Her last chance

by Danielle Lee

  “Dad, how’re you doing?”

  “Well, Kitten, I’m doing a little bit better. I thought I would call to see if you’re able to help your mom and me out?” He sounded enthusiastic rather than ill. She wondered if this surgery was necessary.

  All she could do was feel sorry for herself. She was going to miss Kelsey, and being with her father for two weeks would be okay, but definitely not great.

  “Well, I was just going to talk to Janice. I’ll find out in a little while. Other than that, what’s going on?”

  “Oh, nothing really. Your mother has me on a strict diet as usual. Egg whites, toast, low-fat butter, same old same old. I’ll tell you, though, it’s not that bad. But don’t tell your mother—I enjoy getting her all riled up!” He laughed a little.

  “Same old tricks? You sure make her work for it, don’t you?” Kat laughed as she thought of the many times her dad teased her mom.

  “Always. So, dear…any new boyfriends that I should know about?”

  And there it was…she had to check her watch. Only five minutes, if that, into the conversation. A new record if you didn’t count Christmas of 2003; that was after the kiss at the front door. “I’m seeing someone this evening—for a date.”

  “Nothing serious, though?” her father inquired.

  “Not yet, but you never know. Why?” Kat frowned. Her father was usually happy about her getting a date. It was all she ever heard about—how she hadn’t provided him with any grandchildren yet.

  “Oh, you know me…just trying to see how my baby girl is doing.” He sounded a little unsure of what he was to say next. “So, this will be okay then, leaving this new guy for an old guy?”

  “Old guy?”

  “Me,” her father piped in.

  “Father, I hardly think that’s an option. You’re having a surgery—of course I’ll be there for you. I’ve known Kelsey for a few years now, and I’m sure he’ll still be here when I get back.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that. He would be there, wouldn’t he? She’d mentioned his name. Shit. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

  “Kelsey, huh?”

  He’d caught the sudden name-drop. Why wouldn’t he…damn it!

  “Kelsey Martin? Editor in chief Kelsey?”

  “Yes, father, the same.”

  “Oh, isn’t he taking advantage of his position?” her father joked. “You know you could have a sexual harassment suit against him.”

  “Nice, Dad. That’s hardly necessary. Although thanks for worrying. He isn’t taking advantage in any way; besides, maybe I want him to.”

  “Lovely, dear, just lovely. Well, I’ll let you go, on that note. Talk to Janice, and please let your mother and I know your plans so I can make my plans with Dr. Vance.”

  “Will do. Love you, Dad. Give my best to Mom. Bye.”

  She heard the phone click and she hung up the receiver. Her father still, after thirty-eight years, was in her business. She couldn’t believe how easy it was for him to pry; her life was such an open book to her family because there wasn’t really anything there. Having five brothers and one sister, she’d never really brought a guy home. She was always afraid for his life. When her brothers asked about her dates, she would say they were just friends so she could get away with not bringing them home to meet the family. If she had, her date would’ve been put through the wringer. If she really didn’t like a guy that kept pestering her, she would bring him home. On the one occasion that she did, her brothers ended up liking him and he became one of their best friends. Then, unfortunately, she had to see the loser all the time. Tommy Jones still, to this day, had a thing for her.

  “Katherine, I heard that you needed to see me?” Janice’s voice rang out of the entry to her cubicle. She made herself at home in one of the chairs seated next to Katherine’s desk.

  “Oh, who told you?” Katherine’s eyes looked bewildered.

  “Well, I just ran into Kelsey in the hallway.” Janice looked over her shoulder, then turned and faced Katherine. “He said you had an emergency and needed some time off.” She sounded concerned and reached her hand across the desk to touch Katherine’s. Katherine, thrown off by the gesture, stared down at Janice’s hand until she removed it.

  “Oh, yes, I’m sorry that I didn’t get to tell you first. I didn’t know Kelsey would say anything or I wouldn’t have told him. My father is having a surgery, and I need to help him for a few weeks to get him back into good health. Is that okay, Janice? It’ll be in ten days, and then I will need at least two weeks off.”

