"Leslie and I are separated, Yvette."
"Legally, geographically or romantically speaking?" she quipped, studying his response. If she was going to interrogate him, she figured she’d do it right.
"All three," he said and almost to himself, sensing that she was not about to leave one stone unturned.
That’s a change she thought. "If it's none of my business, which it isn't, just let me know. I am just curious...what happened between you two?"
"What happened between us?" he echoed, pondering a response. "You can say we drifted apart over time. You see, she convinced herself that she needed a change in her life. It’s as simple as that. I would be lying if I said our breakup didn’t faze me but in all honesty, it brought me to tears. I’m trying my best to get over her, though."
"You know, that's quite an admission on your part," she empathized with admiring eyes.
"What is?"
"Well, most men are not in touch with their emotions. They rarely express their hurt and pain the way you just did."
Kurt shrugged, saying, "Hey, when I fight, I fight like a man. But when I cry, I cry just like a baby. Hell, you should see me at family funerals. No, I never felt less than a man because I shed a few tears. If it hurts, it hurts! That’s the way I see it."
"And I admire that in you, in any man."
"Hey, sometimes a good cry is good for you."
Yvette gave him a supportive smile, then bravely asked, "Did you ever, you know...go out on her?" It was a question she wished she had not asked him now. After all, this was only their second face-to-face conversation and already she was asking him about matters of a private nature. But it was too late to take the question back.
"You mean cheat on my wife?" he countered, looking her squarely in the eyes, "No! I can’t say that I have. However, there was a co-worker I grew attached to when I was in the Navy. It was during a time when my wife and I were at odds with one another. Believe me, it's true. The further apart two people grow, the easier it is for another to ease into the picture. Slip right on in there, you know.”
“I can imagine,” she replied, as she hugged herself with both arms. “So you were Navy, once.”
“Yes! I did my time and moved on.”
“You traveled a lot?”
“All over the Mediterranean, Caribbean and North Atlantic.”
“I’m really envious of you now. I’ve barely been to five states. And two of those were brief airport layovers.”
“I’m sure you’ll get to do some traveling down the road.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said, gazing into his eyes. “Anyway, back to this co-worker of yours. What drew you to her? I’m just curious.”
“Well, what I needed at that time was someone who would listen to me, someone who would understand me, someone who would support me and make me feel like I was their number one priority. Unfortunately, it was not my wife but my co-worker who made me feel these things at the time. My wife, she kept things inside, rarely opening up to me. Sure, there were times I thought about hooking up with this other woman. I just never acted on those feelings. After all, I was still in love with my wife, believe it or not.”
“I can understand that,” she said, grappling with his response. “So you and your wife drifted apart at that time?”
“Well, at first. But at one point, we seemed to get back on good terms again. It was a harmony I had not experienced in a longtime with my wife. As for my co-worker, whatever it was I felt for her I kept inside. We never talked about how I felt or how she felt, we never went out, never kissed, never even saw one another anywhere but on base.”
“Well, how could you ever be certain about how she felt about you?”
“I knew by the way she looked at me and by the amount of time she spent helping me during the first two hours of my shift, long after she had been off duty herself. I actually thought those were her scheduled hours until an astute friend of mine, who had been observing the budding interest growing between this young woman and myself.”
“Interesting. So you and your wife got back together, then what?”
“By all accounts we started to put one another first again. She began to make me feel special again. Loved and appreciated. I’m telling you, I pulled out all of the stops for her. I returned to giving her rub downs at the end of the day, prepared warm bubbly baths for her, and I started buying roses and carnations for her, again. I even cooked a few gourmet meals, something I’m not that good at.”
“Pretty much like you did when you first pursued her romantically,” she said, enjoying his warmth, honesty, and sincerity.
“That’s right!”
“So what happened?”
“Hell, it's like we could not sustain the good vibes for any substantial length of time,” he rasped, lowering his head. When he looked up again, he said, “Yvette, there are many reasons why she probably left. I‘m just not sure what the main reason was. But I believe it was probably the math.”
“The math?” Yvette replied with a bewildered expression.
“Yeah. I guess, in her mind, she came up with more reasons why she should leave me than she came up with staying with me.”
“I see. But that’s the way it is sometimes.”
“You know, an uncle of mine used to say that if people focused on the positive aspects of a relationship, they’ve already won eighty percent of the battle. He said love would carry the other twenty percent. But he warned that if one or both focused only on the negative aspects, then it was almost certainly a lost cause. And I firmly believe him."
"Your uncle sounds like a very wise man.”
“He is, at least to me.”
“So that was the final straw for the two of you," she said, looking intently into his solemn gaze.
"I believe so. One evening I came home from work and she said she was leaving me," he answered. There was a touch of sadness in his voice and eyes, Yvette noticed.
"I cannot begin to understand the hurt you must have felt," she said, her altruistic eyes sending him a private message.
