by Ann Patty
“Yeah. Say how is that all going for you. If you need any of her estate loose ends wrapped up, I know a few good probate attorneys. Beside that how are you doing with it all, emotionally I mean?” Tim offered his understanding and help, which Kelly appreciated, but now didn't need.
“I'm good. Her estate has been easy to settle. Cairn had it all spelled out. Emotionally, I'm okay. Cairn did what she wanted to do. It just so happened it was her time. She lived well and was happy in her last week. We spoke almost every day about everything. She was resolved. I hope I am also, when death knocks at my door,” Kelly reflected.
Tim said quietly, “Death is reflective isn't it? I can't know how you felt, but I do know what I saw. When you came back you immersed yourself in work. You barely came up for air. I was there in your shoes once when a good friend of mine took her own life. I wanted to say something to you, but instead I just quietly sympathized for you from afar. I wanted you to know that. I don't know what it is about death but people—actually me—I don't know what to say to comfort another. Saying something just does not seem adequate. Saying nothing, no acknowledgment is far worse. I'm sorry I didn't step up,” Tim revealed.
Kelly stopped eating and stared at Tim. Here he was baring his soul. This was a side of Tim she had not seen before. “Thank you Tim. It took a lot to own that,” Kelly slide her had across the table and put it on top of his hand curled about a fork holding a waffle dripping in strawberry syrup. She squeezed his hand tight in appreciation then let go.
The rest of the afternoon the couple wandered from stage to stage listening, sometimes dancing, and thoroughly enjoying the local vibes. Kelly now found Tim's hand reaching for hers as they walked the grounds. And his hand held her back as they pressed through crowds. Their personal conversations were deepening their appreciation for each other. After Kelly put her hand on Tim's at lunch, the door opened for him to not shy away from affection.
That evening found them back at Kelly's condo eating out of Chinese take out boxes spread across the coffee table. Add to that was a half full jug of white wine. “I think I owe you a home cooked meal,” Kelly said.
“You know how to cook?” Tim teased.
“Actually, I could surprise your taste buds. Yes, I cook several authentic dishes from around the world,” Kelly said.
“Why would you owe me dinner Kelly? Don't take that wrong, because I'd love to taste you...I mean your cooking,” Tim teased again, albeit a bit more suggestively.
“Taste me, huh?” Kelly smiled and added, “Because you spoiled me today. I didn't have to pull my wallet out once. You arranged everything. I love being pampered! So I want to make you dinner.”
Just then Tim took a fat juicy prawn from the box between his two fingers and guided it to Kelly's lips. She bit it then sucked down the rest of it right up to Tim's fingers. Her nostrils flared and Tim blushed.
Kelly thought momentarily about Cliff. And that she had not heard from him since his first and last text weeks ago. Time and distance was a catalyst that dispelled any hope of a reunion. That along with zero communication condemned their fate to a low priority. Cliffs voice, albeit only a text, turned into a fading connection. That was then. This is now.
“Tim what's your history? I mean have you ever been married, or had partners for long time? Do you mind me asking?” Kelly was curious.
Tim looked down as if to read the side of the Chinese box, then back at Kelly. “I was married. No children. She didn't want them. I loved her and wanted her happy, so that was the way it was. We met through a hiking group. Yes, I actually do know how to hike, but it has been a long time. How about you?”
Kelly bit her lip then stated, “Once. Almost. I was engaged in my twenties to a really great guy. I got reacquainted with him at our tenth high school reunion. After two years we decided to get married, but it was not to be. The week before our wedding he choked to death on a sausage snack at a family event. No one could save him, not even my cousin the paramedic. The Heimlich maneuver was useless. We figured the sausage got so dislodged it was unmovable. My cousin was distraught with blame. Later the autopsy report said his heart gave out almost simultaneous to choking. Whether it was his heart or the choke that killed my fiance it is hard to discern. So I guess the answer is no, never married.”
The two sat in silence pondering each others life for a bit while snacking on rice, egg rolls, shrimp and numerous other boxes of delight. “Tim, tell me about your marriage. Was it good? How long did it last and where is your wife now?” Kelly asked.
Tim put down his fork, sat back, and placed his hands in his lap deep in thought. Then he began his story. “Meg and I were married almost sixteen years. Like I said, we met while hiking. We married after six months. It just felt right at the time. Being twenty doesn't give one a total perspective. It was a good marriage. We had a lot of fun traveling in our VW van across the states and hiking every peak we could find. Good times. She became a registered nurse, while I pursued investment and brokerage houses to make a living. About seven years into our marriage, Meg started having bouts of depression. She saw a great doctor who worked with her and got her balanced out with meds. Over the years, it weighed on her—and our marriage. It was difficult and that was understating it. Of course our relationship dynamics completely changed. Fun was nowhere to be had. Not that fun was everything in a marriage, but to even have a bit of humor for a diversion would have been nice. The energy around her and in our house was heavy. I didn't know it when I married her but her father had raped her several times as a child. A large part of her depressions were not chemical imbalances of the brain so much as environmentally provoked. The doctor told me it was a post traumatic stress disorder.”
