by Adams, Zoe
“What is wrong with you? Why has your phone been shut off? Why haven’t I talked to you in a week?”
Lady was holding a patient smile in place as she ranted. She shrugged again but no other muscle moved.
“Where are you? Who are you with? What’s going on? Do you know I almost filed a missing person’s report? But you’re one smart little cookie. I couldn’t do a thing because you were sending me one text a day. Can you believe it? One text a day. From my own daughter. She was supposed to meet everyone at the restaurant for her birthday and she just doesn’t show up. What kind of spoiled little girl do I have? Do you know how long ago I made the reservations for your party?”
“Yes, Mother, I know you scheduled that party before you even started my college fund.” Lady said it simply, but sounded rather snotty. “How can you blame me for walking away? According to you, I’ll have the rest of my life to get dressed up for parties.”
“What do you mean, according to me? You are a member of this family, aren’t you? Wait a minute. Who are you with? You’re with a man, aren’t you?” Lady’s mom was silenced by the outcome.
“Mom, seriously, what did you expect?” Lady smiled at Del.
“I didn’t expect you to run away on your birthday and sleep with the first guy who comes along! Who is this guy? Does he even have a name?”
“Yes, he has a name.” Lady blushed and held up the speaker on her phone and implored him to speak.
“Hello, ma’am. My name is Delanore Franklin Ericson.” Del stood up straighter when announcing himself, but the wind was quickly knocked from his lungs.
“Erics…whatever. Put my daughter back on the phone.” Lady’s mother assumed her instructions were followed without question. “Lady, how can you do it? He sounds like a country farmer.”
“He is a good, honest, hardworking, country man. I think I love him.”
Lady’s mother exploded and sounded miles away. Lady set the satellite phone on the counter and let her mother yell at it.
She stepped into Del’s arms and they kissed for a long time. Lady wouldn’t let him go. He had introduced her to new pleasures and she wanted them over and over.
Del enjoyed the moment. Part of a big question about her family had been put to ease by the phone call. The previous feelings of closeness were replaced by something more. It was the opposite of heavy or real, Del felt euphoric.
Lady was so brave. Del wanted to congratulate and thank her at the same time. The constant wanting to please and appreciate kept his body moving all the time. He felt so passionate. Lady responded. Her pleasure zones could be rediscovered and carefully charted every day.
A few hours later they were still in the kitchen. Del opened the refrigerator and noticed its depleted state.
He started clearing shelves and wiping them down.
“Hmmm, well, it’s a good thing I like to stock up.” Del opened the pantry and brought out six-packs and jugs.
“Wow. You are stocked. And clean.” Lady sipped iced tea.
“Yes, I know that’s correct. I’m very clean. I don’t mind some things being dirty, like outside and stuff. But refrigerators are different. It needs to be fresh and clean or I lose my appetite.” Del finished replenishing the ice box and gave his wholehearted attention back to Lady.
She giggled. “I’m surprised at you.”
“I have no defense.” Del threw his towel on the counter top.
Why would he need a defense against Lady? He pondered the situation.
She looked even younger and had to remark on it.
“Well, I’m not surprised to shock you. I’m twelve years older than you.” He grinned.
Lady tilted her head. “Yes, you are older, but I like your experience. My parents know a lot of people, and I’ve been around a lot of them. Most men don’t have pet peeves, or are scared to admit it. They might be rendered feminine if they have knowledge about kitchens or fresh air. It is all a lot of bogus macho feelings, or lack thereof. The men I’m familiar with don’t realize perfect skin, hair, and teeth make them more feminine in my eyes.”
Del could follow along with Lady’s logic. She might come off a little contrite at first, but somehow she explained things in a general sort of way instead of sounding judgmental.
And anyone could see she was just as picky as he. Del expected it to be part of her character because of wealth. However much her charm added to it. Lady could be refined and goofy at the same time.
She must have put him under some sort of witchery to keep him so close. All he wanted to do was hold on to her.
But he needed her to claim love and plans of their future. As much as he wanted to admit defeat to her already, he knew he needed to be seemingly indifferent. He needed her to say it or propose things first.
Del could be strong in every other way. But her age made her formidable. Del needed her to invite him in. He’d already invited her into his world. All she needed to do was be comfortable in it.
He stood before Lady and felt powerless. She eyed him like a predator devouring meat.
“You are all man,” Lady said appreciatively. “I was hoping there was someone half as hot as you.”
Relief rushed through Del. “Half? Ha! I’m just standing here wondering how I can give you all of me.”
Lady’s bright eyes blinked back at him. Del still had questions for her but settled on asking the most obvious ones.
“Do you need to go to town? Do you miss stores or cities for anything? I don’t know. I don’t know if you need or miss anything.” Del didn’t know how else to ask. He couldn’t waste precious moments guessing.
Lady rested her head to one side in a half shake. “No, I don’t need to go into town for anything yet. I don’t miss anything yet. When I’m ready to reach out to friends and family, then I will. ”
Del narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”
Lady stepped forward suggestively. “I don’t need anything from anywhere else. All I need is a man like you who knows how to take care of things. Tell me, Mr. Delanore Frankie, are you ready to go to my town?”
