by Ward, Penny
“Bye Mom.”
I hang up the phone and toss it on the bed.
Knocking on Rose’s door, I don’t wait to for a reply before I open it.
Her room is a burst of color. Her walls are purple and blue with glitter on them. She has sheer cloth on her ceiling and gold balls on her wall.
She has very different tastes than mine but it matches her personality just right.
She is bright and outgoing and her room expressed that.
My room is plain.
It is painted beige and has nothing on the walls at all.
There is no sign of personality in it at all.
I keep thinking of ways to decorate it but there was nothing I could think of. Maybe I should give it to Rose as a project and see what she could come up with.
Rose is lying across her bed with her laptop out, listening to music and singing at the top of lungs and I can’t help but laugh. I reach over and pull the headphones off her head.
“Hey, girl! I didn’t even hear you come in,” she says.
“I could see why, you were in here calling the cats,” I smile.
“Girl, I have singing skills.”
“Yeah, okay, but a few lessons wouldn’t kill you either.”
“So did you call your Mom?”
“Yes, I finally called her,” I sigh.
“What did she say?”
“She said she would send the money to the house in the morning and make a few calls so I could get a job in my field.”
“Yay! That’s great news. Now you won’t have to stress so much.”
“I know, I just wish I was able to do it on my own.”
“You’re not superwoman. It is good to get help every once in a while. You know how many people’s first serious jobs come with the help of their parents?”
“Actually, I do. Half of my class got jobs right away because of the connections they had but I was just too stubborn to use mine, I guess.”
“You are stubborn. I can confirm that. Did she say how much she was going to give you?”
“No, but if I know her, it will be a ridiculous amount.”
“You’re right about that. She gave you ten grand on your birthday and the only thing you did was pay on your student loans.”
“I want them paid off before I’m thirty, so you would be right.”
She laughs. “So what do you have planned today Monica?”
“Nothing. Got a date with the cable TV and some frozen pizza.”
“Sounds interesting. I have to work tonight or I would join you.”
“For a woman who likes to be on the go, you sure have been in the house a lot lately.”
“I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”
“I think it needs to be the other way around.”
“How so?”
“I wish I had your spontaneity and personality. I’m always questioning myself or too scared to do anything outside of the box. The craziest thing I have ever done in my life was sleep with Grayson and you already know how I’ve reacted to that.”
“Well, if you want to change who you are, then you should. Other than a few of your insecurities, you are fine just the way you are. If you can’t see that, then you will one day, I hope. You are a pretty awesome chick.”
I laugh. “Thanks, Rose. Oh, there is one thing I want to do with my money though, besides catch up on bills.”
“A shopping spree?” she asks excitedly.
I laugh. “Uh, no. I want to redecorate my room.”
“Redecorate? When was it ever decorated in the first place?”
“Hush!” I say as I laugh. “I was in the process.”
“Sure you were. So what do you want to do with it?”
“I don’t know, I was going to leave that up to you.”
“Really? I would love that. I think I can capture your personality just fine.”
“Nothing crazy, Rose,” I say, warning her.
She laughs. “Okay, nothing crazy but I have to admit, that is a pretty exciting job.”
“I know. New beginnings, right?”
“New beginnings.”
Chapter 10
Knock, knock.
Two heavy knocks echo from the door as I’m sitting in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal.
I look at the clock and see that it’s already ten in the morning. I don’t know who would come this early but then I remember Mom was sending money to me this morning so it could be a courier.
Putting the bowl in the sink, I go and open the door.
But when I swing the door open, I stand in shock.
No.
Please no.
This is not what I need.
No way.
This is not what my life needs.
Not now.
Standing at my front door is Grayson.
Handsome, controlling, dominant Grayson.
Damn.
He is standing at my front door in a perfectly tailored suit, with the biggest smile stretched on his face.
Pig.
I slam the door shut in his face.
Knock, knock.
Two more heavy knocks.
“What?!” I say as I swing the door back open.
I want to slam the door again but, in his hand, I see an envelope with my Mom’s handwriting on it.
“Can I have my package?” I ask.
“No hello?” he says with a smirk.
“Hi. Give me my package?”
“You must be not a morning person.”
“More like I’m not a you person.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“Look, can you just give me my package so you can leave and I can get back to my life.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re rude?”
“Yes.”
He laughs - it’s throaty and deep and sends chills down my spine.
“Look, Grayson, just hand me the package and go on your way.”
He hands me the envelope and just as I am about to slam the door, he sticks his foot in.
“So you’re not going to invite me in?”
“Hell no!” I exclaim.
