Tomorrow he would pay a visit to his favorite person, Pops -- his father’s father, a World War II veteran and a crusty old Navy man. Ray had always had a close relationship with him and many of his values came from Pops. He spoke five languages, was a good listener and an even better storyteller. But, most of all, Ray always appreciated Pop’s worldly advice, especially when it came to women. He wanted to tell his grandfather about Ella and get his take on how to proceed.
Before he turned in, Ray glanced at his iPad on the kitchen table. Ella had left an inspirational message for him: The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you. And she posted a photograph of Ray holding Boomer. He had no idea she snapped a photo of him with the dog while at the fishing camp and he smiled, knowing exactly what she meant. He went to sleep that night with a warm feeling in his heart woke in the morning in good spirits.
His day at the firm was filled with phone calls and research for new pending cases. He missed lunch and ate a protein bar. He was scheduled to meet with the ex-wife and widow of John Wakefield, Ella’s mother. Ray kept glancing at the reception area to see if she had arrived. He was curious, no downright nosy, to meet her. Did Ella resemble her? What was she like? Allison, the receptionist, called him, “Mrs. Wakefield is here.” Ray took a deep breath and strode to the reception area to find a woman who could’ve been Ella’s older sister, not her mother. After staring at her for a moment, Ray extended his hand and brought her into his office.
“Mrs. Wakefield, I’ve been instructed by your husband to give you this. I’m sorry for your loss, Ma’am.” Ray thought he sounded like an idiot. He wanted to ask her questions about Ella, about why she divorced John Wakefield, but he remained silent as she read the paperwork he handed to her.
“This is a surprise.” Beth Wakefield uttered, seemingly shocked. “I expected nothing from John, especially since the divorce.”
Ray knew the one million dollar bank check was in the envelope along with a personal note written in John Wakefield’s hand. He noticed no tears welling in her eyes, only genuine surprise. Ray’s eyes took in every detail of her person. She was dressed in casual attire wearing an expensive designer wool coat that brought out the green in her eyes. When she looked at him it was as if Ella’s eyes were gazing at him. It was uncanny how much the two resembled one another. There would be no small talk. Beth Wakefield rose and shook his hand, said thank you and left. He had just gotten settled when Allison called again. “There’s a Miss Sokolova here to see you.”
Ray froze for a second. Miss Sokolova was supposed to come next week. Her secretary said she was out of town. He got up and walked into the reception area. There she sat, John Wakefield’s mistress, and she had just missed his ex-wife by a matter of minutes. That was too close for comfort. He escorted Miss Sokolova into his office and handed her the envelope and restated the same words he’d said only twenty minutes earlier. When she saw the million dollar bank check inside and John Wakefield’s note, it was the note she took time studying. Except this time, no surprise registered, it was more like an intense sorrow.
“I miss him so much. Sorry.” Marina Sokolova was now crying in his office and he handed her a tissue. A former model, he could still see the beauty of her youth. He remembered her from her billboard days and had seen her face for cosmetic ads on women’s magazines. Her long dark hair was pulled into a loose chignon. No wonder John Wakefield fell in love with her. She was a feast for the eyes. She had to be ten or fifteen years younger than him. He wondered what happened; why did they meet? Did Ella know about her?
He was now comforting Marina, getting her a drink of water. She was still in the throes of grief and genuinely touched by John Wakefield’s kindness. After a few minutes, she pulled herself together.
“I am sorry. I left the country for a visit with family right after he passed. I miss him so very much.” She whispered. “He was my world. The only man I ever loved.”
“I understand. I’m sorry for your loss.” It was all Ray could manage. She rose and he escorted her to the door.
The whole scene had been surreal, meeting John Wakefield’s ex-wife, then his mistress moments apart. Even as he worked, his mind was on Ella and the level of anticipation to see her on Friday was unmatched. He had never felt like this about anyone. Just the thought of talking with her energized him. The day finally ended and he left promptly at 4:00 to visit Pops.
Ray loved going to see Pops. He lived twenty miles north of the city in the relatively small town of Poughkeepsie. It was a ninety minute ride on the Hudson Line. He bought a pretzel from a street vendor and walked to the station. His grandfather was expecting him. The train ride gave him a chance to check his iPad for any work-related e-mails, and, of course, to see if Ella was on. Her light was not lit and he felt a pang of regret for a moment. Maybe later. He wanted to show Pops the photos of Ella and the cabin in the woods.
As the train pulled into Poughkeepsie, Ray took a cab to his grandfather’s farm. Built in the early 1900’s the ramshackle place had been renovated many times, but still needed work. Ray loved the barn and remembered playing in there as a child. Often his parents would let him stay with Pops when they wanted to go away on a trip. He and his two brothers considered it a luxury vacation to get out of the city and live in a place where there were more trees than people. But recently his grandmother had passed, and Pops was alone. Ray made sure to check on him with frequent phone calls and visits.
“Hey you,” Ray heard Pops’ gritty voice before he saw him. “Get the hell in here, its freezing.”
Ray exited the cab and handed the driver a tip. He strode to the back door and there stood Pops, in his undershirt, smiling, gray hair tousled from a nap, no doubt. “How are you, old man?” Ray joked with him.
