by Lacy Kinsley
“I do.” Veronica said and smiled.
They started downstairs. William met them and they went below deck. “I should mix drinks. Do you want a martini or something?” Nora offered.
“I don’t.” William declined.
“Um, okay.” Veronica said.
“I do. As long as someone is sober, I can drink.” Nora said. “I don’t know why I thought of this, maybe because the legal drinking age is twenty–one, but I’m curious. How old are you, Veronica?”
“Twenty–three.” Veronica said.
William smiled, “Her birthday is soon, too. November eleventh.”
“That makes me feel so old. I’m thirty–three.” Nora groaned. “I’m ten years older than you!”
“You’re not old!” William told her.
“I feel old.” Nora admitted. “Two kids, been married for years—I’m not the young and single girl I used to be, that’s for sure. I envy you, Veronica. Not that I don’t love being a mom, but I would do anything short of giving up my twins to be young and single again.” Nora paused, “Well, I’m assuming you’re single, of course.”
“I am.” Veronica affirmed.
“You’re so beautiful, though. It surprises me. Do you like the freedom?” Nora asked.
“She’s shy. I told you that.” William said.
“Don’t answer for her. I’m trying to get to know her. I know what you said.” Nora said to William. “So, how long have you been in New York?”
“All my life.” Veronica said. “I grew up not far out of the city.”
“William tells me you make shoes.” Nora said, and then asked. “Why did you start doing that?”
Veronica relaxed. It was a topic she enjoyed talking about. “I fell in love with it,” Veronica said and couldn’t help but smile. “It was a class I took in college. I had a blast making my first pair. I loved drawing it, piecing it together, seeing the final product. It felt like I accomplished something. But then I put them on—the first pair I designed and I knew. I love shoes! There is something about putting sexy shoes of your feet that changes everything about you. Suddenly you feel ten times taller. You’re more confident, you feel prettier, and an amazing pair changes your entire persona—you can be confident instead of feel it.” She laughed when she became aware they were both staring. She nervously cleared her throat. “Anyway, I ended up making several pairs while in college, and had a job with Saxton Hip designing shoes about three months before I graduated. I’ve been lucky.” Veronica smiled. “One, because I got the job with Marcus, and two, because I can make them for a living.”
“I wish I was that passionate about something like that (other than my girls).” Nora paused. “You are lucky, though. You have a great career.” She added, “I gave up my career for my kids, and haven’t looked back since. But then, I hated my job.” Nora laughed. “Are you going to quit when you have children or get married, or do you like that kind of life, the life of a business woman?”
“I’ll always make shoes. But it’s something I could do at home. Starting N. Y. Soles taught me that. I didn’t have an office for months. But I’ll take time off for my kids. I was an only child and bored out my mind growing up. My parents always used to say, ‘Read a book. If you’re bored read a book.’ I won’t do that to my kids.” Veronica asserted.
“That’s cute. You’d give up a great career for marriage and kids. I did, but that isn’t saying much. I worked at Devin’s law firm and I hated it.” Nora stressed. “So, can I ask if it pays well being a shoe designer?”
“I’m not rich, that’s for sure. But I’m not in it for the money. If I were, I would have taken one of the other offers I had to design clothes. They offered me three times as much as Marcus did to start.” Veronica said, and then added, “But I wanted to make shoes.”
“I didn’t know that.” William said.
“See, that’s exactly why I didn’t want you answering all her questions.” Nora said and winked at William. “I’m teasing you. It’s my job to tease you.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s your job.” William contradicted her.
“Well, I’ve certainly made a career out of it.” Nora chimed and grinned. She turned to Veronica and said, “I love him. He’s so darn cute!” She messed up his hair. William complained and combed his hair with his fingers. “You look fine. I didn’t take away from your cuteness, did I?” Nora asked. Veronica merely smiled. She wasn’t about to answer that. “Well, if Veronica can break your nose and you’re still cute, a little messy hair isn’t going to harm you.” Veronica turned bright pink. Nora laughed.
