Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum)

by Chamein Canton

  Paige made it back to the office, took care of some paperwork, and checked her calendar. It was nearly the end of March and spring had officially arrived, even if the warmer temperatures hadn’t. There would be eight months left to deal with all the little details for Jennifer and Michael’s wedding. Then in midst of the planning, in three short months, her baby was graduating from high school. To her surprise she realized she was actually looking forward to all the changes.

  * * *

  As the weather warmed up and the days got longer, Paige and Adriana got in a few tennis matches. But with the increased outdoor activities for their kids, it was hard to find time for much else. One Saturday morning Joseph took on the duties of chauffeuring the kids to their activities so Adriana could get a game in. Joshua had Max on the weekends and dealt with all his extracurricular activities.

  The way Paige had Adriana running all over the court Adriana knew Paige had something on her mind.

  “Uncle!” Adriana yelled as she let the ball whiz past her.

  “I’m sorry, Adriana,” Paige called.

  Adriana was nearly soaked through. “What in the world is eating you, girl? And do not patronize me, I know when you’re worked up.”

  Paige patted her face. “I just have business things on my mind.”

  “Don’t give me that. This, my dear, reeks of a man thing. Is everything okay with you and Matthew?”

  The two women sat down on a bench. “Things are great between us for now.”

  “What do you mean, for now? Has he done something?”

  “No.”

  “Then what in the Sam Hill are you talking about?”

  “I went to see Dr. Schwartz.”

  “Dr. Schwartz? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. There’s nothing life threatening going on, but I decided to go in for some tests.”

  “You mean you went in about fertility tests. He was my doctor for A.J.”

  “Yes. He ran the tests for me.”

  “Okay, and what happened? Are you infertile?”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  “That’s good news, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “So what’s bothering you?” Adriana looked confused. “Have you and Matthew been talking about having kids?”

  “Not really. He made a remark about kids when we went to dinner last Wednesday.”

  “Did he say he wanted to have kids with you?”

  “No. We were just making conversation and the subject came up.”

  Adriana rubbed her head. “So you were having a casual conversation, he mentioned something about kids and you ran to Dr. Schwartz’s office. That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I know. Dr. Schwartz said that, too.”

  “They say great minds think alike.”

  Paige laughed.

  “You didn’t have the talk with him, did you?”

  Paige squirmed. “Not yet.”

  “You need to rectify that. Get everything out in the open and figure out where you’re headed together. All this guessing is ridiculous. It’s a good thing Dr. Schwartz knows you or he’d send you to a headshrinker.”

  “Very funny.” Paige became serious. “He thinks I’m just sensitive because Max is leaving this fall.”

  “He is your only child.”

  “I know.” Her eyes welled up. “Max is my miracle baby, and I don’t know if I want to have more kids.” She wiped her eyes with her towel.

  Adriana rubbed her back. “That’s okay.”

  “Is it? Is it fair to Matthew? What if he wants children?”

  “Have you asked him?”

  “No.”

  “Then practice what you preach, counselor. Don’t assume facts not entered in as evidence.”

  Paige couldn’t help laughing. “You’ve been watching too much Law and Order.”

  “Maybe, but I did sound convincing.”

  They laughed.

  Paige sighed. “You and Siobhan were right, Matthew and I really need to talk.”

  “Make sure it’s sooner rather than later.”

  “I’ll take it under advisement. So do you want to play another set?”

  Adriana looked incredulous. “Look at me. I’m soaked through.” She stood up. “I’m not going to be your tennis punching bag.”

  Paige looked confused. “My what?”

  “You know what I mean. I’m going to head home, get a shower, take a couple of Advil, and lay down for a while.”

  Paige stood up. “Sorry about that.”

  “Sure you are. I’ll see you later, tennis hustler!”

  “You’re a riot, Adriana.”

  With no one to whip on the court Paige went home.

  * * *

  Paige was cleaning her house when she noticed the phone was blinking. She turned off the vacuum cleaner.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, sweetie.”

  “Matthew. How are you, sweetheart?” she asked warmly.

  “I’m good, and I actually need to ask you about something.”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Do you play tennis?”

  Paige almost burst out laughing. “Yes.”

  “My dad has a match today and my mother hurt her ankle, so he’s without a partner for mixed doubles. Do you think you could help him out?”

  “I don’t see why not. Where’s the court?”

  “It’s a country club on the North Shore of Long Island. Don’t worry, I’ll pick you up.”

  “All right. What time is the match?”

  “It’s at 2:30.”

  The clock said 11:15. “Are you on your way here now?”

  “Yes.”

  “And what would have happened if I’d said no?”

  “Then I would have picked you up and we’d have headed to my place.”

  “Are you telling me your father wouldn’t be disappointed?”

  “As much as he and my mother love tennis, he’d be disappointed. Heck, he might ask me to don a tennis skirt.” He laughed.

  “You do have great legs.”

