“Aww. That was nice of you.”
He shrugged. “She deserved it. Being a single mom isn’t easy. She had Jordan the day after her eighteenth birthday. She was all alone. Her parents had kicked her out, and the guy was never in the picture.”
“She sounds like quite a woman.”
He nodded. “She is. And it sounds like your mom is, too. I’d like to meet her sometime.”
I squinted into the sun. “Yeah. I’m not sure I want you to do that.”
“Why?” he sounded hurt. “You don’t think she’d like me?”
I touched his arm with my free hand. “Oh, no. That didn’t even cross my mind. She’ll love you…I mean, if you meet.”
“Then why?”
How does one explain Samantha Scofield? “Because my mom…she’s one of those people you either love or you hate.”
“And you’re afraid I’ll hate her?”
“Well, yes. But I’m more afraid you’ll love her.”
He stopped. “I’m confused. You don’t want me to like your mom?”
“No. I want you to like her.” I strolled again, tugging him with me. It helped to walk and talk about it because the focus seemed less on me. “But not too much.”
Laughs. “What? I’m utterly lost here.”
“My mom is…funny. Gorgeous. She has this way about her….”
“She’s manipulative?”
I tilted my head. “Well, yes, but that’s actually her strength.”
“You are one confusing young lady, Miss Elise.”
I searched for a way to describe her, and it came to me. “When my mom’s around, she’s like a…supernova. Which makes me a black hole.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Which means?”
“She is so brilliant I, like, cease to exist.”
“Well, that’s not gonna happen.”
“Yeah. You don’t know her.”
“Elise.” He got in front of me and held my shoulders. “That’s not about to happen.”
I looked down. He didn’t get it. But he would.
He cupped my chin, and nudged it upward. “Did you already forget? I said your smile would make the sun jealous. And that’s just your smile. When you talk about the whole package…” he waved his arm in front of me, “well that’s gotta be brighter than a supernova.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Oh, come on.” I tried to dismiss him and continue our stroll, but he was insistent.
“Seriously, Elise. You are a beautiful woman. You are unique—”
I laughed and tapped his chest. “Now that I believe.”
“No.” He drew me into an embrace. “I wish you could see yourself like I see you. You’re uniqueness makes you perfect in my eyes. You are like when you open the door to a stuffy room and the breeze blows in. You refresh me. Being around you makes me happy.”
I blinked away tears. “You say the sweetest things.”
“I know you don’t know me well enough to know if I’m being sincere or buttering you up. It’s too early to say these things to you, but…I can’t stand to hear you talk about yourself that way.” He gave me a squeeze. “Will you go out to dinner with me tonight?”
I laughed. “Kinda sprung that on me, didn’t you?”
“I was hoping the element of surprise would work in my favor.”
I gave him a hug back. “You don’t need the element of surprise, sweet-talker.”
“You’ll go with me?”
“I’d love to.”
“Great. I want to spend my second paycheck on you.” He kissed my forehead. “Thanks for saying yes.” He released me, but took my hand again and moved forward. “Okay. I need the scoop on your stepfather. He’ll be checking me out and I need to pass the test.”
“Oh, Kyle? You don’t need to worry about Kyle. He’s the sweetest. Besides, I think he’s out of town this week.”
“Well, it’s a date then?”
“It’s a date.”
Chapter 11
Kyle
When I woke, I was drooling on some hideous paisley carpet. It took me a several seconds to remember where I was. Her sobbing came from the bathroom. It was heart-wrenching. Would she want to be alone? Be embarrassed in front of a stranger? She let out another cry and I scrambled over to the door. As I went to rap on it, she pulled it open and screamed.
“Holy shit, Dana! It’s me. Kyle.”
She brought her hand to her mouth and stumbled backward a few feet. Then she shrank down onto the tile between the sink and the toilet and covered her head, new sobs wracking her body. This girl was a train wreck. But I hated it when women cried.
“Hey,” I said softly, cautiously edging into the room. I crouched in front of her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
When she lifted her face her expression struck me to the core. She looked scared and broken.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I thought you were him.” She gestured with her hand and I could see she was shaking pretty hard. I lowered myself to the floor next to her, stretching my legs out in front of the toilet.
“Come here.”
She didn’t hesitate, sliding over and laying her head on my chest, clinging to me. I rested my cheek on the top of her hair. “It’s all right now. Shh. It’ll be all right.” I held her like that for some time.
How am I all of a sudden this woman’s keeper? It’s bizarre. But…she obviously needs some help. She’s a danger to herself and others.
When she calmed down, she straightened, which provided some much needed relief for my arm.
“I’m so embarrassed.”
“Come on, Dana. We’ve all done it.” I stood to stretch my legs, too.
“So you’ve dropped a barbell on yourself, gotten wasted and made out with a stranger in an elevator, and then freaked out when someone came into the room to help you.”
I offered her my hand to help her rise. “Well, I didn’t exactly do all that, but…segments. Segments. At least you didn’t throw up.”
“I never do.”
“Well, that’s impressive.”
Her face began to lift. “So after all that, you are impressed with me because I didn’t throw up.”
