Love Me to Death

by Sharlay

  “What the hell did he want?”

  “To wish me a safe flight. He thought I had an earlier flight so he was just trying to catch me before I left.”

  “He doesn’t need to wish you a safe flight.”

  “He’s my friend, Cole and he’s being nice.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Whatever, can we just go back to sleep now please,” she moans.

  “Yes but I’m making a no phone rule first,” I say.

  “What?”

  “A no-phone rule. I don’t want to see any more calls coming from Jerkson or any other slime ball. We’re supposed to be on vacation in a few hours so I say we make a deal. No phones until we come back tomorrow evening.”

  “Fine by me,” she says shrugging her shoulders. “All my business things are being handled so I’m not expecting any calls anyway. But what about you, playboy? Will all your girlfriends be able to wait until you get back?” She says sarcastically.

  “I don’t have any girlfriends. You’re my first.”

  “Pfft.”

  “I’m being serious, I haven’t been with a woman since I signed your contract and even when I tried to it was a major fail anyway.”

  I hear her laugh.

  “I’m sure there will be other opportunities that will come your way.”

  “Actually, there have been. I met a very hot girl — called Lorraine — who I’ve slept with before who practically offered it on a plate and I told her that I have a girlfriend.”

  “Really?” She’s looking up at me in shock now.

  “Yes, really. I only have eyes for you now, Ned,” I joke, flicking her nose. “Now can we please get back to sleep before the real alarm goes off?”

  “Yes. Yes, we can.”

  “I can feel you smiling against my chest, Ned.”

  “Yes, because you finally followed a rule on my contract without me having to enforce it.”

  I take a deep breath and roll my eyes.

  “Me saying no to Lorraine had nothing to do with your stupid contract, Ned. In case you haven’t realized yet, I do whatever the hell I want, babe. Now. Go. To. Sleep.”

  I’m sitting on the plane and closing my eyes. We’re about to take off and I’m saying a little prayer in the hope that the big guy upstairs is listening. Taking off is the worst part. You can forget you are flying but the take off doesn’t let you forget a single thing.

  “Cole,” Ned whispers. I ignore her. “Cole, open your eyes.” I do. “Look at me,” she says quietly. I turn my head slowly toward her. “You have nothing to be afraid of. Remember, it’s death you’re scared of but you can’t escape death so open your damn eyes and enjoy life. Do you know how awesome it is to say that you were alive when planes were up and running, that you experienced what it was like to fly above the clouds like a bird and take in all of the world’s beauty? Do you have any idea how many people would love to be where you are right now, but can’t for whatever reason? This is awesome, Cole, and we’re experiencing it together.”

  I smile as the last word comes out of her mouth.

  “Cole,” she calls.

  “Yeah?”

  “Look,” she says, pointing toward the window on her side. “It’s over; we’re in the air.” She beams. I look through the window and she is right. I was so distracted by what she was saying that I didn’t even feel us taking off.

  “Thanks,” I say threading my fingers through hers.

  “Anytime.” She winks.

  “Tell me about Ohio.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything? I want to know what it was like growing up there.”

  “It was beautiful. My mom and dad still live in the same house that I grew up in. It’s a small town called Blue Creek. It’s pretty much just houses, hills, and beautiful green grass. It takes around thirty minutes just to get to a store. It’s pretty secluded.”

  “Nothing like New York then?”

  She laughs. “Not at all. I think New York would turn my folks dizzy.” She laughs. “They love their life.”

  “But you didn’t?”

  “No, I did. I loved my childhood, it was the best.” She says it with a beautiful glint in her eyes. “But I knew what I wanted to achieve and I knew that I couldn’t stay in Ohio if I was going to do that. I left when I was nineteen. I set up by myself and just made it work.”

  “Wow, that had to be pretty scary.”

  “It was at first but you learn to adapt and I wanted it so bad that it had to work. It doesn’t mean that I don’t love going back and visiting my hometown. Everyone seemed to know each other. It was more like a community … a family. I miss that.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “There’s not much to do but you make stuff to do if that makes sense?”

  “It does. Do you think your mom and dad will ever move?”

  “No way, their roots are firmly grounded in Blue Creek. That was always their plan, have kids, grow old, and die there. It sounds simple but sometimes simple is good.”

  “Sometimes simple is perfect.”

  “Exactly. What about your childhood?”

  “I had a great childhood,” I smile as I remember. “My parents were amazing. Layla and I never wanted for anything. My dad used to do lots of stuff with me, teach me to ride a bike, take me fishing, play basketball. He had way too much stamina for his age,” I chuckle. “I used to sometimes watch him secretly. Layla and I were convinced that he was a vampire … he never aged. But of course, we never witnessed him drinking any blood and as the years went by they stopped being kind to him and our theory died.” Along with our mother.

  “What about your mom?”

  “My mom was perfect. I know it’s impossible to be perfect but she just was. Even when she messed up she could do no wrong. My mom gave me the kind of love that I didn’t even think existed. She never shouted or got mad once. No matter how many times I screwed up or got things wrong, she was the voice that kept telling me I could make it.”