"It’s beyond words. I mean, you love someone for so long, through thick and thin, as one has taken a vow to do, and then to hear that person say they are no longer in love with you. It's almost as worst as the worst death you can imagine suffering. It left me in an emotional state of hurt and uncertainty."
"Now that I can understand, though my situation was slightly different."
"So you do understand," he said, as he reached out and caught her hand in his briefly.
"I think I do," Yvette said compassionately, as her heartbeat skyrocketed from his warm touch. Then as an afterthought, she added, "Did you consider whether or not there was someone else in the picture that she’d possibly fallen in love with?"
Kurt studied her thoughtfully for a moment, then said, "You know, I asked her that once, if there was someone else. The first time she just shrugged it off, not saying there was or not. Weeks later, when I asked her the same thing again, she said there hadn’t been anyone else. Deep down inside, I believe her. But there was a guy who pursued her, though she denied anything ever came of it.”
Leaning back into the chair, Yvette tilted her chin and gazed at him, saying, “You know, women can hit it and run too. Men aren’t the only ones. And there doesn’t even have to be an emotional involvement.”
Pausing, Kurt slowly nodded his head. “You know, you’ve got a point there.”
Pausing, he took a bite of his dessert.
"So, how long have you been separated?" she asked.
"Just under a year."
"Any children?"
"No," he answered, his voice distant. "Leslie had a miscarriage on our first attempt."
"I'm sorry to hear that." But she really wasn’t. With no children in the picture there was no excuse for the ex to pop in and out of his world.
"We would have tried again but the relationship went downhill after that."
"Where is Leslie now?"
"In O
klahoma living with her sister."
"That's right, you did mention that she moved in with her sister," she replied. "Think you two will ever get back together?"
"I’m not sure. I mean, I wanted to at one time. Right now, I’m just not sure."
"Perhaps it's for the better. My mother always said things happen for a reason."
"I imagine so," he said, thoughtfully. "And what about you? Are you married? Do you have children?"
“No, I never did the marriage thing, but I do have a son."
"A son," he said, his voice rose in surprise. It was a pleasant surprise, though.
To her delight, he showed no noticeable adverse reaction. "Yes, a nineteen year old who is now attending the University of Florida. He’s studying to become an optometrist."
"Is that so? You must be very proud of him."
"I am, though there were times that boy drove me up a wall," she said with a chuckle.
"Well, he wouldn't be a son if he didn't," Kurt laughed.
“You’re probably right,” she said, soaking in his mesmerizing gaze.
“You know, for someone who has a nineteen year old, you don’t look a day over twenty-eight.”
“Why thank you. That’s so kind of you to say.”
“It’s true, though.”
Yvette nodded, as his compelling eyes riveted her to the spot. He was awakening things inside of her, bubbly things, and things she had not felt in a long time. In an effort to come back down to earth she said, “You know, I think we better get busy with our dessert before they come and take it away.”
Kurt’s lost gaze turned into a sensuous smile as they took a brief moment to complete their dessert, and trade smiles. But she was not through with her interview. "Surely such a charming and interesting man as yourself has found someone to help ease the pain of your past.”
For the second time, since meeting him, she realized that perhaps she had gone too far with her line of questioning, adding, apologetically. "Look, I shouldn't have asked you that. Please forgive me. It's absolutely none of my business."
Kurt spoke through a mouthful of dessert. "No, no. That's all right. That's quite all right. No, I'm not involved with anyone," he replied, his eyes as soft as a caress. "Are you?"
With an introspective smile she answered, "Well, I have a friend, but not in the romantic sense. He’s more like an escort to me. We go out occasionally but that is all."
"I was just curious," Kurt added, wondering how she had perceived his inquiry.
Bringing the napkin up to her month, she dabbed away several cake crumbs from the corner of her mouth, then asked, "How long are you planning to stay in the Bay area?"
He shrugged, having never given the thought much consideration before now. "Probably a year or two, not more."
"Then what?" she questioned, her eyes fixed on his.
Kurt shook his head. "I am not really sure, but I am working on a few things."
"Well, if it is all right, please keep me updated, okay?"
"I most certainly will," he said, giving her his warmest smile yet.
After commending her on her lovely outfit and her stunning looks, he offered to pay for her meal. As a salaried employee she dined for free, she told him. Not wanting to, but knowing that he must, he announced that he had better get going.
The two exchanged pleasantries and phone numbers.
Kurt said goodbye, paid for his meal, and departed.
Reflecting back on his lunch encounter, it had been quite revealing, he thought, and as much as he would like to replay it, dissect it and piece it together again, there was work to be done at the office. He had some things he needed to get caught up on since he had requested the next day off. Personal business, he stated on the leave request form. No one on the job knew the true nature of his business. But that's the way he wanted to play it, close to the vest. And though he would not attend the meeting he had arranged himself, he would spend the better part of the night completing the proposal. In the morning he would go over the details of the project in-depth with his lawyer and accountant. As he would impress upon them, he wanted this project in full swing within six months.
