked. "Or does your brain just remember everything?"
"Now it locks everything in but I used to have to ask it to. I do sometimes say the word just as a confirmation to myself that I've locked it in. If it's something I really want to remember or if it's important."
Nathaniel nodded, lifted his hand, extended his index finger and beckoned her towards him. Lucy leaned over and kissed him, loving every second, when they parted Lucy whispered, "Click."
Nathaniel grinned; "So I look like a movie star huh?" he sat back amused.
"Well, you know," Lucy said lightly. "I had to build it up for my mom. I couldn't tell her you were all homely now could I?" Nathaniel laughed taking the joke with ease and kissed her again. "Wanna see my room?" Lucy asked in her best junior high voice.
"Only if there is a minimum of three spelling bee trophies up there," Nathaniel replied seriously.
"Shut up," she laughed. "There are six."
"I'm in!"
Lucy could hear the Rolling Stones pounding from her mother's room as they walked down the hall past her room. Lucy rolled her eyes, it was like she was a teenager again. At least they wouldn't have to worry about whispering.
Lucy's room was exactly as she had left it. Her double bed was neat and tidy with it's flowered bedspread and the books she left behind when she left for college were stacking the shelves. There were three extra shelves that held pictures and trophies and other memorabilia. Her desk was almost bare with a few pictures and a stationary set.
Lucy went through her room and showed him her trophies and
pictures and all the tiny details of a girls room. Throughout, he was fascinated. He asked questions and handled her things with care. While Lucy was reenacting her last debate and the trophy she won, the doorbell rang.
They froze, looked at each other with glee and in unison said, "He's here!" Lucy giggled as she dropped the trophy on the bed and bolted for the door. She ran down the stairs, two at a time and almost slammed into the front door. Lucy paused briefly to catch her breath, gave Nathaniel a meaningful look and whipped open the door. She didn't know what to expect but Lucy did not expect this.
Miles could not look less like her father. He was tall and well built with a deep south Florida tan that in Kansas could only come artificially. His black hair was slicked back and his deep blue eyes twinkled with the knowledge that he was a forty-something eligible bachelor. He wore a silver suit that was actually shiny, a black shirt and salmon pink tie. His shoes were so glossy that they reflected the spring light. Lucy stopped.
"Well at least he made an effort," Nathaniel humored beside her. "Say hello Lucy, you're gawking."
Lucy composed herself, "Hi! You must be Miles!" she said over enthusiastically as she stuck out her hand. "I'm Lucy, Sandra's daughter."
Miles smiled a thousand dollar bleached smile and replied in a voice only a TV show audience could love, "Hello Lucy, I've heard so much about you." His handshake was strong but the waft of cologne that accompanied it was dizzying. Lucy moved aside so he could come in and to avoid the onslaught of Drakkar.
"Mom! You have a visitor!" Lucy yelled up the stairs. It was clear her mother had heard the doorbell and was waiting for her big entrance. She stepped out of her room and descended the stairs in a way that would make Scarlet O'Hara proud.
Sandra looked gorgeous in her silk navy blue dress. Her hair was styled to perfection and she looked nowhere near her forty-five years. Miles apparently thought the same thing because he had a stunned, dumbfounded look on his face. Lucy felt proud, that's my mom, she thought to herself.
"Miles," Lucy's mother exclaimed. "It's so nice to see you in person." She glided over to him and gave him a light hug.
"And you Sandra. Might I say that your profile picture does not do you justice? That dress is stunning."
Sandra laughed, "Oh really? Well thank you." The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Lucy backed up awkwardly to the stairs and Nathaniel followed.
"We should go," Miles finally broke the silence. "We have reservations."
"Of course!" Sandra exclaimed. She walked over to Lucy and hugged her. "Don't wait up," she whispered in Lucy's ear. "He's gorgeous!"
Lucy stopped herself from gagging, "Have fun Mom." Sandra turned and walked towards the door. Miles held her coat out for her and as she pulled it on, Nathaniel whispered in Lucy's ear,
"Most certainly not the Dark Lord but definitely a car salesman." Lucy bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing. With a smile from her mom and a wink from Miles, they went out the door and closed it. Lucy looked at Nathaniel and he shrugged, "she looks happy Lucy."
"I have to agree," Lucy said with a sigh. Nathaniel reached down and wrapped his arms around her. Lucy wiggled back into his chest.
"Now what?" he asked.
"I think we should eat, watch a movie and sleep."
"This is why we are together, we think the same way," he said resting his chin on the top of her head.
The next morning, Lucy slept until ten. She hadn't slept that late in months. She rolled over and reached for Nathaniel but found the other side of the bed empty. Lucy had woken up with Nathaniel beside her almost every morning since they met. Panic struck her as she sat straight up in bed. Was he gone? Had they taken him back so soon? Why? She looked around the room whispering, "Not yet, please not yet." Lucy looked back at the bed and relief swept through her. A single daisy sat on Nathaniel's pillow beside a note:
Have fun with your Mom today.
I have a few things to do. I'll be back tonight.
Call me if you need me.
Always yours,
N
Lucy sighed. A whole day without Nathaniel sounded horrible. They hadn't been apart for more than a few hours since they met. Lucy tucked the note and flower under her pillow as Sandra popped her head in the room.