“Don’t embarrass her.” William warned Nora. “You can tease me but not her.”
“All right, I’m done harassing.” Nora said. “So, martinis!” She went into the kitchen and gathered everything she needed to make them and piled it on the counter.
Veronica felt a brush against her leg. She looked down and saw a small girl, with long black hair, and thick bottle glasses that were strapped around her neck with a pink cloth chain. She hid behind William. He put his hand on her head, and looked to Veronica and mouthed, “Cleo.” He put his finger to his mouth so Veronica wouldn’t say anything.
William took Cleo’s hand and walked her over to the couch. He whispered something to Cleo, and then she crawled up to lay down. He put a blanket on her. Cleo cooed something and pointed to Veronica.
“Do you like dry martinis?” Nora asked.
“Yes, please.” Veronica said.
“Where did William go?” Nora asked.
Veronica looked back to William. He quickly came into view. “I’m right here.” He said. Veronica watched Cleo get down from the couch. She came back to hide behind William, but this time Nora saw her.
“Cleo, what are you doing up?” Nora asked her.
“I don’t want to be a pirate, anymore.” Cleo whined.
“Well, you still need a nap.” Nora insisted.
“I can’t sleep. Claudette isn’t sleeping, either.” Cleo tattled.
“But Claudette stayed in the room and is still trying. You need to try harder. You’ll fall asleep.” Nora stressed. Cleo hid behind William, but he turned around and took her hand and once again put her on the couch. Cleo stared at Veronica. “You’re spoiling her, William. She needs to go downstairs.” Nora protested as she rounded the corner. “Come here, baby. Let’s go downstairs.”
“Uncle Will!” Cleo pleaded desperately.
“It’s the last day. Maybe she can S–T–A–Y U–P.” William said, looking at Nora.
“F–I–N–E.” Nora said with exasperation. “Cleo, go get your sister. You two can sleep on the couch while watching television. I’ll put a movie on for quiet time.”
“Thank you, Uncle Will!” Cleo said happily and jumped off the couch. She ran through the room and disappeared down the stairs.
“William, you’re the biggest pushover! I hope your wife has more of a back bone than you or your kids will be so spoiled.” Nora jested. “And exhausted!”
“I can’t help it. She’s so cute. One look at those eyes . . .” William grinned.
“I know, those glasses always make it look like she has big puppy dog eyes.” Nora said and smiled. “But you should try not to spoil the girls.”
“I hardly see them. Besides it’s my job to spoil them and send them home with you.” William smiled.
“That’s mom and dad’s job. Not yours.” Nora corrected him, then deliberately turned to Veronica and asked, “Would you have sent them to bed?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Veronica said hesitantly, as if she was apologizing for her words, and then added with a shrug, “They’re on a boat. I don’t think I could have slept either if I was three.”
“Okay, you two should never get married and have kids. You’re both pushover’s.” Nora said with a laugh.
“That settles it, we could never get married.” William replied, and winked at Veronica. “We’d have two happy kids.” Veronica grinned.
&nbs
p; “Mom? Who is that?” Cleo’s twin, Claudette asked when she came into the room. Cleo was next to her, and they were completely identical except Claudette wore an eye patch instead of glasses. Claudette was holding a doll by one arm and Cleo’s hand in the other. Cleo now had a blanket tucked close to her.
“That’s William’s friend, Veronica.” Nora said. Nora put her arms out as if she was corralling them toward the couch. “Now, go get on the sofa. I’ll put in the movie.” She started it as Claudette and Cleo got comfortable and stared at Veronica, unsure of what to think of her.
“Want to sit down?” William asked Veronica as Nora made the martinis. They sat at the table near the kitchen. Nora brought the drinks a minute later, and then sat across from them.
“I knew that wouldn’t last long.” Nora said and nodded in the direction where her girls were already on the floor and playing with their toys. “Don’t let them see us looking or we’ll have to keep telling them to get back on the couch, and I hate the broken record soundtrack.”
