His & Hers

by Francheska Fifield

  “You can’t blame the clothes. No matter how I am dressed it doesn’t give a guy the right to grab me.”

  Will shakes his head and looks at me….sternly.

  “No, but most meat heads don’t think of it that way. And since meat heads are the only guys that go to those clubs you need to remember that.”

  I frown. That is a bit of stereotyping going on. “That’s kinda a bad thing to say. Not all the guys there are jerks. What about the ones there with girlfriends?”

  “They go to check out other girls and make their girlfriends dress slutty. It’s not something to brag about.”

  I cross my arms over my chest and slump into my seat frowning. “When I get a boyfriend I am proving you wrong. He is going to go with me and dance with me without staring at any other girls, and I will dress however I want all the time, including when I go out with the girls.”

  He lets out a sound of frustration and leans his head back pinching his nose. Did I give him a nosebleed or something?

  “Are you okay Will?”

  “Don’t ask me that before I have had more sleep and something to eat. We can talk more tomorrow.”

  “Fine.” I turn to look out the window. Will is such a bossy guy sometimes. I hate bossy people.

  When we get back to the house everyone wants to know what happened. As I open my mouth to tell them Will scolds me and tells me to go to bed. I am so furious all I can do is go to my room and slam the door extra hard so he knows what I think about him and his orders.

  The next morning the guys all leave before I get up. They probably don’t want to be in the line of fire when Will and I go at it again. I know we will, but before we can I get the $500 he paid for my bail and put it in an envelope which I seal.

  I go out and clean up the living room and kitchen. He hasn’t come out to yell at me yet. I don’t want him to, but ignoring it is worse so I make lunch and knock on his office door. He doesn’t answer so I open it and peak in. It is empty. Where the hell is he?

  I eat lunch, take care of the leftovers, and have everything situated before I fall asleep on the couch reading. I wake later when the door closes. I nearly fell off the couch when I jump up. I’m definitely more jumpy than normal. He didn’t even slam the door, just closed it normally. Why isn’t he working? He always works.

  “Hey, you weren’t working when I knocked for lunch.”

  He shakes his head no and hangs up a coat. Why is he wearing a suit?

  “Ummm Will, did someone die?” A funeral is all I can think of.

  “No.”

  “So what’s with the clothes?”

  “I went to see my lawyer today and have a meeting with the cops and the fellows you dropped with your special new heels.”

  I would have been proud of defending myself, but he doesn’t sound like it is a good thing and I don’t want to make him more mad.

  “You didn’t have to do that. I was prepared to deal with it if they pressed charges.”

  “They aren’t going to anymore. We…talked them out of it.”

  “Oh. I could have done that.”

  He gives me a look that tells me exactly what he thinks of that idea. Geez, I’m not always a hot head.

  “I’m not bad at discussion you know.”

  “I distinctly remember you threatening me with a skillet because I wasn’t eating enough in your opinion.”

  “In everyone’s opinion!”

  “Regardless, you weren’t the person to handle this.”

  I cross my arms and slump into the couch. ’m tired and sore, and that makes me grumpy.

  “I get the lawyer, but who did you say you were during these negotiations?”

  He blushes and takes off his shoes and tie heading toward his room. Oh hell no, he isn’t getting off that easy. I get up and follow. He is giving me a look that clearly says get the hell out of my room, but I’m not so easy to scare.

  “So what did you say?”

  “Nothing. The lawyer did all the talking really.”

  “I guess I will owe you for the cost of the lawyer too. Here’s my bail money.”

  I pull the white envelope out of my back pocket and hold it out to Will. He looks at it, then at me and turns away. What is his problem I am trying to do the right thing?

  “I don’t want it and don’t worry about the lawyer. He owed me a favor so I didn’t have to pay him.”

  “But you had to use up the favor.”

  He shrugs.

  “It’s no big deal Trish.”

  “It is to me. I didn’t mean to cause you any problems.”

  I let my arm drop and sigh. I had only been trying to keep Cindy’s friend Sam from having a total freak out. The guy wouldn’t take no for an answer no matter which of us turned him down.

  Will comes over and hugs me. Holy crap he hugged me! I mean we have hugged before, mostly because of me, I am a very touchy feely kind of person. I hug him back and he relaxes which allows me to. Thank God it is a hug instead of a smack down.

  “Be more careful Trish. That’s all I want. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”

  “Thanks. And I will. Be more careful I mean. No more back talking the bouncers. Or attacking them.”

  He laughs and pulls clothes out his closet.

  “I’m impressed you could put a man that big down.”

  I smile and nod. I am proud of myself too. “He didn’t think a girl my size would present any problems. Maybe hair pulling and eye scratching.”

  Will rolls his eyes and snorts.

  “Yeah well he had obviously never met you. You fight like a boy. I’ve seen you sparing with Bobbi.”

  It is true. If Bobbi and I can’t get to the Y we move all the furniture back and spar. He is teaching me kick boxing. It had been helpful last night when the asshole tried to return fire after I gave that warning slap.

  “Kick boxing is practical. You can kick and punch. Hair pulling can work okay but it’s nothing compared to breaking their nose.”

