Five Feet or Less

by Erik Schubach

  I darted in then she leaned down and gave me a hug. Mmmm. Then the sprite admonished me. “Took you long enough Ree. I was starting to think you weren't going to show.”

  From behind me a female voice that sounded just like her's but slightly lower called out. “Serafine Anne Kreitz, aren't you going to introduce us?”

  Sarah stepped to the side as I was chuckling. “ Serafine?”

  She nudged me. “Watch it woman.”

  I grinned at her then looked over to the stunning middle aged woman in a business suit and heels standing in the living room. Her face was so similar to Sarah's that there was no mistaking they were mother and daughter. Her dark brown hair was peppered with gray that just made her look more... sophisticated? Hmmm... I wonder if that is Sarah's real hair color.

  Sarah sounded nervous. “Mom, this is Reese Qualls. Just about the best friend I have ever had.” I could feel an intense blush burning my face. She continued, “Reese, this is my mother type unit.”

  I wheeled forward and shook her hand. Gawd! Why was I so nervous? “Very pleased to meet you ma'am... Mrs. Kreitz.” Then hastily added, “These are for you.” I handed the flowers to her. Could I be any more awkward?

  She laughed. It sounded like silver chimes. She smiled hugely at me and accepted the flowers. “Please Reese, call me Anne. You make me sound like a dinosaur with ma'am and Mrs. Kreitz. And the flowers are lovely. Thank you.”

  I started nervously babbling. “I tried to get you carnations. They were up too high. So I found these. There are a couple carnations in them so I thought it was almost the same. I... oh God, why am I babbling about carnations?”

  My nervousness and babbling were instantly taken away by a familiar hand on my shoulder as Sarah stepped beside me to lend me her strength. Her mother was shaking her head at me. “My God are you adorable. I can see why Sarah raves about you.”

  I could feel the blush again. Sarah raves about me? I shook my head. “All propaganda I'm sure.” This got a laugh from everyone as we moved to sit in the living room.

  At the last moment, Sarah took the flowers from her mother. “Let me get these into water for you mom.” And she was gone, leaving me alone with Anne. She sat in a recliner and looked way too comfortable in it, I had no doubt that was her spot when she had lived here. I transferred onto the couch and tugged my legs up to my chest. She was watching the way I manhandled my legs intently just like Sara did the first time she witnessed it.

  She just straight out and asked, “Were you born without the use of your legs or was it a disease or accident Reese? If you don't mind me asking. I'm terribly inquisitive, it is one of my many shortcomings.”

  Not many people are this direct in life. I nodded a little and spoke nervously, “Drunk driver.”

  She shook her head and almost hissed, “Nasty lot them, there ought to be a law... wait, there is. How long have you...”

  I interrupted. “I'm sorry but I really don't talk about it.”

  She nodded in understanding. “Shame. I helps to talk. But not a problem. Moving from one awkward topic to another. Thank you so much for helping Sarah find happiness in her life again. She was always a very shy girl and I think it almost broke her when she came out and the kids at school ostracized her. She was so conflicted and tormented and confused. So she got rebellious... got into the punk scene. Things only got worse with the hearing loss. She tried to hide everything from me, but I know my girl. Classical music kept her from losing it after that.”

  This woman is bold. She smiled at me. “She's been happy on the phone for weeks and keeps babbling about this Reese girl. I had to make sure to get out here to meet you. I can see now what she sees. Thank you.” I'm going to have to talk with my imaginary therapist about all this blushing I seem to be doing here.

  I smiled back at her. “It isn't me. It's all her. She keeps me laughing and forces me out of my comfort zone and back into the world.”

  She smiled at me then turned her head as Sarah wandered in and joined us. She flopped down on the couch next to me and sat awkwardly with her hands clasped in her lap. I reached over and grabbed her hand and placed it firmly on my shoulder but didn't let it go.

  She visibly relaxed and spoke, “So what are you two talking about?”

  Her mother got a comical expression on her face. That's where Sarah gets it! Then she tittered a little laugh. “Why you of course.”

  Sarah looked quickly at me with an equally comical look and blurted, “Lies! All lies...ummm... maybe. What she say?”

