by Laura Domino
“Adam?” She straightened her hair and backpack even though she didn’t need to. That made him even more aggravated. If she’s going to be this late and slam into him, the least she could do would be to look bad. But she didn’t.
She was gorgeous.
“I’ve been waiting a long time because I was on time, and you were not.” His quiet tone was calm enough, but he enunciated his words way too precisely. That was the best he could do. She probably heard his frustration.
Benita gave him a once-over and walked over to her door. With the door opened, she asked, “Coming?”
He didn’t want to. “Yes.” But he went to her anyway. With strong, angry steps, he entered her apartment and sat right away on the sofa. He didn’t spread his arms over the back of it and relax. But he didn’t punch one of her throw pillows, either.
“What’s your problem?”
She didn’t know? “You didn’t call and say you’d be late.”
“I apologize. I should’ve texted you. If it happens again, I will. But I’m not that late.”
“You don’t feel even slightly guilty for leaving me on the doorstep for almost a half-hour?” He sat up taller and leaned toward her. “I want to be your friend.”
She squinted. “I don’t get it. You’re upset about this?”
“Because you need a friend. I can be your friend and help you discuss your personal issues like a… friend.” He wanted to say girlfriend, but that would cloud the issue. She obviously didn’t have a BFF who would tell her what he wanted to bring up, so he would do it in her girlfriend’s absence.
“Sorry? My personal issues? And they are?” She stayed by the kitchen. Maybe she was afraid of getting too near a man with steam coming out of his ears.
“I know you are a diligent, hard-working employee, but did you just get home? Or did you come home after work and go out for dinner, and you’re just now coming back again?” She had to hear it from him, even though he sounded like a middle-aged neglected wife. “You need to have a personal life. You go into work early and stay late. Every day. I help you with Spanish, but that is also for work. What do you do for yourself? What do you do for your community?”
Slowly, she let it sink in. After a few seconds, she walked over and sat beside him. “Adam?”
He kept his hands to himself, as hard as that was. “Yes?” It was only a whisper. His self-control had sapped his energy.
“You care about me.” She turned and held his gaze. Her expression showed amazement. She looked happy.
He needed to get up. Pacing from the kitchen to the fireplace, he kept two thoughts at the top of his list. The first was to avoid at all cost any mention of exactly how much he did indeed care for her. And the second was a more acceptable topic for discussion. “My dear friend, Benita, you and I will start our own accountability group. This is the perfect moment in your life to start participating in your community, although you should have already been participating, but we won’t go into that.”
“Just the two of us?” She nodded. “Okay.”
If he had asked her a couple of weeks ago, he was sure she would’ve balked about spending more time on something not directly related to her current work projects. Maybe she could’ve been persuaded or maybe she would have just rejected the idea immediately. But she didn’t do any of that.
She was incredibly accepting of his frustration and impatience. Any other woman might have asked him to leave when he got upset just now. When there could’ve been a yelling contest, there wasn’t.
Now that they knew each other better, she trusted him. Or at the very least, she was used to him.
This crazy adrenaline rush made words hard to find. He stopped pacing. It was taking a big risk, but he was going to try sitting by her again. When he did, she remained quiet and waited for him to continue. “Our group will have meetings. We will be brief. We won’t take up a whole hour or even thirty minutes. We won’t do this instead of Spanish lessons. Ever. You need both.”
Her gaze fell to the floor. She appeared to be working through his suggested changes. Working it through in her head was a good sign. It looked like she would really do this with him.
His internal fire cooled. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
She connected with his gaze. “You’re not through explaining. Participating in your community? What did you have in mind?”
“Good question. You’re right. I’m not through. Volunteering. Helping out. Getting involved in a charity. Is there a charity you’d like to contact and see when they need volunteers?”
“What else? Meetings? I don’t get out at the same time every day.”
That was the hard part. Getting her to cut back on late hours at work. Why would she do that? What would motivate her?
Before he had a chance to make a suggestion, she spoke up. “How about a Saturday lunch meeting every week, six-thirty volunteering meetings, and seven o’clock Spanish lessons?”
“That’s a good start. We can customize from there.”
She smiled. “That’s why I get the big bucks.” She pointed to herself and whispered, “Winner.”
Chapter 15
Benita was ready for their new Saturday lunch appointment before Adam arrived at her door. She opened her door for him.
Adam smiled but tried to hide it as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you ready?”
“Of course. Where are we going to eat? Have you decided?”
“I thought you were going to pick a place.”
Benita could think of one place nearby that might work. “Why don’t we have lunch at Blueberry Bakery? Have you heard of it?”
“It’s a restaurant of some distinction, renowned for its absolutely addicting bakery items as well as its sturdy lunch menu.” His body remained still, but his voice made her think of a radio announcer doing a promo for the restaurant.
“So you’ve been there?”
“Never been. I got the description online after my mom suggested it.”
“Your mom?” His mom had discussed his lunch plans with him? He’d been thinking this through more than his body language had suggested.
“How’s the food? You obviously know the place.”