“They’ll be over here in less than five minutes, anyway.” William predicted. “Then you can say it.”
“We’ll make Veronica do it. They would listen to her.” Nora said and laughed maliciously.
“I don’t know about that.” Veronica said. “They look scared of me.”
“I know! That’s why it will work.” Nora said. Nora pointed to William, “Okay, I have something to tell you about William that I’m sure you’d never guess.”
“What?” William asked, intrigued.
“I know you can’t tell now, but back in high school William was so shy! Not around guys. He always had a million friends, but around girls.” Nora chatted, and silently laughed. “So shy that he didn’t even talk to them. I still think he was afraid of them, but then he had a teasing sister so I guess it’s normal. Anyway, one time . . .” she looked at William and asked, “You remember Patty Bell, right?”
“Oh, no don’t tell her that. She doesn’t need to know that. It’s not even funny, anyway.” William groaned.
“One time this girl named Patty Bell had to pair up with him in Speech Class, and they had to debate. He was in ninth grade, and up until this point, he never, and I mean never got a grade lower than a B, and typically he got straight A’s but anyway . . . they had to debate. So the teacher assigned them a topic, and it was proper dating etiquette of all things. William got so embarrassed that after one look at Patty Bell, he left the room and got a D.” Nora cracked up, laughing hysterically.
“So worth it.” William confessed, and shook his head. “And it’s not that funny, Nora.”
“Yes, it is!” Nora laughed.
“It’s funny, considering you’re such an extreme extrovert.” Veronica said, smiling.
“I was teased ruthlessly after that.” William divulged.
“At school?” Veronica asked. She stopped smiling, and suddenly felt bad.
“No, by Nora!” William said.
Nora grinned. “See, that’s what you were missing out on, while being an only child.”
“Being teased? Oh no, I was teased. I was a tall string bean, with those braces with headgear—the kind that has a thick wire that practically wrapped around your head. And I always managed to look at least three years younger than I was.” Veronica said. “Believe me, I was teased! It wasn’t until college that I grew out of that awkwardness.”
“Now, that’s endearing.” William said.
“No, it wasn’t!” Veronica said, looking at him like he was crazy. “It was terrible! And it made me more introverted.”
“Confession—I was teased ruthlessly, too. My girls are practically blind for a reason.” Nora jested. “All throughout my education I was teased for having the thickest glasses. It never stopped until I had my eyes fixed. Needless to say, I didn’t have many friends brave enough to hang out with me; the few friends I did have pursued William, and a nagging feeling that they befriended me to be close to him was constant.”
“I never dated any of your friends, Nora.” William asserted.
“I know you didn’t!” Nora beamed at him. “You were too shy! That and I threatened you to leave my friends alone.”
“Speaking of dating each other’s friends—Colin asked if you’re going to his parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary reception. He say’s you haven’t replied.”
“Of course, I’m going. I love his parents like my own. I’ll respond to him, but I haven’t had time because I’ve been busy.” Nora said.
“Mom! I have to tinkle!” Claudette said loudly. She ran over to the table, hopped, and pulled on her jeans.
“Here, William, take this. I’ll be right back.” Nora implored, pawning off her martini on him in a hurry. “Come on, Cleo you should try, too. Hurry, girls! Let’s go use the restroom before it’s too late.”
When the three of them went downstairs, William said, “They were potty trained not too long ago. Talk about spoiling! They went to an amusement park for a week when they mastered it. They learned in three days once they were promised that. Before that, it took them six months to get nowhere.” He laughed, “And she says I’m a push over.”
“That’s hilarious. That’s serious determination for a toddler. I guess they’ll get an expensive SUV for learning to drive!” Veronica said. “No, she’s a great mom!”
“She’s great all the way around,” William added. “She’s a great sister.”
“You’re not bad yourself. She obviously loves you.” Veronica said.
