Loving Sofia

by Alina Man

  “Here I got it.”

  “Hi,” she said, smiling. She looked so young. Her face was free of any makeup, her hair in a high ponytail, and she was sporting that million dollar smile.

  “Hi.” There I go with my grin.

  She takes the lead and holds the door open as I carry the boxes inside.

  “So I put all your stuff in the master upstairs. I figured that room will be best for you since it has a big tub. I know you like to take bubble baths and stuff. It also has the biggest closet and lots of shelves for your books.” I knew I was running my mouth and I sounded like an idiot, but couldn’t stop. I was freaking nervous. “Why don’t I show you to your room?” We walked up the stairs to the first floor to the master suite.

  “Mark this is too much. I would rather you gave me one of the small spare bedrooms,” she whispered. Her expression was priceless. I could tell she was in love with the room. This girl had no fucking idea how amazing she was and how much I wanted to make her happy. She looked so little in the middle of the large room. I was fighting the need for her running all through my body. Living with her was sure to be interesting. I could see a lot of cold showers in my future.

  SOFIA

  This was just too much for me. First of all, I didn’t even have a job to pay for the rent. And even if I did, this room was like a dream.

  “Seriously, I don’t need this much room.” I kept looking all around, moving my eyes from the big king size bed to the beautiful large windows and lace curtains.

  “Look, I got this room ready for you. Unless you can look me in the eyes and say you don’t like it, this room is yours. Why don’t I let you get settled and I’ll go order us some food. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

  “Sounds good.” I watch him turn around to leave and before I chicken out, I run to his side and pull him in for a hug. “Thank you so much for everything.” He puts his arms around me and I melt.

  “No need to thank me. I’m the one who should say thank you. I’ve been all alone in this big house for too long, so I’m happy to have some company. Not to mention some homemade meals.”

  I slowly move away, feeling cold the minute he walks out of the room. Holy cow, what a gorgeous room. It’s still crazy to think I’m going to be living here. I always loved this house. I used to dream that one day I would marry someone and have a house just like this one.

  I was almost done putting my stuff away when Mark called me from downstairs. After changing my shirt and putting a thin sweater on, I walked out, but not before I took another look around the room. Yep, I was going to love it here.

  The kitchen was the only room in the house that was left unchanged. It still had the old floors and appliances, which gave the room a very homey and charming feel. The big rectangular table was crammed with takeout boxes.

  “Oh my God Mark, what did you do? Order everything on the menu?” I laugh at him.

  “Well I couldn’t decide what to order, and I told you I was hungry. Besides, I figured we’ll have leftovers for tomorrow.”

  “No we won’t. I was thinking maybe we can go buy groceries since I’m supposed to cook the Thanksgiving dinner next weekend.” The aroma of the food made my mouth water. I couldn’t wait to eat. He grabbed a few bottles of water and gave me a paper plate.

  “Come on, eat before it gets cold.” He didn’t have to tell me twice. I took a little of everything, and for the first time in years I felt a little shy eating in front of him. How crazy was that considering we always had dinner together.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” He winks and gives me a dimpled smile.

  “Nothing, I just can’t believe I’m here.”

  He doesn’t say anything, but I can tell he’s watching me. We continue to eat, making small talk about his new project. He sounds so excited about his work and keeps going on and on about foster kids and meeting the mayor. Honestly, I couldn’t pay attention to a word he was saying. I could see his mouth moving but did not hear the words that were coming out. His lips were putting me in a trance.

  “So what do you think?”

  “Sorry what?” My face flushes before I could control it.

  He smiles and shakes his head. “Are you telling me you didn’t hear a work I said?”

  “I’m so embarrassed, Mark. I’m really sorry. It’s just my mind sometimes wanders. I’ve been thinking about so many things this past week.”

  “No worries. So what were you thinking?”

  My hand holding the chopsticks stopped in midair. I had to think of something, fast.

