Native Affairs

by Doreen Owens Malek

  They knew Lee Youngson at Chez Odette. Waiters came running from all directions when they entered, and the maitre d’ was obsequious. The main dining room was crowded, but they were shown immediately to the best table, out of the traffic pattern, with a view of the gardens below them. Jennifer wondered who Lee’s companions had been on his previous visits.

  She glanced around her as they were seated. The whole restaurant was furnished in gold and white French provincial, with creamy damask tablecloths and patterned linen napkins at each table. There was a large vase of fresh flowers, roses and carnations, in the center of theirs, which complemented the color of the shell pink, delicate china and the heavy, gleaming silver. Chez Odette was rich in atmosphere. She was sure the patrons paid for it.

  Jennifer excused herself to go to the powder room and tidy her hair. Heads turned as she passed, and she heard the murmur of muted comments. Lee’s date was a source of interest.

  When she returned, she found that Lee had ordered wine, but there was only one glass, at her place. He stood to seat her, and she asked why he wasn’t having any.

  “What’s the matter with you, Jennifer? You know Indians aren’t supposed to drink. Can’t handle demon firewater. Don’t you watch old movies?”

  Her eyes flashed to his face. When he made a remark like this, she still didn’t know whether he was kidding or not.

  He met her gaze intently for a moment, and then smiled slightly. “Relax, paleface. I’m in training. You go ahead, though.”

  Jennifer sipped sparingly. She had no intention of getting giddy while he sat there observing her soberly. And she wasn’t sure she cared for his calling her “paleface.” There was an edge to his voice when he said it tonight that she didn’t like.

  “You stick to the rules, don’t you?” she said pleasantly. “Daily workouts, no tobacco, no booze, no drugs.” Bob hadn’t had the same reverence for his body. His drunken bouts, and the fines which followed, had given him a reputation as a bad risk.

  “It’s made me what I am today,” Lee said cynically.

  “There’s no need to be snide,” Jennifer responded. “I meant it as a compliment.” She couldn’t understand his behavior. It was almost as if he wanted to punish her for the time of silence following the Heart Fund game. Was that the reason for this dinner invitation?

  “Did you?” he said. “That’s a first.”

  Why was he doing this? “I think your dedication is admirable,” she added, trying to smooth the waters.

  He raised his water glass in a mock toast. “Coming from a paragon of self-discipline like you, that’s high praise indeed.”

  “If you asked me out only because you wanted to needle me, you’re wasting your money. You could have done that on the job, where I would have been more disposed to tolerate it,” Jennifer said quietly. “This is not my idea of a good time.”

  He dropped his eyes, avoiding looking at her for a moment. Then his brown hand covered hers on the immaculate tablecloth.

  “Nor mine either,” he said softly. “I’m sorry, Jennifer.”

  The touch of his slender fingers was electric, the sound of her name on his lips more intoxicating then the wine she was drinking. This one was a shaman like his great-grandfather, weaving spells to break your heart.

  “Harold told me that your ex-husband was an athlete,” he said unexpectedly.

  “Yes.” And here I am with you, Jennifer thought. Still running true to type.

  “Football?” he asked, not letting the subject drop.

  “Baseball. Bob Delaney. He used to play for the Phillies; he’s with the Chicago White Sox now.”

  Lee nodded. “I know him. Very talented, but very wild. If he ever learns to control himself enough to develop, he could be really great.”

  Jennifer smiled sadly. “He never will,” she said. She had to admire Lee’s perception. He had described Bob more accurately than she could have, and she had lived with Bob for years.

  “Well,” Lee said, seeing her reflective expression, “Satchel Paige once said something that could be applied to thoughts about the past. ‘Don’t look back, something may be gaining on you.’” He paused. “In my case it’s usually true,” he added ruefully.

