Cafe Romance

by Curtis Bennett

  “Now why didn’t I think of that, my friend? For how long?”

  “For as long as it takes,” Kurt replied. “And Earl, fly them first class, okay!”

  “No problem. I’ll take care of the details.”

  “Good! And Earl! About that other project you’re working on for me. How much longer, my friend?”

  “Not long, Kurt. Matter-of-fact, more sooner than later.”

  “Good. I’ll be awaiting your call. Bye!”

  Days later, he woke up and gazed into the mirror and appeared stunned by his unkempt appearance. His inch long hair was in disarray, and his goatee needed a trim. He spent a good fifteen minutes correcting the problem. Going downstairs, he prepared a meager breakfast, consisting of a toasted bagel with strawberry flavored cream cheese spread on it.

  Afterwards, he received a call from Earl. It was finally a reality. His divorce paperwork had finally come through. Having filed for divorce months earlier, he was content to get it behind him now. There would be no outlandish celebrations, though. A failed marriage was nothing to celebrate, he felt. He loved and cared for Leslie when the wonderful world they once lived in was a world, a fantasy, they once shared. In many ways he would miss her. But things had gone sour for them and that was that. It was over. And now that it was, he felt relieved. Six months into their separation, he told her about his windfall. She accepted his ten million dollar offer. And that was that. She could have sued him for a larger share but she declined to.

  . That afternoon, he phoned Yvette and told her that he wanted to pick her up at her place after work Friday, at the Café Le Soir. He did not tell her why, he just asked her to be packed and ready. "Sure thing, sweetheart" she said in reply. Yvette assumed that they were just going to leave for the State park straight from her place. No problem, she thought. Men, who could ever figure them out? She quipped.

  It was fairly busy, for a Friday. But now that it was nearing five in the evening, things had tapered off considerably. Many of Kurt’s co-workers had already left for the day. Unaware of the time, he glanced at his wristwatch as he shuffled paperwork on the desk. Wow! He thought. It was almost time to secure for the day. The excitement and anticipation he had held within throughout the week could no longer be contained. The thought of seeing Yvette again caused his heart to race. Love in its initial stage was blissful and magical. It was something he wanted to wrap himself in for an eternity. If only life lasted that long, he thought.

  As quickly as he could, he closed his filing cabinet and cleared up his desk, filed the last few sheets of policy changes in a worn binder, and shut down his terminal. He had less than an hour to pick up Yvette at her place. During the drive, his heart sang with delight and his spirit soared with the high flying seagulls and pelicans.

  Juanita was pleased the doctor’s office was sparse today. She was in for a pap smear. She had tried to get Yvette to come along with her but she was adamant about going into work to get caught up on some of her end of the quarter reports. While she sat waiting, she picked up an outdated office magazine to thumb through. As she thumbed through the pages she came across an interesting article that immediately drew her attention. The captions read – Lucky New Jersey Social Worker Splits Record $100 Million. That caught her eye but what caused her mouth to drop nearly to the floor was the photo of the winner. It was Kurt Douglass! It was the very same man her best friend Yvette had fallen in love with.

  Nervous with excitement, she was about to retrieve her cell phone from her pocketbook when the medical assistant called her name. Oh well! She would have to call Yvette as soon as she was done. As she rose up, to follow the nurse, she wondered why Yvette had not mentioned this to her before. Or could it be that Yvette had no knowledge of Kurt’s wealth, she pondered? If so, she certainly would want to know!

  Yvette was outside retrieving her trashcan when she observed Kurt pull up in his sleek looking Corvette. She immediately asked him about Moonbeam. She had been under the impression that they were leaving directly from her place to go to the state park. He told her that was still the plan, but that it had been modified somewhat. They would still head out in Moonbeam, but in the morning. He claimed he was more tired than he thought he’d be. Being the understanding-and-caring-for-her-man-type-of-woman, she told him that she understood. The two drove off.

  When they arrived at her condo, he announced that his divorce had gone through. Yvette paused, then broke into a broad smile, the impact of what he had just told her finally sinking in. It was the first she had heard of him actually filing for divorce. Just the same, she wasn't about to lose any sleep over his designed oversight.

