by Zuri Day
Ten
Avery battled with a band of balloons, two oversize, before finally getting them out of her back seat and securing the weight-laden strings around her wrist. She reached back in for a hot-pink gift bag and then balanced a customized ice-cream cake on both arms. After using her hip to close the car door, she tapped the fob to lock it and proceeded up the walk to Lisa’s home. Amanda met her midway.
“Aunt Avery, let me help you.”
“Thank you, baby. Can you grab the gift bag?”
“I’ll take the cake.”
“So it can end up an upside-down blob melting on this sidewalk?”
“Auntie! I won’t drop it.”
“I know.” Because you won’t be carrying it. “Here. I’m more comfortable with you taking the bag.”
As they talked, one of Lisa’s neighbors and good friends, Emily, came out and relieved Avery of the balloons she carried.
“Everyone’s out back,” she said over her shoulder as they reached the front door to Lisa and Frank’s cozy home on the outskirts of Point du Sable. “Go on in,” Emily said with a nod to the balloons. “This might take me a minute. I’ve made room in the freezer for the cake.”
“Thanks, Em.”
“My pleasure. She’s going to love them.”
“Aunt Avery, do you want me to put your gift over there with the others?” Amanda pointed to the dining room table laden with presents.
“Yes, honey. Thank you.”
Avery continued into the kitchen, placed the cake in the freezer and continued through the back door to the decorated patio where a dozen or so people milled around or talked in small groups. She spotted Lisa and Frank sitting on a chaise and went over to join them.
“There’s the party girl,” she said, giving Lisa a heartfelt hug. “Hi, Frank.”
“Hey there, Avery.” Frank got up and gave Avery a one-armed squeeze. “Don’t you look snazzy.”
“You sure do,” Lisa said. “I know this is a celebration but you didn’t have to get all dressed up.”
Avery looked down at the oversize top boasting bright pink flowers that she’d paired with white capri pants and black-and-white sandals, the umpteenth outfit she’d tried on before making up her mind.
“It’s called dressy casual.” Lisa looked her up and down. “What?”
“I’m trying to find the casual part.”
Frank walked on the tiptoes of his Jordans. “It’s country club chic.”
Frank and Lisa enjoyed a chuckle. Avery missed the joke. Her sister’s teasing had Avery questioning her choice once again, one of many questions she’d asked herself ever since accepting Cayden’s invitation to attend a party. She’d immediately assumed it was an Eddington affair. The follow-up text about the dress being casual hadn’t comforted her one bit. A casual outfit in Point du Sable’s high society, country club circle could set a person back five figures.
Her first thought had been to turn down the offer. Getting Emily’s call the following day about Lisa’s celebration was the perfect excuse. Even though Lisa’s party ended at five and Cayden’s invite was for seven, celebrating the end of her sister’s chemo treatments provided the escape she needed. In the end, she decided to put on her big-girl panties and go through with it. They still hadn’t talked about what happened on the dance floor that night. Since she didn’t want to spend the Fourth of July weekend with them dancing around an elephant, it was a conversation that needed to be had. Then there was that annoying part about her that had the nerve to miss the guy. Their communications were normally short and sweet, and often by text, but for the past two months they’d talked almost every day. She missed his voice, his easy banter, the subtle flirtation. She missed it all. As for the kiss, memories of that moment were still almost as strong as when it happened. A damn shame considering that was three weeks ago.
“I was teasing, kiddo.” Frank gave her shoulder a playful punch. “Earth to Avery. Where’d you go, girl?”
Totally into the Cayden zone.
“Will!” Frank’s attention had been drawn over Avery’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Never mind. I need to go over and help my boy handle that grill. Make sure the barbecue doesn’t become burn-a-cue.”
Lisa’s laugh turned to a gasp. “Wow! Look at that!”
Everyone turned. Emily danced her way over. The balloons bobbed behind her, the metallic material gleaming like crystals as they caught the sun. The oversize balloons spelling out THAT Pink Lisa were especially impressive.
“I know you’re not really into the bling thing, but hey, it’s a special occasion.”
“I love them.” Lisa gave Avery another hug. “That and the outfit? Really, sis, you shouldn’t have.”
Avery almost told Lisa about the invite from Cayden but right at that moment a couple of women from Lisa’s job came over to admire the balloons and chat. Soon, the games started, drinks flowed and the food was laid out buffet-style. Emily made a big deal of announcing the end of Lisa’s chemo treatments. The guests cheered. Avery cried. When asked to speak and then talking about how much she loved her sis, she came near to an all-out boohoo. Five o’clock came and went and the party continued. When Avery checked her watch she was shocked.
Six thirty? How’d that happen?
She walked over to where Lisa and Frank stood with Emily and her husband, Charles. “I’ve got to go, sis.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
Avery hugged Frank and Emily and gave Charles a wave. The sisters held hands as they walked around the side of the house to Avery’s car.
“Hot date?” Lisa asked when they got out of earshot.
“No.”