  “Kat, say no more. I’ve checked with Human Resources, and according to them, sixteen weeks of vacation are owed to you—not to mention you only took three bereavement days…so, according to them, that’s another twenty-four days saved. Just let me know when to expect you back.

  “Is there any way that you can still write your column away from home? Maybe you can do a story about your father in the hospital to satisfy our readership, or maybe a self-interest story about going back home? November’s magazine articles are to be about being thankful and thankful about our bodies…but thankful for your health is good enough for your advice column. Just as long as we are following a theme,” Janice said energetically.

  Katherine bit her tongue back from saying something snotty. “I can still write my column for sure. You would need to either forward the mail to my parents’ home or I can get a P.O. box…What do you think?”

  “I think that sounds like a great idea. You can email me your column, and I’ll forward it to the printers. By the way, no hard feelings about yesterday. You look like you took my advice about your clothing.” Janice smiled, and the look wasn’t so innocent.

  Kat felt the anger start to bubble up, then she calmed her thinking. “No hard feelings, I’ve had this outfit for a while now. I saw Kate Beckinsale in something similar last night on the red carpet at her premier for Serendipity, so I figured I was safe. I mean if Kate Beckinsale can wear it, why not me?” Her last comment was meant sarcastically, but Janice didn’t seem to get it. No wonder she never had anything of importance published. Her wit didn’t seem fit for a hillbilly comedy club.

  After Janice left the room, Katherine picked up the article that she’d responded to for the New York Times. She grinned down at her words on the page. She was very passionate when she gave advice in her column. This letter was by far the hardest that she had ever dealt with. She felt for the man. She didn’t know if she could take her own advice if she were in his predicament. But she did know that if she was, she would be glad to read the words. She was sure that he would feel relieved at her expert opinion, if you could call it that. If only he’d left a return address, or a phone number. She could’ve called him and suggested some extra counseling sessions, or talked with him one on one to make sure that her advice was indeed the right way to go.

  Sometimes, in her profession, she wished she had the time to answer everyone’s questions by getting to know him or her better. Countless times she had gotten letters back from people saying that they loved her advice, took it, and were happy with the outcome. On the rare occasion, she got hate mail. She hoped that this time the man could move on and learn to love again. “Confused in Connecticut” wouldn’t have to wait much longer for his response letter; it was to be printed within the next few weeks. She hoped that she would find out if she gave the right advice or if he was able to get help on his own. Either way, she felt hopelessly connected to him.

  As she finished up with the rest of her work that she had to do that evening, she couldn’t believe how fast the day had gone. It was already time to go home. She had her date in a few hours and would have to find something to wear that did Kelsey justice. She couldn’t imagine what that would be; she might have to stop at the store before going home. She wanted to look perfect for their first date.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The buzzer to her flat rang as she was putting her sling-back heels on her feet. It had taken her five outfit changes before she found the right thing
to wear. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was, but this was, after all, Kelsey Martin. The man practically had style tattooed across his forehead. He was sexy. She ran over to the intercom, and spoke clearly. “Come on up.”

  She didn’t know what their plans were yet. She’d spent the better part of two hours cleaning her flat. She’d dusted the furniture and folded her laundry. Then, after the wardrobe malfunction, she had scented her apartment with her new Victoria’s Secret perfume. The intoxicating fragrance wafted through the flat like a summer’s breeze, making her blood rush. She hoped that it had the same effect on Kelsey.

  A soft knock at the door told her that he was waiting on the other side. She took one last look in her mirror, flattened her skirt, and took a deep breath. When she opened the door, a fist full of red roses and a box of chocolates were waiting for her.

  “You look beautiful, Katherine.” He smiled a big smile. His eyes sparkled as they met hers. She could barely breathe.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the flowers and chocolates. “I’ll find a vase. You look incredible. I hope you didn’t have trouble finding…” Suddenly she felt warm. She remembered their conversation from earlier: his previous visit when she’d thought he was the chicken man.

