The Road To Bliss

by Denise N Wheatley

  Today Timber was formulating exfoliating scrubs for the face and body. She began lining up her products in the order that they needed be mixed, starting with the oatmeal, fruits, sunflower seeds and sea salts. Then she lined the fruit peels, rose petals, powdered milk and essential oils behind them. As Timber pulled measuring cups, wooden spoons and large mixing bowls from underneath the counter, her business phone rang. She set everything down and quickly ran over to her desk, grabbing the receiver right before the voicemail picked up.

  “Thank you for calling Soothing Bliss, this is Timber speaking,” she said cheerily.

  “Hi…it’s me.”

  “Uh…hi,” Timber said, completely caught off guard. It was Brian.

  “How are you?” he asked, his voice unsteady.

  “Fine, and you?” she replied coolly.

  “I’m hanging in there. I tried calling your cell but didn’t get an answer, so I figured you were down in the lab mixing up those potions of yours.”

  “Those potions, huh,” Timber mimicked, wondering if this was Brian’s attempt at humor. If it was, it wasn’t funny. “Actually I’m working on some exfoliants.”

  “Oh wow, that sounds great!” Brian replied with way too much forced enthusiasm. He paused for a moment, then continued. “Listen Timber, I really need to talk to you. I haven’t had an opportunity to explain myself. Eva and I talked this weekend and got everything straightened out between us, and—”

  “I know. I was there,” Timber interrupted.

  “You were? I didn’t know that.”

  “I told Eva not to tell you because I wasn’t ready to talk to you. I’m still not ready to talk to you.”

  “Timber, we were together for almost six years. Is it that hard for you to just have a conversation with me?”

  “Yes. At this point, it is,” Timber said, sitting down behind her desk and propping her now-pulsating head in her hand. “Especially after everything you said to me when I gave you the ring back—”

  “I’m sorry for all of that,” Brian interjected. “I truly am. I didn’t mean those things. I was just upset. And hurt. So I got defensive and lashed out at you instead of listening to what you were saying to me.”

  “I figured that. And I’m sorry that I hurt you, too. But the thing is, I’d been hurting for months, Brian. I waited for things to change, but they didn’t. I wanted things to work out between us. But in the end I felt like we’d hit a low that we just couldn’t overcome.”

  “You didn’t even give me a chance,” Brian insisted. “You just came out of nowhere with your mind made up and ended things so abruptly. I think I deserve an opportunity to make this right again.”

  “And how are you going to do that? By changing your ways and opinions? By marrying me? Having children with me? Accepting the fact that I’ve left Boris for good and started my own company? I just don’t see that happening.”

  “Timber, I love you,” Brian said firmly. “And I need you in my life. We can figure this out. I’m determined to make this work.”

  “But how can it work if—”

  “Have dinner with me Wednesday night,” Brian interrupted. “I need to see you. I need to talk to you in person. Look you in the eye and convince you that this is where you belong. With me.”

  “Brian,” Timber sighed, holding her chest as her throat tightened up, “I can’t.”

  “Please, Timber. It’s just dinner. All I want to do is talk.”

  Several moments of uncertainty passed before Timber finally responded. “Fine,” she said, hoping that she wouldn’t end up regretting her decision. “Just dinner.”

  “Just dinner,” Brian confirmed, his tone filled with optimism. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  “Okay,” Timber responded unenthusiastically as she pulled up her calendar on her computer and added the dinner to Wednesday’s seven o’clock slot.

  “See you then. Love you,” Brian said before hanging up.

  Timber just sat there, receiver still in hand, wondering how she was going to get over Brian if he refused to give her some space. When she finally hung up the phone, she trudged upstairs and threw herself down onto the bed. There was no way she could formulate products of rejuvenation and well-being for others now that she was feeling so distressed.

  * * * *

  Timber called Eva Wednesday evening to inform her that she’d talked to Brian and was going out to dinner with him. As she waited for Eva to pick up the phone, Timber checked her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a fitted black pantsuit, black patent pumps and soft, nude makeup. Tonight she was going for a subtle look so as not to give the wrong impression.

  After several rings, Timber was about to hang up when an out-of-breath Eva finally picked up.

  “What are you doing, running a marathon?” Timber laughed.

  “I was on the treadmill,” Eva heaved. “What’s up?”

  “I just wanted to tell you that your father and I are going out to dinner tonight.”

  “Wait, what?” Eva gasped. “That’s quite the surprise. Last time we talked you were totally through with him. And now you all are going out? Together? How did that come about?”

  “Look, it’s no big deal. Nothing has changed, even though Brian seems to think he can miraculously turn everything around. It’s just dinner, and I’m only going to hear him out.”

  “Well I’m glad,” Eva said, “Because last weekend you weren’t trying to hear anything I was saying. I told you that the man is really sorry. But at least you’re giving him an opportunity to talk to you. Maybe you’ll even consider getting back together with—”

  “Stop right there,” Timber interrupted right before the doorbell rang. “Like I said, tonight is just dinner. No promises. Understand?”