  He laughs and nods. I shoo myself out so he can change. Well all in all that went well. I am not bleeding, terrified, scolded or any more broke than before. Isn’t Will just my knight in shining armor today? Really all the time. He let me escape my old life by giving me a place to live. He suggested it in fact. Well someday when he learns to balance his life he will make someone a wonderful prince charming. And I don’t mean me… no matter what I said to him yesterday.

  I put my money away, determined to get it to him someway when he isn’t thinking about it and won’t notice it as much as he will now.

  At the Y there is a lawyer I talk to about my case, asking if the arrest will show up on my record. He offers to talk to them and see what the deal is in exchange for a pie (I made one for another friend at the Y and she let everyone she knew try a piece. He is the lawyer for her divorce so she knows him; he tried it and loved it). So he looks into it for me and the next day I have a big cherry pie all ready for him and his husband. Caleb told me whoever Will’s lawyer is did a great job. Nothing will show up, even the initial arrest. Sweet. But I now feel like I owe Will more than ever.

  I didn’t go out for the next few weeks and Will and all the guys really seemed glad. I guess they had all been rather worried about me. We did girls shopping days instead. I could still dress how I wanted and cops were out and about so no one tried to grab my ass.

  One day I managed to get Will to come to the Y with me. It was fun watching him give me the look every time I showed him how to use a new machine. The ‘don’t even tell me I’m next’ look. I laughed through most of the tour but he signed up anyway.

  When showed him where I have my yoga class there was a dance class in session. I watched for a few minutes and sigh. I wanted to go, but Bobbi is the only guy I know that comes here, other than Caleb and his husband, and I can’t convince any of them to be my dance partner so I haven’t gotten to sign up.

  “I thought you were signing up for that,” says Will.

&
nbsp; “I was going to, but Bobbi wouldn’t be my partner and Caleb ran when I mentioned it. Since they are the only guys I know here that means I didn’t get to. You need to bring you own man apparently.”

  “Ahhh.”

  “Will….you said you know how to dance right?”

  “Yeah my mom signed me up for lessons as a kid. I learned fast so I could get out of it as fast as possible. It’s not exactly what a ten year old boy dreams of doing with their time.”

  “Well let’s see if you’re rusty.”

  “What?”

  “I know the instructor, she will let us in. Come on.” I grab his hand and go in waving at the instructor. She waves and points toward an empty spot in the back. Thank goodness since I’ve never done this before and seeing others doing so well makes me nervous.

  “Okay Will, teach me. We’ve missed a couple classes so get to it.”

  Something in my face must have hinted that saying no wasn’t an option. He stands beside me and shows me the moves and has me follow. Once I have that down we try facing each other. That is harder. You have another person to be aware of.

  Will is good. Not just a good dancer, but a patient teacher. I knew he was already because he taught me all about computers before I moved, but if he has no interest in dancing it doesn’t show. He teaches me with as much enthusiasm as when he would go off about computer stuff.

  By the end of the class I have actually learned a dance. Will says I am a natural and we end up having fun. He tries to add twirls and find it is a bad idea until I have more practice with the actual dance. But still we have fun. He even smiles and laughs. All in all it was a great success. I got a dance partner and we are now officially signed up for classes. We even practice at home so I can catch up to the others. If there is a dance off at the end we will so win!

  “Trisha I have a question for you.”

  “Okay.”

  “It’s a favor really. If you don’t want to you can say no.”

  I’d say yes just to get him to shush. He has been following me around as I clean for the last half hour. Lunch ended and instead of going back to work he stalked me. I haven’t been out of his sight. The hovering is starting to annoy me.

  “Just spit it out Will. I don’t mind hanging out with you but you hovering while I clean is annoying.”

  He flinchs and I feel bad. Making Will upset is like kicking a puppy. You get no satisfaction from it.

  “Just tell me what’s on your mind I will help if I can you know that.”

  He nods and sits on the couch. I stop dusting and come over to join him. I wait patiently while he fidgets with everything in sight.

  “Well once a year the big wigs I work for, hey are all from the same social circle, have a party. I get invited because I do business with them all.”

  “With you so far.”

  “I want you to go with me. There’s dinner, and dancing. I thought you might like a chance to try the dances we’ve been working on. And you would get the chance to wear that dress you bought.”

  “Sure.”

  “What?”

  He sounds shocked. Geez, I’m not that mean. Besides he has a point, it would give me a chance to wear the dress and try the dances outside of a practice.

  “I said I would go with you. Geez, you act surprised.”

  He shrugs and looks away.

  “It’s not your usual scene.”

  “Yours either I take it.” He looks uncomfortable. I’ve never seen him timid before.

  “No, but it is good for business for people to see me occasionally.”

  “Okay when is it?”

  “Tomorrow night.”

  “Alright. Don’t worry I will make it really fun. Like dancing. We can practice. It won’t be so bad.”

  He nods, smiles a small smile, and gets up to return to his office. Has he really been like my shadow for half an hour because of that? He must be really nervous.

  “If you don’t have fun I’m sorry Trisha.”

  He closes his office door. Well that is weird. Guess I will find out what the deal is tomorrow night.

