by W. Ferraro
Mr. Graham cried and Mae listened as he told her all about Catherine.
There was a knock on the door and Tina poked her head in and mouthed that Mr. Graham’s son was here. Mae returned the nod and helped Mr. Graham to his feet. She assisted him as he walked out the door into the corridor.
A man in his forties was standing in the corridor waiting. He was tall with black hair and dark eyes and wore a black suit with a blue paisley tie. He walked over and grabbed Mr. Graham in a gentle embrace and spoke softly to him as they walked out the door of the center
If Mae thought Mr. Graham was going to be the worst thing that happened during her shift, she quickly learned how wrong she was.
By the time her shift ended, she had endured two pharmacy mix ups, an intense argument with the Managed Care Department over an elderly patients insurance coverage, a patient who had a severe allergic reaction to her chemo and had to be rushed down to the Emergency Room. Not to mention a mountain of paperwork that needed to be completed before she left.
It was nearing midnight by the time she got home.
Mae climbed the stairs to her apartment and was sitting down on her sofa when a light knock came from the interior door.
Moments later, Seth stuck his head in.
“Hey, honey, I was about to send out the cavalry. Rough night?”
Mae groaned in answer as she placed her forearm over her eyes.
Seth walked into the room, and closed the door behind him. He sat down on the sofa, next to Mae, placing his arm over the back of the sofa, behind her head.
When she didn’t move, Seth reached over with his other arm, and wrapped his fingers around her wrist and removed her arm from her face. He then brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her open palm.
“Hey, don’t hide your beautiful face from me.” Seth said with his sexy grin
Even feeling as exhausted as she did, he still could make her stomach get butterflies.
“That’s better,” he said hoarsely as he leaned over and kissed her lips.
When Mae ended the kiss, she caressed his face with her hand and sat up to stretch.
“So you waited up for me?” She said
“Well yes and no. I had some paperwork to do and I wanted to see you.”
Considering his answer sweet, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“As looking forward to seeing you tonight as I was, I’m exhausted, Seth. I really just want to climb into bed. I need to be at the hospital, early in the morning.” She said, hating the truth.
“No problem, honey. How about tomorrow night I take you out for dinner?”
“That sounds fantastic!” Mae said, already looking forward to it.
“It’s a date then. Be ready around 6:30.” He said as he stood and hauled her off the sofa and gently guided her toward the stairs.
When they reached the stairs, he kissed her lightly on her forehead and said good night, before closing the door behind him.
Mae climbed the stairs to her bedroom, went into the bath to wash her face and brush her teeth. She stripped out of her clothing and decided to forgo pajamas and crawl into bed.
As she made her way to the bed to pull the covers down, she noticed the long stem red rose that was lying in the middle of her bed.
Mae picked up the stem and sniffed the sweet smelling flower. Oh Seth!
She quickly went down stairs, grabbed her bud vase, went back up stairs and put the stem in water on the bedside table.
Mae fell asleep thinking of rose petals and Seth.
NINE
The next day, Seth was in his office looking over blue prints and supply lists when Dylan walked in.
“Hey, Dylan, where are we at on the Cranston Road housing development?” Seth asked not looking up from his desk.
“On Schedule, Phase II will be beginning in June, with plans of Phase III in September.” Dylan answered as he sat down on the corner of Seth’s desk.
“What about the additional crews Jones requested?” Seth asked comparing two pieces of paper.
“I told him we’d give him 1/3 of what he requested considering he has the largest crew on the project already.” Dylan said as he picked up Seth’s phone and dialed Josie, the receptionist.
“Hey Josie, put on my calendar to check out Jones’ production, three weeks from today. Yeah, thanks.”
Seth finally decided to drop what he was doing and leaned back in his chair, to look at his oldest friend.
“Cat got your tongue?” Seth asked, wondering why Dylan was lurking in his office.
Dylan flashed his innocent smile and said “Just wondering if you were going to tell me how things are going with Mae?”
At the sound of her name, Seth envisioned her in his mind. Not that she’s been far from his mind all day, but Dylan just brought her back to the forefront.
“Like I’d tell you!” Seth said with masculine arrogance.
“Come on, man. I just want you to know, you can come to me, if you need help making the ladies swoon” Dylan said issue an egotistical challenge in fun.
Laughing at his friend, Seth placed his hands on top of his head and leaned back further in his chair.
“I think I’m good, Mae doesn’t seem to be complaining,” Seth answered breezily, returning to the question rather than the male pissing contest he could tell Dylan was willing to get into.
“Good Seth, I’m glad. Honestly. She seems to be the whole package, and what a curvy little package she is.” Dylan added as he bobbed his eyebrows up and down.
“Find your own little package to consume, Mae’s taken. Now don’t you have your own office you can decorate with your presence? Some of us have to actually work around here.” Seth said as he shoved Dylan toward the door.
Not being able to resist leaving without another verbal jab, Dylan said “Mae’s package is quite mouthwatering.”
Wanting to laugh, but determined to stake his claim, Seth answered “You just make sure your watering mouth stays clear, Cross.”