  She knew that he was referring to his performance in football games. Despite the fact that she had been working for the team for a while, she still didn’t know much about the actual sport. From what she’d seen, Lee’s part in it seemed to be limited to dramatic leaps to snatch the ball out of the air, followed by headlong flight down the field, the ball tucked under his arm, with opposing players pummeling after him in mad pursuit, trying to catch him. Few did. He ran, as Coach Rankin said, like a quarterback’s dream, like a gazelle with a tiger on its tail.

  Jennifer looked up from her reverie to see the waiter hovering at Lee’s elbow. “Shall we order?” she said brightly.

  The menu Was in French on one side and in English on the other. Jennifer asked Lee to choose for her. He ordered the same for both: escargots in garlic butter, pate de foie gras, Chateaubriand, and a vinaigrette of vegetables.

  Everything was delicious. The waiters served sherbet and lemon wedges between each course, to “cleanse the palate” and brought hot, moist cloths scented with mint to wash their hands at the end. Musicians strolled about the room, the violinist stopping for a solo at several tables. Jennifer was enchanted.

  Lee suggested a walk outside before coffee and dessert. He said something to the waiter, and they left through the double doors, pausing once for Lee to sign a napkin for a fan who had recognized him.

  “I like this place,” he said to Jennifer as they descended the wide stone steps to the garden below. “They leave me alone here. In some restaurants, I can’t even eat, I’m so mobbed by autograph seekers.”

  “The price of fame,” Jennifer said dryly. “Of course, if they all lost interest in you and stopped buying tickets, you’d be out of a job. But you’d be able to dine anywhere in peace.”

  He stopped short, looking down at her in the dim light from the lanterns on the footpath. “I guess I deserved that. You’re right.” He shook his head. “You certainly speak your mind, don’t you? I’ve tried that line on a few other girls, and they all murmured in deep sympathy.”

  Jennifer smiled. “My father, who loves me, refers to my bluntness as ‘refreshing candor.’ My stepmother, who doesn’t, calls it ‘bad manners.’”

  Lee chuckled. “I prefer ‘refreshing candor,’ myself.” He took her hand and led her to a fountain in the midst of enclosing greenery. There was a wrought-iron bench there, surrounded by masses of brilliant geraniums and zinnias. They sat.

  “This is beautiful,” Jennifer said. She pointed to the lush stand of maples and oaks along the river bank. “How pretty the trees are, so full.”

  “Yeah” Lee sighed, following the direction of her gaze. “It kind of makes you realize what this country must have been like before progress ruined it.” He picked a scarlet blossom from a bush behind them and handed it to her. “You look like a blonde Nakomis. About two generations before Hiawatha arrived.”

  Jennifer burst out laughing, and he grinned, pleased with himself. His teeth shone very white in the semidarkness.

  “Think I’m a funny guy?” he said, teasing.

  “I think you’re a...nice guy,” Jennifer said softly, before she could stop herself. “Even though you try to hide it.”

  He turned to her abruptly and took her in his arms. Her head dropped to his shoulder, and he kissed her.

  His lips were soft, a contrast to his hard, spare frame. The kiss began as a leisurely exploration, but soon escalated until Jennifer was clinging to him, the only stable object in a spinning universe. His hands dug into her shoulders, holding her fast against his body. She heard a noise as another couple passed them, and she broke away, startled and ashamed. She hadn’t necked in public since high school.

  Lee didn’t seem to be bothered by the interruption. “I’ve missed you, Jennifer, these past few w
eeks,” he whispered, caressing her hair.

  “We’d better go in,” Jennifer said. “They’re holding dessert for us.”

  “Let them wait,” he said urgently, pulling her back against his chest.

  “No,” Jennifer insisted, resisting him, struggling to her feet. She was frightened by the depth of her response to him. Not since Bob...no, she had to be honest with herself. Not even Bob had made her feel like this. It was like the Heart Fund picnic all over again.

  “I want to go back,” she said unsteadily.

  Lee followed her reluctantly, then trotted up the steps to hold the door for her.

