Mind Waves

by Amanda Uhl

  “Oh, some program on the TV.” Grace lied quickly. “Make the pot roast Mom. He’s English.”

  “What’s his being English got to do with pot roast?”

  “I don’t know. I think it sounds like an English dish.” She could hear David laughing in the other room and then the shower running. She would kill him.

  “Okay, I’ll make the pot roast. Is pumpkin pie English?” She sounded anxious.

  “I don’t know Mom but don’t worry about it. I’m sure he’ll eat pumpkin pie. Who doesn’t? What time do you want us there?”

  “Six o’clock and don’t be late. And don’t worry about bringing anything either. I’ll have everything ready.”

  “Okay, Mom. We’ll be there. Love you.”

  “Grace?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Ask your friend if he likes pumpkin pie. I know he’s there with you.”

  “Mom.” She groaned. Her mother was way too perceptive.

  “Well, I don’t want to serve it if he doesn’t like it.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll text you. Bye, Mom.”

  “Bye, honey. See you tonight.”

  Grace disconnected. She was going to kill David as soon as he got out of the shower. She sat on the couch for a moment contemplating her options. She could go back to bed and wait it out, or turn on the TV she saw on the wall—if she could find the remote. She looked around but it was nowhere in sight. Or—the thought seemed to come out of nowhere—she could join David in the shower. That sounded like the best plan of all. After all, she needed a shower, too.

  She planned to surprise him, but he heard her coming, because he opened the door and beckoned her in when she got to the bathroom.

  The next hour was filled with splashes and giggles but eventually she was clean and dry and back in his sweats. David had put on a pair of new jeans and a dark green shirt that brought out the green in his eyes. It was a good color choice. He looked fantastic. It wasn’t fair. She was a mess. No makeup and her short hair got all curly when it dried naturally. She would have to redo it when she got home.

  “You look fine.” He watched, as she smoothed her hair with her hands for the bazillionth time. “Are you ready?”

  “I’m not sure. You haven’t told me where we’re going?”

  “Yes, I know.” He reached out to tweak her nose. “C’mon.”

  “Wait a minute. Do you like pumpkin pie?”

  “Who doesn’t?” He laughed and opened the front door. She grabbed her purse, slipped on her sandals from the night before, and they headed out. Oliver whined behind them, but David told him firmly that he must stay home, and he settled obediently.

  David took her out on the lake on the speedboat he kept docked there. It was still summer, but the smell of a discarded campfire on the beach reminded her that fall and Claire’s wedding were around the corner. They spent some time speeding around the lake, shouting over the sounds of the waves and the boat. Eventually, they headed back to shore, and he showed her his favorite spot. It was much higher than the beach where she would gather glass. The perfect perch to check out the beachcombers without their knowledge. Explained why she never noticed him.

  As they walked, he kept reaching out to hold her hand or drape an arm around her. She felt strangely like they had been doing this forever and not just since Tuesday.

  Later, he drove her to the nearest department store where he insisted she buy a new set of lingerie, a sundress, a sweater, a new pair of sandals and some makeup.

  “Can’t we make a pit stop at my place? I have plenty of clothes there. I don’t need new stuff.”

  “I don’t think so. That will take too long. Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. I’ve got it covered.”

  “David, no way are you buying me new clothes.” Grace calculated the dent the purchase would make to her checking account and realized she couldn’t afford it. If he wouldn’t take her home for her clothes, she’d have to spend the remainder of the day in his T-shirt and sweatpants.

  “Yes way,” he said, his tone firm. “This one’s on me.”

  She reached for the bill, snatching it out of his hands. “David, I mean it. I don’t need new clothes.”

  He made no move to grab the bill out of her hands but studied Grace carefully, mischief in his eyes. “Then I’d like my sweats back,” he said quietly.

  “Oh,” she said. Out of all the things he possibly could have said, those five simple words made her question her rationale. “Oh, all right.” She thrust the bill in his face.

