How to Catch a Kiss (Kisses & Commitment)

by Sarah Gay

  “Is that Tori?” Zee questioned. “Why was she at the gardens?”

  “It gets really interesting when Josh tests a mic. He had placed it on a refugee in preparation for her interview when she first entered the garden.”

  The audio clicked on, “We are better together, whole. I am better, because you, Tori.”

  “That’s Anita. She’s a refugee from Sudan,” Zee explained to the group.

  They nodded their heads. How absent-minded of Zee. His crew had been reviewing the interviews for the past few weeks. They knew who Anita was.

  “Zee coming!” Anita continued.

  “Thank you, guys. Yes, that does make me feel better that someone is glad to see me.”

  “Just listen.” Josh waved his hands for silence. “I filmed this, and I didn’t even notice what comes next.”

  “What? Zee?” This was now Tori’s voice, not Anita’s. “Anita, he can’t see me like this.” Tori’s face wasn’t visible.

  “You like Zee?” Anita questioned.

  Zee perked up, eager for her answer.

  “Yes. I think I do.”

  That was a kind gesture from his guys, but that didn’t change anything. Tori had liked him in the beginning, but she didn’t love him. She chose to exclude him from her life.

  “I help you,” Anita continued.

  Zee had to admit, this was better than any reality TV show that he’d produced. It had his undivided attention.

  “What are you doing?” Tori laughed.

  Her laugh seemed to travel down his veins and stab him in his gut.

  “This too.” Anita wrapped Tori’s head in a multi-colored scarf, then handed her an African purse. “Keep. We now friends. Ubuntu. No. No exchange. Gift.”

  “Wait!” Zee held up his hands. “What did I just miss there?”

  “What you missed,” Alex said, pausing the film, “is Tori giving her new friend a purse that’s worth more than my wife’s yearling racehorse.”

  Zee took a moment to remember how much Alex had paid for that horse. “Wait, wasn’t that horse like fifty grand?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I had no idea Tori was that generous. I assumed her to be more materialistic than that.”

  “We’re almost at the next clip,” Josh said.

  The film restarted.

  “Gift. Ubuntu.” Tori turned just enough to allow the camera a brief glimpse of her face; what Zee could see of her face, that was. Her mouth and nose were wrapped in the colorful scarf, hiding all but a strip of her bright eyes. They smiled. Her eyes smiled directly into his soul. His deep pain pounded out of his chest onto his outer extremities.

  “Not sure the point of this, guys. I respect her even more, but she still wants nothing to do with me. You trying to kill me here?”

  She was turning out to be the woman that Zee had hoped she would be from the beginning, someone to finally fill that empty hole inside of him. She turned out to be someone who would build wells with him in a third world country.

  “Hold on. We’ve got one more clip. This was taken the day you completed filming and flew back.”

  It began with a morning shot of the mountains above the refugee gardens. It was stunning footage.

  “Good job, Josh,” Zee complimented. “You nailed that.”

  The camera’s lens found its way to the two people in the garden.

  “You are sad to not date Zee? You love him?”

  “Yes, I love him.”

  Zee’s entire body lit on fire. “Rewind!” Zee yelled.

  The clip rewound to Tori linking arms with Anita and saying, “Yes, I love him.”

  “Yes!” Zee screamed, forming fists with his hands and throwing his arms up in the air. His shouts of joy were drowned out by his employees’ cheers. “She is such a little liar. I need your help guys.”

  “Anything,” Josh said.

  Zee smiled. “First, someone get Annie on the phone.”

  27

  Tori stood in the entrance to her closet, contemplating the four large plastic totes at her feet. Her cheeks were moist and sticky from their constant drizzle. It had taken Tori two years to pack up Jim’s side of the closet. It was now finished.

  Her heart muscle had torn to pieces when Jim passed. But, after a muscle tears, it grows back stronger. Tori was starting to understand that reality through the help of her family and refugee friends.

  Through losing her husband, she realized the benefits of passing through sorrow so that she could recognize and appreciate joy.

