KISS

by Catherine Chernow

  He had left her satisfied that afternoon. No matter what, he wanted her happy.

  As he gunned the engine and took off out of the marina parking lot, he had so many crazy thoughts. Maybe she was right about him using his money to buy everything and anything that stood in the way of MegaMart. When he came to a red light at the corner of Main Street and Route Twenty-Five, he slowed the Jag, and then stopped. Another thought popped into his head...

  Kat's needs that afternoon had far outweighed his. He had every intention of marching back into KISS and pulling her straight into his arms when his cell phone rang. Jared pulled the Jag to a nearby curb and answered the call, only to see that he had a voice mail message. He flipped open the phone and retrieved it.

  "Jared, this is Dawn. Listen, Dad's not having such a good day today. In fact, I think he's worse. He's been asking for you."

  He pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened to the rest of the message.

  I think he's worse...

  This day couldn't possibly get any worse, but Jared had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that it already had.

  He turned the Jag around, heading back on Route Twenty-Five, intent on seeing Sam Martin...

  And wondered if it would be for the last time.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Twelve

  The next couple of days found Kat busy at KISS. It was the height of the summer tourist season. Customers flowed in and out. Most went away with their arms laden with pink shopping bags and packages bearing KISS’ logo. She stayed late most nights, using the excuse that work is what kept her at KISS so late, but could only fool herself so much ... the truth of the matter was, she didn't want to go home and face her big, empty, lonely bed. Stupid ... she had gotten stupid and sappy and saved that silly pillowcase Jared had used. It still held his scent. She would take it out and breathe deep of the delicious, citrusy smell. She hadn't removed the corset, thong, and garter from her bedroom chair, either. They remained there, a shrine to the thrilling night of passion she shared with Jared.

  Now, serving customers, she felt grateful for the summer help she hired. Doris and Harvey's granddaughter, Melissa, was a bright, eager eighteen-year-old, bent on being a clothing designer. She was a big help with the customers—she looked great, spoke well ... knew Kat's designs inside and out. Melissa's presence also enabled Kat to avoid the far counter of KISS where Jared had brought her to the height of passion. It seemed as though everywhere she went in Summerville—her home, KISS, or even the Sunshine Café—she was reminded of him.

  Where was Jared? She hadn't seen him for days. Had she scared him off? She doubted that. He'd be back, as sure as the sun always shone in Summerville, she knew he'd be back. He had to make a presentation to the Civic Association at the meeting next Thursday. No way would Mr. Moneybags pass up that chance.

  The bell above the door to KISS jangled. Kat looked up from her position by one of the lingerie forms where she adjusted a magenta and deep purple lace baby-doll gown. On the legs of the form were wide, matching ‘indulgence’ garters, made of deep purple silk. Small magenta tassels dangled from the ends. Kat glanced over at KISS’ entranceway, expecting to see another tourist, but it was Patrice who waited there.

  "Melissa,” Kat whispered in the young girl's ear. “Will you come here and help this customer when you're done ringing up that other lady, please?"

  "Of course!” Melissa replied. “I'll be right there."

  Kat gave her a small smile. “Great,” she replied, patting her shoulder. “It's just that I've got to speak with someone."

  Melissa handed the customer a pink KISS shopping bag. “Come back real soon.” She told her. “Okay, here I go,” she shot around the counter's edge.

  Kat gazed at the well-dressed woman she had been helping. “Melissa will help you with sizing, if that's all right."

  Kat hurried away to greet Patrice.

  "It's nice to see you again, Patrice."

  "Oh Kat, have I got some news for you. Arnya's shower was this past weekend and ... well, I've got a new client, thanks to you."

  Kat smiled. “I'm so glad Patrice."

  Patrice's long, dangling earrings bobbed in unison. She bent her head near Kat's and said, “And that means it's a customer for you, as well. They loved your designs."

  Kat took Patrice's arm and led her toward the back of KISS. “Come and tell me about it over a cup of coffee."

  "Gladly,” Patrice walked along side her.

  Kat opened the door to her office and ushered her in. Patrice took a seat and accepted a cup of coffee from Kat.

