Worst Date Ever

by J. S. Cooper

  “I don’t know that I’m really much of a city girl.”

  “Oh, where did you grow up?”

  “Florida.” I laughed. “A very small town called Palm Bay. It’s on the east coast.”

  “Hmm, the east coast. Near Palm Springs? Not Palm Springs,” she giggled, “I always get them confused. I meant West Palm Beach. Palm Springs of course is in California,” she said as much to herself as to me.

  “About five hours north of that. Have you ever heard of Cocoa Beach? Where all the surfers go? It’s near there.”

  “Cocoa Beach? Ah, yes, yes, yes.” She nodded, “That’s near the space center, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. That’s in Titusville. The Kennedy Space Center. When I was in high school, I used to go on dates there.”

  “Oh, very interesting. Space exploration.” she said, “Who would have thought we’d have space tourism? I never would have thought I’d see it in my lifetime.”

  “Yeah, well, me either. Not that I will be going into space anytime soon.” I laughed, “I can’t really afford it. So, thank you, Elon Musk and Richard Branson.”

  “Oh dear, you never know what the years may bring.” She patted my hand and pointed to the right, where there was a blooming bush of roses, pinks and yellows and reds.

  “Wow. It’s beautiful.”

  “Thank you, my dear. They’re English roses, actually. The gardener got them for me specially. Reminds me of my home.”

  “Oh yeah, you’re from England originally, right?”

  “Yes.” She nodded, “I grew up in the countryside. Nothing exciting. A little place called Aylesbury.”

  “I can’t say that I’ve heard of it. Sorry.”

  “Oh, don’t be sorry. It’s beautiful, though. Buckinghamshire.” She sounded wistful. “I miss it dreadfully sometimes.”

  I was surprised. She seemed to have the perfect life; oodles of amounts of money and she had this gorgeous estate; yet,she missed a little town in the English countryside?

  “I think as you get older, you think about your childhood a lot more, and the things that you did for fun and the people you knew. My parents, they were humble farmers, but I had a good life, you know. Have you ever been to England?”

  “No.” I shook my head, “I’d love to go, though, one day. A lot of the artists I studied when I was in school were European, and when I think about their portraits and when I think about the scenery, like when I have lilies and everything …” I gazed wistfully at the roses. “It’d be really nice to see those places, you know? And well, England is someplace I’ve actually always wanted to visit. I have a soft spot for the country, actually.”

  “Oh?” She looked at me. “Are you descended from the English as well?”

  “No, my ancestors are Italian, but my grandmother’s family, they were in Italy when Mussolini was in power and they fled to England, and she lived there for a couple of years before they immigrated to the United States. She always talked about her time in England and a family that was very loving and kind to her. She said she always wanted to go back and thank them.”

  “Oh, yes. I can remember those days. The Fascists. The war.” She shook her head, “Horrible, horrible thing.” She sighed, “And look at the world today. Not really that much better, is it?”

  “Well, it’s a little better,” I said, “I guess we’re human beings, so nothing can ever be perfect, right?”

  “Too true.” She nodded. “We are all human beings born into sin and sinners we are!” She laughed. “So you’re going to show me how to paint these roses, my dear?”

  “I’d love to. So normally, I like to sketch before I start to paint, but we can do it either way, whatever you prefer.”

  “Whatever would be easiest, dear, I really have no clue.” She grinned. “Teach me. Maybe we can do one of each?”

  “Sounds fine to me.” I opened my little zip bag full of paints. “Oh you know, we need some water.” I said, “Maybe I’ll run into the house and get some water so we can wet our brushes.”

  “Oh, I didn’t even think about that.”

  “It’s okay, I got it.” A deep voice sounded from the right, and I looked over, surprised.

  “Jack!”

  What was he doing here? And how long had he been there? I felt self-conscious sitting there with his grandma as if I were doing something I shouldn’t be doing.

  “Isabella.” There was an odd expression on his face.

  “Hey, I didn’t even see you there!”