  “Understand!” Eva replied frantically.

  “Okay, I’ve gotta go. Brian is here.”

  “All right. And hey, Timmy?”

  “Yes?” Timber asked while she walked to the door.

  “You’re not fooling me. I know you and my dad are going to get back together.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up. Gotta go.”

  “Have fun!”

  “I’ll try. Bye.”

  When Timber opened the door, Brian was standing on her doorstep looking extremely handsome and holding a handful of pale pink roses and a bottle of champagne. Timber could smell the cologne that she’d bought him for Christmas, especially when he leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek.

  “Hello beautiful,” Brian said, handing her the bottle and bouquet of flowers. “These are for you.”

  “Thank you,” Timber replied, taking the flowers and champagne without looking Brian in the eye. She quickly turned around and walked into the kitchen, putting the bottle in the refrigerator and the flowers in water.

  “You look beautiful,” Brian called out. “Did I say that already?”

  “You did, but thanks,” Timber said, anxious to pull herself together. She couldn’t understand why her hands and knees were so jittery. She shouldn’t be feeling this way. After instigating the breakup, she was supposed to be the cool, dominant one. Yet when Brian came up behind her and put his hand on her arm, she jumped as if she had forgotten that he was there.

  “It’s just me, sweetheart,” Brian chuckled, grabbing the vase of flowers. “I’ll put these in the living room for you.”

  Timber watched as Brian walked out of the kitchen, then closed her eyes and leaned against the sink. She took a deep breath, wondering if what she was feeling was the desire to get back together with him. Whatever it was, Timber was determined to shake it off.

  “Are you ready to go?” Brian called out.

  “I am,” Timber replied, running her hands over her blazer, fluffing out her hair then heading into the living room.

  “Did I mention how beautiful you look?” Brian asked.

  “That was the third time,” Timber said, breezing past him. “Let’s go.”

  On the way to the restaurant, the pair c
aught up on everything they’d missed since their breakup. Brian complained about how over half of his students had failed their last chemistry exam. He told Timber that he wished more of them were like her. She told him about the movie premiere and after-party she’d gone to with Eva. While they were both busy agreeing that Eva was perfect for her highfalutin job, Timber glanced out the window and saw that they were approaching the same Italian restaurant that Brian had taken her to on their very first date.

  “I see you’re pulling out all the stops tonight,” Timber said.

  “I’m going to do everything that I can to win you back,” Brian asserted, pulling up in front of the valet stand.

  “You’re awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you?” Timber quipped.

  “In this case, yes, I am.” Brian got out of the car, took the ticket from the valet, and walked around to open her door. “I know what I want,” he continued, taking her hand and holding it tightly as they walked inside. “And I’m prepared to do whatever is necessary for us to be together again.”

  Timber remained silent. Brian was still holding her hand when he gave the hostess his name and they headed to their table. It was the exact same table they’d sat at on their first date. Timber figured Brian had reserved it intentionally, hoping it’d bring back fond memories of their first date.

  When the server approached them, Brian ordered Timber’s favorite wine, appetizer and entrée for her. Once the appetizers were served and the wine was poured, they began engaging in a safe conversation that didn’t include the problems within their relationship or how they should go about fixing them.

  Two hours later, Timber was feeling relaxed and content. When their chocolate panettone arrived at the table, Brian insisted on feeding it to her, and she let him. When they were done, he dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin then held her hand in his. Timber felt a bit uneasy and suggested they call it a night. Brian agreed, paid the check, and they left.

  When the pair pulled up in Timber’s driveway, Brian got out and walked her to the door. After she opened it, he just stood there, staring at her.

  “Thank you for dinner,” she said.

  “It was my pleasure,” he smiled.

  “Well, I guess I’ll talk to you later.”

  “I was thinking maybe I could come in and have a glass of that champagne that I brought,” Brian said, taking a step forward.

  “I think the wine was had at the restaurant was enough.”

  “Well you know what would be even better? A delicious cup of that tea you’d always make for me.”

  Timber stood in the doorway, contemplating Brian’s request. Then she made the mistake of looking him in the eye. His expression was so hopeful, and she just didn’t have the heart to tell him no.

  “One cup,” she said. “I formulated and delivered products all day today, and I’m really exhausted.”

  “One cup would be perfect,” Brian smiled, stepping inside and closing the door.

  Timber walked into the kitchen, filled her teapot with water and placed it on the stove. Brian came up behind her and turned the stove on. Timber felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and quickly stepped to the side, then walked around him and took a seat at the table. Brian joined her.

  “So what were you and Eva up to when you went to visit her?” he asked, staring at her with lust in his eyes.

  Timber felt her face heating up underneath his intense gaze. “We actually went to a movie premiere. It was pretty exciting.”

  “I can imagine. But don’t go getting all Hollywood on me now.”