  I laughed. “That you weren't potty trained until you were fourteen.”

  She quirked an eyebrow at me then at her mom as we tried to keep straight faces. And we all shared a laugh. “I hate you both,” she said plainly.

  I giggled. “Too bad, we're both quite fond of you.” She blushed at that.

  We called out for pizza then spent the night talking, mostly about Sarah's childhood, to her protests. And about Anne's job and how the possibility of moving back to Seattle had come up. The outreach program for underprivileged families she works for is thinking about branching out to other locations and Seattle is on the short list. She has been talking with Sandra about it, a girl I happen to know who is tight with the homeless population here in Seattle. Small world.

  This was exciting news for Sarah. I could see how much she loved her mother. As the hour grew later, Sarah's head wound up in my lap as we all talked. I was absently running my fingers through her unnaturally silky hair. My iPod started ringing. I looked at the time. It was midnight and saw it was Gwen.

  I sighed, I was having so much fun. I answered. “Gwen? Yes... I told Marcie. She did? Good. I'm... no... yeah I'll be home in a few minutes... I'll... OK, bye.”

  I hung up and looked at the women I was having such a good time with. I held the iPod up. “Surrogate mom is in overprotective mode again.”

  Anne looked a question over to her daughter. “Her super hot bitchy roommate.” Anne grinned at the description.

  I pushed a reluctant Sarah off my lap and transferred back to my chair. The ladies stood and ushered me to the door. I said my goodnight to Anne then Sarah walked me to Bessie.

  After I mounted up and rolled the window down, I said my goodnight to Sarah. I leaned in and almost kissed her on the lips before I realized what I was doing and veered off and kissed her cheek. There may have been a little lip on the edge. I fixated on that. Then after she walked off, I pulled away from the curb before I started breathing again.

  I thought long and hard about my feelings for her and I don't think I understand them. Is it more than just friendship I am feeling, a whole lot more? Gawd, I'm confused. I think it is about time I have the scariest conversation of my life with this woman to understand my confusion. I'm sure it all boils down to friendship, I'm just not familiar with the whole thing.

  I got home and Gwen was once again at the door before I got all the way up the stairs. I rolled in with my head down like a schoolgirl in trouble. I said my goodnights to her and Marcie and rolled into my room with nothing but Sarah on my mind.

  Chapter 7 – Fun with the Kreitzs

  The next morning I was greeted by the ringing of all my devices around the apartment. I grabbed the iPad from the nightstand and grinned at Sarah's name blazing away on it. I closed my eyes and pictured her face then hit accept.

  “Hey. What's up lady? I really like your mom!” I gushed.

  A slightly lower voice answered than I was expecting and suddenly my face was burning as Anne replied, “That's good to know, Reese. I really like you, too.” I could hear the mirth in her voice.

  I stuttered. “Mrs... ummm... Anne. I thought it was Sarah. Sorry.”

  Her chiming laughter rang over the connection. “Why are you apologizing?”

  I shrugged even though she couldn't see. “I don't know?” I wanted to crawl under my bed. Could I sound any more awkward?

  She laughed again then said, “Well we were thinking about a day of fun in the city before I hav
e to leave tonight at eight. Are you in, Sarah would love to have you with us, me too? Hang on a second...”

  I heard muffled sounds, she must have covered the phone. I could make out “No, I will not give your phone back, I don’t care if I'm embarrassing you. You are a big girl so suck it up.”

  She was back complaining comically, “I don't know about that girl sometimes. So Reese are you in or are we going to have to come over there and drag you out with us?”

  I nodded like a fool. “Of course. I'll be over in like an hour.”

  She sounded happy when she replied, “Splendid. We will see you then. Bye.”

  I don't know why but I gave a tiny wave to no one and said, “Goodbye,” then hung up.

  I went about getting ready for the day. When I got dressed I actually took the time to put on some jeans, and went with a playful layering of slightly loose gray and white tanks over a pink tee. I kept my hair down instead of putting it in a ponytail. I don't normally wear makeup, but I was in a fun mood, and I didn't want to look bad in front of Sarah's mom, so I put just a hint of makeup on and some lip gloss.