I stretched my back, yawning. “Yes.”
“Well, I guess I’ve got that going for me.”
“Dana, I need to ask you a question.”
“Okay.”
“Is anybody coming busting in that door who I’ll need to handle?”
She hesitated. “No. No. I’m being irrational. But he makes me feel so…defenseless. And scared.”
“Who does?”
She exhaled. “My ex-boyfriend. He’s been stalking me for months, and he’s not a nice guy. That’s why I had a mini-freak out when I first saw you in the hall. I thought maybe you were stalking me, or he sent you, or…I don’t know. Like I said, irrational.”
“Can we finish this conversation outside of the bathroom?”
“Yeah.” We filed out into the room. “What time is it?” She zeroed in on the alarm clock. “Four-thirty? Holy crap!” She turned to me. “You should go.”
“Are you sure? What if you do get sick?”
She moved toward the door. “It won’t happen. And you need to get some sleep.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Yeah, I do.” Checking if I left anything, I spotted my phone on the dresser and went to grab it. “What about that guy? Your ex. Any way he’s showing up here?”
“No. I’ll lock the door. I’ll be fine.”
“Well, let me get your digits. I’ll send you a text and then you’ll have my number and call me to let me know everything is all right.”
She gave me her number, and I texted her.
“You’re so sweet to watch over me like you did.”
“Well, I kind of felt responsible for you or something, after the—” I cleared my throat “—barbell incident.” I passed her as she held the door open for me.
“So it’s like an ‘if you save a life, you’re forever respons
ible for it’ kind of thing.”
“Yes. Old Indian tradition.”
She smiled. “You don’t look Indian.”
“Not a drop. Hey, you need to take some ibuprofen or you’ll have a nasty headache in the morning.”
“Oh, I never get headaches.”
“Seriously?” I frowned. “Damn. Lock this door.”
“On it.” She started to shut the door, but reopened it. “Hey. Thanks.”
“No problem. Good night.”
As I lay in bed in the dark, I thought about what a crazy evening it was.
I can’t wait to tell Sam this. She’s gonna love it.
No. Wait. On second thought, she’s not gonna be thrilled about me being in another woman’s bedroom. Nothing I could say could convince her nothing funny happened.
This situation we had sucked. I missed her like hell on the road, and we were miserable at home, too. It was a lose/lose proposition. I was tired of it. So tired.
Then I reminded myself hockey refs don’t get line breaks.
Samantha
I was sitting on Dr. Downing’s couch, leaning on the arm nearest to her chair, my legs curled to the side and the blanket thrown over them. I was perpetually cold.
She approached with two lemonades. I liked that you got drinks here. It was better than my last plane ride. Cheap-assed companies. She put the drinks down and exhaled loudly as she sat.
“So how are you doing today, Samantha?”
“Well, I hear good things, but you can never believe the rumors.”
She chuckled.
“No. I’d say I was about an eight on a scale of ten.”
“Ahh. Well, that’s a B grade-wise. You do seem quite chipper. How come?”
“Kyle gets home tonight. I’ve missed him terribly…. We weren’t on the best terms when he left.”
She took a drink then asked, “Why’s that?”
I sighed. She was right. Some things did come to me after our discussion the week before and I thought a lot about them. “It’s mostly my fault.” I knew she would ask me why, so I cut her off. “I don’t trust him. He’s on the road a lot…and I guess I’m worried he’ll cheat on me like Bill did.”
She nodded. “Has he ever given you reason to think he’s been unfaithful?”
I shook my head. “Never. It’s just…Bill has this way of slithering into my mind. He’s always calling me or texting me, or saying things when we’re together about Kyle cheating.”
“Your ex-husband who was unfaithful to you tells you your husband is in adulterous relationships?”
“Yeah. He says it takes one to know one.”
“But you don’t believe Kyle is seeing someone else?”
“No. I’m sure of it.” I sighed. “Right now. Bill could call me on the way out of here and get me all worked up.”
“Why do you let him do that?”
“I don’t know. He’s the kids’ dad….”
“But there are boundaries. He doesn’t get to editorialize on your life. He relinquished that right.”
“Damn right he did.”
“So why are you letting him treat you like this?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I’ve thought about it a lot. I know part of the reason is—I have a daddy issue because he abandoned me. And I want my kids to have the father I didn’t. Blah, blah, blah. I know that, but what do I do to stop it?”
I was swamped with helplessness, and I hated that. I am not some woman who collapses under stress. I’m the one who has always been strong. I don’t let anyone walk all over me, I give them exactly what they have coming.
Except for Bill. The man who had hurt me the most.
Or at least one of the men.
I needed to move. I couldn’t sit with this shit anymore. “Is it okay if I get up and stretch my legs?”
“Of course.”
I walked to the window. It was a sunny day. I pulled the drape back a little and let the sun bathe my face and warm me. I crossed my arms and closed my eyes, focusing on that sunshine for a second. There wasn’t any particular view out her window. Just a street, with cars, like any old street. The next time I spoke my voice was so quiet, I am surprised she even heard me. “I wish I never met Bill. Even if I still didn’t meet Kyle until I was older.”