“You know you want to.”
“I know I don’t want to.”
“Will you go out on a date with me?”
I stare at him in disbelief.
Was this really happening to me?
Was this some sort of joke?
“Why would I go out with you?”
“Because you like me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And I like you. We should go on a date.”
My heart starts racing and I look at him in his eyes.
“Really? You like me?” My words are laced with angst.
“What makes you say that? I showed up to your job. I got your number from your Mom just to call you. Hell, I even got her to give me your address so I can see you again.”
“But you also just treated me like a cheap slut the first time we were together.”
“How?”
“You really don’t know?”
He shakes his head no.
“The money. You gave me money after we had sex together.”
He sighs. “I know that was a mistake but usually, the type of women I deal with, I have to pay for their time so it’s sort of just a habit for me.”
“That’s unacceptable. You should know I’m not like most women.”
“I do now. But I honestly don’t know much about you. I’ve been trying to get to know you but you keep pushing me off as if I have some sort of flesh eating disease. I know what I did was wrong but I really don’t know how to treat women any other way. I’m really sorry. Just please give me a chance.”
I look at him, trying to see if he’s sincere or not, but I don’t want to take that chance on my heart just yet.
“No, I don’t want to date you. Just leave.”
“I’m going to leave but I will be back. I want you to give me a chance to show you that I’m not who you think I am.”
I quietly close the door in his face this time.
Sighing deeply, I turn the lock. I don’t want to take any chances.
Opening the package from my Mom, there is a note is on top. I pick it up and read it.
Dear Monica,
Here’s some money to help you out of your situation.
I really wish you wouldn’t waited until the last minute to ask for help but I guess I am partly to blame for that. I raised you to be an independent woman but now I see I raised you to be too independent.
I never wanted you to be so independent that it would stop you from asking for help when you really needed it. I’m sending this package by Grayson because I think he has a thing for you.
I saw him corner you at the anniversary party and then you storming off.
I can tell you he is a good man. If he’s anything like his father, he has probably already found a way to mess it up with you, which is probably why he has asked for your number and was a willing volunteer to come over to see you.
George stuffed up our first meeting too.
It was two months before I gave George a second chance but it was the greatest decision of my life.
He makes me feel wonderful and as if I’m on top of the world and I’m sure Grayson can do the same for you.
I’m not trying to tell you what to do but what I am saying is take a chance on happiness. You deserve it, sweetheart.
I love you.
Mom
I wipe the tears from my eyes with a tissue.
Folding the letter up, I pull out the check she wrote out for twenty thousand dollars.
The tears begin to run down my face.
This will help out with my bills indefinitely.
I always wished my Mom wouldn’t give me so much money when she knows how I feel about it all but I really need it right now.
My accounts are about to be in the red so this came in the nick of time. I couldn’t be more grateful for her than I was right now. I walk into my room, grab my cell phone, and mash the button to call her.
“Hi sweetheart,” she says into the phone.
“Hi Mom. Thank you for everything. That’s really going to help me out a lot,” I say as I wipe the tears from my eyes again.
“I know, sweetheart. You know that I would do anything in the world for you.”
“I know, Mom. I know.”
“So did you read my letter?”
“Yes Mom.”
“Was I right?”
“Yes Mom.”
“Are you going to see if something can be there?”
“I don’t know Mom. You know I don’t like to date people with money. Plus, he’s so arrogant and I just don’t know Mom. I don’t know if I want to take the chance with my heart.”
“Sometimes you have to take a chance, sweetheart. I did and look at me now. I truly believe that Grayson can make you happy but I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I know, Mom. I’ll think about it though.”
“Okay, sweetie, that’s all I ask.”
“I have to go, Mom. Thanks for everything.”
“No problem. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom,” I say as I hang up the phone.
I throw my phone back on the bed and lay down across it.
Maybe my Mom had a point.
I deserved to be happy but could Grayson really make me feel that way?
Even I had to admit he brought something out in me.
I just didn’t know what it was and I wasn’t sure if I want to explore it.
Why is life so complicated?
Why couldn’t my Prince Charming actually be a prince and charming?
I hear the doorbell ring again and I get up off of the bed.
“Who could this be now?” I mumble to myself.
I walk to the door and I peep out of the peephole.
All I see is balloons covering the hole so I open the door. The balloons move aside and I see Grayson standing there with a smile on his face.
“I told you I wouldn’t give up.”
Chapter 11
A smile crosses my face.
Who wouldn’t smile when faced with bright, colorful balloons?
“What are all the balloons for?” I ask.
