Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum)

by Chamein Canton

  “So what have you been up to?”

  “You know Michelle. I’ve been working around the clock.”

  “I’ll bet you are.”

  “Hey, what happened after the Lord/Allen wedding?” Terry asked.

  “So you heard about it, too?”

  “No one has been able to shut up about it,” Michelle commented.

  “It was a first for me, I’ll tell you that. I haven’t heard from Patricia or her father. We offered to refund their wedding planning fees but her dad refused.”

  “That was nice of you.” Michelle turned off the mixer and scraped down the bowl.

  “I figured it served as a reminder, but she and her dad didn’t feel that way at all.”

  “At least you offered,” Terry noted.

  “So tell me, what does your schedule look like in December?”

  Terry washed his hands and went over to the computer. “We already have some cakes scheduled for the month. What date are you looking for?”

  “I need December ninth for a wedding at the Waldorf.”

  Michelle looked impressed. “The Waldorf is big money. Who’s getting married?”

  “Jennifer Klein, the only daughter of Hiram and Isabelle Klein.”

  “The textile king and queen, right?” Terry asked.

  “Right. She’s marrying Michael Smythe, and his family is very old money.”

  “That’s quite a coup for Bliss.”

  “I know, and that’s why I stopped in. Would you consider making the wedding cake? It would be a major undertaking.”

  “How many guests are we talking about?” Michelle adjusted her glasses.

  “We’re talking at least 500. You would probably have to hire a few more people to help you.”

  Michelle looked at Terry. “Do you think it’s doable for us?”

  He thought a moment. “Sure. We have enough time to work on the design and the logistics.”

  “Okay, Paige, sounds good to us.”

  “Great. I’ll call you to set up an appointment for a tasting and consultation with Jennifer.” Paige made a notation in her Blackberry. “You still take appointments from Wednesday to Friday, right?”

  “Yes, but if you need an appointment on Tuesday we can come in.”

  “Thanks, that’s good to know.” She looked at her watch. “God, I didn’t realize the time. I’d better let you get back to work.” She kissed both of them on the cheek.

  “Take care, Paige. We’ll see you soon,” Michelle smiled.

  Terry waved.

  “Have a good one, you two,” Paige said as she walked out.

  After Paige left the bakery she stopped at Borders. A book nerd, she frequented both of the big bookstore giants. She wandered through the aisles until she happened upon Langston Hughes’s The Sweet Flypaper of Life. The thought came to her that as a history teacher living in Harlem Matthew might enjoy the book. She hesitated, then decided to get the book. He’d seen her naked, so she had no secrets.

  “Is that it?” the cashier asked.

  “Yes, thank you.” She handed her the credit card.

  “This is a really good book. It’s hard to find.”

  “I know. It’s for a friend of mine who teaches history in Harlem.”

  “I’m sure they’ll like it.”

  Paige signed the receipt. “I hope so.”

  She tucked the book into a gift bag in the trunk. I can’t believe I bought him a present, but it looks like the type of book he would appreciate, she thought. I will give it to Matthew tonight. I hope he likes it.

  The hint of spring warmth lingered into the early evening and inspired Paige to be a little sexier for her midweek date. She wore a chocolate brown knit tee with a beige skirt that was just above the knee. Paige had left the bobby pins at home; her red locks hung in curls. She topped off her look with a conservative-looking beige swing coat lined with a less than conservative leopard print lining.

  Paige checked herself out in the mirror wondering what it was about a swing coat and heels that made her feel bouncy. She flashed her pearly whites, then looked at her bag. It was too big for the outfit but it held her gift.

  She grabbed her keys and went on her merry way.

  Once she was on the platform she called Max.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Max.”

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “I just wanted to remind you that I’ll be in the city for dinner tonight.”

  “Okay. Will you be back tomorrow?”

  “No, I’ll be home tonight. There’s roast beef, mashed potatoes, and stringbeans in the fridge for you to heat up. For dessert there’s peach cobbler or brownies.”

  “Do we have ice cream?”

  “I think so.”

  “Cool.”

  “You’re having both desserts, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, yes.” From the sound in his voice Paige knew he was really looking forward to dessert.

  “Make sure you do your homework.”

  “I will, Mom. Have a good time.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”

  The train pulled in as she closed her phone. Paige was glad it was an express.

  * * *

  Matthew caught his breath. He’d just arrived in the waiting area, behind schedule. But his mood improved when he saw that Paige’s train hadn’t arrived yet. A few minutes later Matthew saw Paige walking towards him. He waved. “Paige!”

  She spotted him and waved back.

  As she walked toward him he could see a little bounce in her step. His eyes traveled down her curves. She looked good enough to eat, but dinner was the only thing on the menu that night.

  “Hey there, handsome,” she purred.

  “Hey there, beautiful.” They kissed. “You look amazing.”

  “You think so?” She twirled around.

  “Yes, definitely.” He took her hand in his. “So are you ready for dinner?”

  “I could eat.”

  “Then I have the place for you.”

  “Lead the way.”