  “You remembered.” He chuckled nervously as his face slightly reddened. “Well, I thought we could have dinner, catch a movie, and maybe coffee afterwards?” His tone lifted at the last, and she nodded, smiling.

  “I’ll get my coat.” She turned around and headed to the small armoire in the corner that housed sweaters and jackets. Inside, everything was neatly folded and color coordinated.

  “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so organized outside of the office,” he said, looking surprised.

  She wondered how many other apartments he saw outside of the office. She wondered what he was thinking now. Maybe he thought she was anal, or she was boring.

  “You really have it together, don’t you?” He smiled again as she pulled the jacket on over her cute black sundress.

  Impressed—he sounded impressed.

  “Yeah, I’m a bit of a neat freak.” She blushed slightly, then turned to grab her purse. “Ready?”

  “Yeah, after you.” He held out his arm while she switched off the light and locked the door. He pulled the door shut, then reached for her hand.

  She felt nervous holding onto his hand and wondered if this was what the magical sparks were that she read about in romance novels. She didn’t feel electricity, but was sure that was what the authors were always talking about. That kinetic feeling, fireworks…She put her head down, averting her eyes to the elevator buttons. He reached out his left hand and pushed the ground floor.

  When they walked out into the street, she couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the night sky sparkled. The stars were out heavily that night as she walked with Kelsey to his car. Although the sky was beautiful, it could never compare to what she was used to at home in Connecticut. She could see more sky there. Here, the beautiful view was blocked. Skyscrapers veiled the picturesque parts of the sunrises and sunsets, and the smog from the larger trucks and constant traffic made it almost impossible to see the beauty of the landscape.

  His car was a classic BMW. The exterior was black and the interior was sleek tan leather. It was tidy, complete with a leather bag for trash as well as double “makeup” mirrors. Kelsey checked his twice before they departed.

  They arrived at Dominia Paraluccios twenty minutes later. The dress code was upscale. She was glad. He’d never told her where he was taking her, so she’d had to guess on the dress code. And luckily, Katherine paid attention to the way he dressed. She had a feeling he would be much the same out of the office as he was in. He would want to impress. So, somewhere fancy.

  She was glad that she had worn her strappy heels. Kelsey looked great, too. He wore chinos with a black dress shirt and silver tie.

  He smiled up at the waitress as she came to the table for their order. He gave her his “signature” look, melting her instantly. She blushed slightly and gave him her full attention. Katherine doubted that any woman who met him could withstand his charm. As the server stood there staring for what seemed like an eternity, she finally looked to Katherine for her order. Kelsey chimed in right away and ordered for them both. She couldn’t help but think how presumptuous he was. It was almost something out of that movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. He must have thought it was sexy for him to order for the both of them. Strike one. She may not have had a date in a while—too long—but she did know that she knew how to order her own damn meal. She smiled and waited for the linguine with chicken alfredo sauce. The chef’s special, according to the menu. The problem with being a chef’s daughter was the fact that she knew which kind of wine went with which kind of meat. The cabernet was not only the wrong wine to order with the pasta that she was forced to endure, but it was also a very cheap bottle. Everybody knows that a full-bodied Chardonnay is the way to go…don’t they? So much for Mr. Highfalutin… Stop finding things wrong with him! He’s just being sweet. He’s a guy, and he probably doesn’t know what wine goes with what. He was just trying to be romantic. She had to stop thinking altogether and decided that tonight she was going to let loose and have some fun. Besides, she’d been fawning over Kelsey for eight long years.

  The server came out shortly and placed their food in the correct places. A complimentary salad sat in front of Kelsey as the server swooned over him. His hand clung to the top of hers as he smiled his thanks. Katherine was aghast: another woman flirting deliberately in front of her. Not only did he smile back, but he still held firmly onto her hand.

  Katherine cleared her throat. Kelsey’s hand snapped back to its previous position as Katherine looked up at the waitress. Her eyebrow arched and a small smirk covered her lips as she walked away and told them to enjoy their meal.