She stood and came to stand at the opposite side of the window. She spoke to me gently. “Then you wouldn’t have your kids. And you wouldn’t be the woman who Kyle met and fell in love with.”
I managed a smile. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
“Yes, I am,” she said confidently. “Samantha.” I lifted my head and looked at her. Her face was so serene and comforting. “Is it okay if I touch your hands?”
“Yes.”
She took each of my hands into her hands. “We’ll get you through this, okay?”
“You really think you’ve got something in those big books,” I nodded toward the bookshelf, “that’ll help me?”
Her smile broadened. “Yes. I do.”
For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t alone. Kyle was wonderful, but, truth be told, I kept him at a distance when it came to the emotions buried deep inside of me. Hell, I kept myself at a distance from them.
She gave my hands a squeeze and then dropped them and walked over to her desk. “Okay. Are you ready for your first homework assignment?”
Her question startled me. “What? Already? Yes.”
“Can you be here tomorrow at noon with your assignment done? No, wait. Scratch that. Enjoy your evening with Kyle then we’ll schedule you…on Tuesday? Around noon?”
I hadn’t called in sick all year, and I was fairly certain Tara, my boss, wouldn’t have any problem with me leaving early. “Yeah. I can do that. What’s my assignment?”
“I want you to find a quiet spot, and write a letter to your father. Saying all the things you couldn’t say to him when you were a child. Let him know how you felt, how the things he did affected you. Then, set that aside, and write a letter to Bill. And I want you to let him have it. Full guns. No holding back. Tell him how much it hurt to find out he was unfaithful. Tell him how it has changed your life. Talk to him about your concerns with the kids, too.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep. That’s all there is to it,” she said brightly. “It may be more difficult than you think.”
I knew the letters would be both difficult, and easy. But I wanted to get past this. I wanted to let go of it all and really share my life with Kyle.
Chapter 12
Elise
After trying on about every outfit I owned, it came down to a floral print sundress and my new blue top. Hunter wanted to get all fancy and take me to The Green Gateau, but I would be nervous enough as it was, so I’d asked if we could do something a little less…ritzy. He seemed disappointed, but I joked with him and said if he was good he could take me there on a different night. He acted like a gauntlet was thrown.
I rubbed my chin, surveying my two choices artfully posed on the bed. I really liked the top, but it was a stretch for me, in the fashion-vein. It was something other girls—popular girls—would wear, but I tended to wear more…subdued clothing. It was super stylish, dusky blue with a soft scoop neckline. It was fitted around my hips, but baggie on top. Cutouts on the sleeves showed my shoulders and arms, both above and below where the fabric met near my elbow.
The top did look good on me, I think, but since I hadn’t worn it yet, I didn’t know what I might have to worry about. Like, is it one of those shirts which scrunch up making the wearer appear extremely short-waisted? And…I wouldn’t be comfortable in it. It wasn’t me.
Then again, this whole thing isn’t me.
I went to the window to see if Hunter was here yet. Luckily, he wasn’t.
Going out on a date with a hot lifeguard means I have to be hot. Or at least lukewarm.
Glancing at the clock, I realized I had fifteen minutes. I could do this. I slid into blue jean shorts, a cute pair of sandals, a
nd the blue top. Scrutinizing myself in the mirror, I recognized something was off.
I need something….Oh. Those hoochie-mama earrings Mom gave me for my birthday.
I dug them out, put them on, and slapped on some lip gloss. Surveying myself in the mirror, I smiled. I did look decent. I made pouty lips at myself, laughed, and rolled my eyes. I grabbed my purse on the way out the door.
Kyle
Sam picked me up at the airport, and we hadn’t even been in a fight yet and we were almost in our driveway. Progress.
“So you really like the therapist I found?”
She answered without hesitating. “Yep.”
I opened my car door and asked her over the roof. “Is it only because she’s a Southsider? ’Cause, baby, I’d love to take credit for that stroke of genius, but I had no idea she was from Chicago.”
She waited for me as I retrieved my bag from the back seat. “No, it’s more than that.” I listened as I circled her car—which was actually my car, but she used it more than I. “She’s…classy but not uppity. Smart but not all in your face about it. I don’t know if she’s fixing me, but I look forward to my appointments with her.”
I slipped my free arm around her waist when I reached her. “Baby, there ain’t nothin’ to fix.” I kissed her, then dropped my bag so I could bring my other hand to her face and brought my lips to hers again.
I pulled back and smiled. “Man, it’s good to be home.”
She dipped her head. “I’m so glad you feel that way.” She tugged me by my hand, leading me into the house.
I could tell something fishy was going on. She was smiling, so I wasn’t in trouble, but I was uneasy anyway. “Why? What’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing.” Her voice was pitched high, contradicting her words. “You want a cup of coffee?” She walked in front of me into the kitchen.
“Oh, so it’s a cup of coffee kinda thing, huh?” I lowered my weary, and now wary, bones into a kitchen chair.
Hell Hath No Fury Page 12