Morning came and with a loud ringing of the phone. It was Mr. Blaire, the owner of the building that Kurt wanted to purchase for his tutoring center. “Good morning, Mr. Douglass. This is Mr. Blaire. I am calling to tell you that one of the bidders involved in the bidding of my building has come back with a better offer than your offer. I just thought you’d like to know that.”
“A better offer?” Kurt snapped, trying hard to contain his disapproval.
“Yes! That’s correct.”
“What the hell are you talking about? You told me that my offer was the best offer you got and that it was final. That was a week ago.”
“That’s true. But like I said, one of the other bidders came back with a new offer, Mr. Douglass. And that is permitted in our bidding process. Check your notes.”
“This is bullshit! And you know it.”
“Look, are you still interested in the building or not?”
There was a silence that permeated the air until Kurt spoke. “I’m going to consult with my attorney first. Like I said, this is outright bullshit.”
“You have three days to get back to me with a better offer.”
“Three days? I’ll get back with you first thing in the morning. And Mr. Blaire, I can assure you that my next offer, should there be one, will be final.”
“As you wish, Mr. Douglass.”
That evening Yvette fired up the phone line with Juanita about her second encounter with Kurt. On the surface, she was ecstatic about him. He was a tall, brown skinned, intelligent, handsome and extremely charming man. He also appeared to be a very deep thinker, she told her friend. But for all the good vibes she felt for him, and though he had told her there was no reason for him to go back to his wife, she felt that there was always the possibility he could go back to her, especially if she gave him a good reason to. After all, they never divorced, though she had meant to ask him why. Besides, he sounded very passionate when talking about his estranged wife, as though he still carried a torch for her.
Caution influenced her life greatly, and it required much of her. It also kept her from getting into bad relationships, in her recent past. Perhaps, she pondered, she should not get too close, too involved, too soon. One could never tell about such matters. If things went her way, as she hoped, she would quickly throw caution to the wind, and go for broke. After all, this man was a modern day Adonis, a gift from the Gods. But for the moment, she would keep him at a safe distance, which meant, at the comfort level of friend.
That afternoon, Kurt consulted with his attorney. They decided to make one final offer to Mr. Blaire. His attorney also felt this was all bullshit. The deal had been considered wrapped and in the can a week earlier. But it was only a verbal agreement and nothing had been signed yet. This time they would get it in writing. Picking up the phone Kurt dialed it.
“Hello! Mr. Blaire speaking.”
“Hello. This is Mr. Douglass.”
“I have been awaiting your call, sir. My associates and I are anxious to hear your new offer.”
“My new offer is this, $350,000…cold cash.”
“$350,000.” Blaire echoed.
“$350,000 and that’s my final offer.”
“My associates and I will have to think about your generous offer, Mr. Douglass.”
“Look, its $350,000 or nothing. Hell, I’ll still have to pour in another $100,000 to get the place renovated and up to code. Like I said, you can take my offer or leave it.”
“Well, since you put it that way, I suppose my associates and I can agree to your reasonable offer.”
“Great! That’s great,” Kurt replied, sounding relieved. “But Blaire, I want it in writing this time.”
“We will fax you over an agreement for the purchase within the hour. Get it notarized and expressed mailed to us.”
“I’ll have my at
torney look over the agreement before I write that check, okay.”
“That’s fine, Mr. Douglass. It is a pleasure doing business with you, although you do drive a hard bargain.”
Kurt chuckled. “Not as hard a bargain as you.”
With that said, he hung up the phone.
The following day, Yvette found herself in Kurt’s company again at the Café. Both had worked up just as much an appetite for seeing one another as they had worked up for eating. The newness of their relationship still carried with it an air of anxiousness, right up to the point where they greeted one another. After that, they would experience a sense of relief, then calm. It was one hell of a roller coaster ride, to say the least.
Today's special lunch cuisine was French and the restaurant was booked solid. No problem for Kurt, reserving a table for two. Yvette always handled that from her end. Seated, the two picked up their conversation almost where they ended it several days before. This time around, Yvette remembered to ask him why he and his wife never divorced.
Kurt shrugged, letting his eyes move over her lovely face, and said, "Funny you should ask that. But I have thought about it many times. I imagine I wanted to make sure we had given the subject matter and ourselves some time and a lot of thought before actually going through with it." For a moment, Kurt thought he had detected a trace of protest in her tone as she reminded him that it had been almost a year since he and his wife had parted ways.
A pregnant pause took hold as she wondered if a year was more than enough time for two people to decide on divorcing, but his logic was the kind she could understand, so she left it at that. Changing subjects, she asked him about his ten-speed bike and his car, a car she has never seen him drive. This time she stressed for more details.
“It’s an older model car,” he began. “And it’s being completely restored. I’ve been assured as recently as yesterday, that I should have it back by month's end.”
“By month’s end,” she mouthed softly.
“Yes,” he replied. Then more playfully, he informed her that his bike was a European twenty-one speed, not a ten-speed.
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