“Yes,” Lisa countered, using a finger to point out Avery’s outfit. “Now it makes sense.”
“No, really. It’s work-related.”
Lisa’s voice lowered. “You’re going to see him, aren’t you?”
“Who?”
“Who, who?” Lisa mocked a hoot owl.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Avery pointed the fob toward her car and turned to hug Lisa. “Today was amazing. You look great. I’m so happy you’re on the other side of that beast.”
“There’s still a ways to go before I’m declared cancer-free.”
“I’m declaring it now.” They hugged again. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Avery opened her car door. Lisa turned to leave. “Have fun wherever you’re going.”
“I will.”
“Tell Cayden I said hi.”
Avery arrived in Chicago just before seven and texted Cayden that she was almost there. She’d engaged her GPS with the address he’d texted earlier. The closer the automated voice said she was to her destination, the more she felt she’d flubbed the address. She was nowhere near any of the zip codes she’d imagined the instructions would take her. By the time she pulled up to a nondescript brick apartment building with the announcement that “You have arrived,” Avery was sure she’d messed up. She pulled out her phone and was just about to recheck the text when Cayden strolled out of the building.
The first thing she noticed? What he was wearing—T-shirt, jeans, flip-flops. Does that man actually have on flip-effing-flops? As she looked down at her outfit, and the strappy sandals encasing her fresh pink pedicure, Frank walking on his tiptoes swam into memory. There was no way around it and no doubt about it. She was definitely overdressed.
Cayden reached her car. “Hi!”
Wishing for the clothes she had on before showering and changing, she reluctantly opened the door.
“You made it!”
Cayden hadn’t noticed her complete and total discomfort. Men! He hugged her, and for a second, she was distracted from her fashion faux pas.
Stepping away he remarked, “You
got the text that said casual, right?”
So much for being distracted. “I know,” Avery snapped. “I’m overdressed.”
“You look good, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that, well, you’ll see.”
They entered the building. Though well-maintained it was obviously old, with areas in need of repair. They passed through a lobby-like area with a counter that ran the length of one wall. Behind it were brightly decorated posters with positive sayings that showed laughing, older people enjoying various activities. On the other side of the lobby were two smaller rooms with what looked like an activity calendar attached to the wall between them. Tables and chairs were scattered about. A few held games or decks of cards. When they reached the elevator that led into a long hall, Avery saw a gray-haired woman using a walker and being assisted by a slightly younger woman walking beside her.
She turned to Cayden. “Who lives here?”
“A dear friend.” Cayden’s eyes laughed. Clearly, he noted and was enjoying her confusion. The elevator door opened. He ushered her inside and pushed the button for the top floor. Avery studied the posters taped to the elevator walls.
“Rising Star Assisted Living?”
“You got it, the name of this facility.”
Facility?
Before she could ask further questions, they reached the tenth floor. The elevator doors opened. Straight ahead was a large, bright room filled with people. None looked under seventy years old. Colorful streamers crisscrossed the walls and ceiling. Silver food warmers lined several rectangular tables at the back of the room. At the front was a podium with a round cage filled with brightly colored balls.
“There’s my cutie pie,” a silver-haired lady exclaimed as she toddled up to Cayden and grabbed his arm. “I thought you’d run out on me.”
Her gaze slid to Avery. “Who is this? Your sister?”
“No, Miss Kay. This is a very good friend, Avery Gray.”
“Your girlfriend?” Her sweet face twisted into a frown. “You stepping out on me?”
“Never, Miss Kay. Avery, this is Miss Kay Morales. She was my fourth-grade teacher. I was insecure, introverted, didn’t make friends easily. She suggested I join the Boys and Girls Club where she volunteered. It became my home away from home for several years and she became my best friend. She still is.”
Kay’s eyes shone as though she really believed him.
“I know he’s lying,” she said to Avery, dispelling the thought. “But it sure sounds good!” She linked an arm through Avery’s as they entered the room together. “What’s your name again, sweetie?”
“Avery, ma’am.”
“She’s very pretty, Cayden. If she isn’t your girlfriend, she should be.”
From the moment they entered the room, it was nonstop conversation. Little ladies pulled on Cayden. Sweet codgers winked at her. A man older than Jupiter pinched her butt. She was called a “looker” for the first time in her life. It took a moment to realize that beside the discarded plates of a recently eaten picnic fare, cards and chips were stacked in front of every seat at the tables. No. Couldn’t be.
Bingo, Cayden? Seriously?
As serious as a lockdown in all fifty states. She’d barely digested that bit of news when once again Cayden’s name was called.
“Come on, young man,” said a spry senior wearing VFW regalia. “Let’s get this party started!”
Cayden reached for her hand. “Come on!”
Next thing she knew, Avery had been given a two-minute drill on how to turn the cage and reach in for the balls. Cayden was the caller. Competition was fierce. “Bingo!” rang out all over the room, sometimes prematurely or flat-out wrong.
“Give it up!” one disgusted player shouted after a false alarm. “Myrtle, you’re as blind as a bat!”