“Wow, I'm so sorry Tim. Where is Meg now—do you see her often?” Kelly asked.
Tim just looked blank. “Kelly, remember when I said a good friend of mine took her own life? That was my wife I was speaking of. Her life was dark and closing in around her. She didn't know how to find her way clear of her mental disturbances. Her past haunted her. I went away on a two-day business trip. When I came home I found her dead to this world, lying in bed, with a note for me on the nightstand. It was an overdose. It wasn't enough that we loved each other. Love cannot always save another. It was her memories that she succumbed to.”
“Wow. I am so sorry. You always are so together and cheerful. It must be human nature to think happy people like you have had no adversity at all in their life. And, yet it is quite the contrary. Those dark soul-building moments are what creates the integrity and character of an individual,” Kelly thoughtfully chose her words.
The conversation paused. The break gave both Tim and Kelly time to reflect. Kelly picked up her glass of wine and sipped it down to nothing. Tim picked at the rice on his plate and set it back on the coffee table. Then Tim picked up his half full wine glass and drained it dry. Kelly and Tim simultaneously put their empty wine glasses back on the table side by side. And together they reclined back on the couch.
Kelly's baby finger edged over and looped around Tim's baby finger. He removed his finger from her hand. Instead Tim grabbed Kelly's whole hand up and brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. A certain electricity circulated between them. Kelly closed her eyes and relaxed as Tim kissed and licked his way down her arm and back up to her fingers. Kelly found her fingers caressing Tim's jaw line. Not a minute later, Tim's lips were upon hers. Soft pecks were replaced quickly with tongue probing suggestions. Kelly succumbed to Tim's male yearnings. Soon his hands found her ample breasts. Tim was lipping Kelly's neck and earlobes as if made of candy. The two titillated adults were slumped across Kelly's unsupportive couch. Like dogs panting in heat, their hands pawed and bodies arched into meet the other. It was Tim who broke the silent vigil. “Kelly, can we use your bedroom?” To which Kelly rolled out from under Tim, stood up, grabbed his hand, and lead him to her den of passion.
The perpetual night drove the duo to exhaust themselves. Tim was every bit the gentle
men in bed as he was on the workplace floor, with one exception. In the bedroom he did not ask for permission to satisfy his sexual habits. He just took his freedoms unless his partner refused. No position, or entry, was off limits for either. Tim's testosterone gave him his impetuous sexual drive to penetrate Kelly repeatedly. Kelly obliged as she was fit. Her stamina provided her with taunt legs to ride Tim hard each time he teased her into cumming. After a spent night, by dawn they slipped into sleep inside each others arms.
24-Hour Fortune
Kelly woke up to a quiet house. Tim had left early to go into work. It was Sunday. On the kitchen table Kelly found a handwritten note. Last night was... I don't have words for it, but I think you know what I mean. I will take you up on the home-cooked dinner mid this week? Really I had the best time in a long time with you. Tim.
Kelly smiled as she replaced the napkin note back on the table. Yes, she knew their night had been good. After all with two mature, healthy adults what would one expect? Nothing less than lust—sex fiends for sure!
Today Kelly decided to lounge around. Why not? She was gaining distance from the event of Cairn now, and Cliff seemed to be waning from her existence. One thing Kelly had learned from her dating years, is that if a guy really wants you in their life, then let them pursue you. If you pursue them, then you will always be the one to make things happen. Guys by nature, in her opinion, were a tad too laid back, perhaps even lazy.
After a shower, an omelet, and a general cleanup Kelly sat down to her computer. Today was slated to cleaning up the rest of Cairn's accounts and consolidating the proceeds into her own accounts. Tired from a night of acrobatics Kelly cruised through Cairn's online statements. The last account to be closed opened up Kelly's eyes wide. This final account held the holy grail of Cairn's worth. She had invested wisely and the returns were phenomenal. For the last seventeen years worth of investing had yielded Cairn over 2.3 million dollars. Her wealth had blossomed because of how she had distributed the proceeds, which grew exponentially. In fact, Kelly wondered why Cairn worked at all. Her portfolio income far exceeded her wages at work. Then it dawned on Kelly, she owned Cairn's retirement. Add that to her own account of about six hundred thousand, plus any home sale proceeds, and the invested income alone would be more than two, maybe three times Kelly's wage. Well, one thing for sure in the coming week Kelly would seek counsel from her good friend who happened to be an accountant.
