Turning the Page

by Olivia Gaines

  Ethan only nodded as he pulled her into his arms. He didn’t know why he was hugging her; it simply felt natural. It must have felt that way to her as well. Janie hugged him back, pleased, and they stood together like a young couple finding their first home.

  Outside on the street, a set of eyes watched the pair. Anger simmered in a large cauldron of contempt like a meal for the Witches of Weird. Anyone observing the young pair could see they were indeed a new couple, starting something fresh in their lives. The hostile eyes that watched were not going to allow any of their dreams to come to fruition. There was no way these two were going to start something new without first having a reckoning with the old.

  Chapter 9. Throwing in some conflict...

  Ethan didn’t want to chance looking about the space any longer without some power, a long stick, and something to serve as protection. It was nearly one and Janie’s stomach was growling. Loudly.

  “There’s a little restaurant across the way. Let me treat you to lunch,” he told her.

  “I brought a few sandwiches if you want one,” she told him.

  “No, we are celebrating. There is a great deal to discuss, plan, and strategize over this new space. I have a vision, but I want to hear yours. Then we combine the two and we move forward,” he told her. “I mean, if you still want to move forward with me?”

  It wasn’t the question that he posed to her which made her pause and her pulse race, but the tone in which he posed the question.

  “Yes, Ethan, I would like to move forward with you,” she responded. Her hand found his as he locked the door, and they headed across the street to the quaint bistro. Ethan also needed to see if his coffee business was going to disturb anyone else’s before he cranked up that beautiful antique copper coffee maker.

  The eatery was a quaint little dine-in with a modest lunch fare and only ten tables. It was obviously a Mom & Pop shop that was most likely operated by one of the owner’s kids. A thirty-something-year-old brunette came from the back to bring out some menus.

  She spoke to them as if they were old friends, “Hey there, guys; I just made some fresh chicken salad a little while ago, or if you want to go with a BLT or a burger and fries, I can cook it up for you,” she said.

  Ethan asked, “The chicken salad sounds good to me. What are you having, Janie?”

  It had been such a long time since she had beef that a juicy burger and fries sounded like manna from Heaven. “I’ll take that burger and throw some bacon on top of it with those fried taters,” Janie said with a huge grin.

  “What do you guys want to drink?” the waitress asked. “I have some sweet tea I just brewed as well as some fresh squeezed lemonade.”

  “I’ll take the lemonade,” Ethan said.

  Janie opted for nothing. Not even a bottle of water. She scoffed at his suggestion, “Seriously Ethan, bottled water is nothing more than tap water they heated and ran through reverse osmosis. It’s the plastic that will get you in the end. All those free radicals slowly eating away at you...” Her eyes were squinted as she emphasized her words.

  He shook his head in disbelief. “You are a conundrum ...”

  The waitress returned to the table with the drink order. “I’m Bitsy. I own the place. I saw you guys looking at the old theater across the street.”

  “Yes, we are looking at moving our book store there,” Janie spoke to the woman, her body language asking the woman to divulge secrets about the neighborhood, and Bitsy complied. The woman opened her mouth and told the whole kit and caboodle she held in her head. In less than three minutes, they had everything they needed to know about peak times, traffic flow, and what their bookstore would mean to the area. It was also then that Ethan and Janie found out that Bitsy was the Mayor’s little sister.

  She hadn’t even walked away from the table to fetch their order when Kate walked in, still angry and filled to the brim with piss mixed with vinegar. Did she follow us? She spotted them and opened her mouth to start in on Ethan. But Janie was hungry and fixated on that burger; there was no way she was going to allow this woman to ruin the first decent meal she’d get to enjoy in months.

  Before the first syllable rolled between Kate’s lips, Janie held up her hand, “Thank you for letting me know. Now I have to find out for myself.”

  Kate words were lodged in her throat as she stared at Janie. I haven’t said anything. Letting her know what?