  Matthew and Paige walked from Penn Station to the Old Homestead Steakhouse on Ninth Avenue. The hostess seated them right away.

  Matthew held Paige’s chair for her. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He pushed her chair in and sat down.

  She looked around the restaurant. “I’ve never been here before.”

  “Then you’re in for a real treat. They specialize in the four food groups: beef, beef, beef, and beef.”

  Paige chuckled softly. “Sounds good to me.” She perused the menu.

  The waitress came to take their order. Paige started with a crabcakes appetizer while Matthew chose the Oysters Rockefeller with a wink. Once it was time for the main course the restaurant didn’t disappoint. Paige had the Kobe steak and Matthew the Gotham rib steak.

  A little over an hour later Paige put her fork down. “That was good.”

  Matthew patted his stomach. “It hit the spot.”

  “And then some,” Paige joked.

  Matthew took a sip of his wine. “So did you find a dress for the ball?”

  Paige playfully pursed her lips together. “I’m not saying. You just have to wait and see.”

  “So that’s how it is, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, then I’ll wait. But as a consolation prize, how about you tell me what you have in your bag that makes it look much heavier?”

  “Now that I will share with you.” She took the gift bag out. “I saw this today in the bookstore and thought of you. I hope you like it.” She handed him the gift bag. “I’m sorry. I didn’t have time to get it wrapped.”

  A swell of emotion built in Matthew’s chest as he opened the book. He was at a loss for words.

  Paige was anxious. “I took a chance that you liked Hughes, since he was such a part of the Harlem Renaissance.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  Paige’s heart sank into her stomach.

  “You
’re so sweet to do this for me. Langston is one of my all time favorite authors.”

  She looked relieved. “I’m so glad you like it.”

  He got up from his seat and gave her a kiss. “I love it.” He sat back down.

  “Langston is one of Max’s favorite writers too.”

  “He’s got good taste, just like his mother.” He smiled and then got quiet for a minute.

  “Penny for your thoughts, professor.”

  “I was just thinking what my kids would inherit from me.”

  “You mean other than your gorgeous eyes?”

  He smiled. “Thanks for the compliment, but I’m serious. It really seems like kids inherit personality traits.”

  “They do inherit them, but there’s no way of knowing ahead of time. You can only guess.”

  “Did you guess when it came to Max?”

  “No. I was too busy picking out his college.”

  He couldn’t help laughing. “You started picking colleges before he was born?”

  “I admit I’m a nerd. I couldn’t help myself.”

  “So was Cornell one of the schools?”

  “Yes.”

  “Score one for Mom.” He paused. “You’re really not going to tell me about the dress?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Okay. You know, this is going to be a first for me.”

  “What is?” Paige sipped her wine.

  “I’m actually looking forward to attending a society event.”

  “Oh, come on, you’ve been to balls and events before.”

  “Sure I have, under duress. Knowing that you’re going to be there makes it worthwhile to me. It makes not being with you tonight to demonstrate my gratitude up close and personally a little more bearable.”

  Paige raised her eyebrow. “You don’t say.”

  “Too bad it’s a school night.”

  Paige crossed her legs. “I know what you mean.”

  “Since we can’t have dessert, do you want to order dessert from the menu?”

  She giggled. “I couldn’t eat another bite. Besides, it’s getting late.”

  “You’re right. I’ll get the waitress.”

  Matthew paid the check, then kissed Paige’s hand before they walked back outside. The temperature was a little chillier than before, but they didn’t notice. It was spring in their hearts.

  As they rode the escalator down into Penn Station, they looked at the schedule board.

  “It looks like my train will board in another couple of minutes.”

  “I see.”

  “I had a great time tonight. Thank you for dinner.”

  “You’re very welcome. Thank you for my present.”

  “It was my pleasure.” She paused. “This was such a nice way to break up the work week.”

  “Sort of an oasis in the middle of the work desert.”

  “Great analogy, professor.” She looked up at him.

  Their eyes locked. The moment their lips touched the world melted away. They wanted more but it wasn’t the time or the place.

  “This is the last call for the train to Babylon leaving on Track 19.”

  “God. Where did the time go? I have to make the two-minute dash.”

  “We’ll talk later, speedy. Don’t miss your train.”

  They blew each other a kiss before Paige disappeared down the stairs and out of sight. Matthew looked down at his book, pleased that she’d bought it for him. He wondered how many years had passed since the original publication. He was falling hard and fast for Paige.

  Seated on the train, Paige looked longingly out the window. Maybe she should have talked of their relationship, especially since he mentioned kids. But maybe the rest of her life didn’t need to be planned out like a business. Strangely, she didn’t feel any fear. Maybe at her age she’d finally grown up.

  CHAPTER 16

  With her dinner conversation with Matthew still fresh on her mind, Paige called her doctor’s office to make an appointment. As it turned out there was a cancellation on Thursday morning. Since it was a light day for her, Paige took it.

  By 9:45 she was sitting in the waiting room surrounded by pregnant women. As she looked around she noticed most of them were flipping through the baby’s first year magazines. A smile washed over Paige’s face as she remembered how she felt when she was pregnant with Max.