“I’ve only been there about three times in the last six months. But the food was excellent. And it’s really close.” Benita grabbed her purse and keys. “Let’s go.”
It was a normal, sunny October Saturday. It was the kind of day that made people want to be outside and then made them hungry. Very few tables were empty. The hostess led them to a table by the window, and a woman who looked her own age, or maybe a little older, came by to take their order. “I’m Charlie. What would you two like to drink on this gorgeous afternoon?”
“Water.” Benita should stick with her usual light lunch. No need to have burgers, milkshakes, and bakery items just because they were really good here.
Adam stared at the waitress. “You look exactly like a woman who works at the school across from my house. Do you have a twin?”
Charlie smiled back at him. “I thought I recognized you.” She laughed. “You look different all wet and standing in the middle of a bunch of kids. Hey, do you want your umbrella back?”
“No. I gave it to you to keep. Charlie, I’ll have a glass of water too.”
“Oh. You want it on the inside of you today. I see what you’re doing.”
Adam turned to Benita as Charlie walked away. “I saw her working in that terrible rainstorm we had. Right across from my house. She’s a crosswalk guard or something. I offered to take her stop sign and walk the kids across the street she could get out of the rain.”
“Ah.” Benita nodded. “Volunteering.”
He smiled like he hadn’t already thought of it. “I had no idea she worked here. But, yeah, it’s the perfect set up for our meeting. I wish I’d done that on purpose.”
“Let’s call this meeting to order.” Benita tapped on the table. “Would you like to present an idea for us? There’s no old busi
ness since this is our first meeting.”
“Wow. So formal.” He looked like he enjoyed it.
“Complain all you want. You love that I’m a woman who knows how to take charge when I need to. You have all these good ideas, but I’m hearing nothing.” She put her hand to her ear. “Nothing. Let’s get moving. We don’t have all day.”
“Cracking the whip. You’re really into this. That’s great.” He cleared his throat. “So back when we first met, I told you everybody does at least one good deed every day. We both know that’s not true.”
“Correct.”
“We are meeting to create a virus of good deeds that will grow and infect others with the same desire.”
“I like it.” Benita couldn’t hold back her amused smile. “The world needs more viruses.”
“No. Good deeds. The world needs more good-deed-doers.” He looked around.
“I know.”
“I know you know. I just didn’t want us to get kicked out of the restaurant for talking about spreading viruses.” He leaned forward, resting on his elbows. “I suppose we can begin with a small step and figure out how to do this as we grow.”
“Grow? As in number of members?”
“Whatever. So here’s my idea. We choose a good deed and do it together. That gives both of us a witness if we’re going to chart our hours. We don’t have to. But if your boss asks you to work on a Saturday and we have an event planned for that day, you can explain that you’re trying to reach three hundred volunteer hours this year. He’ll be impressed and keep that in mind when it’s time to decide who gets a raise at the end of the year.”
“Three hundred hours? That’s a lot.” This was way more involved than she had expected.
“Well, you might not achieve that goal, but it’s an admirable goal. And if you never try for it, you’ll never reach it.”
Charlie came to the table with their glasses of water. “Are you eating lunch? Or just drinking water?”
“We’re ordering. Charlie, this is my very dear friend, Benita.”
“Nice to meet you, Benita. Are you ready to order?”
“Caesar salad, please.”
“And I’ll have the Big Fat Belly Burger.”
“That’s exactly what you’ll get.” Charlie giggled. “A big fat belly.”
“Just what I don’t need. Thanks, Charlie.”
As Charlie walked away again, Benita turned the discussion to one of her ideas. “Adam, would you call visiting an elderly person in a nursing home a volunteer hour? Does that count?”
“Yes. I don’t know why not.”
“How about visiting someone in the hospital?” She waited for him to catch on. “Like Dan, for instance?”
“Right. That’s tricky. It could be a volunteer hour for some visits. Doing a good deed isn’t always a volunteer hour on a chart.”
“Exactly my point. Some of the first words you said to me were about complimenting people. Not a volunteer hour kind of thing. But a good deed, nevertheless. Are we going to make a list of rules about what can be charted and what can’t?”
“Let’s say, for right now, that we go easy on rules while it’s a two-member group.”
“When we need rules, I’ll propose some policies. And possibly by-laws if we want to go that direction.”
He hesitated. “But for now, let’s just do things for people. What do you say?”
“Sounds good to me. Starting with…?”
“Are you leaning in any direction?”
Benita couldn’t stop thinking about Dan. His face just glowed when he was holding her hand. “We need to do something for Dan.”
Adam’s gaze fell to the table. “I called the nurses to ask about him this morning. They said his attitude is better, but his health isn’t.”
“What’s he in for?” It sounded like she was talking about a prison inmate.
“I don’t know. He won’t talk to me about it. I’m guessing a tumor. He’s been losing a lot of weight. He won’t eat. He’s basically sitting there, waiting to die.”
“Are you his only family?”
“He’s a family friend. He never had kids that I know of. We always invited him over for holidays and family events. So it’s like he’s family.” Adam’s gaze connected with hers. He hid his sadness by trying on a smile “My mom won’t go see him. I don’t know why. The nurses told me I’m the only one who visits.”