“Yes. Only on you though.” Del waited to place her in the jail iron hold of his arms.
Only a few storms had stranded him at the farm. Del took pride in always getting through nature or natural disaster. Springing from a love nest was an entirely different story. Del didn’t mind if it took a year to leave his farm.
Del called his brother just to let him know he was still alive. Ted instinctively knew a girl had thick, deep clutches on his brother to keep him away. Ted immediately started naming off girls they knew.
Del had reasons for keeping his secrets. One of them being his brother was the biggest gossip. There had to be someone better to know all your secrets.
“I’m not sayin’ anything ’bout my lady.” Del’s cheerfulness affected both men on the phone.
“All right, brother. I’ll catch you next time. Goodbye.”
Del knew how to survive outside of civilization. Lady brought culture and polish to the farm. It came in the form of a wild, lusty love. Del wanted to be whatever strong man she wanted. Banter became one of their hobbies. They talked and shared sacred things between them. They loved everything they did and that was close enough to talking about love all day.
They spent the afternoon picking grapes and took them back to the house. Del made his specialty wine. He used the old family recipe, just like his grandfather had shown him.
Lady was a good little assistant. She talked about places and things while deliberately staying out of his way. She sipped wine from a previous batch and smiled even wider.
“This wine’s delicious.” She sat forward. “It’s heavy and fruity.”
“Thanks. I was taught how to be self-sufficient well before I got the farm.” Del looked up from the mash and smiled. “This is how I honor my grandfather. By carrying on the wine making tradition.”
Lady’s tongue loosened with the aged fruit. “I can relate to that. I feel a lot of gratitude
toward my grandparents. My great-great-grandfather made our family name successful. He started out making travel trunks and luxurious bags. We’re still a fashion icon.”
Del said the first thought that came to him. “I wonder what your great-great-grandfather would’ve done if he knew you ran away without a trunk.”
Lady exhaled a little laugh. “Actually, I think it’s working out nicely. He’d be even more impressed I can make clothes. And the style’s not half bad.”
Del’s eyes lit up. “True. You got style.”
He nodded his head a couple of times to a beat he couldn’t find.
She was pretty cool. And so far just as self-sustaining as he.
“You should make more of this wine and sell it.” Lady nodded earnestly. “I know a distributor always looking for new labels.”
Del raised his eyebrows at the thought. “Humph. You make it sound easy, but I guess if you already have the social connections then all you need is the labor.”
Lady smiled contentedly. “Right, you need the product, or sometimes just the idea.”
Del knew she was smart but he liked the constant confirmations. He winked. “Ma’am, sometimes you just need a little money to make a little money.”
Lady patiently nodded, but as soon as his mouth shut, hers opened in response. “I don’t think you understand how serious I am. Or maybe I don’t know how much skill you have.”
Del was in the process of straining a heavy mess and he let her question meet silence.
Lady sighed and continued, “So how many other things do you make in this kitchen?”
Del blew the hair from his eyes and looked over at her. “I don’t know. I don’t really count.”
Lady leaned forward on the counter. Her eyes appeared huge over clasped hands. Then he realized she was all proportionate and all perfect. Her silence urged him forward.
“Well, I make my own soap.”
“What? You make your own soap? No, you don’t.” Lady shook her head.
“I do and have made soap. My grandma taught me. Actually, I took it over for her.” Del set his utensils down and looked at Lady. “What do you think those little soaps in the bathroom are? I had to keep the tradition alive. Someday I’ll teach my wife or child how to do it. We’ll all be the same sweet smelling Ericsons, because I like it.”
Lady shook her head and grinned in disbelief. “Wow. That’s cool. I like what you do with your hands. I already know I love the soap. I was going to say something about it earlier but didn’t.”
“Yeah.” Del smiled ruefully. “I like to keep my hands busy. You know, more action, less talk. I always thought my work should speak for me. I shouldn’t have to spend time explaining things. The bar of soap or the glass of wine in your hands is perfect. I didn’t invent them and don’t hold any high privilege on them. I just followed instructions. When you follow the directions then the only option is to succeed. There is no other choice.”
Lady raised her eyebrow. “It just depends on how much you like doing things. Or I should say, how much work you want to do.”
“You’re pretty smart for your age.”
“Yes, I am. That’s one of the things I want to talk to you about.” Lady sloshed more wine into their glasses. She carefully took a sip then set it aside.
“It was understood from a young age that I’d join the fashion industry. I always knew I could, but now I think I can. There is something about your sewing room. I can’t explain it, but the way your grandmother left that room is special for me. It’s like I could just move in and finish her things. I’ve never felt that welcome in a craft room, but now I do. I want to thank you for that. And thank you for trusting me from the beginning. You place so much in me. All I want to do is show my appreciation.” Lady smiled as the conversation started to veer off course.
Del wanted to thank her himself, but he settled for a toothy smile. She picked her way through an unknown territory and the clip of her words kept everything cool. Lady would always be a fresh addition to his life. He just had to keep her. He clenched his jaw.