  “Work. That’s what I was thinking about. How I’m going to find a job in this economy.” Oh I was good. Five points for Sofia.

  “Look Birdie, I don’t want you to think about work. I’m sure you’ll find something great. That last place was bad for you. I remember how stressed you were when you used to come home every evening.”

  We finished eating and cleaned the kitchen together, putting the leftover boxes in the fridge.

  “Do you think you’re up to going to the store with me later today? I want to get all the stuff for the Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “Sure just let me finish making some calls and we’ll go.”

  We walk out of the kitchen, him going to his office and me going back to my room. I pull a notepad out and start writing down the dinner menu and the list of things needed. As much as I loved to cook, Thanksgiving was always kind of hard for me since I didn’t grow up celebrating it. I still did not make any stuffing and the only reason I would ever buy any ham with honey would be to make my friends happy. Whoever decided that honey and pork were a good mix sure was crazy.

  Chapter 9.

  Sofia

  Thanksgiving dinner was a success, but then again, we always had a good time when we were together. I decided to stay at Mark’s and cook there. I was not yet familiar with the oven and by some miracle I didn’t burn the turkey or the pies. Mona had already moved in with Jon, and with the wedding only a few months away she was busy most of the time. We did, however, talk on the phone constantly. Mainly whenever she needed to bitch about something or just to check up.

  Two months have gone by since I moved in with Mark. He was gone most of the day, working on the new project, but always making sure to be home for dinner. Before long we fell into a routine. He made us coffee in the morning before he left for work, and I cooked dinner every night. After dinner we would watch TV or rent a movie, or spend hours talking about that day’s events. I continued to look for a job, but by this time the economy was so bad that even fast food jobs were hard to come by. No matter how hard I tried to keep busy, eventually it got to be really boring being home all day.

  Today was one of those boring days. With nothing really to do, I decided to pack some lunch for Mark and his crew and drive to the job site to see for myself what all the hype was about. Just as I was getting ready to take the preparations for lunch out of the fridge, I heard the doorbell. The moment the door opens, Mona throws her arms around my neck, tears all over her porcelain face. “I don’t think I can do this,” she says between sobs.

  I take her by the shoulders and together we walk toward the kitchen. “Ok babe what’s going on? Did Jon do something?”

  “Come on Birdie, you have known Jon for how long? You know he would never do anything to make me cry. It’s not that. I just can’t take all this wedding preparation shit. Between my mom and his, I feel like I’m going crazy.”

  Let the drama begin, I think. This is why I always said when the time comes, I’ll just elope.

  “Did you try to talk to your mom about it?” I’ve never seen her look like this. I mean this girl never cries. She doesn’t believe in tears. If something doesn’t work, she’ll find a way to fix it or just walk away. But she never cries.

  “They have so many lists that it no longer feels like a wedding. More like a movie production. I mean, who wants to have five hundred strangers at her wedding? Not me. They are sucking the fun out of it.” Sob, sob,
cry, cry.

  “Mona you need to talk to your mom. We all thought you wanted a big wedding. You always made such a big deal out of it. I know she just wants you to be happy.”

  “Birdie I just want my family and friends there. Not my father’s clients for fuck sake.”

  “We can always go to Vegas,” I laugh and wink at her. “Just give me a few days heads-up since I’ll probably have to take the Greyhound. I can’t afford a plane ticket right now.” She laughs at this and I know she’ll be ok.

  “Oh my gosh girly, I can’t believe I forgot all about that. Here you are without a job, and I’m crying like a spoiled bitch about the stupid wedding. I’ve been a sucky friend, haven’t I? By the way, what’s it like living with Mark? Have you guys done you know what?”

  And she’s back. “Cochina. We are not like that. He was just nice enough to help me out. So how come you’re here? I mean, I’m happy to see you, but I thought you’d be at your mom’s.” I pull the meats and cheeses out and start making sandwiches. “Do you want something to eat?”