  For lunch, they ate at a waterside restaurant. She used a tactic of her mother’s and drilled him with twenty questions. Although later she would think that she hadn’t learned much of anything, for now it felt intimate and revealing.

  “So, what’s the C for on your business card?”

  “It’s Carl. I’m named after my dad, Carl senior. My mom didn’t want to call me junior, so everyone’s always called me David.”

  Grace nodded encouragingly. “So, how long has your family been in business?”

  “For many years now. It all started with my great, great grandfather, who incidentally was also a Carl. And my great, great grandmother, whose name was…Meg.”

  “And who are your clients? Anyone I would know?”

  “Well, that depends on how well you know Uncle Sam. Our biggest contract is with the government.”

  Grace laughed. “Oh, Uncle Sam and I are good buddies, especially at tax time. But I think he’s one of those friends who takes and takes and never gives, if you know what I mean.”

  David smiled, reaching out to snag her hand across the table, encouraging Grace to continue her line of questioning.

  “What were you like in high school?”

  “Competitive. I was on the swim team.”

  “I bet your mother liked that—less chance of injury than football.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. I broke my finger, and it has never looked the same since.” He wiggled his crooked pinky finger, putting to rest the burning question that had been nagging Grace since their meeting at Coffersations.

  “Were you a good student?”

  “Yes. In math, especially. I won a full scholarship to New York University and eventually to the University of California, Berkeley. That’s where I completed my Masters and a PhD in economics.”

  Grace received her communications degree from Cleveland State, which she had finally finished paying the loans on a few years ago. What the heck was she doing dating a man with a PhD from Berkeley?

  They finished lunch and went back to the cottage. He disappeared into what she suspected was an office or spare bedroom to make some phone calls. She decided to use the time to check in with Claire. When she grabbed her cell, the first thing she noticed was a text from Brains.

  3:09 p.m. Can we reschedule? Let’s try Wednesday night, 8:00 p.m., same place. A little late, but I do have a day job remember.

  3:10 p.m. Or we could meet in our dreams.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Declaration

  “Before we go in there, you need to know something about my mother.” They were sitting in David’s car outside her Mom and Glenn’s house, a white ranch in a middle-class neighborhood. Grace swallowed nervously. What the hell had prompted her to introduce David to her mother of all people? This was so unlike her. She was having major misgivings now that they were moments away from the big meeting.

  “Grace, I’m not worried.” David reassured her with a slight smile. “I think I can handle your mother.”

  “You don’t know my mother. She’s a bit overprotective. She also worries about me. Those two details can make for drama.”

  He reached out and stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry about it. Your mother will like me.”

  Strangely, Grace believed him. An hour later and with three glasses of wine in her, he was right. David and her Mom were talking like old friends. Even Glenn had un-bended and shown David his collection of vintage pens. David seemed to know the exac
t right thing to say to charm both of them. With her mother, he talked about how much he admired Grace and thought she was a talented artist. He mentioned that he was a Democrat (her mother was staunch) and that he liked to cook. They talked for some time about favorite recipes. She could tell her mother had warmed to him.

  After he and Glenn spent some time looking at the pen collection, David mentioned he had a few old fountain pens himself that might be worth something, including a silver Waterman. That led to a discussion of antiques—turned out, David had a rare book collection, too.

  His charm and class impressed Grace, although she was having a hard time staying focused on the conversation. They were sitting next to one another at the table, and he had his hand on her knee. Periodically, he would caress her leg. It was difficult to control her reaction whenever he did that.

  Her mother was drilling David about his family. Grace tried to stay alert, but by now, she was tipsy.

  “What exactly do you do, David?”

  “I’m an economist, which means I pay attention to economic trends and get paid to consult with businesses and offer advice. In fact, that’s how I met Grace. She came in to meet with one of my clients, and I recognized her as the beautiful lady I kept seeing on the beach. I couldn’t believe my luck.”