Walking back to his own office, Dylan smiled as he ran his hand through his hair. It was great to see his friend happy. After Maggie, Seth insisted he would stay a bachelor, but Ms. Mae just might have what it took to make Seth rethink that.
Mae was just pulling into the driveway when she noticed a red truck with a large white commercial trailer behind it, parked in the drive.
Mae backed out of the drive and parked on the street. She walked down the drive and saw Bryan, mowing the lawn on a riding mower. His ears were covered with blue industrial head phones and his clothes were covered in dirt and grass stains.
Making a pass that had him facing the driveway, Bryan noticed Mae. He cut the engine and removed his head phones and gloves and walked over to her.
“Hey Mae, I was wondering if I was going to get to see you. How’s it going?” Bryan asked with his surfer smile.
“Hello, Bryan. I’m doing well thanks. I didn’t know you were responsible for this lovely landscape?” Mae smiled at Robyn’s fiancé.
Enjoying the break from his work, Bryan answered, “Yeah, I started my own business up about three years ago. Seth has been great; he basically gave me a blank canvas. So I came up with the mulch paths and the design layout of the shrubs and stuff.”
Mae admired the beautiful landscape even that much more now that she knew Bryan was the brains behind it.
“It’s beautiful Bryan, so tranquil and gorgeous.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Oh, excuse me that would be Robyn” he said as he picked up his ringing cell.
“Hey babe, what’s up?” Bryan said into the smartphone.
Mae looked out to the water as Bryan was on the phone.
“Actually, I’m talking to Mae right now, yeah sure, ok babe, love you too.” Bryan said and then handed the phone to Mae, “Robyn would like to talk to you.”
Taking the phone from him she put it to her ear and said “Hi Robyn”
“Mae, how are you? I’m so glad Bryan didn’t ha
ve to go far to find you. I was wondering if you had any plans tomorrow evening.”
“No, actually I don’t. Do you need something?” Mae asked, hoping everything was okay with Robyn.
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I was actually wondering if you wanted to go out for a girl’s night?” Robyn asked with a giggle in her voice.
Surprised and elated by the invitation, Mae said “I’d love to Robyn. What do you have in mind?”
“Why don’t we meet at Cal’s, it’s in Hamden Center.” They sorted out details and ended the call. Walking the phone back over to Bryan, who was back on the riding mower, she thought how good it would be to get out and have some girl time.
“Everything ok?” Bryan asked not really too concerned.
“Perfect. I’m going to meet Robyn tomorrow night for a girl’s night.” Mae said hoping her excitement showed.
“I think that’s great, Mae.” Bryan said sincerely.
Mae said goodbye and walked up to her apartment.
After picking up a bit and putting her laundry away, Mae noticed the time and realized that she needed to get ready for her date.
She was out of the shower and in the middle of getting dressed when there was a knock at the interior door. Worried that it was Seth, she quickly put her robe on and went downstairs and opened the door.
Megan was standing there with her doll and tears rolling down her cheek.
Mae bent down on her haunches and opened her arms wide. Megan walked right into her embrace.
“What’s wrong sweetie?” Mae asked the little girl in her arms.
“I was playing out on the deck and I got a splinter in my finger. Conner won’t take it out and Dad isn’t home yet.” Megan said as she held out her finger for Mae’s inspection.
Relieved that it was just a splinter, Mae stood up and guided Megan into the kitchen. She lifted her up so she was sitting on the counter. Mae went over to the kitchen sink cabinet and got the first aid kit that she kept there.
“Ok, sweetie. This is going to hurt for a second, but I promise it will feel better once I get it out.” Mae said hoping Megan would sit still as she tried to grab for the splinter.
Megan squirmed so much that Mae made two failed attempt to get the splinter out.
Trying to make Megan relax, Mae used a technique that she used often at work.
“Megan, why don’t you sing me a song”
“Any song I want?”
“Any song you want,” Mae said hoping this would work.
Megan looked at Mae and started to sing “I’m a little teapot, short and stout. Here is my handle and here is my spout.”
Mae laughed out loud at Megan’s choice of songs. But it worked she was able to grab the splinter.
“There, sweetie, all done. Let me just grab a band aid and you’ll be as good as knew.”
After Mae grabbed the band aid she applied it to Megan’s finger, she brought the little girls wrapped finger to her lips and gave it a kiss.
“Daddy!” Megan shrieked and quickly hoped down and ran to where Seth stood by the sofa.
Realizing she was still wearing the robe, she turned to watch the father and daughter bear hug.
Megan quickly recanted the story of how she got injured and how Mae asked her to sing so she could get the splinter out. Then as if Seth needed the proof she held her finger up so Seth could see.
As Seth watched Mae do, he brought Megan’s finger to his lips and kissed it.
Seth locked eyes with Mae and put Megan down on her feet, where she quickly ran back through the interior door and off to do what little girls do.
“Hey honey, thanks for taking care of her.” Seth said as he brought Mae into his now empty arms.
“I’m a nurse, it’s what I do” Mae said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I like your outfit.” Seth teased flirtatiously.
Blushing from embarrassment, she responded, “I, uh, was in the middle of getting ready when Megan knocked. If you give me ten minutes I’ll be ready.”
