Perfect Curves

by Lanee Lane

  "I'm so happy. This is the happiest I can ever really remember feeling. You make me happy, Reed."

  He stopped walking and turned toward me. There were people walking that had to go around us. He placed his hands on either side of my face and stared into my eyes. It was like he was trying to see into my soul, and I wanted him to.

  "Penelope, you have no idea how happy you make me. Hearing you say I do the same for you is the best thing anyone could ever say to me. I haven't felt this kind of joy since before my parents died. You make me feel like life has a purpose, like I have a purpose."

  Without giving me a chance to reply he kissed me. There were no open mouths or tongue. Just a sweet lingering peck. It was perfect.

  We reached the deli, and it was pretty packed since it was lunch time. There was a two top table toward the back that was open. I told Reed my order and I want to grab the table for us. I played on my phone while I waited for him to come back with our food. It wasn't long before he was setting out tray down on the table.

  "This smells amazing. I can't wait to try it," he said as he settled into the seat across from me.

  "It is really good. It’s my go to place if I happen to forget my lunch or want to change it up. It's nice because they have a lot of healthy options that fit into my new lifestyle."

  "I'm so proud of all the progress you’ve made. Not just physically, but mentally. Changing your relationship with food is probably the hardest part of a lifestyle change. It wouldn’t bother me if you didn’t lose another pound. Your body is beautiful. Your curves are perfect. Your heart and mind are extraordinary. As long as you’re happy and healthy, that's all I care about."

  Was it getting hot in there or was it just me? I wanted to knock our trays on the floor and lay across the table in offering. I figured that wasn't the most classy move in a busy restaurant so I settled for a thank you. I'd never been good at taking compliments, the few I received, but I wanted to believe them coming from Reed.

  We dug into our food. Reed enjoyed his first meal at the deli. I hoped that this would be the first of many impromptu lunch dates.

  Reed wiped his mouth with a napkin and pushed his clean plate away.

  "I wanted to ask you something. One of my co-workers is getting married, and they’re having an engagement party this weekend. I wanted to see if you would like to be my date."

  I felt a bubbling of nerves in my stomach. It wasn't like I hadn't met all of his co-workers at the gym. I was pretty sure they all knew we were an item. For some irrational reason, I thought maybe seeing them outside of the gym would be different. Maybe they wouldn't like me. I knew it made no sense, but I'd never been the best at social engagement.

  “Do you think they would want me there?"

  "Of course, Penelope. Everyone at the gym loves you, and people usually bring dates to these things. Seeing as you are my girlfriend, of course, you would be my date."

  I'd never grow tired of hearing him call me his girlfriend.

  "You're right. Okay, count me in."

  ***

  The night of the engagement party I went through my entire closet at least twice trying to figure out what to wear. I finally settled on a simple black a-line dress and a pair of strappy red heels for a little pop of color. Reed had text me earlier that day telling me to pack an overnight bag. Abby was supposed to be staying the night with their Uncle Dwight. That left Reed with no responsibility and us with the place all to ourselves.

  Reed arrived at my house looking delectable in a pair of form-fitting dark wash jeans, a gray button-up and a pair of black dress shoes. He held out his elbow and escorted me to his car. We made the drive to the location of the engagement party. It was being held in a loft that had been turned into an event venue.

  The decor was beautiful. There were white Christmas style lights strung from the ceiling and the walls. All the tables were covered in white linens with bouquets of blush colored roses in the center. The whole place was like a dream. I found myself wondering what it would be like if Reed and I ever got engaged. What our engagement party and wedding would be like.

  The party was lovely. Everyone was very friendly. I met a lot of new people and spoke to some I knew from the gym. My fears and uncertainty about the night proved to be unwarranted. After a couple of hours of mingling and playing games, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Reed's place.

  "That's weird, I know I turned all the lights off in the house."

  "Maybe you forgot one."

  A light upstairs and in the living room was on.

  "Stay here and let me go check it out before you come in."

  Reed locked the car behind him. It wasn't even a minute later when he jogged back and opened my door.

  “Babe, I’m sorry. Abby was supposed to be at Uncle Dwight’s, but she’s here. don’t know what’s going on.”

  When I walked into the front door, Abby was standing a few feet away from Reed in a pair of leggings and one of his old hoodies.

  "Abby, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be at Uncle Dwight's."

  "I was, but I had someone pick me up and bring me back here. It's boring over there."

  "For goodness sake, Abby, does Uncle Dwight know where you are?"

  "I don't know. He was asleep in his chair when I left."

  Reed pulled out his phone and sent a quick text before shoving it back in his pocket.

  "It would have been nice if you gave me a heads up, Abby. You knew I had plans tonight."

  "I know Reedy, but I didn't think you would mind."

  I knew he was annoyed, but he tried to keep calm.

  "Who brought you home?"

  "A friend."

  "Abby, what kind of friend? I don't want just anyone knowing where I live. I don't like you having people over when I'm not here. I don't know the kind of people you were dealing with before you came back around. It may not be safe and I'm sure it isn't good for your recovery."