“Old man? Ha, I’m getting younger every day. I have a new girlfriend.” Pops announced.
“I’ve got to hear about this!” Ray said realizing Pops was referring to one of the many attendants hired to look in on him. “Who is she?” he played along, knowing Pops loved this game.
Inside the kitchen the farmhouse hadn’t changed, but was neat and clean. The vintage wooden furniture now painted white was the same stuff from 1960. In fact, Ray often hoped Pops wouldn’t change things too much. He loved the smell of the place, the feel of it. It had always been his home away from home, his refuge from the city. Pops prattled on about the new girl, Lucy, who came to do his laundry and make meals. “She’s a looker.” He smiled and all of the laugh lines and wrinkles softened his face making him look a little bit like Santa Claus.
“What brings you here today, Boomer?” Pops started. “Got something on your mind?”
It seemed Pops could always read him, and it was uncanny sometimes how accurate he could be just observing Ray’s body language and facial expressions. “Yeah, but first I wanted to see you and ask how you’re doing…”
Pops laughed, “I’m fine, Boomer. Don’t worry about me. Tell me what’s new with you?”
Ray sat across from him at the kitchen table. “Well, there’s this girl…”
“I knew it was a girl. Do you have any pictures?” Pops asked.
“Yes, I do.” Ray opened the iPad and watched as Pops put on his reading glasses and scrutinized the photos. “Camping trip, eh? Sounds sort of….romantic.”
Then it all tumbled out. Ray told Pops everything he knew about Ella, not leaving out the weasel of a boyfriend she was living with. He watched Pops’ face intently while he spoke, searching for a sign. When he was finished Pops ran his hand through his hair, a sign that he was thinking, searching for the right words.
“Well, the only thing that bothers me is this other guy. What’s his name? Bob? You just want to make sure he’s not some sort of nut, you know? What if he’s a violent son-of-a-bitch? Be careful. She’s beautiful and all of that. And, if you think she’s the one for you then go for it. Don’t hold back, Boomer, you have never been a shy guy with the wo
men.”
“But she lives in Maine and I’m in the city…this would be a long distance thing. That’s if she splits up with Bob.” Ray pondered aloud.
“Distance shouldn’t be the problem.” Pops pontificated. “If you love her, you love her. Period. End of discussion. Go get her. Stay out of trouble with her boyfriend. But, all’s fair in love and war. She’s not married to this guy, yet. And, if you want her, then you need to show her, tell her. Don’t let her slip away.”
Ray knew he was right. He had a way of summing everything up in a few sentences within seconds. Pops got up from the kitchen table and took car keys off a hook. “Hey, Boomer, come out to the barn. I’ve got something to show you.”
Ray had no idea what Pops had up his sleeve. He was always full of surprises. Ray followed him from the kitchen through the shed and into the barn. For a moment his eyes roamed over the place. Everything was the same, even the musty smell and the items lining the shelves. Pops was a car guy, a motor-head. He worked on cars all of his life.
Pops brought Ray to the far side of the barn and lifted a tarp off the most beautiful thing Ray had ever seen as car’s go…it was a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 four-door sedan, completely restored. Pops turned on the light in the bay and Ray’s eyes examined the vehicle with detail. The engine was a 390/325 horsepower automatic. The color of the car was light blue with a white top. The car had been in storage for many years before it was restored; it had belonged to one of Pops’ best friends who recently passed away. The engine had been completely overhauled. It had been re-chromed and all original parts had been sourced. Even the color was original. He opened the door and noted the interior was redone and it was in perfect condition.
Pops’ words interrupted his reverie, “Want to take her for a spin?” He tossed Ray the keys with a playful grin.
“Yeah, you bet I do. Get in.” Ray opened the passenger side door and Pops slid inside.
“This is amazing!” Ray was giddy with excitement. He started the engine and it purred. He drove it out of the barn and around the neighborhood for a fifteen minute ride.
“How do you like it?” Pops asked. “She’s yours.”
Ray was speechless. When he pulled into the driveway with the Cadillac, he helped Pops out of the car and embraced him. No one had ever given him anything like this before, ever.
“Are you sure you want to give me this?” Ray uttered in disbelief.
“Happy birthday, Boomer. No need to take the train back and forth, now you have wheels. Love you, kid.” Pops punched him in the arm and turned to walk back inside. Ray’s eyes welled with tears for a moment, but he didn’t want Pops to notice. He followed him inside and had dinner with him. All Ray could talk about was the car and Ella. He told the story about getting the puppy with Ella. Pops smiled. “Go to her, Boomer. Don’t let this one get away.”
After Pops signed the title of the vehicle over to Ray, he hugged him again. As he slid behind the steering wheel, he called his insurance agent, even though it was after hours. He got the vehicle insured and would register it the next day. Within a few minutes Ray was driving from Poughkeepsie back to the city. He would be able to park the vehicle at the firm’s parking garage. It was a private underground facility with round-the-clock security. When he was hired he had a slot assigned to him, but didn’t have the money to buy a vehicle. As he parked the vintage Cadillac and locked it up, he thought about driving it to Maine the next day.