  Chapter Six

  I am all dressed and trying to decide on jewelry. I want to make a good impression. Will is bringing me so he won’t have to go it alone, that I understand. Especially since he is not like the high and mighty rich people he works for. He is a simple guy. He seems almost afraid to be alone there, though he must have gone before.

  Me, well I am going for two reasons. To keep Will from having an aneurism and to see how well I can dance in heels. He said we could practice our dancing, though I have learned in class that he needs no practice I still find it fun.

  “I’m ready, but I don’t know what to wear for jewelry. Come give me some ideas. I’ve never been to a party like this before.” I call to Will.

  “I got you something to wear if you want.” I hear from the living room.

  I drop the sample earrings on my and go out to see him standing in a tux holding a box. He is so handsome it takes my breath away.

  “Will you look so handsome. You should wear a tuxedo all the time.”

  I don’t think he was expecting the compliment because he turns beet red.

  “Thanks. But I can’t look half as good as you do in that dress.”

  I look the dress over. It is nice. It dips low in the back and low enough in the front to show cleavage, but not appear slutty. It is an eye grabber for sure.

  “Amazing what you can get at a vintage shop isn’t it?”

  He smiles and holds out the box. I open it and Holy smokes! Are those real diamonds? They look like real ones if I am any judge at all and, let’s face it, what girl doesn’t know real from the fake?

  “Will I can’t accept this. It’s too much. It must have cost a fortune!”

  He shrugs and takes the necklace out snapping it around my neck. It is a wreath of diamonds. I lift the matching earrings from the box and I put them in myself, boys who don’t have earrings should never try to put them in someone else’s ears. I turn back to Will smiling and hoping I don’t look ridiculous.

  “It’s a thank you for coming with me tonight. Usually I go alone and try to hide while people I work for introduce me to their daughters about my age. You are saving me from more than boredom.”

  I can’t help but laugh. Well if that is my purpose I guess I will have to play the part.

  “Are they really that bad?”

  “I’ve never enjoyed them, but you might. I’m not sure. It doesn’t seem like your kind of place, but every time I think I have you figured out you do something I’m not expecting and make me start all over.”

  “Figuring out peoples motives isn’t the best use of time. Sometimes it’s better to accept it and move on.”

  “Perhaps, but you are an anomaly. I find it an intriguing pastime.”

  I smile and link my arm through his after we put our coats on. He has rented a car so we are going on our own tonight. Bobbi wished me luck and told me to call him if I needed a quick escape. I laughed it off and plan to leave my cell phone at home. I’m not likely to abandon poor Will.

  We arrive and I look up in awe. That is the biggest house I have ever seen.

  “I promise not to talk like this once inside, but for now can I just say wow.”

  He smiles, hands the keys to a valet, and takes my arm.

  “Yes well, it is one of their bigger homes.”

  “Our hosts are loaded huh.”

  He nods while walking up the steps to their door.

  “Still, it’s a nice home. A bit larger than I would ever like, in fact way larger, but then I’m thinking practically. It likely costs money to keep this place clean because, I tell you what, I wouldn’t clean it if it was mine.”

  It is like a slightly smaller version of Versailles. Will smirks and nods in agreement. We get to the door and it opens without any knock or action from us. Is someone looking out a window and using a signal or something?

  “Welcome back.”

&
nbsp; Will nods politely, hands over our jackets, and takes us deeper in. We stop by the food and drink buffet with an attached open bar. Instead of grabbing food, which I would do to steady my nerves, he grabs a drink. Will doesn’t do alcohol, ever.

  “Will?”

  He puts the empty glass back on the bar and takes my arm again, walking us toward the dance floor. We start dancing. He seems to relax a bit and so I let the silence continue. Instead of talking I try to subtly look around. There are people staring. They are either rude or they know Will and wonder who the hell is with him. Great.

  “Will everyone is staring.”

  He doesn’t miss a beat.

  “I don’t care. Let them. If they interrupt us to talk business fine, otherwise I plan to avoid them as much as possible.”

  “Why do you come if you don’t like anyone here?”

  He sighs and looks down a bit as if counting to ten before answering. I don’t think it is me annoying him, even if he doesn’t want to answer my question.

  “It’s good for business. I meet people I have contracts with, meet potential clients, and if I don’t come I get the rude lecture. My parents have this thing about good breeding and manners.”

  “So you don’t like being rude? You don’t seem all that uptight normally.”

  “Because I’m not the same person here that I normally am. None of them knows a thing about me, not the real me anyway.”

  I am finding it easier than I thought it would be to waltz and talk.

  “Up for a spin?”

  We haven’t done many spins, mostly because I suck.

  “Promise not to laugh if I fall?”

  He smiles and shakes his head.

  “Nope.”

  Then before I can say anything he spins me out and back in. I do it successfully and instead of whooping for joy and shouting wahoo like I want to, I stick to laughing in pleasure.

  “We did it.”

  He smiles and nods at me.

  “You’re getting better.”

  “I had a great teacher.”

  He blushes. You have to admire his modesty. He is so talented in so many fields and he doesn’t act like someone good at everything. He is so down to Earth.