  "I'm allowed to have friends, Reed. Just because I'm not perfect like you doesn't mean that my friends are bad."

  Reed ran his fingers through his hair.

  "Abs, you know I didn't mean it like that. You can have friends. I just want to be sure that you’re safe."

  "I am safe. I know what I'm doing."

  Somehow I doubted that she knew what she was doing. She flew off the handle a little too quickly when he asked about her whereabouts.

  "Fine, but I'm serious Abby. I don't want anyone here when I'm not here. I love you, but this is still my home. I don't want any trouble brought here."

  Abby's bottom lip poked out, but she nodded her head in agreement.

  "Since you guys are home, do you want to watch a movie or something," Abby asked looking innocent.

  Innocent my behind.

  Reed looked at me with a questioning look. He was conflicted. He wanted to spend one-on-one time with me, but he also didn't want to disappoint his sister. I pasted on the biggest fake smile I could muster.

  "Sure," I replied.

  Reed wrapped an arm around my shoulder pulling me into him. He bent down and kissed the top of my head.

  "I'm sorry," he whispered.

  "I get to pick the movie," Abby announced.

  It looked like sleeping would be the only thing we'd be doing at tonight's sleepover.

  Daddy’s Girl

  With everything that was going on with Reed and Abby I decided I needed someone to use as a sounding board. Noel was great, but I needed a second opinion, a male's point of view. I thought about my brother, but quickly ruled him out. He didn't know the first thing about relationships.

  My next best option was my dad. The problem with that was I'd have to see my mom. I hadn't talked to her since our last phone call. I didn't have anything to say to her, and clearly, she didn't have any intentions of apologizing. Maybe I'd get lucky and she wouldn't be home.

  I pulled into my parent's driveway. My mom’s car was nowhere in sight. Either it was in the garage or she was gone. Fingers
crossed that it was the latter. I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. Luck was not on my side today. My mom was on the other side of the door when it swung open.

  Her nose was turned up in the air. I hoped that something would fly up it. That would teach her to stick her nose up at people. I wished there was some way I could get past her without speaking, but I knew that wasn't happening. One, I wasn't rude and two she had to know everything that went on in 'her house'. I felt bad for my dad living with her, but he did it to himself I supposed.

  "Mother, is Dad here?" Better to keep our interaction as short as possible.

  She looked me up and down with. Her mouth pulled into a frown.

  "Why?"

  For real lady? What the heck did she think I wanted?

  "I need to talk to him."

  "Is your phone broken?"

  How was I born to this woman? How did I survive in her home for eighteen years when she hated me so much?

  "No, I just haven't seen him in a while. I figured it would be just as easy to drop by."

  "A phone call to let us know you were coming would be cordial, Penelope."

  There was no us in this equation, I wasn't here to see her, but I didn't say that.

  "Ok," was all I said.

  I couldn't make myself apologize for something so insignificant. This was my parent's house. Most of the people I knew were welcome in their parent's house whenever they wanted. I guess that was when you had a healthy and normal relationship with them.

  "He's out back working on something in the shed."

  I gave her a quick nod and slipped past her into the house. I made my way through the house to the back door. I was happy that my dad was out back. I preferred it to being inside. The house never had a homey feel to me. We always had to be quiet and careful growing up because my mother didn't like noise and didn't want her perfect house to be ruined.

  When I reached the door of the shed, I heard the sound of an old Motown song playing. My dad loved music, and he instilled that same love into my brother and I. Some of my best childhood memories were when he would sneak us out to go get ice cream. We'd sing along to his old tape collection and eat our ice cream in the parking lot of the ice-cream shop.

  I slid the door open and saw my dad hovered over something on the workstation.

  His baritone voice sang along with the song. This must be how my dad stayed married to my mom. He escaped down here to get away from her crazy. He looked up from what he was doing.

  "Hey, Henny Penny, what a pleasant surprise."

  My dad's face lit up and his arms opened inviting me into them. I made my way quickly to my dad and buried my face into his shirt. I allowed the comfort of his embrace to wash over me. This was exactly what I needed.

  When we released from our hug, I already felt a little better.

  "What brought my favorite daughter to see me?"

  "I'm your only daughter." I rolled my eyes and laughed at my dad's age-old joke.

  "Well, then there is no disputing it now is there?"

  "You're crazy, Dad."

  "You may be right about that Henny Penny."

  I went to the mini fridge that my dad had out there and grabbed a water. I sat in one of the old plastic chairs he used to sit and drink beers with his friends when their wives were inside talking about goodness knows what.

  "Penny for your thought?"

  My dad was so corny. He used any excuse to use a pun on my name.

  "Dad, how did you know you loved mom?"

  My dad's face lit up and a smile played on his lips.

  "You know your mother is a tough nut to crack. The first time I met her she blew me off something terrible. I was out cruising with my friends one night. We parked at this little, abandoned parking lot that the teens used to hang out at. Your mother happened to be there with some of her friends." My dad let out a little laugh, "She was gorgeous. I was a cocky guy back then, so I walked right up to her and told her she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen and asked her on a date."