  As if she’d read Kate’s thought, she continued talking. “I mean honestly, I just met this man a few days ago and until this minute, I had no interest in sleeping with him. Thanks to you, now I do.” Janie said.

  It was hard for Kate to grasp what Janie was saying, leaving Janie to break it down for her. “Seriously, this man must be hell in bed for you to follow him about and be this angry that you can’t have any more of his loving. Shit...you have gone in to full-blown stalker mode, embarrassing yourself like this...,” Janie looked Ethan squarely in his eyes, “I am going to have to try some of that out.”

  Ethan’s face was flat. It was hard for him not to react. Even more so when Janie said, “I am sorry Ethan, but you are going to have to put out.”

  His facial expression did not change. “When you put it like that, I guess I may have to...I understand; inquiring minds need answers.”

  “We will come up with a safe word so we don’t hurt each other, but I want you to double down on whatever you put on her. I want your A-game times two,” Janie said calmly.

  She treated Kate as if she were not even standing next to the table with her fists balled up. Janie was mentally daring the woman to hit her, but mainly, her mind was on that burger. She smiled at Ethan when she said, “Oh, here comes our food.”

  Kate was still standing at the table: hurt, more confused, and outdone. Ethan looked up at her. “I’m sorry Kate. I don’t mean to be rude, but we are about to have lunch; did you need to speak with me about something?”

  Janie didn’t give her a chance to respond as she reached across the table to grab Ethan’s hand and said, “Bless the food Ethan, please.” Again, dismissing Kate.

  They lowered their heads as Kate stormed out the door fuming, “You two are assholes. You deserve each other!”

  To Janie, the woman was irrelevant. Her whole focus had now changed about her new partner. Although she said it in a spirited tone, her intentions were anything but playful. Quiet men who were often so reserved in their daily lives could be freaks in the bedroom. At least that is what her friends told her.

  Thus far, her life had been anything but filled with romance, courtship, and love. The one time she tried to date, the boy made a fool out her and she swore off men. A year or so ago, she tried a woman and that was awkward, weird, and unsatisfying.

  Ethan looked as if he could get the job done. Based on how Kate was reacting, he must be a very skilled lover. Lover. Janie likes the sound of that word. She bit into her burger and grinned at him.

  He watched her eat like she had not been fed in a month. He ordered another burger to go for her, and something odd settled into his chest. There was a great deal more to Janie’s life and he found himself wanting to know about it all. Moreover, the words she had uttered to Kate had truth in them that she had not tried to hide.

  Ethan didn’t think that Janie knew how to hide anything, least of all her emotions. For some odd reason, it was comforting to know his new partner was transparent. He was now starting to wish he had been the same way with Kate. She was hurting and felt as if he betrayed her, but he hadn’t. At some point, he would help her understand that. Right now, his attention was solely for two other ladies in his life, The Roxy and the enigma called Janie Cimoc.

  Chapter 10. Creating the Outline...

  The Reverend Henry Strom stood tall in the pulpit while he delivered his Sunday morning sermon to his congregation of two hundred and fifty. Heads swayed in the pews as the choir hummed behind the fever-pitched cadence of the closing sermon for which Henry was well known. He often told his son that he was no
t going to have his members leave on Sunday with a pocketful of crumbs, but he would send them forward into the week with a loaf of bread.

  “As you go forward into your week, it is easy to understand how you are living your life, but as a servant, it is importunate that you recognize how others may be living theirs as well,” Henry said to the crowd.

  When Ethan rose from the pew, he felt full and fortified. More than that, a new sense of purpose filled his soul. Each Sunday after service, his parents either went to the all you can eat Chinese buffet or the all you could eat salt fest at the other food trough in town.

  “Ethan, are you joining us today for lunch?” Hester wanted to know.

  “I actually have a few things I need to get done before this evening,” he replied.

  Hester moved closer to pick a piece of lint from his necktie. “You have plans with that cute little Janie?”

  Henry, totally engrossed in loading the back seat of his 2000 Cadillac Brougham with goodies for the senior home he would visit after they had lunch, looked up at his son. “Who is Janie? Have I met her?” Henry wanted to know.