  I struck a few silly glamor poses while in my chair in front of the mirror on the bathroom door and almost laughed at myself. Gawd I'm so lame sometimes, what in the heck has gotten into me? But I thought I looked cute today.

  I wheeled out and zombie Marcie and zombie Gwen were on the couch in their nightshirts, sipping on some coffee watching the news.

  Marcie did a double-take as I went for my purse and keys. Did I detect a slight smile again? Maybe this weird 'hate Reese' phase she's been in is passing. Gwen did another out of character thing when she saw me and actually gave me a compliment. “Whoa. You look great today, Wheels.” Marcie nodded her agreement.

  I blushed myself into the core of the Earth and managed to squeak out, “Thanks. I want to impress Sarah's mom. I'll be back around seven tonight, she has to catch a plane at eight.”

  They just waved me off and returned to the Saturday morning news where they were reporting about that female soldier who had miraculously held off twenty five insurgents single-handedly in Africa. She was barricaded in a schoolhouse where they were trying to grab children for human trafficking.

  Before I knew it I was pulling up in front of Sarah's place. I couldn't stop my smile when I saw them waving from the porch. I quickly transferred to my chair and wheeled up the ramp. Anne was sitting at the little patio table and chair set and Sarah was swinging on the porch swing.

  “Good morning, ladies.” I said through the smile I couldn't get rid of.

  Anne said good morning back but Sara was just staring at me with her mouth hanging open slightly with a look in her eyes... hunger? She tried to say something but then shut her mouth as she kept looking me up and down. I could feel the frigging perpetual blush on my cheeks.

  “What?” I blurted.

  She snapped out of it. “You look... wow... today Reese. You look awesome in jeans!” She stopped swinging and pointed down in front of her.

  I rolled my eyes and stopped directly in front of her as she unbuckled me and put my feet on the ground and yanked me up and twisted us onto the porch swing, just like the other day. I heard Anne's breath catch as Sarah did it.

  We were giggling at her. Then Sarah spoke first, “So, what's the plan today ladies? Sight seeing in our own city? The beach? The MAC again?”

  I was nodding like a mad woman. “Yes, please.”

  This got the two ladies laughing. It was a wondrous sound. Anne spoke up, “Well, now that that is settled, I'll grab our purses and we can skedaddle.”

  She went into the house then I turned and Sarah was staring at me, our faces were inches apart. She looked so shy and vulnerable suddenly. She almost whispered, “You really do look beautiful today, Ree.”

  She was taking my breath away I couldn't pull myself from her magnificent green eyes. I could feel her hot breath on my face. It would be so easy. Her shiny lips were right there. I made a decision. I whispered, “Sar, we need to have a serious talk.”

  She was nodding. So much was happening today, I wanted to have time together where I could really voice my feelings lately and discuss what we are together seriously. “Will you have dinner with me at my place sometime?”

  She nodded then we both jumped apart as the front door swung open again. I swear I almost had a heart attack. Anne looked at both of us then squinted comically. We nervously laughed and then I got in my chair and we made our way down to Bessie and loaded up. Anne took the passenger seat and Sarah took the middle of the back bench seat so I could see her in the rear view mirror as we all spoke and laughed and had a good time as we made our way to the MAC.

  A couple new exhibits had been added but I loved it all, the whole place was still full of wonder. We were looking at a fluid looking sculpture by Mia Jacobs that depicted different outdoor scenes when viewed from different angles, when a familiar little blonde girl with a curly pink lock of hair was suddenly diving into my lap and hugging me. Her cute little British accent chimed out, “Auntie Reese!”

  I don't think it would be possible for me to grin any bigger at the little six year old with the infectious smile. “Hi, Samantha! I didn't know you guys were in town.” Sarah and Anne looked confused as I turned in my chair with Sammie in my lap for the ride. Standing there with smiles on their faces were Skylar Roth and her wife, Kimi, with that infuriating emotionless mask of hers on her face. They were friends of Crystal's and Roberta Valentine. They lived in London but spent the summers and holidays here in Seattle.