  "Is it true? Are you really divorced, Kurt?" she asked incredulously, as she hurried over to the kitchen table to set her purse and overnight bag down. She was slowly coming out of her daze.

  "Yes, indeed!! I'm a single man now!" he proclaimed cheerfully.

  Yvette exploded with laughter then rushed him, reaching her free arms upward and around his neck, pulling his head down to hers, and kissed him on the mouth. "I am so happy for you Kurt!" she murmured. "What brought this about? What made you finally decide to file?"

  "You Yvette,” he answered tenderly, his starry eyes melting into hers. “It's taken me some time to say this but I'm in love with you, Yvette. I fell in love with you the day I first laid eyes on you," he revealed, as he inhaled her sweet fragrance. It was Black Pearl, a perfume he had given her for her October birthday.

  "I know," she paused, gazing into his eyes, analyzing his reaction.

  "You mean you knew how I felt all along?"

  "Of course! A woman knows when a man is in love with her," she said, teasingly.

  "I guess I know now," he smiled, his hand stroking her hair tenderly.

  "Ohh, I am so happy, Kurt," she beamed.

  "Baby, you don’t know how much your words are like music to my ears," he replied with a soft gaze. "You know, I feel so pumped up. Hell, I could run across America and back!"

  "Come here, my guardian angel," she urged, with outstretched arms.

  He drew close and embraced her and together felt the synchronous beating of their hearts against each other. Lowering his warm lips to meet hers they kissed hungrily. It was a wonderful moment to be in love. When they withdrew their reluctant lips they glared at one another.

  "By the way, my dear. I have something for you," she said hurriedly; a little breathlessly. She turned and retrieved her purse from the table. Sorting through it she quickly found the object of her search and rejoined him. Holding the envelope in one hand she smiled and held it out to him. He took the envelope and gave her a curious look. "Open it!" she said.

  Kurt's inquisitive look vanished the moment he gazed upon the envelope's contents. With a Broadway smile he gave the wallet size studio photograph of Yvette an approving nod, then thanked her and kissed her on the lips. Now he had two wallet size photos of her in his collection.

  "I have a larger photo for you but I am waiting on a frame for it. I just thought you might like looking at my new photo. Maybe, one day soon, I'll get one from you."

  "Most certainly," he said, sliding the photo inside of his wallet. "Will see what I can do."

  "I guess we better head over to your place," she breathed anxiously.

  "I agree. It is getting rather late. We'll leave early in the morning for the state park, okay?"

  Yvette nodded, and turned away, reluctantly, to head into the bedroom to retrieve her luggage. Midway into her stride she swung around and dashed back into Kurt's protective arms and awaiting kisses, the touch of his lips on hers sending shock waves throughout her entire body. Full bliss is what she felt.

  "Maybe we shouldn't rush our departure," she moaned sensuously, as they traded kiss after passionate kiss with a touch of asperity.

  "Yeah, perhaps we better take care of business, first," he groaned, inhaling her sweet fragrance, just below her delicate ear lobe.

  She nodded, her loosened hair tumbling around her soft neck and
shoulders. "Perhaps we should," she breathed, as she felt her body stirring into a heighten awareness and knowing that she was rapidly losing control.

  Within seconds she felt his hot hand snake under her loose fitting dress and touch the back of her bare thigh as it slowly rode upward to her hip. With half-closed eyes she trembled with excitement and anticipation, and more so, when he assaulted the nape of her softly fragrant neck with his moist eager lips. Hungry for his body she reached up with excited hands to unbutton his shirt. Like the rapid waters of an untamed river heading towards the falls, the two were nearing the point of no return.

  Abruptly, the doorbell rang. Great timing Kurt thought to himself.

  "Who in the world could that be," she wondered out loud, throwing him a puzzling look.

  Patting her clothes and hair into place, Yvette turned and headed down the stairwell to see who her unannounced visitor was. Oh God! Please, don't let it be Antwan dropping by unannounced, she prayed.