  "What did she do?"

  "She laughed right in my face. I was crushed, but I also knew that I wasn't going to give up. I think I knew I'd marry her one day from that first encounter."

  "She said no though."

  "I've never been one to let the word no stop me. I kept going back to that lot every weekend. I brought her a single rose back the next time. She rolled her eyes, but she accepted it. We talked, and I got to know her a bit. Each time I'd bring her something small that represented something I learned about her the week before. Finally, I wore her down, and she went on a date with me. I was already in love with her by then. The rest is history."

  "You guys seem so different."

  "We are Pen. I know your mom can be a little rough around the edges. She didn't have the best upbringing you know. I think that made her a little hardened to life. I've learned her sweet spots over the years. I learned how to love her in the way she needs to be loved. There is no one-way to love someone. Love doesn't always look the same. It's certainly something you have to work at, at times. When you feel it deep within every part of your body, it's worth the work."

  I was quiet for a few minutes thinking about what my dad said. I thought I loved Reed, but I was worried about Abby. It seemed like she didn't want me in the picture, and he was so protective of her. I didn't want to come between them, but I also wanted things with me and Reed to work.

  "Is this about that young man you brought with you to the dinner?"

  "Yes."

  "Listen Pen, I didn't get to tell you, but I'm sorry about what your mother did. I didn't know she invited Alec. I kicked him out as soon as I came in and realized he was here. I talked to your mother about it. I love your mother very much, but what she did was wrong, and I made sure she knew. She is my wife, but you are also my baby girl and I won't let anyone willingly hurt you."

  I felt tears threatening at the corner of my eyes. I blinked, trying to stop them from coming, but it was useless. I swiped at my eyes dabbing the wetness.

  "Thank you," came out of my mouth in a whisper.

  It felt so good to know that I did have someone in my corner. My dad was the perfect example of the type of man I wanted in my life.

  "Now tell me more about your guy."

  "He's so sweet dad. He started as my personal trainer, but he has turned into so much more."

  "Does he treat you well?"

  "He does."

  "Do you love him?"

  Leave it to my dad to get straight to the point. I knew the answer, but it was still hard to say.

  "Yes, I think so."

  "Does he love you?"

  "I don't know, we haven't talked about it."

  "Huh."

  "He has a sister that just showed up after several years. She was supposed to be going into rehab for drug usage, but she managed to talk Reed into letting her stay with him after only a week."

  "That doesn't sound good, Pen."

  "I don't think it is either. Their parents died when they were young and he was always her rock. I think that she might be taking advantage of him. He doesn't want to upset her or push her away. For the sake of her not leaving again he will do pretty much anything she asks."

  "He's an enabler."

  "Exactly! I don't think she likes me being around. She either ignores me or she interrupts any plans that Reed and I may have. I don't know what to do or think. I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but I care about Reed too."

  "It sounds like his sister may be jealous of you. Could feel threatened by your relationship with him. She could think you’re trying to take her place, but what she doesn't realize is that there is room for both of you in his life. You would never ask him to turn his back on her, but she doesn't know you so maybe she’s scared. Have you thought about inviting her to lunch to get to know each other and talk about things?"

  It seemed so simple. Why hadn't I thought about it myself?

  "No, I hadn't.
That's exactly what I'll do. Maybe if we can clear the air, she’ll see me as a friend and an ally."

  "That's my girl. Once she knows you, she won't be able to help but love you."

  I got up from my chair and hugged my dad tight. Thankful for the close relationship we had.

  "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

  "I love you too, Henny Penny."

  Making An Effort

  I left my parent's house feeling a lot better. I had a plan in mind of what I was going to do about Abby. I hoped it would work. Once she got to know me I hoped we could be friends. I wasn't trying to take Reed from her, and I thought that making that clear to her may help with our relationship.

  I used the Bluetooth in my car to call Reed as I head back home.

  "Hey Babe," he answered sounding out of breath.

  "Hey, are you ok?"

  "Yeah, I was just catching a workout with one of the guys I work with. What's up?"

  "I wanted to see if you had some time this evening. I want to talk to you about something."

  "Ok, sure. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little worried that you want to talk about something. It sounds like you want to have the talk."

  "Oh crud, no I should have worded that better. I don't want to have the talk. You can't get rid of me that easy."

  I could hear him release a breath on the other end of the phone.

  "I get off of work at six today. I can come by your house after."

  "That will work. I'll see you then."

  "Alright baby, see you then."

  Was it weird that I wanted to squeal like a schoolgirl when he called me baby? I had a goofy smile on my face that I couldn't wipe off if I tried. I didn't think I'd ever get used to it, but I sure loved it.

  ***

  When six rolled around I started to feel butterflies in my stomach. I knew that it wouldn't be long before Reed got to my house. I decided to cook a surprise candle lit dinner and this time I would be sure that he ate.

  At six twenty-five there was a knock at the door. I went to let him in.

  "Hey."

  "Hey yourself," he said pulling me in for a kiss.

  "I missed you today," he mumbled against my lips.