  She had decided to take her mother’s advice and love more, starting with Ethan. He had accompanied her to the refugee gardens at least once a week for these past two months, since her weed-eating mishap. He proved to be a pro at constructing the garden boxes. Tori wanted him to experience the refugees’ acceptance and love, as she had, as well as the internal joy gained from serving others.

  Tori imagined Ethan twenty years in the future. He would be a courageous and caring member of society. She would focus on ways to embolden his spirits and bolster his confidence, providing him with the tools to become that indispensable member of society, like Jim had been, and like Zee was.

  Tori walked over to her nightstand and picked up the invitation to Zee’s documentary on the refugee gardens. How did he manage to finish the film that quickly? Maybe this could be her second chance with him. She had decided to love more, and allow others to love her. Zee was the one she loved. But did he still want her? He could be engaged to the forward ex Tori had spoken to on the phone.

  Tori had rewound that last conversation with Zee a thousand times in her mind, and in each rewind, she reacted differently. In each rewind, she spoke with increased kindness and love. She could have approached that situation a hundred different ways that didn’t inflict the same amount of pain on either of them. She had been impulsive; her reaction based entirely on emotion.

  Reviewing that conversation in her mind gave Tori the determination to think less of her own loss and focus more on others. Through that increased effort, her intimacy with the refugee families flourished.

  She now had a larger, more diverse family who delighted in raising her spirits. Not to say that she didn’t still have her bad days. The difference was, she no longer lived in a state of depression.

  The much-awaited peace and happiness had returned to her life. She now believed herself to be someplace where she could finally welcome affection without experiencing debilitating guilt or sorrow. Tori’s only regret had been how she rejected Zee. She hoped to erase that regret. If he still wanted to pursue a relationship with her, she was emotionally prepared to accept his love.

  She’d know soon enough. His film premiered tomorrow at seven.

  Gussie entered Tori’s bedroom with a low whistle. “You did it.”

  “I did,” Tori stated, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Wasn’t an easy day by any means, but here we are.”

  “Let me help you get these bins to your storage room. Ethan’s going to love these treasures when he’s older. Especially the chaps,” Gussie laughed out. She took the invitation from Tori’s hands. “Are you going to this?”

  “Do you think I should?”

  Gussie shrugged her shoulders. “It’s up to you.”

  “What would you do if you were me?”

  “I am you, remember?” Gussie's eyes brightened. “The real question is, what should you wear?”

  Tori smiled. “Okay, Gussie, what should I wear?”

  “Funny you should ask, because I brought the perfect outfit with me today.”

  Tori’s curiosity peaked. How was Gussie prepared with an outfit? “Have you spoken to Annie?”

  “About what?” was Gussie’s Socratic reply as she grabbed a bin and left the room.

  28

  “You almost ready, Mom?” Ethan yelled to her with excitement.

  Tori reviewed her reflection in her bathroom mirror, puckered her lips, and blew out a long breath. “I’ll be ready in five.”


  “Five minutes, or five hours?” Ethan teased.

  “To be determined.” She returned the snarky attitude.

  “Wow, Mom.” Ethan walked into her bathroom. “You look amazing!”

  “Thanks, kiddo.”

  “We can really invite Zee to come to dinner with us after his movie?”

  “Yes, but Ethan, it’s been two months since we’ve seen him. He may be dating someone else. We may need to accept that. And if he is, then he shouldn’t be hanging out with us.”

  “He can still hang out with me. And isn’t it time to go?”

  “Let’s not get our hopes up. Okay, baby?”

  “Okay, Mom,” he said with a smile that could have lit up New York City.

  “That’s what I’m talking about. Stop it.”

  He smiled even wider. “Okay, Mom.”

  “Now you look like a cartoon character.”

  “But I know Zee. He’s my buddy. He promised he’d have my back.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Maybe we could ask Zee if he wants to adopt you. You could spend every other week with him in Costa Rica, or on the beach in California.”

  “Awesome!” he yelled.

  “I was being facetious, Ethan.”

  “Way to get a kid’s hopes up.”