  Peering through the door's security window she saw a white male in his early fifties dressed completely in black, with a black chauffeur's cap resting smartly atop a head of gray. He politely asked her if a Mr. Kurt Douglass was in.

  Yvette turned and saw Kurt coming downstairs sporting a big smile. "It's okay, you can open the door. It's our ride. As you can see, I wanted this night to be a special night. It's not every day a man gets to spend time with an angel. Go ahead and open the door before the man leaves," Kurt chuckled.

  Yvette opened the door and took into view a sleek looking stretch limousine parked on the street in front of her carport. It was white, with several opera lights and tinted windows.

  Turning to Kurt she sighed, with a sparkle in her eyes, "You did all of this for me?"

  "That and more," he replied with supplication in his voice.

  "But why?"

  "Because I am in love with you Yvette and I want to please you."

  "And I’m so in love with you, darling," she cried. "Thank you. Beyond that, I just don't know what else to say."

  "You'll think of something before the night is through, I’m sure," he said, tenderly wiping the tears from her eyes with a tissue.

  "Are we dining out tonight?"

  "Not quite. We're having a special meal over at my place."

  "Don't tell me you hired a catering service too!" she beamed.

  "It's a surprise," he answered evasively.

  "You're always full of pleasant surprises," she added cheerfully.

  "Believe me, you make it easy for me," he murmured, almost whispered.

  After activating the security alarm system on the parked Corvette, Kurt assisted her into the limousine. The chauffeur loaded up her belongings and then the long Fleetwood Brougham drove off. Inside, on the rear seat, a bouquet of red roses awaited Yvette. She took them in hand and inhaled the fresh flowery fragrance and sighed.

  With liquid eyes she thanked him and kissed him. Though she never felt popular enough or confident enough to enter the contest for prom queen in high school, it did not matter now. Tonight she was Kurt's lovely queen.

  The sleek limousine snaked and crawled its way eloquently through the vast city, passing by Café Le Soir, along the way. A mile later, they turned onto an expressway ramp and sped away from the city.

  Through the intercom, Kurt asked the chauffeur to take the long and scenic route. Placing a jazz CD in the stereo, he leaned back in his seat and gave his gaze back to Yvette, who was taking in the view. This was like a wonderful dream she had yet to awaken from.

  Turning away from the window, she took his hand into hers. "Look, Kurt, I know you must have saved about two months’ worth of pay to do the things you've been doing for me here lately, especially today, but believe me, if all you can afford tonight is takeout, it's alright by me. I don't care, baby. I am very impress and all, very flattered, but Kurt, I really hope you're not getting into debt over me.

  “God, I would feel awful if you came up short on your lot rent next month," she rambled on. "You know, I cannot let you go into debt over me. I’ll have to let you move in with me then."

  "Listen Yvette. Everything’s copasetic," Kurt tried to assure her. "What I mean is that everything’s fine with the wallet. So stop worrying yourself. I've got the limo covered, the dinner covered, the parking space covered, everything! And for the record, as far as my lot rent is concern, I no longer live out of my motorhome. I’m in a house now.

  “Baby, I know I told you I had moved but there are some things I have been meaning to tell you but the timing wasn't right.” Then as an afterthought, he added, "Did you just say you would let me move in with you?"

  "Of course I would. I mean, you are my man," she smiled. "You've been there for me so why shouldn't I be there for you? Besides, if you act up I can always kick you to the curb. I'm just kidding, honey!" she chuckled, then more seriously, "Kurt, I don't know what I would do without you in my life."

  “And I don’t know how I got this far in life without you,” he replied, tapping his knee lightly to the jazzy and romantic tune playing.

  The two sank back in the plush interior of the limousine, holding hands, and enjoying the ride and the marvelous view. It had been some time since either had cruised about the town, and the first time in a limousine together.

  "God, this is quite an affluent neighborhood," she commented, unaware that they had just entered into Kurt's neck of the woods. "Ever since my days as a teenager I dreamed of buying into an area like this. Give me six years and I’ll be moving into an area just like this."