  "So, who's the new client?” Kat asked, taking a sip from her mug. She slid into another chair, across from Patrice's, grateful to be off her feet, if only for a few minutes.

  "Jerome Waters."

  The mug almost slipped from Kat's hand. Kat schooled her features. “Really?"

  "Really,” Patrice crowed. “The Waters ladies loved everything I bought for Arnya, so when I told them I got it all at KISS, they, of course, passed the word around and now Jerome Waters sent me here today to get a birthday present for his wife."

  Kat placed her mug down on the desk. “That's terrific."

  Patrice took a sip from her cup and crossed one leg over another. Settling back in the chair, she said, “I, uh, also had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Waters about what we chatted about the last time."

  Kat's heartbeat kicked into high gear. “And what did Mr. Waters say?"

  Patrice sat up straight and reached for her handbag. She dug through the leather satchel and took out a small business-card size case. “Here,” she handed Kat a card. “I got Mr. Waters’ private number for you."

  Kat accepted the card and had to stop herself from snatching it from Patrice's outstretched hand. “You've got to be kidding me."

  "I kid you not, my friend!” Patrice grinned at her. In a low voice she continued, “He said to tell you that if you wanted to discuss anything at all about MegaMart, he'd gladly meet with you. I gave him a little bit of background on you, and what I knew about your uh, situation here with MegaMart and Summerville."

  Kat shook her head. “I-I can't believe this."

  "Believe it, Kat. He's more than eager to tell his story to anyone, it seems, to anyone who'll listen to him trash the ‘money giant,’ as he calls it."

  Kat slumped back in her chair. It finally happened—her chance to find out the real truth about how MegaMart screwed Plasticmate.

  She just couldn't believe it!

  "All I can say is ... thank you."

  Patrice grinned. “Nope. All I can say is thanks. Waters gave me carte blanche and told me to pick out a few things for his wife's birthday. He's paying me a small fortune, and I have you to thank for it."

  Kat schooled her features once more. No, what Waters was doing was buying an opportunity to tell his story to someone, Kat thought.

  Either way, she and Patrice turned out to be the winners...

  ...and it looked like Jared Martin would be the biggest loser yet.

  * * * *

  "Dad, Jared's here."

  Jared stood next to his father's wheelchair and watched as Dawn brushed their father's shoulder. When he didn't move, she bent and spoke next to his ear. “Jared's here to see you, Dad. How about saying hello?"

  Jared held his breath as Sam Martin lifted his head. He looked at Jared, his eyes vacant. Jared sighed, wishing for what he knew would never happen, that Sam would recognize him. The last two times he had visited, Sam hadn't even acknowledged him...

  That's because he thought Jared was his father.

  Jared had played along, acting the part of the elder Martin's father, answering Sam's childish questions, mostly about things that didn't make much sense to Jared.

  "The dementia's been worse these past couple of days,” Dawn laid a hand on Jared's shoulder as she spoke. “That's why I called you."

  Jared looked down at his father and ran a hand through the elder Marti
n's thinning, gray hair. He smoothed the wayward strands sticking up on the top of his head. “I'm here Dad,” Jared crooned to him. “I'm here."

  Sam's hands shook for a few seconds then he lifted his eyes and gazed at Jared. “Hey, Dad.” Jared smiled. “How are you? Look what I brought...” Jared held up a bag. “It's your favorite, remember? Blueberry muffins.” He laid the bag down on Sam's lap.

  Sam looked down at the bag. He shoved it from his lap and shouted, “I want ... I want...” he looked around, confusion lining his weathered face. “I want them all to leave me alone!” he shouted.

  Jared rose to his feet. He bent his tall frame and clamped his hands down on the arms of Sam's wheelchair. “It's okay, Dad. It's okay...” He repeated, like a mantra. Soon, the deep sound of Jared's voice acted like an elixir. Sam quieted, but his eyes became glassy. When he looked up again, he stared directly into Jared's eyes. “Daddy,” he said.

  Jared swallowed. Hard. “Yeah, I'm here, son."