  “I know.” He winked.

  “What are you doing there?”

  “I was just walking around the gardens. I’m a bit of a botanist, I like to study the plants and the trees.”

  “Oh.” I stared at him in surprise. I never would have guessed he was into flowers. “How long were you standing there? Did you hear our conversation?”

  “I … Just a little bit.” He smiled, “Enough to know that you need some water. I’ll go and get it for you.”

  “That is a good boy. Thank you, Jack.” Edith said with a big smile. “My favorite grandson.” She put a hand over her mouth. “Oops! I love Lucas as well, of course. Don’t tell him I said that.”

  “I won’t.” I laughed.

  “I mean, I love them all equally, of course.”

  “It’s okay, I won’t say anything.”

  She smiled at me. “You are a dear girl, aren’t you, Isabella?”

  “Um … Thank you?” I didn’t know how to answer.

  “Go along, Jack, go and get the water. Is there anything else that we’ll need, Isabella?”

  “Maybe some paper towels, please.” I smiled at Jack, who nodded.

  “Your wish is my command.” He headed off, down the pathway back towards the house. And I turned to look at Edith, who was staring at me with a curious expression on her face.

  “You know, my dear …”

  “Know what?”

  “If I were a different sort of woman, I would have been setting you up with Jack instead of Lucas.”

  “Oh …” I said, chewing nervously on my lower lip. Had I given something away just now?

  “Just something about your chemistry, but I’m just a silly old woman.” She laughed. “You and Lucas look very happy together, and I’m just happy to welcome you to the family.”

  “Thank you, Edith. You’re very sweet.”

  “Now, my dear, I’m just honest. Because what do we have in the world if we don’t have our honesty, right?”

  She studied my face for a few seconds, and I nodded, reaching down and grabbing some paint brushes, my face turning hot. I didn’t know how to answer her. All of a sudden, I felt very, very guilty.

  “Wow. This looks beautiful.” Edith beamed with pride as she stared down at her painting. “I can’t believe I painted this myself. You’re an absolutely wonderful teacher.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I think you’re a natural. It actually has more to do with your skills than my teaching.” I was being truthful as I gazed at her painting. She had a natural talent and had figured out how to mix colors quite beautifully.

  “I don’t know about that,” she laughed. “But thank you.”

  She studied her painting for a few more minutes, admiring her work, and I smiled to myself. This was why I loved teaching classes. I loved seeing people staring at their works of art with pride and delighted surprise. “I’d be happy to paint with you another time,” she said firmly. “I’m a convert. I think I might buy myself some watercolor paints. You’ll have to tell me which one do you think I should buy.”

  “Definitely,” I promised.

  “We should go inside. I think Becky, Cindy, and Jenny are here, my granddaughters. I’m sure Lucas has told you about them. I’m not sure if you’ve met them yet?”

  “No, I haven’t met them yet.” I shook my head, “Although I’ve heard about them.”

  “Yes. I had a feeling you hadn’t met them. They call me all the time, so if they knew he was seeing someone, I’m sure th
ey would have told me.”

  “Oh, of course.” I nodded, feeling guilty again. I hated lying to Edith about being in a relationship with Lucas. It just didn’t seem right, but it wasn’t my secret to tell. If Lucas wanted to go down this road, then that was on him.

  “They’re having a party tonight,” Edith added.

  “Who is?”

  “My grandkids. Becky, Cindy, and Jenny. They asked me about it earlier.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize that. Are you sure it’s tonight? I think it might be tomorrow.”

  “Sorry. I’m befuddled these days. Old age. You can forget your own name.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t forget your own name.”

  “I try not to.” She smiled but she looked a little sad. “But at some point, it’s not really in your control, is it?”

  “No. I guess not.” I smiled gently. “Shall we go inside?”

  “Let’s.”

  As we got back to the house, I saw Jack standing there.

  “So, let’s see these masterpieces then.” He held out his hand to look at his grandmother’s painting, and I could tell from the look on his face, that he was very surprised.