  Skylar was bending down and engulfing me in a hug before I knew what was happening. Her low musical voice with it's sexy English accent chimed out, “Good morning, Reese. It is so nice to see you here. Kim and Sammie dragged me here. You'd think they'd get right sick of this place, they can't get enough of the bloody art.”

  She released me and I again was mesmerized by the tattoo covered scars running down her right side. They were beautiful. I saw Kimi's unreadable expression crack as she smiled at me then bent down gave me a hug. That tall native American beauty never failed to take my breath away. She sneakily stole her daughter from my lap to commence tickle torture when she stood back up. She said, “Hi, Reese,” through the little girl's giggle fits.

  Where are my manners. I turned quickly to the Kreitzs. “Sarah, Anne, I'd like you to meet Skylar, Kim, and Samantha Roth. They are friends of Crystal McKay.”

  Skylar interjected, “And of you, too, you silly bird.”

  I blushed and continued, “They are...”

  “Satin Thunder.” Sarah whispered in shock.

  I quickly corrected her, shooting her a warning glance. “No. Not here. Here they are Kim and Skylar. They are here every summer to visit Kim's sister, Roberta Valentine... Silent Bob.”

  Anne and Sarah greeted them and we all chatted for a minute, then Skylar took Kimi's hand shooting her a loving smile. “We have to get back Flower, we promised Bobbie and Blake we'd go hiking with them this morning.”

  Kim's unreadable expression broke as she returned the smile. “OK, Sky. Well ladies it was fun chatting with you. We have to be going. And Reese?”

  I looked up at her and tilted my head in question. She finished, “It is good to see you out in the world. Try to do it more often.” I nodded and that stoic expression was back on her face.

  We all said our goodbyes and the Roth's wandered toward the door, Samantha turning to wave cutely. When they were out of earshot, Sarah and Anne turned to me excitedly and Sarah blurted out, “OMG, Ree! Why didn't you tell me you knew Satin Thunder! They are like one of my favorite bands! And Silent Bob? She's an outdoor legend here!”

  I shrugged. “Well I sign non-disclosure agreements with some of my clients... and 'I' don't really know them. It is more like knowing them by association. They are all good friends with Crystal McKay. Over half of my business comes from her network of people. I maintain Satin Thunder's fan site for them.”

  Anne chastised me. “Don't s
ell yourself short, Reese. They seemed quite fond of you. And their daughter is frickin' adorable!”

  I lowered my head. Then changed the subject. “Who is hungry? I could use a good brunch... I think I know a spot.”

  Sarah's face lit up. She was reading my mind. “To the Pike!”

  I giggled and we left a confused Anne standing there. I reached back and grabbed her hand and propelled her forward.

  Sarah looked down at me as she walked with her hand on my shoulder. “So do you work for any other famous people, little Miss Connected?”

  I grinned then looked back at the sculpture. “Oh, one or two...”

  Anne was totally enamored with the Pike and Mrs. Zatta. She actually got her to share her recipe for the breakfast bread bowls that we prayed at the alter of.

  While we sat and chatted as we finished up, Anne asked, “Did you come here as a little girl, Reese?”

  I shook my head. “No Mrs. Z is a relatively new addition here. I think Crystal said she had only been here three years or so.”

  She nodded in understanding then asked, “So what did you and your parents like to do when you were here at the market?”

  I shrugged and replied, “My dad died of a heart attack when I was just a baby so I don't remember him. But mom would bring me here a couple times a year. It was just her and I, Team Qualls. We'd look at all the interesting handmade items in the North Arcade. Then if I was good, she'd bring me down a level and we'd go to Golden Age Collectibles and she'd let me pick out a comic.”

  I smiled at the memory then suddenly started to panic. I never talk about my childhood. How did Anne get me to do it? I started breathing faster and then Sarah's hand was on my shoulder immediately, giving me an anchor, calming me.

  I whispered, “I don't really talk about it.”

  Anne shot me a look of compassion and said softly, “It's a shame. You really should. You looked so happy in the memory.” Then she skillfully changed the topic. “I feel like doing something to make me feel young again. The permanent amusement park?”