  Kelsey turned to the now red-faced Katherine. “I’m sorry if I offended you, Kat. I just wanted to thank the waitress.”

  “Yes, and did you even order that salad? Is it customary?” She smiled at him from across the table.

  “Geez…I thought you were really mad. I’m sorry, Kat. I don’t know why she did that.” Kelsey laughed as he looked to her. He was sure that the green-eyed monster had captured her and the date would soon be over.

  Kat, noticing this, smiled in return and picked up her silverware, twirling the linguine with her fork in her right hand and picking up the glass of cabernet in the other. The pasta wasn’t as bad as she’d thought it would be with the incorrect wine. Growing up with “Chef Gail,” she had learned the finer things about food and the ways it was prepared. Her mother was a fine cook, attending culinary school in France and doing nothing but waiting on her family hand and foot in the kitchen; it made Katherine appreciate the art of cooking and her mother even more. For this reason, she was particular with what she ordered in restaurants. Cooking at home was always much better, and she’d picked up on a few things while living on her own. Someday she wanted to cook for her husband and be as good of a wife as her mother.

  “You okay?” Kelsey asked. “You seem a million miles away.”

  “Oh, no. I’m fine. I was just thinking of my mother.” She didn’t know why she even told him that. Her nervous energy from the night started to creep up on her.

  “Oh, I hope everything is all right…Do you want me to take you home?" Kelsey looked a little bit concerned.

  “Oh, no…nothing like that. I was just tasting the pasta and thinking of my mother. She’s a chef.”

  “Well, I bet you had great meals at home. Is there something wrong with your pasta, then?”

  “No, no…” Maybe the wine with the pasta…No, play nice, Kat.

  “Good, I love this place. I come here a lot. I don’t think there is anything here that I haven’t eaten. I can recommend a few things.” He laughed as he caught her eye, then started a new topic. “So, how much longer until you leave?

  “Ready to get rid of me already
?” Her tone was light, playful.

  Kelsey smiled seductively. “Not quite yet.”

  What did that mean, not quite yet? She could think of a few things. But the thought sent tendrils of feelings throughout her body, leaving her almost breathless.

  Kelsey noticed her flush slightly. He smiled at her and turned his gaze downward, toward his lasagna.

  “I’ll be leaving Sunday. I’ve been meaning to thank you for your talk with Janice.” She eyed him, waiting for his reaction.

  “Oh, sorry about that.” He put his fork back down, then back to his mouth. “I just thought I would help you out. Sometimes Janice is a little…wiry.”

  “Well, I appreciate it. At first, I was a little upset with you for saying something. But I really wanted to go out tonight so I didn’t think screaming at you would be the right thing to do.” She looked at him, smiling again, and he returned her gaze. She felt young tonight. First getting jealous of the server, and then mad at him for ordering. She’d ruined almost every good thing she had ever been faced with because of her 'standards list.’ This was something that her shrink had helped her with. She told her to write down what she wanted in life down to the smallest intricate detail. She did that with everything. That was why she was so neat, so tidy at work, so organized. She used this list with everything from ordering at a restaurant to picking out men and clothing. Everything was perfectly thought out. Eight years she had thought about Kelsey; eight years she had thought about their first kiss, their first time together. She had a lot invested in him without him even knowing. She wondered if he could feel the same heat across the table that she had been feeling.

  They took the last bites of dinner and Kelsey took the bill, leaving the server way over the customary twenty percent. Katherine told herself that he was just a good tipper instead of an insatiable flirt. She stood up with him on her heels, helping her with her coat. As they walked out of the restaurant, Kelsey took her hand and led her to his car. The drive was short to the Majestic Movie Theater. It played old black-and-white movies. She must have had him all wrong. She could never have pictured him taking her to one of these. It was a pleasant surprise when they walked through the door; Casablanca was playing. It was one of her favorites. Before the movie even began, however, two young teenagers that sat in front of them were making a movie of their own. Their tongues danced in and out of each other’s mouth, obviously not caring who saw them. She and Kelsey were in their seats for less than ten minutes and they were already getting their four dollars’ worth.