  “Please, that’s Eva’s world. Not mine.”

  The pair sat silently for several moments before Brian finally spoke up. “I miss spending moments like this with you. Actually, I miss…us—”

  Brian was interrupted when the teapot began to whistle.

  Saved by the bell, Timber thought as he hopped up and grabbed it, then filled two teacups with water and placed a teabag inside each of them.

  “Let’s go into the living room,” he suggested. “It’ll be more comfortable.” Before Timber could respond, Brian walked out of the kitchen.

  Timber slowly got up from the table and followed him. She glanced down at her watch, promising herself that she would only let him stay for thirty minutes. Then she would send him on his way.

  When she entered the living room, Timber turned on a lamp, removed her blazer and sat down on the loveseat across from Brian. He handed her a teacup, then paired his phone to the speaker and began playing soft, slow mood music. After that, he grabbed a lighter from the end table drawer and lit the scented candles that Timber had scattered around the room.

  “I handcrafted all of those candles, you know,” she shared with him proudly.

  “Really?” Brian asked, sounding genuinely impressed this time.

  “Yes. And it was easy, too. All it took was a little paraffin wax, beeswax, and jasmine oil.”

  “Well they smell wonderful,” he replied, sitting down next to Timber and placing his arm along the back of the loveseat. He stared at her for several moments before saying, “I’ve really missed you.”

  Timber took a sip of her tea then glanced down at her watch again. Even though it hadn’t even been close to thirty minutes, she saw where this night was going and decided to put a halt to it. “Brian, it’s getting late, and I really am tired. I think we should call it a night.”

  “You know, there’s a new comedy special streaming online that I’ve been meaning to check out. I think you’d really enjoy it. It’s only an hour long. Can we take a glance at it before I leave?”

  Timber again made the mistake of looking Brian in his eye, and saw that hopeful expression on his handsome face. She took a deep breath, went against her better judgement and said, “Okay, but I don’t think I’ll be able to stay awake for another hour.”

  “We’ll see,” Brian said excitedly, getting up and heading towards Timber’s entertainment room. “Hopefully a few good jokes will help keep you up.”

  Timber followed Brian and sat down on the couch, watching as he logged into his movie streaming account on her television. When the comedy special began, he sat down next to her and placed his arm along the back of the couch, but this time he slowly allowed his arm to slide down along her back. Then he gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

  Brian was right. As soon as the special began, he and Timber were laughing hysterically. But several jokes in, she felt her eyelids becoming very heavy. At one point she could no longer hold her eyes open. She felt her head fall onto Brian’s shoulder, but she was too tired to reposition herself, so she just stayed there.

  And then, right before she drifted off to sleep, Timber felt Brian kiss her lips softly.

  “I love you,” she heard him whisper.

  Timber’s stomach flipped at the sound of those words. She kept her eyes closed and pretended to already be asleep so that she wouldn’t have to respond.

  What have I gotten myself into, she thought to herself dreadfully, already knowing that while Brian’s hopes were high, she wasn’t interested in giving their relationship another chance.

  Chapter Six

  The next morning, Timber awoke to the sound of her whistling teapot. She opened her eyes and struggled to remember exactly what was going on. Then she looked down and saw that she was still dressed in her blouse and slacks from last night, and she was still sitting on the couch in her entertainment room. And then, as she heard dishes clanking in the kitchen, she realized that Brian was still there.

  “Hey, honey,” Brian said, sticking his head inside of the doorway. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay…I’ve got a bit of a headache from sleeping on the couch.”

  Brian came in and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Well I made you some bacon, eggs, English muffins and tea. And I’ll get you some aspirin, too. Are you hungry?”

  “Not really, but I’ll eat.” Timber looked up and saw the amorous expression on Brian’s face
and felt her heart drop.

  “Sounds good,” he said. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  Timber got up and went into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face and struggled to figure out how to handle this. Brian was acting as though they were back together. He needed to know that last night’s dinner hadn’t changed anything. She wished that they’d have just said their goodbyes afterwards. But since they hadn’t, telling him that things were going to remain the same was going to be that much harder.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Brian asked when Timber walked into the kitchen.

  “I’ll be fine. Maybe I just need to eat,” she said, sitting down at the table.

  Brian set her breakfast and two aspirin in front of her. “I need to leave soon. I’ve got class in an hour.”

  “Oh, okay,” Timber said, glad that she’d have some time alone to think.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Brian probed.

  “Yes. I’m just…thinking about last night.”

  “It was great, wasn’t it? Dinner was fantastic, and the comedy special was really funny. You missed most of it, though. Maybe we can get together again tonight and watch the rest of it together.”

  When Timber remained silent, Brian continued.

  “You did have a nice time last night, didn’t you?”

  “I did….” Timber began slowly, “But—”

  “That question requires no buts,” Brian interrupted. “All I want to know is where do we go from here?”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t think that—”