  “Nah I’m ok. I was with Mom the whole week, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. You know I love Jon, but what if I’m not ready to be a wife? Shit Birdie, I don’t cook, or clean, and I can’t even imagine popping out a kid through my vagina. What can I possibly offer him?”

  “Are you for real? Seriously, don’t have a nervous meltdown because I don’t think I can help you. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself for the past few weeks too, so you’re crying on the wrong shoulder. How can you sit there and think like that? Jon loves you for you and, trust me, by now he knows what you do and don’t do. I don’t think he wants to marry you for your cooking. I mean, remember when you tried to make us breakfast?”

  We start laughing like two idiots remembering that morning. Ah good times. I finish making the sandwiches while she talks about the wedding some more. The tears are long forgotten and my old friend is back to her true self. I put the lunches in a big cooler and together we walk to my car.

  “Thank you, girly, for always being there for me.” We say our goodbyes then go our separate ways.

  The “barn” as Mark calls it, is looking more like a big villa now. I can see all the big windows are in place on both floors, and I know that the whole place is almost finished. I get out of the car and decide to leave the cooler there and get Mark to help me. He spots me immediately and walks toward me with a big smile on his face.

  “Hi. What are you doing here? You should be in the house keeping warm, reading a book or something.”

  “Oh really? I thought you’d be happy if I stopped by,” I say, pretending to be upset by his comment.

  “Trust me, I’m more than happy to see you, but today is not a good day to be out and about.”

  “Well I was bored and decided to take a break from my job search. Since you didn’t take lunch, I thought I’d bring it to you instead.”

  We walk inside the building and I couldn’t help but feel pride in his work. I can already tell that when finished it will be a beauty. “Wow Mark, this is amazing.”

  “I told you, didn’t I?”

  Just as I’m about to ask him to get the food out of the car, a tall young man walks up to us, a big smile plastered on his beautiful face. And he is beautiful, let me tell you. The white bright smile belongs on the cover of a toothpaste ad.

  “Well hello there, I’m Bradley.”

  “Sofia.”

  “Nice to finally meet you, Sofia. I heard so much about you from Mark. He forgot to mention you were drop dead gorgeous.” He winks at me and gives Mark a nudge with his elbow. Mark looks pissed for whatever reason, so I figure now is the time to excuse myself and get him to take the lunches inside.

  “Nice to meet you too, Bradley. Unfortunately, I can’t stay long, but I wanted to bring you guys some lunch.”

  “That’s too bad. I hoped we could get to know each other a little. I heard you were looking for a job? Is that true?”

  “Sure am, but no luck so far.” I can see Mark from the corner of my eye and he’s staring at me. Staring like he’s never seen me before.

  “What if I told you I had a job for you? Not sure if Mark here has told you what our plans are for this building, but I’m going to have several positions open. We’ll definitely need a manager, someone to keep the staff in check during the day. Think you would be interested?”

  Was he kidding? I would get to be around kids all day. And I’m sure whoever he was going to hire, I would get along with them just fine.

  “Sounds like a dream job.”

  “Why don’t we get together for dinner sometime this week and talk some more?”

  I have to give it to him, the guy is smooth—and handsome and easy to talk to.

  “Sounds like a plan.” He gives me another of his Colgate smiles and hands me his card. This whole time Mark is actually growling. Literally growling. I take the card from Bradley and try not to show any excitement, all the while ignoring Mark.

  “Are you guys done here?” Mark asks, not too nicely.

  “Oh sorry, yes. I kept you guys too long already. Come take the cooler from the car, and I’ll let you guys get back to work. Bradley, it was nice meeting you and I look forward to talking some more about the job.”

  He walks up to me and takes my hand in his. Before I know it, he is kissing my hand, his eyes locked with mine. Yeah, like I said, he sure is smooth.