  He gently rubbed her knee. Her mother laughed like a young girl. “That is so romantic. Glenn, isn’t that romantic?” Glenn grunted, which was a typical response that meant he agreed or at least wanted her mother to think he agreed.

  “I’ll get the pie,” her mother said now. She headed into the kitchen. “Glenn, come and help.” Glenn dutifully tagged along.

  “So tell me.” David leaned over to whisper in Grace’s ear. “Do you think your mother likes me?”

  She laughed. “You win. I don’t know how you managed to win her over so soon, but you did. Did you spike her drink?” She took another swallow of wine. It was fruity, her favorite kind. She was not a big wine connoisseur, but this wine seemed particularly good tonight.

  He waggled his eyebrows at her. “What, you don’t think I’m romantic?”

  Grace had a sudden vision of the flowers he had sent her the morning before and had to fight back a rush of tears. It had been so long since she had gotten flowers from a man. She blinked to disguise the hot liquid, but as she was quickly learning about David, nothing made it past him. He grasped her hand and turned her to face him. “If I would have known they meant that much to you, I would have sent you a room full of flowers.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  At that moment, Glenn and her Mom returned from the kitchen, large plates of pumpkin pie and ice-cream in their hands. “You do like pumpkin pie, don’t you?” Her mother asked.

  “Of course. Who doesn’t?” He gave Grace an innocent look. She giggled.

  Noticing the exchange her mother said, “You and Grace have gotten mighty close, mighty fast.” It was a statement and not a question. Uh-oh. Her mother was on the attack. Grace could kick herself for letting the wine make her complacent. She knew it was too much to hope that David would come away from the encounter unscathed.

  Next to her, David stilled. He did not fidget or get upset. If anything he seemed calmer and more in control. “Sometimes, you know a good thing when you find it.”

  “How do I know you won’t hurt her? Grace has been through enough.”

  “Mother. Let’s not talk about this now. Please.” Both her mother and David ignored her. Glenn kept his head down and went on eating his pie. He knew better than to interfere when his wife was on a mission about one of her daughters.

  “I would never hurt her.”

  “Easy to say, hard not to do.” Glenn was still silent but looked up from his pie with interest. “Grace needs a man who will shower her with the affection she so richly deserves. She wasn’t treated well by her ex-husband. But she likes you. I can tell. And once she gives her heart, she’s intensely loyal.”

  “Mom, please. I don’t need me to speak for you—I mean you to speak for me.”

  David raised his glass to her mother. “To Grace.”

  “To Grace.” Her mother raised her wineglass, nudging Glenn to do the same. That’s how Grace found herself, wine glass in hand, toasting herself. The next thing she knew, they were back outside, a to-go carton of her mother’s pot roast with them.

  “Goodbye, David.” Her mother hugged him, while Glenn shook his hand. “Take good care of our Gracie. She’s going to have a headache in the morning.” Her mother only used Gracie when she was feeling particularly fond of her.

  “Of course. Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. It was nice to meet you both.”

  Her mother turned to Grace, kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear. “Hang on to this one. He’s a keeper.”

  Soon, they were back in his car, speeding toward her condo. They were silent for a short time.

  “Like I told you yesterday, I don’t sleep around.” David finally said. “I may even be falling for you.” He flashed her a playful wink.

  “But you hardly know me.”

  “I know all the essentials. And what’s more, I’m pretty certain you feel the same.”

  Somewhere in Grace’s mind, a door slammed shut. Why would David think she was falling for him? Was she? She couldn’t stop the panic racing through her system. Why had she had that third glass of wine?

  Grace didn’t remember asking him any questions, but David answered as if she had, his deep voice sounding calm and determined. “You can choose not to believe me. I won’t stop you. But I’m not going anyplace, Grace. And I won’t let you shut me out.”

