Forever Love (Arabesque)

by Norfleet, Celeste O.

  As Gia walked out of the room she smiled, thinking about the last time she and her grandmother had been together. It was at her condo in the city. They were cooking and eating dinner and, as usual, arguing about politics, something they did often. Her grandmother had an insatiable appetite for political science, and she was her grandmother’s perfect match. She just wished they had had more time.

  Gia grew up living with her paternal grandparents and father, between his many unsuccessful marriages. For years she’d been told the worst about her grandmother. It wasn’t until years later that she found out that she’d been lied to all along. After that she promised herself that she’d make it up to her grandmother.

  This wasn’t the first time her grandmother had had medical problems, she thought as she continued walking down the empty corridor. The last time was right after grad school. Gia was working in a law office in Boston. Her grandmother had come to visit and then had a heart attack and was hospitalized a day later. The gut-wrenching sight of her grandmother so completely incapacitated tore her apart inside. At her grandmother’s insistence, no one except her doctor knew what had happened. Her grandmother returned to Philadelphia, and a few months later she followed. She’d been at her grandmother’s side ever since.

  “Are you okay?” one of the nurses asked, looking up from the computer screen.

  Gia turned and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for everything you’ve done for my grandmother. I really appreciate it,” she said.

  “You’re very welcome and don’t worry. Your grandmother will be just fine in no time at all. Her physical therapy is doing really well and she’s almost one hundred percent with her speech.”

  Gia nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Would you like someone to escort you to your car?”

  “No, that’s okay, I’ll be fine. You have a good night.”

  The nurse nodded and went back to what she was doing on the computer. Gia continued down the corridor to the bank of elevators. She took the elevator down to the first floor and then walked toward the front lobby. As she got close to the main exit, she saw a man sitting in the waiting area. The closer she got to the exit, the more recognizable he was. She stopped a few feet away. She was too stunned to speak. All she could do was shake her head in disbelief. Then one word tumbled from her lips. “Keith.”

  He looked up and then quickly stood. “Gia,” he said softly.

  “What in the world are you doing here?” she asked, speaking very slowly. “And don’t tell me you just happened to be driving by.”

  “This looks wrong. I know that. And I know you’re feeling exposed, but I don’t—”

  “Exposed, ya think?” she quickly interrupted. “I can’t believe you. This, my personal life, is none of your business. It has nothing to do with you. How dare you—”

  He hurried toward her. “Gia, please wait—”

  “You followed me,” she stated, obviously appalled by his audacity. “I can’t believe this. Are you some kind of nutcase stalker or something?”

  “No, no, I promise you, I’d never do anything like that ordinarily, but I was just—”

  “What? What? What could you possibly say to me to make this look right? No. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care what you were doing. You followed me here. That’s called stalking. There are laws against stalking another person in this city. I can’t believe—”

  “Look,” he said sharply, instantly stopping her tirade. He looked around, as did she. They were the only ones in the lobby except for a young man wearing earbuds polishing the floor with a large humming machine on the other side of the large open space. He wasn’t paying any attention to them. “Just hear me out,” he said much more calmly.

  “Fine, explain. What are you doing here?” Gia said hastily.

  “I wasn’t stalking you. I was concerned. You ended our conversation so abruptly back at the office and then you drove past me like the world was about to end. At first I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Then when you didn’t immediately come back out, I thought I’d wait here for you.”

  “You’ve been waiting here all this time for me,” she said.

  “Yes.” He nodded.

  She looked at him, feeling foolish. She had overreacted. She looked away. “Okay, fine, you were concerned. You still shouldn’t have followed me. This is very private.”

  “Yes, you’re right and I understand that. I should never have invaded your privacy like this. I’m truly sorry. But as I said, I was concerned. Is it your grandmother you’re here visiting?”

  Gia nodded and began walking toward the huge windows surrounding the lobby area. “Yes, she had a stroke.”

  He nodded. “I heard. Is she going to be okay?”

  She nodded wordlessly. Saying the words was still too difficult. She felt emotions welling up inside her. She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears that always threatened whenever she was here. “She was getting better, but then this evening she had a fall.”

  “I’m sorry.” He walked over and stood behind her, but kept enough distance not to make her nervous. “How is she?”

  “She’ll be fine. No broken bones.”

  “Good,” he said, then looked around the empty lobby. “I’ve heard of this facility. It’s very well respected. I understand they do exceptional work here.”

  She looked up, seeing his reflection in the darkened glass. He turned, looking right at her. Piercing dark eyes met tearful ones. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m just going to sit a moment.”

  He nodded. “Then I guess I should go. Good night.”

  “Good night,” she said.

  He didn’t move. He just stood staring at her reflection. Then a few seconds passed. “Good night,” he said again, then started walking away. A few feet away he paused and looked back at her. “Have you eaten yet?” he asked.

  She turned to him. “No, not really, just a couple bites of cold pizza, that’s all,” she said.