Just as Kelly finished up consolidating accounts her phone rang. It was her realtor with “good news.” First and foremost, there had been a bidding war on Cairn's town home with four offers all over the asking price. Each offer had different terms so the realtor said she would swing by later to present the offers and discuss the advantage of each. Second, a surprise, Kelly had a full price cash offer on her condo with no contingencies. Kelly was overwhelmed. All this good fortune in less than 24 hours. She set up an appointment to discuss the two sales with the realtor, closed the phone call, and sat back in her chair stupefied. Within the week she could opt to be retired, be homeless, and totally free to do what? There was a lot to think about and a lot more to do. Clearing out Cairn's furniture for one. That afternoon Kelly alerted the second hand furnishing house that Cairn's furniture would be available to take quite soon. A trip over to Cairn's place that afternoon had Kelly boxing up all items out of every drawer. Some boxes were labeled for charity, and others held pictures and mementos of Cairn's life. The latter stayed with Kelly. So much to do and Kelly had not even began to organize her own home for a possible sale.
Monday came and Kelly was back at work as usual. This time she knew she didn't have to be there, but she did enjoy it all the same. But between her fifty-hour weeks and all that had to be done Kelly was almost terrified that her anxiety from the past might return. Overwhelmed was an understatement for how she felt. Monday came and went and Tim never showed up to the office. Not that it was unusual as he took most Mondays to do home visits meeting aging clients who were not mobile. The cornerstone of Tim's success was his personal touch.
Tuesday found Kelly at work once again. She was loyal and steadfast to her clients and the company. Tim walked in around 10 am. The whole workplace knew because the lights beamed on in his office. An email soon came to Kelly from Tim that said: Can we do coffee at eleven? Kelly responded: Definitely. We need to talk. Meet you at our coffee house? His simple answer in response said: You’re on.
Ease On Out
When Kelly approached the coffee shop, Tim was already sitting in their designated corner with two cups of coffee on the table. Tim got up to greet Kelly. As she approached she simply placed her hand on his sleeve that indicated not to gesture any further. Tim nodded in understanding to keep work etiquette alive then sat down.
Tim smiled a smile Kelly had rarely seen, “What's up pretty girl?”
“There you go already flirting with me,” Kelly chirped back then got serious. “Tim I don't know where to start. I'm drowning.”
“How about just telling me straight out what's on your mind?” Tim prodded.
Kelly took a deep breath, closed her eyes and stated her predicament, “Okay, here it goes. For starters both Cairn's townhouse and my condo sold in the same day no less. I accepted both offers. So there is much to do to get out by the end of month. And, I don't know where I am going to live next. Haven't begun to figure that one out, but at least the buyers are flexible.”
“Wait... you sold both places? Kelly, what are you thinking when you still need a place to live?” Tim was confused.
“I was thinking that which ever place sold first, then I would live in the other. But, when both places gave me an open door to not be attached I liked it. I am taking this opportunity to step in another direction. I just don't know which direction yet,” Kelly was attempting to explain her reasoning which by the expression on Tim's face didn't compute. “So I need some time off to get things settled, or perhaps just work 5 hour days for a bit...”
“Kelly, wow. Let me think. You could move in with me for a bit if you would like,” Tim offered.
“Oh, you are a honey, but I can't. Not now. I've got too much in my head to sort out,” Kelly blinked as if to thank Tim for his offer. Then she added, “And there is something else. A big something else.”
Tim leaned into Kelly and said, “Okay. Let's hear it.”
“I don't know if I told you that Cairn made me full beneficiary to her estate. Anyway, after settling out her assets, well, Tim, the income from her investments along with mine earn an income far superior to my wage at the brokerage. My accountant's first glance told me that for the taxes I need to pay out on top of the investment income, my wage is just a detriment.” Kelly sat back waiting for Tim to respond, but all he was doing was looking at his coffee cup.
Kelly began again almost to make it easy for Tim, “You know in less than a day, the best of the best happened. We made love. I sold two houses. I have a retirement beyond comprehension. Truly I don't know what to make of it. But I do look at this as an sign, and a launch to a fresh start.”
“You want to know what I think?” Tim asked. Kelly shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “I think you'll be moving on Kelly and you should. You've worked hard and if anyone deserves this break you do. I don't know about us though. I'm terribly fond of you, but I'll be honest: financially you are in another league. I honestly don't know how my psyche would play out if we were together. See I always believed it’s the gallant, stoic guy who should be worth more and bring home the bacon. Learned behaviors you know.”
Kelly challenged Tim easily, and said, “Would my worth have to get in the way of us?”
Tim remarked matter of factly, “No, but it would. Guaranteed. Kelly I still need to work, for a few more years anyway, and you don't need to work at all. That grants many freedoms to you of which I could not partake. Money makes things get awkward,” Tim stopped talking to sip his coffee then said, “So, I believe what we are talking about here is how to ease you out of your work
life, right?”
Kelly frowned, “No not yet. Oh gosh that is the reality isn't it? Well, listen I'm not going to leave you high and dry. I want to help you hire in two replacements and ramp them up. I'll stay as long as it takes Tim. Promise. But, I still need to shorten my days to accommodate the house sales. There is an awful lot of furniture and housewares to dispense.”
“It sounds like you want to travel light. Aren't you taking anything with you to the next house? Wait. Are you going to just do some traveling?” Tim was curious of Kelly's plans.