  David parked outside her condo, collected the bag of her clothes and leftover pot roast from the trunk and walked her to the door. He waited patiently while she dug for her keys. It took a few minutes as she searched through her purse. Grace tried to fit the key in the lock but had a little trouble. David carefully took them from her, fitted them in the lock, opened the door and walked her through, shutting it behind them.

  She fumbled for the lights, found them and turned them on. “Romeo, Romeo.” Harvey squawked from his cage.

  “Smart bird.” David spoke over her shoulder. “So, we finally meet.”

  Grace turned around to find him studying Harvey with his usual intense focus.

  “He can be a bit annoying at times, but we get along okay. Would you like something to drink?” Grace offered, although the evening had drained her energy.

  “How about you sit, and I’ll make us some coffee. Decaf.”

  “You don’t know where I keep my stuff.”

  “I’ll find it.” A few minutes later, he brought them both steaming cups of coffee and set them on the table in front of her. He sat next to her, and they sipped them in companionable silence. She struggled to keep her eyes open and must have dozed on his shoulder for a while, because he shook her gently and suggested she go to bed.

  Alone?

  Again, he anticipated her thoughts. “I have to get some rest tonight. I have a big day tomorrow with the trip I have scheduled. I will call you, though. And I’d like to see you on Wednesday. Walk me to the door?” He smiled at her.

  She nodded, feeling bereft. Silly, considering how long Grace had known David and how many years she had been on her own. How could she possibly have such strong feelings after only a week? Why did it seem like a lifetime?

  David pulled Grace with him, half carrying her to the door. When they got there, he kissed her goodnight, his whiskers rough against her cheek. Could she be falling in love?

  He stepped back abruptly, an odd glitter in his eyes. “Grace, when I come back we need to talk.”

  She nodded. How did she ever think his eyes were cold? They glowed with warmth and acceptance.

  “You can trust me, Grace. I won’t let you down.”

  David seemed sincere. But Greg had seemed sincere too. He told her all kinds of beautiful, romantic things. But in the end, they were only words. It was his actions that had had the final say.
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  David was frowning. Whatever he was thinking caused him to lean in suddenly and kiss her, hard, his hands winding through her short hair. His lips ground against hers until she opened them and his tongue swept inside, as if he could banish all resistance with a kiss. Long minutes passed, while she lost herself in his embrace. Could fate have handed her a charming, good-looking, rich man that loved her in a matter of days?

  It was only much later, while she lay in bed, remembering their passionate weekend together, that she recalled her upcoming date with Brains. She had promised David they would see each other on Wednesday. It seemed she and Brains were fated not to meet. And that was her last thought before drifting into a deep, but restless, sleep.

  The first thing Grace saw was the stranger with the magnetic eyes. His long, dark hair was drawn back in a ponytail and he was shirtless, revealing sculpted muscles. They were in what she could only suppose was his bedroom, given the masculine furniture and clothes. He beckoned to her from where she stood in the doorway, and Grace found herself walking steadily toward him as if pulled along on a string.

  The stranger shook his head at her, glaring. “You’ve been a bad little girl, Grace. Why have you been leading me on? I think I will make you pay.”

  “No.” Her heart beat out a loud rhythm as if in time with the Lord’s Prayer that she recited feverishly. Faster and faster the words spun out, her hands making criss-cross patterns across her chest in the sign of a cross.

  He laughed, the grotesque sound echoing all around her. “I don’t care if you’ve linked to him. You’re mine, Grace. God can’t save you. Only I can. And if you want to live, you must listen carefully.”

  Grace tried to listen, she did, but when he opened his mouth, the screeching sound that came out was like a thousand bagpipes scraping across her brain. She was not sure how long it went on. In her dream state, it seemed forever.

  As suddenly as it began, the pain vanished, and Grace could breathe again. A tender touch on her face had her opening her eyes to see David in front of her. He looked angry, but Grace knew it was directed elsewhere and not at her. “Are you okay?”