“To say I’m sorry for being a jerk. I never meant to hurt you or anything like that. It’s just, well…I never felt the way I feel about you for any other woman. Women have only ever wanted money from me.”
I look him over and motion for him to come into the house. He follows behind me with all of the balloons in tow. “Have a seat on the couch.”
He takes a seat on the couch and I sit beside him. “You have to know that I never meant to offend you or hurt you.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”
“So will you give me a chance?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I don’t like to date dudes with money.”
“Why?”
“Because… I don’t know. People with money just make you feel less than them.”
“How about if I date you in your world?”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I won’t do anything regular guys won’t do. We can get a burger, go to the movies, and go eat pizza or anything like that. You won’t ever hear a mention of money. What do you say?”
I look at him and smile. “That wouldn’t work.”
“Try me.”
“Okay… I’ll agree to that. But no extravagant gifts or anything like that.”
“I’ll only get you flowers wrapped in newspaper,” he says with a laugh.
I stick my hand out. “It’s a deal.”
“So can we go out today?”
“Sure…come pick me up around 7.”
“I’ll be here at 7 on the dot.”
“Okay, I will see you then.”
He gets up from the chair and kisses me on the cheek. “See you later.”
I smile and wave at him as he walks out of the door. I look at all of the balloons and they all say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I miss you’.
I have to give it to him - he has style.
I take all of the balloons and carry them down the hall into my room. I hear the door open and close again and I know Rose is home.
“Monica, where are you?” she yells.
“I’m in my room!”
Her footsteps come down the hallway and then stop. “Whoa! Who gave you the big bouquet of balloons?”
I smile. “Grayson.”
“See, I told you he has the hot’s for you. What was he doing here?”
“Well, at first, he came here to drop off the envelope from my Mom and then he came back to apologize to me for being an ass and ask me to give him a chance. My Mom even seems to think I should take a chance on him.”
“So are you going to?”
“Yes, he agreed to date me on my terms so I am going to give him a shot.”
“Oh, my gosh! I’m so excited for you. Wait! What do you mean, ‘your terms’?”
“No fancy restaurants. No extravagant gifts so he can flaunt his money. Just regular restaurants for us regular people. And normal nice gifts.”
“I should’ve known you would say that. Any other woman would want to be spoiled and treated like a princess.”
“He can still do that without spending a lot of money. I just like the simple things in life.”
“So what are you going to wear on your date? You know you have to knock his socks off.”
“I don’t know. I don’t even know where we’re going.”
“So you may want to dress casual? You could borrow something out of my closet.”
I shake my head. “No, your clothes are too flashy. I’ll find something in mine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I think I know exactly what I’m going to wear.”
“Well, whatever it is, I am sure you will knock his socks off. So did your Mom give you enough to cover bills?”
“A lot, huh?”
“Double what she gave me last time.”
“Geez! I wish I had your Mom.”
“A lot of people do, but she knows I would only come to her if I absolutely needed it.”
“It kills you to even do that. You may want to go put it in the bank before you go on your date.”
“I am. Do you want anything while I go out?”
“No, I’m good. I’m just going to go to sleep until it’s time for me to go to work.”
“What time do you go in?”
“9. What time is your date?”
“It’s at 7.”
“Well, I’ll wake up at 6:30 to help you get ready for it.”
“Thanks Rose.”
Chapter 12
“Rose, I think you are putting too much makeup on my face,” I say as I wiggle around in the chair.
“No, I’m not. It’s going to look like you don’t even have any on. I’m just highlighting your cheekbones a little,” she says as she applies more makeup.
“I’m just saying I don’t want to go on a date looking like someone else.”
“You won’t. I’m telling you, you look gorgeous. And pinning your hair up was a good idea as well.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, how many times do I have to tell you that you’re a knockout? I would kill for cheekbones like yours. Or a butt like yours.”
I laugh. “My butt isn’t hot.”
She laughs. “It’s hot enough. Okay, I’m done.”
I turn around and look in the mirror and can’t believe what I see.
I look great!
You couldn’t tell I had makeup on at all. She really did a good job.
“Wow, Rose, you really did a great job.”
“Yes, now stand up so I can inspect your outfit one more time.”
I stand up and turn around for her. I decided to wear a pair of black leggings that showed off my figure, a white sheer shirt with a black halter top underneath, and some black strappy sandals.
“Yes, total knockout,” she says as the doorbell rings.
“It’s him! Are you sure I look okay?” I ask as I look in the mirror one last time.
“I’m sure, now go open the door.”
I take a deep breath and walk slowly to the door. I take one last glance at Rose and then I open it.