  Kurt gave her a generous smile but said nothing. In a few minutes she would know the whole story. And if she wanted to, she could be moving into this area in less than six days, he thought.

  Rounding the corner, the limousine turned onto a wide brick driveway. "Wow! Who lives here?" Yvette said, with great curiosity after she had caught a glimpse of Moonbeam along the side of the house. The dwelling probably belonged to an affluent friend of his, a friend with palatial taste, she reasoned. She didn’t rule out his brother either, the Senator. Most politicians have extravagant vacation homes in Florida, she reasoned. Yes, it had to belong to the Senator. But why were they stopping here first, she pondered. And why was Moonbeam parked here?

  Leaning forward, just inches away from her lovely face, and in a soft tone Kurt said, "We’re here! This is home. My home. And once you give me the green light, honey, I'll be able to say, this is our home."

  Yvette's lips parted in surprise. "You're kidding, aren't you?" she said incredulously, trying her best to absorb his words, the beautiful estate grounds and landscaping, all with one rotation of her head.

  "No, I'm not," he assured her, gazing into her animated eyes, with an unassuming gaze.

  "I don't understand, Kurt," she said awkwardly. “I know I’ve suggested before that you go out and get a place but this isn’t exactly want I had in mind. Man, this home is like, Bel-Air beautiful! It’s like something out of Hollywood. This must have cost you a fortune?”

  "I'll explain it all as we head over to the house," he promised her.

  Emerging from the limousine, the two walked, hand in hand, towards the house as Kurt began his extraordinary revelation. Nearing the dwelling she could not help but gaze about the vast two-acre property in awe, with its lavish floral arrangements, fishponds and fountains. The sweet fragrance of honeysuckle and roses permeated the air around them. A beautifully crafted screened-in gazebo was off to the left. Placing a protective arm around her delicate shoulders he gazed down into her eyes. "Lovely, isn't it?" he asked. "Indeed it is!" she beamed. "I feel like I'm in the Garden of Eden. Did you win the lottery or something?" she jested. Kurt smiled warmly and continued his revelation, "Actually, I did, Yvette.”

  “You won the lottery!” she exclaimed, as the shock of discover hit her full force. Barely able to lift her voice above a whisper, she asked, “What lottery?”

  With eyes that melted into hers, Kurt said, “A nine state mega-lottery. My ticket w
as purchased in Philadelphia.”

  For a second she studied his face unhurriedly, feature by feature. Still unable to get her voice above a whisper, she managed to ask, “When and for how much, baby? One million? Five million? What are we talking here?”

  “Well, months before we met, and I moved down here to Florida, was when I won. The jackpot was $100 million dollars. It was split between me and one other person."

  "$100 million dollars! You have got to be kidding me," Yvette exclaimed, blissfully happy.

  "No, it is all for real," he answered.

  “Philadelphia,” she murmured, as her fingers stroked his arm sensuously.

  “Yes, Philadelphia,” he echoed softly."

  "So you are the one," she mouthed, as though in a trance. "I remember hearing about that historic jackpot."

  "Yes, I am the one," he replied with a broad smile.

  "That's incredible, Kurt!" she burbled happily as her lips formed a question. “Why are you just telling me this now? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  Tilting his head, he leveled his eyes on her and said, “Baby, I tried to tell you on several occasions but you seemed to always hit me with that Bob Gates ‘rich man’ diatribe before I could open my mouth.”

  “Ooops! I see your point,” she uttered after pondering his statement. “Especially after I had put down rich people. I’m sorry, baby. I take it all back.”

  “Forget it. It’s nothing.”

  “Okay,” she replied, forming a broader smile across her face. “Did it hit you all at once or did it sink in over time, that you had struck it rich?”

  "It took a while."

  “God, I just can’t believe this!” she said, as she exchanged another gaze with him. “Knowing the good person that you are, I bet you helped out a lot of people.”

  “Yes, I’ve done that,” he replied, taking a deep, unsteady breath. “But there is just so much you can fix with money when it comes to people’s person problems.”