  Tori leaned over, wrapping him in her arms. “I love you. You’ll always, always, always have my love.”

  A vibration rattled her purse. She released Ethan to answer her phone.

  “Yes? Be there in five.”

  “Hours,” finished Ethan.

  “Very funny, young man.”

  “Anita and the gang are already there. We need to hurry. Sounds like they’re starting early.”

  Twenty minutes later, after Ethan had screamed at his mother to run every red light and pouted when she hadn’t, Tori rubbed her palms nervously against her sleek, black dress pants as they walked into the movie theatre.

  Signs had been set out in the lobby directing them to the screening of Zee’s documentary. They followed the signs, which displayed a lotus flower rising out of a filthy pond with the title, Rise Up! Tori and Ethan wove through several hallways, until they ultimately reached the specified, closed doors. Had they already begun the showing? Tori looked at her watch. If the invitation had been correct, she and Ethan would have been fifteen minutes early.

  Tori swung open the double doors to absolute darkness. It would take several minutes for their eyes to adjust. Luckily, a uniformed theatre attendant with a small flashlight ushered them to the isolated, VIP reclining stadium seating in the center of the room.

  The screen flickered moments after they were seated. The first scene was staged in the refugee gardens at sunset. A familiar voice began narrating.

  “This is not your normal documentary,” Annie’s sweet voice filled the room. “Nor is it the documentary of the wonderful refugees who have worked to create a nutritious haven in the center of a secluded neighborhood. It documents a journey of firsts, a journey of love, and a journey of hope. Dear friends and family, please join us on this amazing journey.”

  Tori felt a flush of nervousness and excitement. The movie wasn’t about the refugees? What was happening? Journey of firsts?

  Gussie sat next to Tori on the vacant seat, holding Rambo. She smiled as she touched Tori’s hand, sending a shock through her. Tori’s eyes had adjusted enough to look about the room. Everyone from the gardens was present. And were those Zee’s parents?

  “Why are Zee’s parents here, Gussie?”

  Gussie winked as her gentle smile turned up the corners of her mouth, bringing out the dimple in her cheek.

  The anticipation rendered Tori incapable of having a complete thought. This was about her. This was about Zee. She suddenly baked from the inside out.

  The movie screen flickered before the first grainy scene began. She and Zee were in a Japanese restaurant. Tori was taking a bow, then posing for pictures with her new fans.

  “Turns out, Zee was telling the truth when he said Tori would be in the next big blockbuster film,” Annie narrated. “And here’s Zee,” she prefaced as the film cut over to Zee climbing up the face of the mountain in Saint George.

  The audience gasped as Zee ran up the face at record speed. The camera then panned over to Tori, who sported a look of awe. “That’s amazing!” Tori’s voice echoed as he summited the mountain.

  “And so we embark on a journey of firsts with Tori and Zee. As an aside, please excuse the quality of the film in a few scenes. I’m still an amateur with amateur equipment. Next, we take you to the real theatre.”

  Tori cringed as she and Zee took the stage to dance and sing as cats in the Broadway musical. The audience felt comfortable enough to fill the room with genuine laughter.

  “And now, dear friends,” Annie continued, “welcome to our beautiful Costa Rica.” The footage now flew the audience above the coasts of Costa Rica, settling on Meri’s beach, where a couple was found sharing an intimate kiss.

  “What?” gasped Tori. “How on earth did they get that?” she questioned, realizing that the kiss belonged to her. She suddenly recalled Paxton’s skydiving excursion.

  Seeing her body lean into Zee’s on the big screen, she once again felt Zee’s lips against hers, causing her body to melt into her seat. Good thing the room was dark, and no one could witness her reaction. Tori started to be optimistic about Zee’s availability.

  “But the most telling moment,” Annie’s voice choked back tears, “was at the union of a friend and cousin.”

  In the clip, Tori walked down the sandy aisle, gazing at Zee. The camera view then panned over to Zee who issued Tori an endearing wink. The cameraman missed Tori’s trip, thank goodness.