He turned and rested his arm on the back of the bench, and faced her; he changed the subject, asking, “So, you came over to my condo, and you didn’t even come in to see me?”
“You had company.” She evaded telling him the truth and drank her martini so she didn’t have to look at him.
“You’re always welcome, and you should always come in.” He added, “Four days is a long time not to mention it. You should have called. I would have liked to have known that you came by. I’m serious; I don’t want you to do that anymore. Next time you have to come in.”
“It wasn’t important. I was in the area.” She lied.
“Well, all I’m saying is next time, please don’t leave. I will always want to see you.” He stressed.
“Sorry.” She said.
“Please don’t apologize. I don’t want an apology.” He implored. He took a deep breath. “I’m the one who is sorry.”
“For what?” She asked.
“I should have told you that a long time ago, so you knew to come in. I’ll never be too busy to see you.” He said.
“It’s okay; you don’t have to apologize, either.” She replied. He smiled. He nodded slowly, but said nothing more about it.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Veronica was looking out the window of her office. It faced the street below. She had been looking out of it for ten minutes now. There was a knock on the door and it swung open before she could say anything. Staring off in a daydream wasn’t the way she would’ve wished to be surprised in her office, but Lester had a lax work ethic at times. He came in holding a large vase filled with white lilies and red roses. He walked to her desk and then set them down. “You got flowers.” He stated the obvious.
And like an idiot she asked, “I did?” She excitedly pulled out the card, already knowing there was only one person who would send them. “I thought I would get these, and pick you up for lunch. I’ll be there by noon. —William.”
“Who are they from?” Lester asked.
“William.” Veronica said simply.
“Who’s William? You’re boyfriend?” Lester asked.
“No, he’s my friend.” She said.
“Doesn’t look like it.” Lester observed.
“He got me flowers when I was fired from Saxton Hip. It was white lilies and red roses then too, but it’s what they had at the time. He’s probably sticking with it because I told him I like lilies. If it’s not broke, why fix it!” She said not wanting to read too much into it.
“Plus, they’re beautiful. He’s really sweet!”
“But you didn’t lose a job. So what’s the occasion?” Lester asked.
“Read the card. I don’t mind.” She offered, and he quickly studied it.
“Well, he didn’t sign it love or anything. He is also late because it’s ten minutes past noon.” Lester said and then queried, “Does Kimmy like him?”
“Yes. Why?” She asked, thinking it was an odd question.
“Because she doesn’t like anyone.” Lester said.
“Yes, she does.” Veronica said with a laugh.
“No she doesn’t. And you two are so different; I never saw what you like about her.” Lester said. “She’s loud, immature, and obnoxious, and you’re . . . amazing.”
Veronica raised an eyebrow and scoffed. She was offended on two counts by what he said, and was about to criticize, but there was a knock on the door. Both Lester and Veronica looked. Veronica beamed at William. “Thank you for the flowers.”
He came into the office and nodded a hello to Lester. He then looked to Veronica and smiled. “You like them?”
“Of course.” She said. “I love lilies.”
“I know.” He said. He then held out his hand to Lester and introduced himself saying, “Hi, I’m William Berks.” He smiled, “And you are?”
“Lester Benazir, I’m Veronica’s assistant.” Lester said, and shook his hand. They immediately released their grasp.
“Did you want to go to lunch?” William asked Veronica.
“Of course! I’ll get my purse.” Veronica said. She unlocked the bottom drawer of her desk for her purse. “I’ll be back around one, one thirty, maybe later.” She informed Lester.
“Okay.” Lester said.
They left N. Y. Soles and went to a small bistro well known for its fish and chips. William was unusually quiet. Even after ordering two baskets of their famous halibut, he didn’t say much. It wasn’t until she asked him if something was wrong that he finally smiled saying, “I’m fine.” A few seconds passed before he added, “I’m starting to sound like you.” He laughed, “It’s just that,” he paused again and looked at her, “I didn’t know your assistant was a man. I’m a little surprised.” He shrugged.