  The minute they arrived back at the table a silver pot of coffee appeared, and a busboy brought a dessert cart filled with delicate pastries. Jennifer selected two exquisite petit fours iced with pastel fondant and a miniature éclair. Lee shook his head, and the cart was rolled away.

  The coffee was Indonesian, rich and aromatic. They drank it in silence, the passionate interlude in the garden not forgotten.

  By the time Lee signed the check and called for his car, Jennifer had become tongue-tied again. From the encouragement she’d given him he would probably press his advantage when he brought her home, and she was not sure she could resist him. She had no desire to become another trophy to hang on his wall, but she wanted him. Badly. His very touch set her off like a match put to kindling. If he tried, it would not be easy to say no.

  The drive back to her apartment was a quiet one, interrupted only by Lee’s comments on the scenery, and the click of the tape deck as it switched from the Everly Brothers to Jerry Lee Lewis. Lee’s long fingers tapped the steering wheel as he drove. Jennifer glanced across at him, and he caught her eye and smiled. She looked away again, her heart beating faster. He communicated without words, with an almost physical impact She felt kissed, by a smile.

  When they turned onto Main Street and Dr. Mason’s house came into view, every nerve in Jennifer’s body tightened. Lee pulled into the driveway, turned off the motor, and got out to open her door. Jennifer emerged from the passenger side, and he stood in front of her, blocking her path. Her nose came to his collarbone.

  He put one hand on her shoulder and tipped her chin up with the forefinger of the other. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

  “I...don’t think that would be a good idea.” She fumbled in her purse for her keys.

  “Please, Jennifer. Just for a minute. Please.”

  She found her keys and he took them from her. She followed him upstairs, telling herself that she had to be firm. When he opened her door and ushered her into her apartment, she decided that she’d just make him coffee and then firmly send him home.

  She went directly to the stove and put water on to boil.

  “Would you like coffee, or would you prefer a drink?” she said, trying to keep her words even.

  He didn’t answer.

  Jennifer pulled cups and saucers out of the cabinet above, and then turned back to the room, directly into Lee’s arms. He held her for a moment, not saying anything, and she inhaled the heady fragrance of him, the starch of his shirt, the flax of his coat, the subtle warmth of his skin. Then his touch on her neck moved her face to his, and his lips found hers again.

  His mouth clung to hers with a fierceness that robbed her of breath. Her breasts were crushed against his chest by the force of one powerful hand splayed in the small of her back. She responded, helpless, and his lips moved to her cheek, her ear, and traveled down her throat. With one impatient gesture he removed her suit jacket.

  His eyes devoured her, and then with a small sound deep in his throat he embraced her again. His hands sank into her thick hair, running the gossamer strands through his fingers, as if he loved the feel of it. With one arm across her he turned her back to him and fitted himself against her. She whimpered at the intimate contact. He drew her hair back and mouthed the nape of her neck, his hands moving up from her waist to enclose her breasts, sheathed only by the flimsy camisole.

  “Where’s the bedroom?” he said, his voice low and husky in her ear.

  His words brought her back to reality. She was one step away from an irrevocable act, and she panicked. He was holding her loosely, ready to move, and she slipped out of his grasp.

  She faced him, her skin burning, knowing that she had teased him unfairly, without meaning to. “I can’t,” she said.

  He stared at her, breathing hard, hands on hips, much as she had seen him the day she found him exercising. But there was another reason for his breathlessness now. She looked at him, so handsome, so desirable…And more than that He was courageous, sensitive, witty...Stop it! she instructed herself. I will not become involved with another athlete. Remember the last time, the hurt, the pain? The endless road trips, the losing streaks, the injuries, the groupies? Oh, no, don’t do it again.

  “Why not?” he asked, agonized.

  “I just can’t do it,” she said, realizing how unsatisfactory an answer that was, but unable to explain to him that she was afraid to let him get too close to her, that she didn’t want to be hurt again, that she thought he would have the power to hurt her even more than Bob Delaney.