  Sam shook his head. “Knew you'd come. Knew you'd come."

  Jared nodded. “I'm here. I'm not leaving."

  Sam looked over at Dawn. “You see? He came. Daddy always comes to my games."

  Jared grabbed a chair and drew it over by Sam. He eased his tall frame into it and took Sam's stiff, clawed hand into his own. Running his thumb over the dry skin on the back, he held onto his father's hand like a lifeline.

  "I'll just be over there if you need me,” Dawn bent and whispered. She glanced at her watch. “It's going to be time for his medicine soon."

  "Right.” Jared let go of a breath.

  Dawn patted his shoulder and sat in a chair on the other side of the room. She nodded her head in a gesture of encouragement. Jared took it as his cue to speak with Sam.

  "How was school today, Da ... I mean, son."

  Sam shook his head. “Math."

  Jared angled his head. “What?"

  Sam made a fist and ground it into his thigh. “Hate ... math."

  Jared shook his head and sighed at Sam's childish answer. At least the last time he visited with his father, Sam had spoken in complete sentences. Now, his speech grew fragmented. He wondered how long it would be before Sam didn't answer at all.

  He shook his head to clear it of his morose thoughts. Kat, he thought, think of Kat ... dressed in that coral-colored, satin corset and that garter belt. Did it have lace on it, he asked himself. Yes, yes it had lace...

  "No more school.” Sam told him. “No like."

  Jared tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. “I know you don't like it, son. Tomorrow ... tomorrow's Saturday. You won't have to go to school tomorrow."

  Sam nodded, and soon his eyes grew heavy. When he nodded next, his head didn't come back up. Jared got up and wiped the small pool of drool forming on the corner of Sam's mouth. Dawn got up from her chair and walked over to them.

  "Want to help me get him to bed?” she asked Jared.

  "Sure."

  She nodded and stepped aside so that Jared could lift his father from the wheelchair. He cradled the older man in his arms, lifting him effortlessly from the seat of the wheelchair. Jared walked over to the bed and laid his father on it then watched Sam roll over into a fetal position.

  It broke his heart to see it. Jared turned away, so he wouldn't have to look at the wasted man his father had become. He walked over to the windows and stared out at the overcast day. Summerville never looked like this, he thought. He glanced up at the clouds, thinking of Kat and how she looked that day she walked into the Sunshine Café. Class. She had an animal's wild grace, the way she moved ... her steps long and light.

  His she-cat.

  Dawn eased her father under the sheets and blankets, being careful not to wake him. “He'll sleep for a while now."

  Jared glanced at his watch. “How about his meds?"

  "Soon,” Dawn patted his shoulder. “Thanks for the help."

  Jared took her hand and squeezed it. “For nothing. I should be thanking you."

  "Mom spent the morning here, but I called the house, and they sent the car. She just can't handle this anymore."

  Jared sighed and ran a hand around the back of his neck. He thanked his lucky stars for the loyal staff his parents employed over the years. Jeffrey, his father's driver, was as a godsend.

  "The staff at this nursing home is great, Jared. I can't thank you enough for finding this place.” She gazed out the window for a few seconds then said, “Oh! I almost forgot. I saved something for you."

  She walked soundlessly across the floor to the other side of the room. Reaching into her bag, she withdrew a folded piece of paper. On her way back to Jared, she stopped to check on Sam, pulling the blanket up and over him when Sam kicked it off. He rolled slightly, curling tighter into his body.

  Jared tried not to watch, but he couldn't help it. The image burned into his brain. He tried to recall the last good memory he had of Sam, but couldn't. It was getting harder and harder not to think of his father as a sick man.

  "Here,” Dawn stood beside him again. “This is what I saved."

  She shoved a piece of folded newspaper into his hand. When he opened it, he saw Kat with her arms entwined around his neck, the two of them in a passionate kiss. The game! The soccer game he helped coach. He ran his hand over Kat's picture, wishing he could get lost now in a heated kiss with her.

  "She's beautiful,” Dawn said softly.