Benita nodded. “Then we’ll go see him together. At least once during the weekdays and again on Saturdays.” She waited for his response, but he kept his emotions carefully guarded and his gaze on the table. “That means today. Are you in, Mr. Good-Deed-Doer?”
A smile spread slowly across his face. “You amaze me.”
Charlie approached with their lunches.
“Wow.” Adam stared at his burger. “Appropriate name.”
Charlie smiled and walked away, saying over her shoulder, “I told you so.”
XOXO
“Slow down, woman.” Adam sped up a little to get ahead of Benita. He opened the hospital door and waited for her to go in first.
“Such a gentleman.”
“I try. It’s hard to do sometimes, but I try.”
Benita laughed. “I’ll have to remember to slow down before I get to a door. I like how this feels.”
He filled with pride with her walking by his side. They rode the elevator in silence and arrived at Dan’s closed door, both of them looking at each other with questions.
Adam cracked open the door and peeked in. The dim room felt as cold as the look on Dan’s face.
Dan wasn’t alone, but he looked like he wanted to be. He was in another of his dark moods. Adam closed the door and waited with Benita in the hallway.
Soon Dan’s doctor left and closed the door behind him. Adam shook the doctor’s hand. “Everything okay in there? We’re here to visit Dan.”
“You can go in. I just wanted to have a word with him.” The doctor took a pen out of his coat pocket and went to the nurses’ station.”
Adam left the light switch off and walked in first.
Benita waited by the door. Aside from the normal beeping noises, the hospital seemed strangely quiet.
Dark Dan was pulling a light blanket up closer to his shoulders. When he saw Adam come in, he smirked. “Sure, today, you come in to see me.”
Adam chuckled. “Fine, thanks. And how are you?”
Dan stared out the window.
“I brought a visitor for you.” Adam began to get concerned when Dan didn’t respond. He had really liked having Benita in his room before. “Benita?” Adam motioned for her to come closer to the bed.
Dan turned his attention to her. “I have no idea why you’re hanging around a hospital on a day like this.” Something was bothering him. Was it something the doctor said before they arrived? It was saying something for him to frown at Benita.
“A day like what?” She waited for Dan’s explanation.
“I have eyes. Out that window, I see one or two clouds and a bunch of blue sky. You two should be out there enjoying the weekend. Go find a boat or a bike or a kite to fly. Old men should not get visitors on the weekend.”
Benita moved closer and held out her hand for him to take. “I have time today.”
Dan stared at her hand before taking it. “Your skin is soft.” He looked at Adam. “Have you touched her hand? Take it.” His gaze moved between them. “Go on. Show the man.”
“Dan!” Adam tried to get Dan to back off, but the ornery old man was being stubborn in a weird way.
Benita held out her hand for Adam. “It’s okay.”
Dan pointed. “Take it. Adam, this is what a woman’s hand feels like. It’s been a while since you’ve dated.”
“How do you—”
“Your mother and I have gotten all caught up. I know what you put her through.”
“Wait, Dan—”
“Now, take the girl’s hand.”
“Dan, she’s…” He wouldn’t take he
r hand or even look at her.
“She’s your girlfriend. Look at her. Good job, Adam. Way to pick a good one.”
“Don’t be like this.” Adam wanted to shrink to the size of an ant. Why was Dan exploding over the whole girlfriend thing again today?
“It’s okay.” Benita took his hand.
“Adam, I’m only saying this once more. And I’m still not sure you remember what to do. Just hold her hand. Feel her warmth. That’s the woman’s power over a man. She has warmth that you cannot feel until you actually touch her. And I’m not talking about body temperature. She’s soft, Adam.”
Dan was right. Her hand was so soft. He should’ve already been holding her hand by now. Why hadn’t he asked her out yet? Adam looked at her to see if they should leave.
She wasn’t acting embarrassed or anxious. The sunlight coming through the window highlighted her in the room. She could handle the spotlight. Her hand held his with tenderness. That had to be the power Dan spoke of. She was captivating, not by the softness of her skin, but by her tenderness.
Adam thought back to many of the girls he had dated. They were all sexy and fun, but they didn’t have Benita’s power.
Dan’s gaze was out the window again. “It’s Saturday. You two get outside and find something to do.”
“Benita and I are going to church tomorrow.”
All eyes were on Adam.
With surprise in his voice, Dan muttered, “Really?”
“What’s the name of your church, Benita?” Adam had never asked but wanted it to sound like he just couldn’t remember. He should’ve talked it through before blurting out his spur of the moment plans. Of all the things he could’ve said, he didn’t know why he chose to say that. It just seemed like a good idea since she was holding his hand.
Benita looked at Dan before responding. “First Church. It’s on Fourth Avenue.”
Dan stared at Adam. His voice went even higher. “Really?”
“Yes, Dan. I’m going to church again.”
Dan’s face brightened. “I’m impressed.”
Adam nodded acknowledgment. Every member of his family knew it was about time. Even he’d known better than to stay away for so long.