  He walked back over casually. “I know a great place—good food, wonderful service, quiet and it’s not too far from here. I was gonna stop by and grab something to eat on the way home,” he said. “Would you like to join me?”

  “No, thanks, that’s probably not a good idea.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked, moving closer. “How about this? We go to the restaurant in separate cars. We sit at two different tables with no direct contact. We can even pass notes between our waitresses.”

  She laughed at the image of his silly suggestion. “Thanks, I think I needed that right now, but as for your very generous and very odd invitation, not a good idea,” she repeated. “Thanks anyway.”

  He nodded. “Okay, if you’re sure. Good night.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek tenderly. As he leaned back she opened her mouth and in an instant their lips almost touched. It was sweet and innocent.

  Then she initiated something that shouldn’t have happened. She reached up, grabbed his jacket and held tight. A split-second’s pause evaporated. She kissed him, releasing more passion than even she had imagined. The instant their lips touched, there was no control, only need and desire. Keith’s tongue slipped into her mouth and she opened for him, giving as much as she received.

  Her heart fluttered uncontrollably as she moaned deep in her throat, yearning for still more. This kiss was everything she had imagined and more. Her body simmered as she drowned in the sensual feel of being held in his arms. She felt everything all at once, including the fact that this had to stop. When the kissed ended, she collapsed against him and he stood strong, holding her in his powerful embrace. Neither said a word. She stepped back and looked away. He then turned and left in silence as if it had never happened.

  She stood watching him walk out of the building, get into his car and then dri
ve out of the parking lot. She waited a few minutes, thinking about what had just happened. Justifying it was easy. She was distraught and he was there. Then she went to where he’d been sitting earlier and sat down. She wasn’t sure what to make of seeing him again. Following her was definitely not cool, but then he had stayed this late and waited for her out of concern. She took a deep breath, touched her lips and released the breath slowly. Keith Washington was definitely different than what she had expected.

  She looked around, seeing the young man on the polishing machine still working hard. He was much closer than before. She assumed she was probably holding him up. It was late and it was time to leave. She grabbed her things and walked to her car. She got in and as soon as she inserted the key she heard her stomach growl. Not feeling like cooking when she got home, she decided to grab something on the way in. There was a little all-night diner not too far from where she lived. She went there sometimes after leaving the nursing home. The food was delicious and they were friendly and fast.

  * * *

  The parking lot of the small eatery was more crowded than Keith had expected. Usually he parked right in front, but tonight he had to park along the side. As soon as he walked in, he was greeted by a familiar face. “Hey, Keith, you’re early tonight,” the waitress said as she escorted him to his usual booth in the back.

  “Hey, Gladys. Yeah, I guess I am.”

  “Decided to take the night off, huh?” She added, “Well, good for you. You work too hard. You need an early night sometimes.”

  “Nah, not quite, I’m gonna head back to the office later. So, why’s it so crowded in here tonight?” he asked as he slid into his booth.

  “Some cheapo decide to call this his wedding reception. Twenty-five people came in unannounced three and a half hours ago and just had to sit together. We actually asked a few customers to move and give them the entire back area. Long story short, they’re noisy, belligerent and totally obnoxious to the other patrons. They ordered and ate just about everything on the menu and now they’re walking out without leaving me and Lois a single penny as a tip, and this after the idiot groom tried to hit on Lois the whole time. I don’t know if the bride knows it or not, but she is in for a rude awakening and one helluva cheap honeymoon.”

  As she spoke, her voice got louder and louder. It would have been impossible for the last few stragglers from the wedding party not to have heard her disgruntled jabs. Keith shook his head. This was his favorite place to come. The food was excellent and the people were real.

  “Well, I’m sure your good service will be well rewarded.”

  “Yeah, well, not by them fools,” she said. Lois, the other waitress, laughed as she passed by, leaving a glass of water on his table in front of him.

  “So, what’s tasty in the kitchen tonight?” Keith asked.

  “Besides me, I’d go with the green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and meat loaf or the collard greens, potato salad and grilled chicken. They’re both excellent and Twister stuck his foot in those collard greens, metaphorically of course.”

  Keith chuckled. “Sounds good, I’ll go with the grilled chicken, potato salad and metaphoric collard greens.”

  “You got it,” she said, nodding, then sashayed away. Keith shook his head. He’d been coming here for years, and since he seldom cooked, this was like his second home. He picked up his glass of water, took a sip and then pulled out his cell phone. Since leaving the nursing home, he’d gotten three messages. One from Megan and the other two were messages from his brothers, Jeremy and Drew. They both texted the same message—Tomorrow!

  An instant shiver shot down his back. He knew that word would come soon, and here it was. He didn’t need to email them back. He knew exactly what they were talking about. His great-aunt, Louise Marie Gates, was coming tomorrow. He shook his head miserably. On top of everything else, this was the last thing he needed. Just as he deleted the two emails, his cell phone rang. It was Drew. He answered. “Yeah, I just got your email.”