  “No, Dad, once you meet Janie, you will never forget her,” he said with a half-smile.

  “It seems she has really made an impression on you, son.” He watched the twinkling in Ethan’s eyes.

  Ethan acknowledged his father’s words, but today he planned to implement the ones Henry spoke in the sermon. Janie had only been in his life for a few days but it seemed more like each day equated a year. Five days.

  In five days, Janie had made him more hopeful about his life and the future of his business than the eight years he had spent building it. He pulled out the wacky business card she had given him and dialed the number.

  Janie answered his call on the second ring, “The Comic Book; this is Janie.”

  The melody of her voice reminded him of the first rainbow after a summer shower, bright, colorful, and filled with promise. Ethan said, “Hello, Janie; this is Ethan. I was wondering if you were free this evening to discuss some details of our upcoming merger.”

  She heard a loud bump in the back of the store and she was distracted momentarily before she responded. Honestly, she wasn’t certain if his request was a double entendre or if he actually wanted to discuss the businesses.

  “Do you mean of our businesses or our bodies?” she asked.

  “The businesses, Janie. I was hoping you were free for dinner,” he said.

  Ethan checked his watch; it was already three in the afternoon. “Can I pick you up at five?”

  “As long as there is food involved, it sounds good to me,” she replied and she hung up the phone.

  Where the hell does she live? Ethan dialed her number once more. Again she answered on the second ring, “The Comic Book; this is Janie.”

  “It would help if I knew where you lived so I can know where to pick you up.” Ethan said slowly.

  “Stop being silly; I’m at the shop. The shop closes at five. Pick me up from the shop,” she told him.

  “Oh, well okay,” he said into the line.

  She hung up again.

  What the hell is wrong with this woman?

  Several ideas came to him at once. The first was where he wanted to take her to dinner. The second was that she would probably wear a stupid tee shirt that would not allow them entrance into the restaurant. The third idea that came in his head he liked a whole lot more than first two ideas. If you don’t like something, change it.

  It had been a while since he had been shopping, especially for a woman. Buying for women in his world usually meant gift cards for the holidays and flowers for birthdays. One year, he had saved and bought his sister a stethoscope for Christmas when he learned she wanted to be a doctor. Other than that, he would pick the appropriate gift card or flowers that fit the occasion.

  The sun beamed down on his head, adding more heat to his already sweating scalp. He didn’t know how Janie was going to react to this, but it felt right to him, so he was going to go for it. He crossed the parking lot and entered the Old Navy store. There was still a coupon in his car from the mail he brought in the other day, which is what made him come here to find her something. A bubbly young teen met him at the door.

  “If you need any help finding something, let me know,” she said.

  Ethan jumped on the request. “Yes, I want a casual dress for an adult woman, size 8 and in pink,” he said.

  He followed her to the rack of dresses, but he saw a multi-colored one with purple and blues that would look really lovely on Janie. “I want that one,” he said. “I also need a pair of shoes,” he said. He thought about the boots and the size they had purchased. “Those should be in a size 7.”

  Satisfied with his choices, he made his way to the register. A few hair bows, ribbons, and clips were available and he grabbed a purple one with feathers, along with a blue faux leather bag. He actually found himself humming as he made his way to the car and drove to her shop.

  He arrived to find the weird guy with the dirty mullet hanging around the front door peering in. Ethan spoke to the man as he stepped around him to enter the Comic Book. Meg was behind the counter wearing a yellow tee that read: Hey, the size of these does not match my I.Q.

  To his surprise, Janie was wearing jeans and a plain tee. No words on the front. A sense of relief fell over him until she turned around to pick up a box of comics from under the display table. The back of the shirt read: It’s an ass. Your mama has one, too.

  Thank God for forethought. His hand tightened around the bag.

  “Oh hey, Ethan! I didn’t know you were here,” she said with a grin as she came over to hug him.