“Take your time; I actually have to do to a couple things myself.” Seth said as he kissed her sweetly.
They decided to meet on the deck in fifteen minutes.
Mae hoped that Seth would like her outfit. She smiled thinking of her quintessential little black dress. She didn’t get a chance to wear it very often but when she did, it always made her feel sexy and confident. She loved how the boat neckline covered but was alluring at the same time. She wore simple silver hoop earrings and a couple of silver bangle bracelets. Her black stilettos came up and wrapped around her ankle with a small silver buckle. She just grabbed her black and silver clutch and headed out to the deck.
She stepped out to find Seth leaning against the deck rail looking down at his phone. His dress shirt was the color of smoke, open at the collar. The designer shirt was undeniably custom tailored to fit Seth’s build. His long legs, swathed in black pants, fit like a glove. He looked absolutely, one hundred percent, yummy.
Seth looked up, as if sensing her gaze, and he thought his tongue would fall out of his mouth. She was striking. The fabric of her dress, skimmed over her body accentuated every curve and rise. She wore her hair down and curled. The long locks draped over one shoulder, brushing over her full breast. The little sparkle of silver at her ankle accentuated her flawless legs, and the height of the heel shaped her leg in a way that made him want to just run his hands all over her smooth skin.
“You look stunning, Mae.” Seth said to her, as he walked over to her and kissed her glossy lips.
“Thank you, you don’t look bad yourself.” She answered giving him another light kiss, and off they went.
They pulled into a small, elegant restaurant fifteen minutes later. Seth helped Mae from the Tahoe and kept his big hand on the small of her back as they made their way into the restaurant. They stopped at the hostess station and were quickly brought to a secluded table that was in an alcove by itself.
Once Mae was seated the hostess gave her the menu and handed Seth his menu and the wine list. They were left alone.
Mae took in the atmosphere of the quaint restaurant. The tables were decorated with beige tablecloths; a small oil lamp adorned the center. The walls were a soothing green with deep wood moldings, and the exposed beams of the ceiling were thick and rough with age. Soft instrumental music wafted gently through the interior.
As she brought her eyes back to Seth, she found him watching her intently.
Just then they were joined by and older man, who wore a single carnation in the lapel of his jacket.
Once the waiter took their order, he scurried off again. Seth reached across the table and took hold of Mae’s hand.
“Thank you for taking such good care of Megan, today. In fact all of my kids just sing your praise left and right.” Seth said as he rubbed small circles on her hand.
“Really? I think they are all really special too.” Mae said and enjoyed the feel of her hand in his.
“So I heard my sister recruited you to tear up the town, tomorrow night.” Seth said with mirth
“I don’t know about tearing up the town, but I’m really looking forward to some girl time and getting to know Robyn better.” Mae said knowing she meant every word.
“I think it is terrific, just promise me, you’ll turn down all the men that haunt you all night.” Seth said with equal amount of lightheartedness and meaning.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’m really not that popular amongst the boys,” Mae said, realizing she just voiced a personal fear of hers.
“Well the boys or men of Boston must be blind and stupid. A beautiful, intelligent, kind, sexy, sensual woman such as you could have any man she chooses.”
Blushing at his compliment, she felt the need to say, “I think you are bias especially considering some of the things we have done.”
“I am biased, but I’m also honest and truthful. The truth, to me, is so vitally important in life and particularly
in relationships. Without it you can’t have anything. And, honey, as far as the things we’ve done, I enjoyed every second of them and plan on doing so much more.” He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed and open mouth kiss on her palm.
Their meal came and they spoke about his work projects, the kids, why she decided to be a nurse, and her family.
When their dessert arrived, dark chocolate ganache tart for him and crème brulee for her, he asked “so, may I ask, why did you leave Boston for some small Vermont town?”
Trying to find a way to put why she did it, into words, she put her fork down and looked at him.
“Moving around so much when I was younger, just made me, learn to be on my own. I mean I had friends, but generally I just did things by myself. I would meet a new school, make new friends, find new things to do and then boom, it was off to the next base. So somewhere around my teenage years, I just became more independent then most girls my age. I focused on my studies and worked hard and I carried that through college and beyond.” She stopped long enough to sip her wine and take a breath.
“One day I just thought, what am I doing? I have a job I loved and think I’m good at, but in Boston everything just moves so fast. Everyone is just on the go, all the time. Someone walks into you on the sidewalk and they don’t even look up from their phone conversation to see if you are alright or God forbid, if you are lying on the sidewalk. My parents were already in Germany at this point and I was just going back and forth from my small apartment to the hospital. I just decided that if I was going to be alone anyways, I wanted it to be at my speed. Does that make any sense?” Mae asked.
Seth nodded.
“Boston and its way of life are just so big, and I guess I just didn’t want to get swallowed up by the vastness.” Mae said hoping her reasons were not making her sound nutty.
She downed the rest of her wine and said “so, anyhow, I went online and found the job at the Cancer Center and viola, here I am.”
“I like you here” Seth said simply.
He then paid the bill and walked Mae to the passenger side of the Tahoe and made sure she was in before closing the door. Seth climbed in and they were on their way back to the house.