  “Wow, Nana, this is absolutely beautiful.”

  “Why, thank you, Jack.” She looked proud. “It’s all thanks to my teacher, of course. The wonderful Isabella.”

  “Not-Rossellini,” Jack said.

  Edith frowned. “Sorry. What?”

  “It’s an inside joke.”

  “Oh, you two have inside jokes already?”

  I could tell from the look on Jack’s face that he realized he’d messed up. “No, it’s just a bad joke, Nana. I guess I came up with it when we went to get ice cream.”

  “I see.” She looked back and forth at us. “But, Isabella, you must show him your paintings. If he’s impressed with mine, I can’t imagine what he’ll think when he sees yours.”

  “Oh no, it’s fine.”

  “Let me see.” He held out his hand. “Let me see this talent that I’ve heard so much about.”

  I shot him a dirty look but handed him my painting. He stared at it for a few seconds and nodded.

  “It’s quite good,” he said. “You are a true artist. I believe.

  “I’d like to think so. It’s how I make my money,” I reminded him. “My day job and all that.”

  “Indeed.” He nodded. “One might think that you should have your own gallery in a coffee shop or something.”

  “One might think that,” I agreed.

  Edith yawned. “Well, I think that I should go and have myself a little nap before dinner. Jack, are Becky and the other girls here yet?”

  “No, Nana. They’re arriving tomorrow. Remember?”

  “Oh, yes. of course. And the party’s tomorrow.”

  “The party,” Jack groaned. “Oh, you didn’t say yes, did you?”

  “Of course. My granddaughters can have a party whenever they want. I love being around their friends and enjoying what it’s like to be young again.”

  “Nana.” He shook his head. “Ah, I thought it was just going to be a family affair.”

  “It is a family affair with some friends. What’s better than friends and family?”

  “I guess not much.” He shook his head. “Would you like me to escort you to your bedroom?”

  “No, dear. I’m fine. Thank you, though.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  We watched Edith walked down the hallway towards her bedroom and then Jack spoke once again. “You’re good.”

  “Thank you. Did you think I was going to be crap?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged, “But you’re really good. You’re talented. I’m surprised that you’re not in a gallery somewhere.

  “I’m in a couple of random galleries.” I shrugged. “But I don’t sell enough to pay the bills.”

  “I’ll buy a piece from you.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know I don’t have to, but I’d be happy to.”

  “I’m sure you’d be happy to, but—”

  “But what? You don’t want to take my money now?”

  “What do you mean I don’t want to take your money now? Did I ever want to take your money?”

  “I’m joking.”

  “I don’t feel like that’s a joke.”

  “You’re sensitive, aren’t you?”

  “I’m sensitive?” I shook my head. “No, I’m not.

  “Maybe one day you’ll give me an art lesson.”

  “Maybe.”

  “So, you really do want to go to England?”

  “Yeah. Why do you say that?”

  “I remember you mentioned it when we were at dinner and then you just mentioned it to my Nana, as well.”

  “Yeah, I kind of have ties. I mean, not strong ties like you, but some ties.”

  “I guess they have a lot of great museums and galleries in England, huh?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “The Tate, The Victoria and Albert. The British Museum. They’ve just got so many. It would just be cool, you know? One day I’ll get there.”

  “I’m sure you will.” He nodded. “Well, I will let you go about your business for the evening. I’m sure Lucas must be looking for you so you can conspire over how the night is going to go.”

  “We don’t conspire. We just—”

  “I don’t need to know the dirty details.” He shook his head. “I’ll see you at dinner, Isabella.”

  “I’ll see you at dinner, Jack.”

  I watched as he walked away then hurried to my room and sat on my bed. It was interesting being here, getting to know Jack better, and meeting his family.