People clapped and cheered when their friends won but Cayden had to step in between two men who felt the other was cheating. Avery was called in to mediate. She double-checked the cards for accuracy as though it was a hopeful student’s college entrance exam. Two hours flew by and then it was over. Avery had had the time of her life!
“How’d you like the party?” Cayden teased as they walked out into the warm night air.
“Who knew bingo could be so much fun?”
“Fun? I thought at any moment a riot could break out!”
“If Myrtle had gotten it wrong one more time, it may have!”
They cracked up all the way to Avery’s car. “Where are you parked?”
“I’m around back.”
“Thanks for inviting me here tonight. After all the stress of the job, it’s just what I needed. I want to adopt your teacher, Miss Kay. That she’s kept in touch with you all of these years is probably some kind of record.”
“I was having a tough time when we met. Chaotic home life. Low self-esteem. She noticed and took special care. Now it’s my pleasure to take care of her. That type of kindness is never forgotten.”
A few seconds of silence passed. Cayden sighed and looked at the sky. Avery tried to think of a clever segue from fourth graders to first kisses.
“You know, Cayden—”
“It’s such a beau—”
Cayden gestured to Avery. “You first.”
“What were you going to say?”
“It’s a beautiful night and I’m not ready to go home yet. There’s a neighborhood bar not too far away. Can I buy you a drink?”
“Absolutely.”
“Why don’t you leave your car here? The neighborhood is safe, but I’d feel better if you were with me.” When she still hesitated, he continued, “I promise to get you back before the clock strikes twelve and you have to roll home in a pumpkin.”
“Well, in that case...”
Cayden and Avery walked down the street and around the corner. She was surprised when Cayden stopped in front of a black SUV.
“This is your car?”
He nodded as he opened her door. Once she was secure, he bopped around to his side of the car, jumped in and took off.
“Nothing against practical vehicles but there’s a whole lot of distance between what you’re now driving and the car in the accident. Did I scare you away from ever wanting to own something so costly again?”
“Hardly.” He fiddled with the radio. “This is a rental. Easier to blend in. Driving a luxury car in these parts might put a target on your back.”
“Come to think of it, I never asked what happened to your car. Were they able to fix it?”
“Completely totaled.”
Avery’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Don’t worry. Insurance covered it. I ordered another one almost exactly like the one you hit.”
A short time later, they pulled up to a building that looked as old as the one they’d just left. Jack’s Joint flashed from a partially lit neon sign.
At Avery’s raised brow, Cayden responded, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Inside, Jack’s Joint was all dark wood and burgundy leather, dim and cozy, the way one would imagine a “joint” to be. Blues notes greeted Avery like an old friend, though they’d never met before. A group of men at the bar eyed her appreciatively, while a couple more played pool in the back.
“Hey, Jack!” Cayden waved to the older, bald-headed man behind the bar.
“There’s no women in here,” Avery hissed.
“You’re here, and you’re with me,” was Cayden’s confident reply. He led them to one of only two booths, both positioned by a jukebox that looked to have been delivered around 1965.
“Pinot noir, same as always?”
That “always” had only been one drink one time was something Avery strongly considered pointing out. Instead, she simply nodded and watched how Cayden’s ass blessed the hell out of those jeans as he made his way to the counter.
Don’t f
orget why you agreed to this drink, she told herself, mentally preparing her dissertation. That ass she’d admired just moments before had barely touched leather when she went into the spiel.
“What happened on the dance floor that night shouldn’t have happened.”
“I know,” Cayden quickly interjected before she could continue, calmly placing a napkin beneath the glass of wine he’d set in front of her. He sat back, a bottle of beer in hand. “That whole situation was way too public and, because of that, ended way too soon.”
For a second, Avery was stunned speechless. Had she been expecting a comeback, which she hadn’t, it would not have included anything of what he just said.
“I know that’s not what you meant, but don’t you want to at least have a sip of your wine before having—” air quotes “—the conversation?”
Avery took the briefest of sips before jumping right back into her speech. “Like I said...”
Her exaggerated attitude combined with a stiffly pointed finger and a perfectly executed neck roll had both of them bursting with laughter again.
“Girl, you were ready!”
“It did sound like I was in a rush to clear the air.”
“I’ll put it this way. If your words were a race, you’d have won Olympic gold.”
Avery chuckled.
“Record-breaking, FloJo hair and nails in your face kind of winning race.”
“It’s not the easiest conversation. I guess I wanted to speak my mind before I changed it.”
“Neither one of us had making out in mind when we stepped on the dance floor. It just happened.”
“I know, and I couldn’t have been more shocked. That type of behavior is totally not me. At a networking affair I’m attending in a professional capacity. With a client whose event I’m planning, in front of hundreds of other potential businesses that could be future clients? I was beyond embarrassed.”
“Is embarrassment the ‘something came up’ scenario that you texted me?”
Avery nodded. “I already felt guilty about what happened and then was confronted in the bathroom. That was my exit cue.”