  “She sounds perfect.”

  “She really was. Things changed when she died, though. My dad changed. Layla had already moved to New York with Jamie by then and it was only me, Mom and Dad. When she died the house turned cold. It was like she took every bit of happiness with her. Especially my dad’s. He was so angry when she died. He blamed her and he went from loving her in life to hating her in death. But I couldn’t take him saying anything bad about her because she was perfect, Ned. She was. And I couldn’t allow him to take that memory of her away. So a year after she died I left and I haven’t been back since.”

  “Do you ever talk to him?” She says softly.

  “From time to time but it never ends well.”

  “I think you’re pretty amazing,” she whispers.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “Look at what you’re doing for me, Cole.”

  “You’re paying me, Ned.”

  “You and I both know that money is not the reason you are helping me.” She’s right. “You’re a good person, Cole. I’m lucky to have met you. I should add ‘meeting Cole’ to my bucket list and check it off.” She laughs.

  “If that had been on your bucket list you wouldn’t have needed anything else,” I joke.

  “And in he comes to ruin the moment.” She laughs.

  “We all have a role to play, babe.”

  “Yes, we do don’t we …” she says with a smile before turning to look out the window. I squeeze her hand a little hoping she can understand just how much her words truly mean to me.

  I’d be lying if I said that meeting Ned’s dad wasn’t making me feel a little nervous. After an hour and forty minutes of flying, we are finally standing outside of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport waiting for her dad to arrive.

  “So how far is your parents’ home now?” I ask, pulling her suitcase out of the way of an old lady.

  “Around another hour and thirty minutes drive.”

  “Seriously?”
r />   “Yup, I told you, it’s a secluded town. Don’t worry you can sleep in the car,” she chuckles. Yeah, I think I might. “Pops!” I hear her scream before she leaves my side. I watch as she runs into the arms of a tall man with silver hair. He is just a little under my six feet but is built very lean. Even at his age, I wouldn’t want to get into a fight with a man like him. He has the odd wrinkle but nothing major. His face lights up at the sight of Ned and the biggest smile fills his face as he holds her tight in his arms. He squeezes her for a few moments before his caramel eyes — which are identical to Ned’s — scan her face.

  “How are you, Pumpkin?”

  “I’m good, you look well. You still chopping up wood for the fire with these big muscles of yours?” She laughs. She looks so relaxed.

  “Of course. Boy, have I missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too but there is someone that I want you to meet,” she says before her eyes fall on me. She has a genuine smile on her face as she links her arm through her dad’s and pulls him toward me. “Dad, this is my boyfriend, Cole. Cole, this is my dad.”

  I put my hand out ready to shake his but I am surprised when he pulls me toward him and gives me a hug. He pats me on the back a couple of times before letting me go.

  “It’s great to meet you, Son.” His eyes are warm and they remind me of how my father used to look at me. A long time ago.

  “You too, sir.”

  “Right, let’s get your bags loaded in the truck, we’ve still got a way to go yet,” he says taking Ned’s suitcase from her. She looks over her shoulder and smiles at me before turning all of her attention back to her dad.

  “So, Pops, how’s work?”

  “Not bad, Pumpkin. Old Bill retired last week so we got a new recruit in. You know Sally’s eldest son, Phillip?”

  “Yes,” she says.

  “He’s not that fast yet but I’ll have him whipped into shape in the next week or so. The poor boy tried to off himself a month ago when his wife up and left him and his kids. He just needs a little help but I can’t be too soft on him.”

  “Pops is the manager at Neville’s, it’s the biggest store around here. He’s worked his way up over the years,” Ned says proudly.

  “That’s great,” I say.

  “Started as a cleaner,” he says with pride. He takes my bag and puts it in the back of his navy blue pickup truck. Ned and I both sit inside as he carries on with his story. She takes a hold of my hand for a moment and squeezes it before letting go. I know without asking that she’s thanking me for coming. I smile before averting my attention back to her dad. “It wasn’t easy either. Johnny, my manager back then — God rest his soul — he worked me hard but he was the kindest man I’ve ever known. He taught me everything I know and I keep passing it on.”

  “What do you sell?” I ask curiously.

  “Everything, food, tools, clothes, gardening stuff … we pretty much got it all.”

  “Cool.”

  “What about you, Cole, what do you do?”

  “I’m an actor, sir.”

  “Call me, Eddie, Son. So are we going to see you on the big screen one day then?”

  “It would be nice,” I smile.

  “If you want it you got to go for it. No matter what, you don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t and you’ll make it. Isn’t that right, Pumpkin?”

  “Yes,” Ned nods.

  “Thanks,” I say quietly in thought.

  “Your mom hasn’t stopped babbling about you flying over. You know how excited she gets whenever you’re in town. I think she just likes the idea of cooking for more than just me.”

  Ned laughs.

  “I’ve missed her and her cooking too.”

  “Well, she’ll be glad to hear that. And I hope you’ve been feeding this man of yours.”

  I cough and she hits my leg. “Well, I’ve tasted her pancakes,” I say, winking sneakily at Ned.