Lady bravely brought up subjects he was shy of. Del knew he talked a lot, but in that moment a shy, conservative girl said everything.
Del’s task neared completion. He’d have to remember how hard it was to finish wiping down the counter when he just wanted to touch something human. Lady was more than enough for him. He hoped he was strong enough to finish what he’d started. His thoughts were interrupted once more by her voice.
“I’ve been thinking about fashion. I want to compete professionally. All I need to do is make ten spring outfits for models and take them to the runway.”
Del nodded. “Okay. How can I help?”
“You just do what you always do. Be strong and sexy.”
“That’s easy, I do it without even trying.” He finished the dishes and set them to dry. “So what supplies do you need? Should we go into town?”
Lady straightened tightly. “I don’t need to go to a store. I can just order things online.”
Del thought it strange she didn’t want to go to town. She didn’t seem like a conservative consumer. He knew she was no stranger to getting anything she wanted.
A sudden thought occurred to him and it punched him in the gut.
“Wait just a minute here. It’s strange you don’t want to leave the house. Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?” Del cocked his head and stared her down.
Shock filled her eyes, then was quickly replaced with confidence. “No, you are the least embarrassing person. It’s actually the opposite. I’m not ready to share you yet. I’m still getting used to having a boyfriend. Maybe I don’t know how to act in public yet. Because I don’t want to restrain myself yet.”
She walked around the counter and placed her hands on his shoulders. “It wouldn’t be fair to go somewhere I have to stifle myself. It’s the opposite of my future plans with you.”
Del liked her thoughts, plans, and everything about her. Their time together passed quickly. Del knew about love at first sight, but what he had now paled those initial feelings. Spending time with her only made his love grow.
Chapter 9
Del met the demands of farm work daily—whether it be indoors with a lady in fluffy skirts, or outdoors with unbelievably inflexible tools. Del’s life revolved around physical labor. Today, he worked outside in the furthest field on the most stubborn watering system. The massive long sprinkler arms made work slow moving. They were being dismantled, covered, grouped, and stored all in the name of glorious winter. He wrenched tightly on the heavy metal bolt.
Sweat rolled down his forehead. He wiped at it in frustration and looked up. This job was taking much longer than anticipated. He tried to remember if it always took this long. It seemed like farm work always got done faster when it was the only thing on the brain. Thoughts of a woman skewed his memory of time, weeks, and seconds.
Del dropped his wrench and stood up. His body ached from the strain and he tried to stretch out the kinks. Regaining feeling in his body didn’t help when his blood always rushed to one place.
Lady walked across the field toward him. Del didn’t know how she found him, but was glad she had. His work could wait. His lady could not.
Del stripped out of his shirt, and wiped the sweat from his eyes and hair roughly. He picked up the water jug and, unscrewing the lid, poured it out on his head. He instantly felt rejuvenated.
He used his shirt as a towel and dried off. Del felt much fresher when he looked at Lady.
She walked right up to him.
“Hi.” She leaned in for a greeting kiss.
Del kissed her soundly, and stood back, grinning.
She looked down at what he was working on. “Wow. It’s a good thing I came to check on you. It looks like you won’t be home for a while yet.”
Del agreed. “Yeah, it’s taking me a while to finish this. I’m clumsier when I try to rush things.”
Lady looked back up at him. “And what are you in a hurr
y for?”
Del wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “What do you think?”
They smiled at each other for a moment, then she leaned in for another kiss. His stomach growled hungrily for food.
She felt it and leaned back. “I felt your stomach growl. I knew you’d be hungry so I packed a picnic.”
“All right. I suppose you can feed me.”
“Good.” Lady’s hips swayed when she stepped away.
She unfolded a light quilt and shook it out in the shade. It flew open on the wind and flapped down in a perfect square.
Lady stepped lightly and set the basket down. Del recognized it from a dim memory years ago. At the time, the basket had been nothing, but now it was definitely something. She knew how to make things fresh and upsettingly romantic. She sat down beside the wicker hamper and opened the lid.
Sunlight came from behind her and slid lazily across a corner of blanket. Even in the shade she glowed. Her hair always looked dark indoors, but now had a reddish tinge in the shallow parts. Her skin was mellow white with heavy pink accents.
Something about her overthrew the surroundings, yet looked perfectly comfortable at the same time. Lady owned her place and wore her space comfortably. Everything around her, from the short cut grass to the tentacle arms of machinery, added to her bearings. They added to the view without diminishing its subject.
Lady could overtake a situation without saying a word. He knew it wasn’t an accident. She made her dress to be perfect on her body. If it weren’t for the bright yellow and white checkered print of her clothes, she could have been a sculpture of fine marble.
There were no sleeves or top half of the dress. Just a wide band across her chest and a big bow at her waist. Her skirt was full and went to a thin part of her legs.
Lady looked like a beautiful woman from any classic scene. She could’ve meshed in society fifty or one hundred fifty years ago.
It wasn’t just her dress or outer appearance. Something inside made her comfortable in any setting. Her finely shaped brown eyes kept everything in proportion, and she took everything at its face value. The machine behind her was still a machine. She would occasionally check her bearings with the sharp angles around her.