  Jared looked down at his sister's smiling face. It was good to see her smile. “Yes, she is,” he blurted.

  Dawn angled her chin. “Is she the one you told me about ... Ms. Upstart?"

  Jared flushed crimson. “That's her."

  "I really love that nightshirt she designed, Jared. It's so soft and silky. But, you didn't have to do that..."

  He held up a hand. “I wanted to. And I'm glad you like it. Kat's ... talented.” In more ways than one ... he thought of their love-play in bed and grew hard. He shifted, praying Dawn didn't see.

  "I can see why you love her."

  That snapped him out of his thoughts. He handed the picture back to Dawn. “Who said anything about love?"

  Dawn looked down at the picture and shrugged. “It's just that, well, you got that look on your face."

  He frowned. “What look?"

  She gazed up and laughed. “Certainly not that one, silly.” She chucked him on the chin. His face softened.

  "That look ... right now. You looked at her picture the way you look at me and Mom and Dad. It makes me feel, well, good inside ... warm ... loved."

  Jared didn't speak. He couldn't. Love? No ... no!

  Dawn grinned. “Of course, when you look at Ms. Up ... I mean, Kat, your eyes were certainly a lot hotter than they are when you give me that loving look, big brother,” she teased. “Those little gold flecks in your eyes burn just a little brighter."

  Jared stood there, dumbstruck.

  Love.

  Maybe Dawn was losing her mind.

  "It's not such a bad thing, Jared. Love. You should try it.” Dawn glanced at Sam, then back at Jared. “Before it's too late. Before life passes you by and...” Her eyes filled. “You've given up one dream, don't give up another."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kat made the four-hour drive to Plasticmate's headquarters located on the outskirts of Tarrytown, New York. She gripped the steering wheel of her Lexus as she cruised along the scenic Saw Mill River Parkway, wishing she was back at KISS. Whatever secret Jared held, Jerome Waters had the key, and Kat intended to unlock the door of truth that would lead to Mr. Moneybag's downfall.

  The only problem being ... she couldn't seem to quell the voice of her conscience. She shoved it aside, telling herself that again, she was doing this for Summerville. Once she knew Jared's dirty little secret, she could blackmail him and he'd be gone. For good. Never to be seen again in Summerville.

  A black cloud of depression loomed, making Kat's heart ache at the thought. She pushed t
hat emotion aside, too, in favor of anger—at Jared—for daring to tell her the truth. It was a bitter pill to swallow and if Jared forced the truth about Nancy Noone down her throat and the fact that she had let her friend down, then she'd force him to swallow his own medicine, too.

  Tit for tat. An eye for an eye. Truth for truth.

  The truth was ... Kat felt miserable inside. She hated this. Sneaking around. Spying. Getting information on a man who made her feel alive—in bed and out—it wasn't right. But it was for Summerville. She shook her head and gripped the steering wheel tighter. Maybe, just maybe, that tune was getting a little played out.

  Soon, she was seeing signs for ‘Tarrytown, the Gateway to the Hudson.’ She followed the directions she got, and fifteen minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot of Plasticmate's corporate office.

  Kat got out and walked up the front steps of the sleek, modern-design building, feeling as though her legs turned to rubber.

  * * * *

  A little while later, Kat sat in the reception area of the country's leading producer of plastic storage containers and watched the busy, bustling office come to life. She had an early appointment, one of the first, she'd been told by Mr. Waters’ administrative assistant. Kat sat on a leather couch and watched everything, feeling like a small fish in the big corporate pond of America. It was the same feeling she had when she had been married to Arthur. His money and power had swallowed her whole then he spit out what remained of her pride and dignity—and her.

  She shifted on the leather seat and ran a finger over the dark blue skirt she wore. When she looked up next, a young woman stood in front of her. “Mr. Waters will see you now, Ms. Sullivan."

  She rose from the sofa and followed behind the young woman as they walked down a long corridor. Kat inhaled what she always called the ‘phony-fresh’ smell of a large corporate office. Arthur's advertising firm had smelled much the same way. They finally stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway. The receptionist knocked then opened the double doors, allowing them entrance.