  “Thank you, baby. I’ll be there within an hour or so.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  Paige packed a bag and put on her tennis whites. When Matthew arrived she put her racket in the back seat while he put her bags in the trunk.

  “Are you ready, baby?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She kissed him.

  It took a little under an hour to get to the club. Although they weren’t holding hands when they walked through the club and down to the courts, Paige saw the looks people gave them. She didn’t pay them much attention.

  Mr. Smythe came over to greet them.

  “Hey, Matt. Hello, Paige.”

  “How are you, Mr. Smythe?”

  “Not bad at all now that the weather’s warmed up and I get to participate in one of my favorite sports.”

  “Sounds like you’re doing quite well, Dad.”

  “I see my son talked you into filling in for Margaret.”

  “Oh, that wasn’t a problem. I like tennis, too.”

  “Good. Ready?”

  “I’ve got my tennis whites on and I can’t wait for a little court action.”

  “My dad is counting on you making him look good.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Your mother is over there with her leg up. You’ll have a good view of the courts.”

  “Good luck,” Matthew said.

  “Thanks.”

  “So shall we?” Mr. Smythe asked.

  “I’m with you.”

  Mr. Smythe introduced Paige to Carlton and Biddy Meyers. Paige had to keep a straight face since biddy was the word her mother often used to describe small chickens.

  They flipped a coin to see who served. The advantage was Team Smythe. “Okay, Paige, you serve first,” Mr. Smythe said.

  Paige bounced the ball and sent a flaming fast serve over the net and past a stunned Carlton. After a few more aces a crowd gathered around. Paige looked a
t them. They can’t believe that a big girl like me can move on the court. They probably think I eat bonbons all day. I’ll give them bonbons.

  The official called out, “30-Love.”

  Mr. Smythe was impressed. “That’s some serve you’ve got there.”

  Paige smiled again and served up another ace.

  It was now game.

  With a number of club members watching the match, Matthew and his mother moved closer to get a better view.

  “She’s quite the tennis player, Matthew.”

  “I know.”

  “How did you manage to get her here?”

  “I called and asked her if she’d like to play.”

  “I see.”

  Paige made a blazing backhand shot past Carlton.

  “Would you look at your father’s face? He’s in hog heaven.”

  “It’s payback for dear old dad.”

  Just then Sarah Peterson walked over. An athletic brunette, she was long, lean, and bronzed.

  She rubbed Matthew’s back. “Hey, sexy. I thought that was you,” she purred.

  Matthew was startled. “Oh, hi, Sarah, how are you?”

  “I’m good.” She looked over at Mrs. Smythe. “Hello, Mrs. Smythe.”

  “Hello, Sarah.”

  “I expected to see you on the court today.”

  “Well I’m having some ankle issues, dear.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. What about you, Matt? Would you like to hit the court?” She raised her eyebrow.

  “No, thanks. Maybe next time.” Matthew never took his eyes off his dad and Paige’s match.

  “Okay.” She looked dejected. “I guess I’ll see you around.” She walked away.

  “You don’t have to stay here with me, Matthew. You can join her on the court for a game if you want.”

  “That’s okay, Mom. I’m good.”

  Margaret adjusted her sunglasses. “So what’s the relationship between you and Paige?”

  Matthew was taken off-balance. “Our relationship?”

  Before he could say another word, Margaret stopped him. “And don’t tell me you’re just friends. I’m not that old or blind.”

  “Well I’m not ashamed of her in any way. She just wanted to keep it quiet because she’s working on the wedding.”

  “I can understand that.” She sipped her water. “When did you meet her?”

  “A few months ago. We were both at an event.”

  “I see. She’s lovely, and I can see why you want to spend time with her.”

  “She is great.”

  “You’re entitled to have fun.”

  “What do you mean have fun, Mom?”

  “Just what it sounds like.” She smiled.

  “You don’t think I should get serious with her?”

  “Son, it is your life and you’re entitled to do whatever you please, but are you really ready for an interracial relationship?”

  “What does race have to do with anything, Mom? When two people meet and their hearts connect, color plays no role.”

  “Maybe in a perfect world.”

  “It’s the way I see it.”

  “Let’s say you get together, what about children?”

  “What about them?”

  “Paige is only in her early forties, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “What if you have children together? Are you ready for a world where their racial identity is constantly questioned?”

  “Technically we’re all mixed, Mom.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Frankly, Mom, it’s a nonstarter. I don’t want to have children.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Don’t look at me that way, Mom. I’ve always said that.”

  She adjusted her sunglasses. “I know, but I thought you would change your mind.”

  “I won’t lie, I’ve thought about it, but it’s just not in the cards for me. I’m sure Mike would be happy to give you all the grandchildren you want.”

  “That’s true.” She smiled. “But you can never have too many grandchildren.”

  “You have to talk to Mike about that and leave me out of it.”