  “Paige?” The nurse called.

  She stood up. “I’m right here.” Paige walked over to the door.

  “How are you, Paige?”

  “I’m good, Trina. How are you?”

  “I can’t complain. Besides, who would listen?”

  “You do have a built-in captive audience in the patients, you know.”

  “You’re right about that, but if there was anyone I wanted to hold captive for my problems it’s Harry.”

  Paige giggled. “How is Harry?”

  “He’s happy as a lark, as per usual.” She put Paige’s chart outside the exam room and opened the door. “You know the drill.”

  Paige sighed. “Alas, I do.”

  Paige quickly undressed and hid her underwear under her clothes. Paige bought into the strange phenomenon of hiding panties from the doctor, or more specifically the gynecologist, who would soon have her legs in stirrups. She hopped onto the examination table.

  A couple of minutes later Dr. Schwartz entered the room. He was average height with a small build, but his grey hair made him look older than he was. Still he had the best bedside and GYN manner of any doctor.

  “Hello, Paige.”

  “Hi, Dr. Schwartz.”

  He looked at her chart. “Well, it seems you were just here and everything checked out. Are you having any problems?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “Elaborate for me.”

  “Well I’ve been with you since I had Max, and you remember what a hard time I had getting pregnant with him.”

  “Are you thinking about getting pregnant again?”

  She thought for a moment. “I guess I am. There’s a man in my life. He’s younger than me and he doesn’t have children.”

  “You think he wants children?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “Is that a maybe?”

  “Yes. We haven’t talked about it specifically, but I want to be prepared. So I came here since you handle fertility issues, too.”

  He read through her file. “Okay. You’re a healthy woman, Paige. Your blood pressure is good, your bad cholesterol is 113 and your good cholesterol is excellent. I know you take care of yourself. The first thing we’re going to do is draw some blood for your hormone levels. I’ll ask Francine to come in for that.” He rolled over to the phone. “Ellen, can you have Francine come in to draw blood in exam room three.”

  “Yes, doctor.”

  “Find out if Jane can fit Paige in for a hysterosalpingogram today. I thought I saw there were a couple of cancellations today.”

  “If you give me a moment I will buzz Jane and buzz you right back.”

  There was a knock and Trina entered.

  “So how about we do a quick examination and get you started today.”

  “So quickly?” she asked nervously.

  “That is why you came here, right? Or are you jumping the gun? We don’t have to do this today.”

  Paige thought for a moment. “I might as well get started, and then I’ll have the facts.”

  The intercom buzzed. “Dr. Schwartz, Jane can take Paige anytime.”

  “Terrific. Tell her I will send her down in a few minutes.”

  “Will do.”

  Paige settled in for an examination. Francine took some blood and she went to have the sonogram. Paige was done a little after lunchtime and was patiently waiting for the doctor in his office.

  He closed the door as he walked in. “Okay, Paige. We’re done with everything we can do for the moment. I’m not going to ask you to chart your temperature or anything like that at the moment. Is that okay with you?”

  �
�That’s fine, Dr. Schwartz.”

  “We’ll wait for the blood test results to come back, but otherwise from the looks of the sonogram you don’t seem to have any uterine anomalies and your tubes look good.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  “So I’ll see you in about a week and we’ll go over your blood work.”

  Paige stood up. “Thank you, Dr. Schwartz.”

  “You’re welcome, Paige. See you next time.”

  Paige left the office and got into her car. A part of her couldn’t understand why she ran to the gynecologist’s office at the mention of having children. What was more perplexing to her was she’d decided a long time ago that she didn’t want any more children, so the visit to Dr. Schwartz’s office wasn’t necessary. Paige knew she should just relax and enjoying being with Matthew. The heavy-duty stuff could wait for a while.

  * * *

  After class let out Matthew joined his father at Mason’s Tennis Mart. Even though the outdoor tennis season was still far off, his father enjoyed checking out everything from the latest racquets to tennis attire.

  Matthew stood in wonder as his stately, reserved father swung Prince’s latest racquet models.

  “Did you see how easily I swung that?” he asked.

  “Yes, Dad. You looked good.”

  He twirled the racquet as he studied it. “This is the latest model. It’s lightweight and aerodynamic, which will really help me control my power shots.” He grinned like a kid in a candy store.

  Matthew couldn’t help but smile. “It sounds like you’re ready for the club’s tennis season to begin.”

  “It can’t come soon enough for me.”

  A salesperson walked over. “Do you need any help, sir?”

  “Yes. If you would take that over to the register, I’d really appreciate it. I want to do a little more browsing.”

  “Certainly.” She took the racquet.

  “Tell me, son, what are you up to these days? We haven’t had much of a chance to catch up.”

  Matthew looked at a racquet. “Not much, Dad. I’ve been working a lot.”

  “The SATs are coming up soon, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, and I’ve been working with some of my students so they’re ready to take the new exam.”

  “That’s good.” He paused to look at a can of tennis balls. “Your mother wants to know if you’re bringing anyone to the ball.”