Ray could not wipe the smile from his face. He had taken several photos of the Cadillac at Pops, in fact a really great one with Pops standing right next to it. He walked the short distance to his tiny apartment and unlocked three steel doors before he got inside to his inner sanctum. It was late, 11:00 PM, and he wondered if Ella was on Facebook. He flipped the iPad up and noticed her light was on. He put the photo of the Cadillac on Ella’s Facebook page and messaged her: My new set of wheels, courtesy of my grandfather.
Ella messaged him back: That is a beautiful vintage car. Can’t wait to see you Friday night.
Ray continued: I can’t wait to see you Friday night. I’ll be there early.
Ella wrote back: One other girl coming besides Cassie. Paige is tagging along. That’s good because it will give me more time to spend with you and they can shop together Friday night.
Ray liked the sound of that, and he said goodbye and logged off. He would have Ella all to himself Friday night, if he got his way. He planned to meet her for dinner to go over the paperwork. Her girlfriend could sign as witness, then leave to go shopping. After dinner he had to have a plan. He got into bed and turned out the light. Maybe if he slept on it he could come up with a unique idea to get Ella to spend the night with him. It wasn’t that he wanted to sleep with her, although if that happened he’d be the happiest man on earth. But, he wanted to spend more time with her, talk more. She had become the medicine, the remedy for his loneliness. He didn’t want to come on too strong, but then how else would she know how he felt about her? Actions spoke louder than words and he was a man of action. As he closed his eyes he felt he might die if he never kissed her again. No, he knew he would. Damn it, he had to find a way to pry her away from Bob, the magnificent.
He had no way to compete with Bob. He was already at the zenith of his career and Ray was just a small player compared to him. Financially, Ray was a 32-year old with a lingering college debt and an antique car to his name. He made just enough as an associate attorney to get by in New York City. It was his hope to someday work as an assistant district attorney, then a D.A., but he knew that was a long shot in New York where the playing field was filled with stronger, better connected candidates than him. Connections; that was what it was all about in his chosen profession. He decided he needed to hobnob more with the big attorneys in his firm, although it was a disdainful thought. They bored him to tears. He began to make a mental list of all of his inadequacies, then dismissed the horrid little thought. But that’s how he felt: inadequate. He wasn’t worthy of someone like Ella. She was above his station in life.
He decided to set his expectations so they had a better chance of matching reality. If he could maintain a solid friendship with Ella based on trust and common interests, he’d take that. At least it was something. Even if she married Bob, he could still be her friend. He cringed at the thought. He didn’t want to be the number two guy in her life; he much preferred to be number one. But life didn’t always give him what he wanted. He’d gotten used to switching up the game when necessary and this was no different. He’d roll with it. Whatever crumb of affection he could obtain from Ella would be better than nothing. He had to rein his ego in. It wasn’t easy sometimes.
If he ever got a chance with Ella, he’d take it. He somehow knew there’d never be another one like her. He heard his friends talk about the one that got away plenty of times. The special girl they missed out on because they did something stupid or didn’t act quickly enough. He didn’t want his life to be lived with regrets for things he wished he’d done. Thus far, he had some bumps along the way but felt resilient. With the right woman, he could do great things. With Ella, he’d be living with someone he worshipped and adored. He liked imagining a life like that. He didn’t care if they lived in a two room shack or a fishing camp; he would love her, pamper her, make meals for her, and give her gifts every day. Not expensive things like Bob would give her. The gifts Ray would give would be from his heart. And, if she loved him back, his life would be complete. It was all he really wanted.
~ Ella ~
Leaving the real estate office early on Friday, Ella was filled with excitement. She had nearly caught up on all of her real estate business and had an associate broker who would work the weekend to cover for her. Exhaling, Ella contemplated the shopping trip and knew it was serving several purposes. It was a way to alleviate the loneliness she felt when she thought about her father. With the holidays approaching, it seemed she thought about him even more. But, the trip would serve to give her space from Bob. She needed to
talk with the girls and with Ray about his marriage proposal, and her feelings.
Boomer was safe and sound for the night with Molly. Bob told her to have a good time while reading the Wall Street Journal on his computer at breakfast but left in a rush to get to his office. There was some sort of business transaction taking place and he needed to be there for a conference call. He didn’t even give her a hug when he left. This was her life. She knew there was supposed to be more to a relationship than just co-habitation at the same address. And, whatever was missing, she had felt it stir within her when she kissed Ray Adriano. She wished Bob had his attributes of warmth and caring, but he just didn’t. That was the cold hard fact.
Why was she feeling the pull toward Ray? She felt compelled to see him again. If she didn’t, she would never know how she felt. The vibe she was getting from him was that he was very interested in her. She enjoyed his attention, in fact, all week she had been reliving how wonderful it felt to have a man gaze into her eyes making her blush as Ray did. Whenever she had a private moment, her thoughts drifted back to him.
Stopping in front of Cassie’s apartment, Ella tapped the horn, hoping to rouse her. She didn’t want to get stuck in rush-hour traffic. Within two minutes Cassie was tossing her bag into the back of the Honda.
Fallen for Her: Book 2 Page 5