  MARK

  That asshole actually kissed her hand. Not that Birdie minded at all. I grabbed her free hand and pulled her toward the car before that guy swallowed her whole.

  “Stop that, what’s wrong with you?” Sofia pulls on my hand as hard as she can. “You’re acting like a crazy person, and I don’t care for it.”

  “Birdie you know nothing about that guy. I want you to stay away from him.”

  “Oh really? He seems really nice. I have no reason to stay away. He is going to help me find a job. Besides, it would be nice to go out on a date once in a while. Remember what a date is, Mark?”

  Hearing her say that really hits me hard. She’s right. I mean, I’m nothing more than her friend with no right to tell her what to do. She pops open the back of the car and I pull out the cooler. I feel like an ass for getting angry and all postal on her.

  “I’m sorry,” I say and pray she’s not too upset with me.

  “Don’t worry about it. I have to go. See you at home.” She gets in the car and drives away, leaving an empty place in my heart.

  I eat lunch with the crew while Bradley asks questions about Sofia. This guy was getting more and more on my nerves, and the thought that I had to work with him was killing me. After lunch I made up some excuse, and drove home. Sofia’s car was in her spot, and I immediately felt relieved.

  I could hear her singing from the kitchen, so I stopped by the door to listen. She was really out of tune, but that only made her more adorable. She turned around and screamed.

  “What are you doing here? You scared the crap out of me.”

  “I was not feeling good.”

  “Oh no, are coming down with something? Here, sit down and let me feel your head.” She places her small palm against my forehead and I swear I can feel the electricity all the way down to my toes. If one small touch can do this to me, I can just imagine what it would be like to have her naked under me. I’m not sure if she could tell my dirty thoughts, but before I could react, she removed her hand and walked away.

  “You don’t feel too warm so maybe you’re just tired. I’m making soup, so it will take a while. Why don’t you go take a nap?”

  I knew not to argue with her. Besides, what was I going to say? No babe, I just want to sit here and have you touch me all over? Yeah, not likely.

  ……

  For the next few weeks, Mona has Birdie running all over town trying on dresses and getting stuff finalized for the bridal shower. I spend as much time as I can with her but still it’s never enough.

  I can feel her detach from me more and
more and that’s worrisome. Sometimes I can hear her talking on the phone with Bradley and I wonder if she’s starting to have feelings for him. Maybe this is my punishment. After all, I did have plenty of chances to tell her how I felt but did nothing about it. I hope she’s not going to the wedding with him. That would be a blow below the belt for me.

  On the day of the bachelor party, I’m ready to call Jon and tell him I couldn’t make it. I was in no mood for this. I walked in the kitchen to find Birdie making breakfast and just like that, my day got better.

  “Morning sunshine,” she smiles and hands me a cup of coffee. “Breakfast is almost done. I wanted to make sure you ate well since you’ll probably be drinking like crazy tonight.”

  “I don’t really feel like going.” I know I’m acting like a child and immediately regret what I just said.

  “Seriously? You can’t do this to Jon. You’re the best man, Mark. You have to go and make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.” She turns back to the stove to finish the pancakes, and I just sit there enjoying the view.

  She places a large plate in front of me filled with bacon, eggs, and toast. The whole thing smells heavenly. I start eating and she sits next to me, sipping her coffee.

  “So, are we still going together to the wedding?”

  “Birdie, why would you even ask such a question? I thought we already said we would. Did you change your mind?” God, please don’t tell me she didn’t. That would kill me.

  “No, I was just making sure.” With that she got up to rinse her empty cup and started cleaning up. I liked mornings like this. We didn’t even need conversation, Just being in the same room and sharing a meal felt good. It felt right.

  Chapter 10.

  Sofia

  The wedding day arrived before we knew it. Mona and her mom compromised, and the guest list went from five hundred to two hundred. Still lots of people if you ask me, but I guess they have lots of friends?! I was feeling really nervous being the maid of honor and all, and hated all the attention I was getting.