"Oh good," her mom said. "You're up. We've got massages in an hour then manicures, pedicures and after lunch we have some serious shopping to do." She grinned excitedly and left the room.
"I'm up. I'm up," Lucy said crawling out of bed and starting to dress. She had to admit that the agenda for the day did sound good even if Nathaniel couldn't be there. She doubted he had anything to do but just didn't want to spend the day doing girl stuff. What boy would really? She smiled thinking of him and headed downstairs to begin a fun filled day with her mom.
It was a great day. Sandra gave Lucy the rundown on her date with Miles and he did sound very nice. Lucy told her mom all about school, her friends and work, filling her in on every detail. Sandra loved every second of it. They seemed to talk all day long and someone was always saying something. Sandra bought Lucy so many clothes that they had to buy a second suitcase for her to carry it all to Mulbridge. They made a simple spaghetti dinner and ate in front of the TV while watching their favorite movie 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.
It was ten o'clock when they decided to go to bed. Lucy was exhausted. Sandra had a full day of work the next day so Lucy would be on her own until dinner. Mother and daughter hugged at the top of the stairs.
"That was a great day mom, thanks," Lucy said.
"Thank you for coming honey," Sandra replied. "Now have a good sleep, I won't wake you before I go."
Lucy walked into the bathroom and gave the crater that was supposed to hold the bathtub a dirty look. She would love a bath right now. She began brushing her teeth and immediately her thoughts went to Nathaniel. She would call him the second she was in her room. Urgency gripped her as she thought of him being only seconds away. Lucy began to crave him as she washed her face and pulled on her pajamas. She had missed him today, badly and now she needed him.
She hurried back to her room ready to call his name the moment her door closed but she stopped herself. Nathaniel was waiting for her on her bed. His long legs were stretched out and crossed at the ankles and he looked like he always did, completely at home. His dazzling eyes lit up when he saw Lucy and he tossed the book he was reading aside to throw his arms open for her. Nathaniel smiled his 'for Lucy only' smile and her heart skipped several beats.
Lucy ran and jumped on him landing in a sitting position on his stomach. She laid her hands on his chest and leaned forward kissing him with every bit of love she could find for him. He responded fervently, twining his fingers in her hair and pulling her closer to him, pressing his lips into hers.
"I missed you," he said almost growling against her mouth.
"Show me," Lucy whispered back. Nathaniel responded by lifting her easily, flipping her sideways and rolling on top of her. Lucy's heart started to race as he kissed her mouth and down her neck. He snaked his arms under her and clutched her tightly. Lucy ran her hands through his thick black hair and wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him closer to her. Nathaniel slowed his kisses and lifted his head. Lucy groaned in protest and started kissing his neck.
"This is dangerous with your mom next door," he warned.
"I don't care," Lucy whispered into his neck. "I want more than just kissing, don't you?"
"Oh yes," he gave a small laugh. "I want much more," he gently pulled himself out of her grasp, "but not tonight." Lucy grabbed a pillow and hit him square across the side of the face with it.
"What was that for?" he asked incredulously.
"For being so damn good all the time!" Lucy pouted. Nathaniel smiled and flopped down beside her on the bed. She rolled on her side to face him and reached up to run his hands through her hair.
"How was your day?" he asked.
Lucy smiled, "it was great. How was yours?"
"Good," he replied smiling.
"What did you do?" Lucy asked.
Nathaniel shrugged. "Nothing much."
"Common, tell me," Lucy begged.
"I promise to show you one day," he replied earnestly.
"That's what you say about everything! I'm being cheated here. Don't you trust me?" she asked with a little pain in her voice.
He rested his hand on her cheek and looked down at her, "Lucy I trust you completely and I promise to show you everything."
"When?"
"Soon," he replied with confidence.
"Tomorrow?" she negotiated.
"No, but soon," she could hear the smile in his voice.
"Fine, but be put on notice that I am pissed off until then," she said with petulance.
"Duly noted," he kissed her head and she could feel him smelling her hair. "Good night my Lucy."
"Good night my Angel." The lights went out.
They had the whole next day to themselves and Lucy was going to show Nathaniel around. They walked out of Lucy's house and turned right.
"Ok," Nathaniel said, eager for his tour, "what's first?"
"Neighborhood, high school and then the town," Lucy listed off. They walked a bit down Lucy's street and she saw Mrs. Turner was in her yard. Mrs. Turner had been widowed since before Lucy was born and was the queen of the neighborhood. She knew everyone and every detail about everyone's lives. She was a sweet old lady that always had a kind word for anyone passing by and baking for newcomers. Mrs. Turner had come to her father's funeral and made over a hundred sandwiches for the reception at their home. "Hi Mrs. Turner!" Lucy called and walked to the edge of her yard.
"Well, little Lucy Bower," the elderly lady exclaimed putting down her hand rake and standing up brushing dirt off her apron as she went. "How are you dear? How is school?"
"School is good, I have a four-point GPA," Lucy replied smiling.
"That is wonderful! Good girl! Your Mom's been just fine without you sweet heart. I've been keeping an eye on her."
"Well thank you Mrs. Turner, I appreciate that," Lucy smiled. "Well, I had better get going. You have a good day."