  Janie felt warm in his arms. Strawberries.

  The smell was strawberries and peaches.

  Her hair smelled like a fresh fruit salad, and he held her longer than he should have, which was noticed by both Meg and Janie. Especially when he realized he was hugging her with his eyes closed.

  Meg, unfiltered like her big sister, said, “Get a room!”

  Janie pulled away laughing. “Hugs like that, hell, I may start stalking you too!” He didn’t respond; she didn’t give him time. “Hey, what’s in the bag?”

  Like a giant oaf, he stuck the bag out in front of him like a kid handing a girl his favorite pet frog. “This is for you,” he said sheepishly. His cheeks were red as he blushed uncomfortably.

  Janie peered inside the bag to see the shoes and the dress.

  “You bought me a dress and shoes?” Her brow was crinkled.

  “Yes, for you to wear to dinner tonight. I thought the dress was pretty and would look lovely on you. I bought the shoes and bag because it is how my sister and mom shop...”

  Janie’s facial expression remained stoic as she pulled the dress from the bag. Meg didn’t hide her excitement as she fussed and oohed over the items.

  “Go change, Janie. You are going to look so amazing in that dress,” Meg fawned.

  But Janie hadn’t moved.

  “Were you worried I was going to wear something to embarrass you?” she asked him.

  Ethan moved closer to push a blond tendril behind her ear. “No, I wanted to take you out to dinner and make every man in the room wish he was me.”

  There was no mistaking the look she gave him. It was the second time Janie looked at him like a woman looks at her man.

  Ethan liked it.

  He liked it a whole lot.

  Chapter 11. Adding More Character...

  The young man appeared from out of nowhere. Meg seemed very comfortable with him and based on the strawberry blond hair, Ethan assumed he was their brother. His eyes were fixed on Ethan as he moved toward the front of the store to stand toe to toe with him. Holden said nothing as he took Ethan in from head to toe with an unwavering gaze.

  Holden spoke slowly with a lazy Southern drawl that none of the other family members possessed. His eyes were focused in on Ethan’s. “Day six...and you show up with clothes and shoes...”

&nbs
p; “Janie works hard plus there are a lot of details we have to iron out in a short period of time, so I thought it would be nice to take her to dinner,” Ethan told him.

  “Be wary of the man who bears gifts,” Holden said. The man had not moved an inch from where he stopped on the floor.

  Ethan maintained his ground. “She and I are going to be partners. Plus, I thought the dress was bright and colorful; I thought she would like it.”

  “I can’t respect a man I don’t trust,” Holden said.

  “And I can’t trust a man I don’t respect,” Ethan responded.

  Neither man moved. Yet Ethan reluctantly backed down. “I get it. I have a sister, I know how you feel.”

  “No. You. Don’t.” Holden said.

  This was not working. Ethan needed a new tactic. “I’m going to be her business partner. My business and livelihood is going to be tied to your sister. The happier I can make her, the better our business will be.”

  “Yes, that may be true, but you can’t buy her or force her happiness with pretty dresses and pink boots,” Holden said.

  He watched Holden closely. It was Ethan’s turn to take him all in. He couldn’t be any more than twenty-five years old, but like Janie, he had old eyes. Holden sported a neatly trimmed goatee and long hair that he had tied back into a ponytail. By looking at his arms and hands, Ethan knew he had a trade job.

  “My name is Ethan. Ethan Strom,” he told.

  “I’m Holden,” he said.

  “Holden, what can I do or say to earn your trust?” he asked.

  “You can start by being honest with me.”

  “Fair enough; what would you like to know, Holden?” Ethan asked. He was terrified of the next question, but unlike his sisters or mother, this Cimoc tempered his words. Each word was chosen with meticulous care as if he did not want to walk too fast and have the words spill out of his bucket.

  Holden asked him, “I heard the reason you gave to Janie for buying her the dress. Is that true or did you buy it because you were afraid she would go to dinner in a tee shirt that read: Deez are ma’ titties?”