  “Bro, I hate to have to do this to you, but...”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m up,” Keith said, looking up and around the diner. He took a deep breath, realizing he had no idea how he was going to get out of this.

  “She’s coming in tomorrow and she needs someone to pick her up. Coincidentally, Jeremy and I are both busy.”

  “Doing what?” Keith asked.

  “We’re picking up cigars for the office.”

  Keith chuckled, understanding Drew’s not-so-subtle reminder. He’d lost the pull and now he had to step up. “Yeah, okay.”

  “But you’re in luck. I hear it’s a short visit. Mom said she’s just here for Prudence and Michael’s benefit ball and then to visit an old friend, something about mediating a family drama.”

  “Good, hopefully that’ll keep her busy. Is Colonel Wheeler coming with her?”

  “I don’t know. Are you gonna stop by the house tonight?”

  “No, I’m at the diner right now. I’m gonna head back to the office after this. I have a few things I need to take care of. I’ll go by the house tomorrow evening. In the meantime, I’ll think of something.”

  “Okay. How did that other thing work out this evening?”

  Keith smiled. His thoughts instantly went to Gia. Seeing her smile and hearing her laugh as he had joked about them creatively eating dinner together made him chuckle now. “I’m not sure yet.”

  “Did you meet with her?”

  “Yeah, we met. I told her I’d set up something more formal in the next few days.”

  “It sounds tricky. Good luck on that.”

  Keith’s second line beeped. He checked the caller ID. It was his mother. “Yeah, I have a feeling I’m gonna need it. I’ll talk to you later.” He clicked over. “Hello, Mother, how are you?”

  “Hello, darling, I’m completely rushed. Question—how crazy busy are you after Friday’s press conference? I know your father doesn’t have anything planned for you. What does your schedule look like?”

  Keith frowned. He had a feeling he knew exactly where she was going with this, but right now he didn’t have much of a choice. “I can probably shake some time loose.”

  “Great, I need a favor,” she said.

  “Sure, what do you need?”

  “Mamma Lou changed her plans. She’s coming into town sooner than expected. I need you to pick her up at the train station.” Keith paused, going silent. “Keith, are you still there?”

  He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m here. Um, sure, send me the details and I’ll be there.”

  “Good, thank you, sweetie. I’d hate to have to send a car to pick her up. You have a good night. I’ll forward you the information in the morning.”

  “Good night.” He disconnected just as his meal arrived. He looked at the succulent meal in front of him and frowned. It looked delicious, but suddenly he wasn’t as hungry as he thought he was. He dug in, though. The food was delicious and once he started eating, his appetite returned.

  Chapter 6

  Gladys stopped by his table fifteen minutes later. “Keith, I was asked to give this to you by a young lady waiting for a takeout order. You know I’d never do this ordinarily, but she said you knew each other.” She handed him a folded piece of paper.

  “Really?” he said, taking the paper and unfolding it. He read the message and chuckled. “I assure you I’m not following or stalking you. But imagine my surprise at seeing you eating at my favorite takeout diner.” He looked up and turned around and saw Gia sitting at the counter behind him. He nodded. She nodded.

  “Now, if she is lying and she’s some kind of crazy stalker lunatic, I’ll have Twister kick her little butt out of here.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Keith said, pulling out a pen. He began writing on the same piece of paper.

  “She looks a�
�ight, real cute, but you know that don’t mean nothing nowadays. She might be outta her ever-loving mind.”

  He wrote “join me” on the note, refolded it and then handed it back. “Gladys, would you please take this to the young lady and see if there’s a reply.”

  “Sure,” she said, looking puzzled, then walked away.

  Keith smiled. This was certainly something he hadn’t anticipated. He dug his fork into his collard greens and put them in his mouth. The tart-sweet-spicy-succulent taste had just enough pizzazz to excite his taste buds. Gladys was right. Twister had really outdone himself. After that he ate the potato salad and sliced some grilled chicken. Just as he wiped his mouth and was sipping his water, Gladys returned. She slid the piece of paper to him. He picked it up and read it. It continued the conversation.

  “Sorry. Can’t. I believe this was your suggestion. 2 cars. 2 tables. No direct contact.”

  He wrote his answer. “I changed my mind. I want direct contact.” He underlined the word direct, then folded the paper and placed it where Gladys had put it. Lois came by a few seconds later, picked it up and kept going. He continued eating. She returned minutes later and placed the folded paper in the same spot.

  He opened and read it, then laughed out loud. “Careful what you ask for—you might just get it.”

  He wrote “I hope so. I like living dangerously. Join me.”

  After a while the note passing had become a ballet of sorts with either Gladys or Lois picking up and/or delivering.

  “But what fun would that be?”

  “Agreed. Your favorite takeout? I’ve never seen you here before.”