  “And we finish with my favorite scenes of all.” Annie chuckled as the background transformed from sea to forest.

  In the move clip, a couple is filmed standing with their backs to the camera at the end of a long metal walkway. “I don’t think I’m going to do this.” Tori heard her own voice echo through the theatre.

  The camera did a closeup of Tori’s back as Zee placed his hand to her lower back and gave her a firm push. And then she dropped. Zee turned around to face the camera and smiled.

  The audience fell silent, except for sparse laughter. Their refugee friends did not appear to be thrill seekers or jokesters, like Zee.

  The film moved back to the beach where Tori is seen tumbling through the aqua waters as Zee and Ethan catch a wave. The audience’s laughter continued through the next scene, where Zee is sitting at the base of the mountain as Tori climbs with effort, and says, “Is it normal, after rock climbing, to not have feeling in your arms or legs?”

  The lights in the theatre turned up slightly as Annie stepped in front of the screen with her microphone in hand. She held up a hand to the audience, asking them to be patient by allowing her to finish her laugh.

  “This is a mere sampling of the grand life of firsts that we have come together tonight to wish upon this extraordinary couple.”

  A photograph then popped up on the movie screen where Zee and Tori share a passionate kiss. “What these two have is real.” Annie winked at Tori.

  “Hey, why don’t they have me jumping off the edge, and swinging on the Tarzan swing?” Ethan spoke up, ignoring the photo on the screen. “That day was wicked!”

  Annie continued, “The title of the real upcoming documentary is Rise Up! And we have a special gift for each of you tonight,” Annie said, motioning to the doors where attendants were filing in with fresh leis draped over their arms. “These are lotus leis. They represent how each of you have risen above the filth and grime of your circumstances.”

  Tori breathed in the sweet floral scent of the lotus flower as a lei was placed around her neck.

  Annie looked at Tori. “You, Tori, have come up from the mire just as anyone else in this room has, so this is for you,” Annie said, raising her fist in the air. “We have a power inside each one of us. A power that aches for moral transcende
nce. A power that lies in wait to demonstrate to all nations and peoples that we are capable of conquering the most daunting challenges. Rise up! It is time to release your inner power. As the waves of the sea swell and billow across the ocean, as the lotus flower emerges from the mire, go too, and show this world what lies within!”

  The crowd erupted into loud applause as Annie finished her speech.

  Ethan stood up. “What I want to know is, where is…” he scanned the auditorium, “Zee!”

  Out of her peripheral vision, Tori noticed a figure walking down the aisle toward the front of the theatre. She turned her head, meeting her eyes with his. He gave her a smile and wink that calmed her anxiety with a feverish flash. He grabbed the microphone from Annie. “I need to add one thing to this, and that is—”

  “I love you!” Tori jumped up out of her seat and started walking toward him.

  “I know,” he smiled, waving his hands at the control window.

  The photograph of them kissing was suddenly replaced with a high-quality film clip of Tori and Anita. Anita leans into Tori and asks, “You love him?”

  Tori responds, “Yes, I love him.”

  The video clip continued to run on a constant loop, over and over, of Tori admitting her love for Zee every few seconds.

  During Tori’s fast-walk to Zee, her body shook as she surveyed all the assembled friends and family in the audience, many of whom were shedding tears of joy. She took in a deep breath when she came within sniffing distance of Zee. She held his peppery scent in her mouth and lungs, willing the moment to last forever.

  When Tori was close enough for him to hear her speak quietly she said, “How did you know I would come? I wasn’t even sure if you were still single.”

  “I’m in love with you, Tori. I wasn’t going to let you go that easily. Not after I found this clip,” he said, pointing to the theatre screen. “And I happen to have very reliable sources.” He smiled at Gussie and Ethan.

  “You’re not going to let me go?” she questioned with hope. “That’s why you came?”

  “I came here to call you a big fat liar.” Zee took her hands in his. “And to ask you to please be my wife, Tori. Will you lie to me, and with me,” he said with a wink, “for the rest of our days? My heart is floating in the air to you, please catch it.”