  “Oh, those pancakes are pretty good.”

  “If you liked my pancakes, wait until you taste my mom’s.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “Pancakes are great but make sure you’re feeding the man some real food too. You let me know if she’s slacking, Cole.” Her dad has a slight smile on his face.

  “I’ll be sure to let you know.”

  “Pops! Don’t encourage him; he’s hard work as it is.” She laughs.

  “All men are hard work, Pumpkin. It’s just deciding which ones are worth the work.”

  Her eyes glance at me and she smiles. “Yes, Pops, I know.”

  “Good. Now tell me all about those fancy rings of yours?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” She chuckles.

  I fell asleep in the middle of Ned telling her dad about the new factory she may have in Paris. I blame Jerkson for his unnecessary and ridiculously early call this morning. I feel a slight tap on my shoulder and the beautiful sound of Ned’s voice calling my name. My eyes flutter open and I see a green sign that says Blue Creek through the truck window.

  “We’re nearly there,” she whispers.

  I look around and remember where I am.

  “Sorry, I must have been more tired than I thought,” I mumble in a sleepy voice.

  “It’s no worry, you didn’t miss much anyway,” Eddie says.

  I look around and I can tell that I am nowhere near New York anymore. The road is quiet and there is grass everywhere, and hills, and trees. It’s amazing.

  “So this is where you grew up then?”

  “It is,” Ned beams proudly. “It’s beautiful, right?”

  “It is indeed,” I say.

  “Five minutes till we get there now,” Eddie informs me. I nod and just continue to sightsee.

  Eddie was right when he said five minutes because that’s exactly how long it takes before we arrive at his home. I honestly have never seen a home like it but I really like it. It’s a little wooden cabin surrounded by nothing but green grass. There isn’t another house in sight. I did see one a couple of minutes ago when we were driving but that’s it. Ned wasn’t kidding when she said that where she lived was secluded. No wonder she likes to escape here. I can’t even count the number of times I could have done with a place like this when I needed to escape my dad in that last year in California.

  “This is amazing,” I whisper to myself.

  “My dad built it.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yup, he’s a man of many talents, come on,” she says. That’s the first time that I realize her dad is already out of the truck and hauling our bags inside. The man looks like he’s deep into his late fifties but he moves with the speed of a racecar.

  “Let me take one of those,” I say, rushing up behind him.

  “Nonsense, you’re a guest, go and settle in. Ned will show you around.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me, Son.” Then he disappears through the front door of the cabin.

  “Hey, you ok?” Ned asks, walking up behind me.

  “Yeah, your dad is a cool guy.”

  “He is, isn’t he? He seems to like you.”

  “Well that’s a good start,” I smile, pulling her toward me by her waist.

  “Yes, it is,” she says as she curls her hands around my neck. “You, Mr. Cole, are worth every penny.” She winks.

  “You make it sound so dirty,” I tease. She laughs and my eyes flit down to her lips. I feel myself moving closer.

  “As much as I’d love to break the terms of the contract by letting you kiss me I can almost guarantee that my mother is watching from the window. I’m pretty sure you would prefer her first encounter with you not to be her witnessing you in a lip lock with her daughter.”

  “I think she’d understand, she has a very hot daughter whose lips desperately need kissing,” I whisper.

  “Cole.”

  “Kidding, babe. I will behave, for now. Lead the way,” I say pulling back and taking her hand in mine. I love the sound of her laughter as
she pulls me toward the door. When I step inside it feels like home. That sounds crazy but it does. It’s warm and cozy. I step straight into the living room where a cozy fire is burning and a fluffy rug separates the two couches. In fact, I’m pretty sure Ned has the exact same rug in her penthouse. She pulls me straight through an arched doorway at the back of the room. I am now standing in a long hallway — a lot longer than I expected it to be — and I can see several doors on the left and right. Ned drags me through the first door on the right.

  We step into the kitchen. The cupboards all have wooden doors and there is a small table right in the center. And standing at the far end, placing dishes on a rack, in front of a window is the woman that I am guessing raised Ned.

  “Mom.” She beams dropping my hand and running toward her. Her mom spins around and engulfs her in her arms tightly.

  “Sweetheart, I have missed you.” She breathes into Ned’s hair as she keeps her eyes closed tight as if this might all be just a dream if she opens them. “You smell like strawberries and cream,” she says making me laugh.

  “That would be my shampoo,” Ned chuckles. She kisses her mom’s cheek for a long while before moving back and taking her hand in hers. “Mom, I want you to meet Cole.”

  “This must be the young man that you told me about on the phone. Isn’t he handsome?” she says turning to Ned.

  I step forward and stretch out my hand. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Waters,” I say politely.

  “Oh, you silly boy, we’re huggers around here. Come here,” she says beckoning me toward her with her hands. As I step forward she holds me against her tightly as if her hug is saying so much more than just hello. “I am so glad that you came along with Neddie to see us.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” I say honestly.

  “Isn’t he a charmer?” She winks at Ned before turning back to the dishes that she was sorting. “You should have kissed him out there when you had the chance, Neddie. Lord knows I would have.”