  He saw her struggle, and held up his hand. “Forget it. If the answer is no, it’s no. I won’t bother you again.”

  I believe you, Jennifer thought miserably.

  Her extreme unhappiness must have shown in her face, because his look suddenly softened. He almost smiled.

  “Don’t look so tragic, paleface. Believe it or not, it’s not the first time I’ve been turned down. I think I’ll survive it.”

  “I had a lovely time,” she said in a small voice.

  His mouth twisted. “Ever the soul of graciousness,” he responded. “I think if you were about to be executed you’d be thanking the headsman for the use of his ax.” He inclined his head slightly. “Good night.”

  Jennifer met his eyes quickly and then looked away. “Good night.”

  She heard the sound of his footsteps on the stairs, followed by the roar of the car’s motor. Then all was silence.

  The kettle began to whistle. She automatically shut it off, feeling more alone than she had for a long time.

  Chapter 5

  Weeks passed, during which Jennifer kept herself busy. This was not difficult, considering the volume of work she had to complete before the season began. When Lee did come into her mind, she dismissed him abruptly, refusing to entertain disturbing thoughts.

  But she knew she would have to deal with her feelings on Labor Day, when she would see him again. His presence always brought everything she was trying to bury to the surface, so she began constructing an elaborate defense several days before they would have to meet. She would be polite, but distant. She would be friendly, but reserved. There was nothing to worry about; it was very simple. Right.

  The holiday morning was warm and sunny, but without the crushing humidity Jennifer found so difficult to bear. She dressed in lightweight, dark blue slacks and a nautical top with a square collar and tie bib. When the limousine arrived to get her, her palms were wet and her mouth was dry. Calm down, she advised herself sternly, annoyed with her inability to control her autonomic responses.

  When they got to Lee’s house, he was not outside, ready, as he had been the last time. Jennifer told the driver to wait and went up the steps to ring the bell.

  Lee’s voice hailed her from the depths of the house, telling her to come in, the door was open.

  Jennifer found him in the kitchen, leaning against the stainless steel sink, legs crossed at the ankles. He was sipping coffee from an earthenware mug. Bruce Springsteen sang throatily in the background.

  “Hi,” he said. “Want some coffee? According to the timetable which management so thoughtfully provided, we’ve got a few minutes.” He gestured to another mug sitting on the counter.

  His ability to dismiss their previous encounters and start afresh left her at a loss. Didn’t he remember what had happened the last time they saw each
other? Jennifer certainly did.

  But he regarded her impassively over the rim of the cup. “My instructions were to dress casually,” he added. He jerked a thumb at himself. “This is it.”

  He was wearing white jeans and a blood red shirt. Jennifer had always envied people who were able to wear scarlet and carry it off. The same shade dulled Jennifer’s hair to insignificance and drained her skin to chalk white. His striking hair and eyes were needed to complement it. In that color, most people would look three days dead.

  “Joined the navy?” he asked, indicating her outfit, smiling slightly.

  Jennifer picked up the other mug and filled it from the pot on the stove. “Joined the palace guard?” she countered, pointing to his shirt.

  He choked on his coffee, sputtering with laughter. He set the cup down and shook his head, regarding her with a grin. “Touché. You give back as good as you get, every time.”

  She smiled back at him, caught in the spell once again. “Part of my charm,” she said negligently.

  He sobered, watching her. “Yes, it is,” he said quietly.

  Jennifer dropped her eyes, unsure of how to respond. He frequently turned the tables on her like this. Just when she was sure she was on safe ground, bantering, where she could hold her own with anybody, he would suddenly turn serious and leave her nonplussed. It made conversation with him a constant challenge.

  “Want some cream?” he asked, going to the refrigerator.

  “Thanks.”

  He took a fresh pint from a shelf and pried the cap off with his teeth.

  “Good heavens, Lee, your dentist would have a heart attack if he saw that,” she said.