by Pizzi, Jenna
“I’m sure it’s nothing. It’s like you said, it’s an adjustment. He’ll be fine,” Rebecca tried to reassure her. They all said their good nights and everyone headed home.
The next morning Rebecca stood in the kitchen hugging her children goodbye.
“You behave while you are gone and listen to your father. Make sure you take lots of pictures and be sure to call or text me all the time because I’m going to miss you guys.”
“OK, Mommy,” Adam said. “I love you, too.” He clung to her tightly.
“We will, Mom. Go out and have some fun while we’re gone,” Riley told her.
Rebecca kissed her daughter on the head and lovingly swept the bangs from her face, “And you be kind,” She told her.
Jack stood in the doorway watching the exchange between them. His heart felt heavy knowing that the trip was something they should have been taking together. Rebecca ushered her children to the door and pushed them out, otherwise they wouldn’t leave. As she stood on the side porch, she could see someone sitting in the passenger seat of Jack’s four door truck. Rebecca suddenly saddened at the thought of a strange woman taking her children on the trip that she should have been on. She waved goodbye and closed the door. She leaned against it and couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
The first few days that the kids were gone were the hardest. Her routine changed. She didn’t have to worry about meals or laundry. So instead of having to worry about her children, she found herself shopping for some new clothes, and even made an appointment at Elemental Salon to have her hair highlighted and trimmed. She wanted a whole new her. She treated herself to all new makeup and accessories. Tasha tagged along with her during her transformation. She approved of all of it. She even managed to drag Rebecca into Victoria’s Secret to invest in some sexy new bras and panties.
“You need to get away from all the ‘Mom’ stuff and realize that somewhere in there is a hot woman screaming to come out,” Tasha teased.
“I am just so out of my comfort zone here.”
“Well, that’s what having sassy friends are for. If anyone knows anything about sexy, it’s moi.”
They finished off their day by getting their nails done. It was one of those frivolous things that Rebecca never bothered to do. She always felt it was a waste of money, but now, after the day she had, she had to admit that she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She didn’t have to worry about anything except herself. She sat back and relaxed.
Rebecca hit the snooze button on her alarm clock. She knew that there were no kids and Emily was back at work. She could sleep in just a little bit longer. At eight AM she rolled out of bed and brewed a cup of coffee. She sat out on her porch and looked out over the pond that was off behind her house. She had always loved the area. When she and Jack bought the house there were many houses in the development to choose from but the second they saw the view, they knew that this was the house. He had promised he would build a koi pond in the backyard, but instead an old swing set that no longer got any use sat there. She had always wanted a puppy to run the length of the backyard, but Jack was allergic and couldn’t have one. She finished her coffee and decided to take a long, hot shower.
The August day was heating up, so she chose a black, lacy tank top and a pair of white cotton shorts. The shorts were not what she was used to. She would have chosen knee-length, but Tasha insisted on shorts that sat mid-thigh. She threw on a pair of chunky flip flops and let her newly highlighted and styled hair flow down her back.
She felt really good about herself. She looked as though she could pass for her late twenties. She put her coffee mug in the dishwasher and set out to begin her day.
She had fun at the store. Having Emily there made the time pass by, and it was nice to have girl time. Emily rambled on about James and how from the moment he stepped off the plane, he has been unbelievable. He was so hands on with the kids, he cleaned up around the house, and he brought her breakfast in bed. She told Rebecca that some nights they’d stay up until the wee hours of the morning just talking and laughing. They felt like they were reconnecting on a whole new level and she loved him more now than she ever did.
Rebecca was jealous. She had never really had that with anyone, certainly not with Jack. They stopped talking a long time ago. They somehow managed to have completely different interests. They realized that if they weren’t discussing the kids, then they had nothing to talk about.
Emily confided that Andrew’s pre-school teacher was beginning to notice that Andrew was withdrawing from class. He sometimes seemed to be off in a day dream or busy playing with his superheroes and not playing with the other kids. He wasn’t willing to try anything new; he wanted to just play with his action figures.
“I really don’t know what to do. I thought that it was bringing home the new baby that was causing it, but what if there is something wrong?” Emily told her.
“What does his teacher recommend?” Rebecca asked her.
“She thinks I should take him into Boston and have him evaluated. She mentioned that he seems to fit the criteria of Asperger’s Syndrome. Have you ever heard of it?”
“I think I may have, but I’m not really familiar with it.”
“It’s a high-functioning Autism. He can make it through his entire life functioning and it may not even be noticeable. The problem is he is developing these little quirks. I’ve noticed that if something is moved, he can’t handle it. I have to change it back. He doesn’t handle change, and now that James is home, and the baby, we are all readjusting. I am afraid it triggered something.”
“Can it be treated with medication?” Rebecca asked.
“No. It’s a lifestyle. You adjust his environment to him. I don’t want to think about it. I’m supposed to call and make an appointment at Mass General Neurology Department I’ll just wait and see what they say,” Emily told her.
Rebecca felt bad for her. She knew it was a lot to take in all at once. News like that can challenge even the strongest families.