  She shook her head. “It just seems strange that someone who is as good with kids as you are wouldn’t want kids of his own.”

  “It’s true. Besides, Paige already has a son. He’s about to turn eighteen, and he’s heading to Cornell in the fall.”

  “Are you’re sure she doesn’t want kids?”

  “I’m pretty sure.”

  “Honestly, Matthew, pretty sure doesn’t cut it. You need a definitive answer. A lot of women are having more children later in life. You should find out if she wants to be one of them.”

  “I promise I will find out. Okay?”

  “Matthew, I’m not trying to make trouble. I just want you to be realistic.”

  “I appreciate that, Mom, but I’m a big boy.”

  “Fine. How about we just watch the match?”

  “Sounds good to me.” He turned back to the court, a little annoyed with his mother. Matthew never worried about what people thought. He found what he was looking for in Paige and for the first time in his life he was truly in love. Yet somehow in his fog he forgot about the outside world and he forgot to talk to Paige about whether or not she wanted children. As for race, he knew his mother didn’t have a prejudiced bone in her body, but her sentiments stung just the same.

  Then there was the subject of having children. Matthew had decided long ago that, while he was cut out to be a teacher, he didn’t want his own children. Growing up he had friends whose parents treated them like accessories or left them to be raised primarily by nannies and household staff while they jetted all over the globe. Matthew and Michael lucked out because Mr. and Mrs. Smythe spent quality time with them before it became a catchphrase. Still, there were times they couldn’t be there. Matthew knew he wanted to better the world through education and that meant he needed to be free to roam as he pleased. Besides, what good would he be doing if he helped children all over but didn’t attend to his own? It was a question he asked and answered; now he had to see what Paige thought.

  Paige took it easy for the next few serves so their opponents could at least hit the ball. They played two sets. She and Mr. Smythe had a great volley going when she unleashed her backhand to win the game, set, and match.

  “Game, set, and match to team Smythe,” the official stated.

  Carlton was out of breath. “Douglas, did you cheat and bring a tennis pro?”

  “I’m not a tennis pro,” Paige said as she wiped her face.

  “You’re really good,” Biddy added.

  “Thank you.”

  Matthew walked over. “You’re incredible. I watched in awe. Your serve must be at least a hundred miles an hour.” He was incredulous.

  “The fastest I ever served was 120 miles an hour, but that was back in college. My serve in high school was almost 130 miles per hour.”

  “So you’re a tennis professional,” Carlton said.

  “No. I was all state in high school and I was on the women’s tennis team at Harvard.”

  “You’re a Harvard grad?” Carlton asked somewhat incredulously.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s impressive. You must have been one hell of a tennis player.”

  “So you went on a tennis scholarship?” Biddy asked.

  Paige was a little incensed that she thought the only way she got into Harvard was on an athletic scholarship. “No. I went on an academic scholarship for four years.”

  “Wow.” Biddy smiled.

  “So the Crimson’s tennis team lucked out.”

  “That’s what they tell me. I just enjoyed it. I still try to get in a few games a week when my schedule allows.”

  “Well, I hope you realize that once my wife’s ankle feels better she’ll be on your doorstep for women’s doubles,” Mr. Smythe said.

  “I look forward to it.”

  Matthew walked inside with Paige a
nd waited while she showered. A couple of the members were cordial while others looked at her as if she were a specimen in a Petri dish. Paige didn’t let it bother her one bit. She was used to being either the lone minority or part of a very small group.

  She got dressed quickly. Matthew waited for her in the lobby area.

  “Hey. You ready?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay. You want to grab something to eat?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you feel like steak?”

  “I’m famished. Steak sounds great to me.”

  “I know just the place.”

  Matthew drove over to Bryant and Cooper’s Steakhouse in Roslyn. As they were shown to their table Matthew did his best to hide his distraction.

  “This is nice,” she said as she looked around.

  “The steaks here are out of this world.”

  “I’m definitely in the mood for a steak.” Paige smiled.

  “You really worked up an appetite wiping Biddy and Carlton up on the courts.”

  She chuckled. “I took it easy on them eventually.”

  “But not too soon.” He grinned.

  The waiter took their beverage order. Although he tried to hide it, Paige could see something was wrong.

  “Matthew, what’s on your mind?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t hand me that. You seem distracted.”

  Matthew could tell by the look on her face she wasn’t going to let it go. “My mother and I were talking.”

  “About what, or should I say who?”

  “About you.”

  Paige’s stomach nearly fell to the floor. “What about me?”

  “She wanted to know what our relationship was.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “I told her the truth. We’re dating.”

  “Matthew.” Paige was instantly stressed.

  “Don’t worry about it. I told her that we hadn’t made it public because of the wedding and she understood.”

  “I know that should make me feel better, but it doesn’t.”

  “Honestly you don’t have to worry about her telling the Kleins.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” She sipped her water. “So who was the brunette you were talking to?”