  Edith was really nice, much nicer than I would’ve thought for someone who was so rich, but who was I to judge? It’s not like I had any firsthand experience with rich people before, certainly not millionaires and billionaires. These were good people, and I didn’t like deceiving them. I needed to speak to Lucas again to see if he wouldn’t just tell them the truth. I hated that he was lying to his grandparents, and I hated being part of it. And to be honest, I hated that Jack was a witness to it all. He’d already had negative thoughts about me and now he probably had even more.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “So, Becky, this is Isabella. Isabella, this is Becky and this is Jenny.” Lucas introduced me to his glamorous cousins.

  “Hey, don’t forget me,” a little blond girl squealed.

  “And Cindy. No one could ever forget you. This is Cindy.”

  “Hi. Nice to meet you, Isabella.” Cindy ran over to me and gave me a big hug. “So happy to finally meet someone that Lucas is dating.”

  “Cindy,” Lucas frowned, “what is that supposed to mean?

  “It means that we’ve been asking you for years and years and years to introduce us to someone you’re dating.”

  “I just think it’s funny that you’re bisexual,” Becky said, and everyone went silent.

  Lucas looked exasperated. “Really, Becky?”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head.

  I looked around from Lucas to his cousins, and I was pretty sure that every single one of them knew that Lucas was gay. Did they think that he was in the closet, or that he didn’t know he was gay, or something else? I didn’t even know what to think anymore. I was going to ignore it. Maybe if I ignored it long enough it would sort itself out. I hoped.

  “So, what are you going to wear to the party tonight?” Cindy said excitedly. “I hope you brought a fabulous dress. Did you bring a fabulous dress?”

  “I didn’t bring any dresses, actually.” I glared at Lucas. “Someone forgot to tell me there was going to be a party.”

  “I didn’t know!” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Sorry.”

  “We always have a party,” Becky said. “How could you not know? Lucas, that’s absolutely ridiculous.” She studied me. “But you look like you’re close to my size, and I brought ten dresses, so you can definitely bo
rrow one of mine.”

  “Oh, wow. Thank you so much. I would really appreciate it,” I replied. I’d feel a little bit of an idiot wearing jeans to the party.

  “Oh, girl, don’t worry. I’ve got you,” Becky grinned. “So, have you met John yet?”

  “Yeah. So, do you guys call him John or Jack? I’m kind of confused about how this whole thing goes. Or is it interchangeable?”

  “Well, he was born John, but he goes by Jack.” Becky shrugged. “To be honest, I call him whatever he wants me to call him in order to get my check. I’m just joking,” She added with a giggle. “Well, kind of. I mean, I’m sure you’ve met him. He’s like the boss of the family. He treats us like we’re his little kids or something, not his cousins.”

  “See. Didn’t I tell you that?” Lucas gave a firm nod.

  “Jack likes to act like he’s the big boss of the family, and, like, hello, we’re equally descended from the same relatives, so actually all of us should have a say.”

  “Well, he is the CEO now,” Cindy said. “And …”

  “And what?” Lucas prompted.

  “And you know Papa trusts him the most.”

  “Whatever.” Lucas rolls his eyes.

  “I think you’re being unfair to him.” Cindy pouted.

  “I know. Who said I had to be fair?” He laughed. But if he’s going to get on my back for buying a Cartier watch when we have millions …”

  “Then I’m going to get on his back as well, for being a bossy-boots and a—”

  “Enough, enough,” Becky said. “Come on, let’s go and get ready. I have invited, like, 100 people. This party is going to be banging.”

  “Yeah. It’s going to be something, all right,” Lucas said with a grin. “I hope you invited some hotties.”

  “We did, but don’t you have Isabella here?” Becky raised an eyebrow.

  “Well, yeah, I have Isabella here, but you know what I mean.”

  He cleared his throat and everyone started laughing. I didn’t know why everyone was laughing. Maybe there was some sort of hidden joke that I wasn’t in on, but I was scared to ask. I didn’t want to know any more secrets. I was laden as it was. Whatever was going to happen was going to happen, and hopefully, the party would be fun.