Tasha joined them for lunch, which was becoming a regular thing. Rebecca admitted it was fun doing it on a regular basis. She was enjoying talking to everyone and meeting new people.
After lunch, Rebecca ran to the bank for the store. Sovereign Bank was only the next block down, and it was such a nice summer day that she decided to walk. Emily told her to take her time. She packed up what she needed to make change and set out onto Court Street. She crossed the main road at the crosswalk and walked along the sidewalk to the bank.
On her way back, she stopped at the quad. She noticed the massive tree sitting in the middle of the town square. She smiled to herself when she saw a young couple standing in front of it taking a picture. She remembered the story that the retired couple had told her about the tree and its magical qualities.
She walked over to the tree as soon as the young couple walked away, and ran her hand along its hard surface. She looked up into the treetop and noticed a bird’s nest inside. She stopped and watched the birds singing from their perch.
“I don’t think I could ever see a more beautiful sight as I am right now,” a voice sang out. Rebecca looked over and smiled.
“Hello, Ethan. What brings you out and about?”
“What else? I saw a beautiful woman walking down the street past my shop and just knew I had to follow her.”
“You are too much. You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”
“Why would I quit? The chase is half the fun.” He walked up to the tree and placed his hand next to hers. “Do you know the myth behind this tree?” he asked her.
“No, do tell. I am intrigued,” she teased in a flirting manner, which surprised even her.
“It is the Tree of Love. It is said that when a boy asks a girl out while standing under this very tree, that they are then destined to be together forever.”
“Is that so? I guess I don’t believe in those old wives’ tales. I’m not very superstitious.”
“Alright then, Becca. I c
hallenge you, then. Go out to dinner with me.”
“Ethan, I…”
“What’s the matter Becca? I thought you said you are not superstitious. Show me. Go out with me. One date, if you hate me by the end of the evening then I will leave you alone, but who knows? Anything is possible.”
“Ethan, you are so sweet, and trust me you are so good for the ego, but come on, I’m older than you. I have kids, one of which is a teenager. What do you want with me when you can have the pick of any little twenty-something?”
He stepped closer to her until his lips nearly brushed hers. Her body trembled at the thought of their lips touching, here and now.
“You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit, Becca. I am not too young. It’s only a four years difference, and once we hit thirty, well we’re all the same age. I am in the art business. I know beauty, and I have not come across any other woman who can hold a torch to you. I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment from you. I understand you have been through a lot and you have built up some pretty impenetrable walls around you, but I’m just going to let you know that I have every intention of breaking down those walls. If you say no to me today, then I will ask you tomorrow. If you say no to me tomorrow…”
“OK, Ethan, I get the picture. You are persistent if not anything else. Fine, I will go to dinner with you.”
His face lit up.
“Fabulous. Meet me in front of my shop at seven tonight. I’ll give you a sneak peek at what the store is going to look like.”
“I look forward to it.”
She walked down the street to the bank and found herself turning to see him skipping as he hurried back into his store. She couldn’t help but smile. She had never had someone pursue her the way he did, and she had to admit that it did make her feel pretty good.
By the time she got back to Solstice, Emily was staring out the window and had the phone stuck to her ear. When she saw Rebecca enter the store, she quickly hung up. Rebecca looked at her and shook her head.
“Honestly, you guys are like gossipy old women. You were talking to Tasha, weren’t you?”
“So what? This is all great gossip, so spill. What did that hunk of a man say to you? Inquiring minds want to know.”
“I agreed to one dinner…just so he’d leave me alone.”
“Uh-ha, what do you plan on wearing?” Emily asked her.
“I don’t know. What’s wrong with what I have on?”
“Really, go next door to SA`VI. I happen to know the owner and designer. She’ll work you a fabulous deal. Go…now.”
“You want me to go now, as in right this minute?”
“Yes! That is exactly what I want. Then come back here and show me what you picked.”
Rebecca strolled next door and entered the store through the heavy drapery that lined the doorway. Inside there was jazz music streaming through the speaker system. An older woman who appeared to be in her late fifties or early sixties approached her smiling.
“You must be Becca. I am Gloria, I own SA`VI. Emily told me you’d be by. Let me get a good look at you.” She strolled over to her and lifted her arms up. She then made her way all the way around Rebecca while taking mental images of her.
“You are quite lovely and what a cute little figure you have. You are a slight thing. I have a few ideas. Follow me to a fitting room and I’ll grab them for you to try on.”
Rebecca entered the fitting room and looked around in absolute amazement. Inside the fitting room was a full chaise lounge covered in deep luxurious red velvet. It reminded her of something that Liz Taylor would have been draped over in one of her movies. There was a table set up with a bottle of wine and a glass. The card said it was complementary for patrons. Gloria pulled back the curtain and held a few items.
“Try these on. Even if it is out of the norm for you, still try it on.”
She walked back out of the room and left Rebecca standing in the massive fitting room wondering what the hell she was doing there. She looked at the dresses that Gloria had hung on a hook. The first dress was lavender and had ruffles all around it. It was one sleeved and to the knee. She tried it on and actually began to laugh hysterically at the image in the mirror. She felt like an Easter egg, or in the least, it reminded her of a bridesmaid’s dress gone severely wrong.
She tried on a few more dresses and each one was even more completely off the charts as the one before. Laughing at her image in the mirror, Rebecca felt as if she were a canvas and the dresses where pieces of artwork and not something that should be worn.
Finally, Gloria handed her a red dress. Rebecca took it in her hands and instantly fell in love with it; it was so chic. It had a blouson silhouette scoop neckline. One dolman sleeve with embroidered sequin, and the other sleeve was a tank strap. It had an elastic waist and ruching at the skirt, which only fell mid-thigh. Running her hands along the fabric, she had never felt so sexy. There had never been a reason for her to buy anything quite so bold, bright, and red. When she pulled back the curtain, Gloria clapped her hands together.
“Oh we have found a winner. That one is a keeper,” She told her. “Don’t even bother to change darling, just wear it out of the store.”
“I need to pay for it.”
“Oh it’s all taken been taken care of; you just go and knock the socks off of the blue- eyed gorgeous hunk of man.”
“Oh wow! Does everyone know that I am having dinner with him?”
“Not yet, but trust me, sweetie, it will be the talk of the harbor by the end of the night,” She teased her.
Great, Rebecca thought to herself. She never imagined that putting herself back out there would be such a public affair.
“Oh don’t feel bad, it’s just that we’ve all been watching that hunk of meat since he showed up around here. He’s just so mysterious, and did I mention hunky?”
“Yeah, I believe you said that a few times.”
“Well, you go and knock his socks off, girlfriend.”
“Thank you, Gloria. I appreciate it.”
“No problem, darling. You go and have a great time.”
Rebecca gathered her clothes and walked out of the fitting room. Gloria handed her a bag that contained red high-heeled shoes.
“On the house, sweetness.” Rebecca gladly accepted the items and couldn’t thank Gloria enough for all her help.
She walked next door to Solstice. When she opened the door Tasha was already waiting there talking to Emily. They both stopped talking when they saw their friend.
“Oh dear lord, I think she is out of her shell,” Emily said.
“Baby girl, you are one hot mama.” Tasha said as she made a growling sound.
When it was time to meet Ethan, Rebecca nervously placed her hand on the door knob and took a deep breath. Tasha yelled out to her, “Wait a sec.” She pulled out her iPhone and snapped a picture of Rebecca as she was standing at the door. “I just wanted a memory of your big night.”
“Ugh, guys, would you stop? I’m already losing my nerve.” She started walking back into the store as if she’d changed her mind about going.
“No freaking way. You get out that door, or we are throwing you out,” Tasha yelled at her.
Emily started pushing her out the door. Once she was outside, Emily locked the door and waved to her.
“Ha-ha, no going back now,” Emily yelled through the glass. Both Emily and Tasha blew her a kiss and walked back to the counter.
Rebecca was so nervous she thought she was going to trip on the sidewalk. She was feeling very out of her element, and she felt like people were staring at her because they could tell that she shouldn’t be dressed like that.
She walked to Ethan’s store front and noticed the windows were completely covered over with brown paper. She knocked on the door and waited. She could hear shuffling and then she heard the clicking of the lock as it unlatched. As soon as Ethan opened the door, his mouth fell open.
“Wow…” was all he could muster out. “I don’t even have wo
rds. You look…wow!”
She smiled at him. He was all cleaned up, wearing a black suit, which looked great on him with the dark contrast of his hair. He stood a good six inches over her five foot seven inch height. Even with her heels on; he seemed to tower over her. He held out his arm so he could show her around the studio. The interior construction was almost complete. He had torn down the walls to really open up the spa ce. He put up beams that ran all the way to the ceiling. Some half walls had been created to hang art work on, but it also broke the giant room up, giving it the feeling of showcases.
“Can I get a tour?”
“How about I show you after dinner?” He told her. “I made us reservations at the Rustic Kitchen for seven thirty. I hope that’s OK with you.”
“Absolutely, I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“You mean you’ve never been?” He asked her.
“No.”
“Well then, I am glad that I get to be the first one to take you.” He held out his arm and offered it to her.
He walked to the street and stopped at a motorcycle where he handed her a helmet.
“I seriously hope you are joking. I am not getting on the back of that thing,” She told him.
“Come on and live a little. My car is parked too far away. I use this because it is much easier to get around town in. Besides, the restaurant is too far away to walk. Live a little. You just might find yourself having fun.”
She hesitated. She didn’t want to risk her life just to go on a date. She was the mother of two; she couldn’t be whisking off on the back of someone’s Harley. What kind of woman would she be? He draped a leather coat over her shoulders, and he placed a helmet in her hands as he looked in her eyes.
“You are going to love it, I promise you.”
Ethan was absolutely right. At first Rebecca clung to Ethan as tight as she possibly could, but once she knew she wasn’t going to fall off, she relaxed and let the wind whip against her body. She felt exhilarated.