by MK Harkins
Her smile dropped. “He died when I was two. I don’t remember him.”
“My mom also died when I was two.” We stared at each other. Maybe Colin was right after all.
FOURTEEN
Jain
We continued to stare. The realization struck us, and we smiled. Okay, so maybe we did have a few things in common.
“I thought Colin was a few peas short of a casserole,” Braydon remarked.
Did he really say that? I put my hand over my mouth to contain my laughter. “You’re so different than I thought you’d be.” Uh oh, now I would have to explain that comment.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
I knew it.
“I don’t know. I thought you’d be a little more formal. I’ve never heard the peas and casserole comparison before. Did you grow up in the South or something?”
“No, I’ve lived in the Seattle area my entire life, but my mom grew up in Tennessee. Maybe some of it rubbed off onto my dad and then, in turn, on me.” He smiled. It was beautiful – his smile.
“Back to Colin. Why did you think he was…challenged?” I asked, stifling a laugh; I couldn’t help myself. Colin would be so mad if he heard us.
“He was acting so odd, first about my shirt, and then about Oreo.”
“Oreo?”
“Yeah. My dog.”
“Is he by chance, black and white?”
“Yes, and before you say anything, I didn’t name him. I picked him up from a shelter, and I didn’t have the heart to change it.”
My heart took a few extra beats as I chastised myself. No, this guy was bad news. He was charming. That’s what he did. He charmed, then he took and he left. I would not become one of his six-hour women.
But I liked him. When he was himself, who I thought he really was, he was smart and funny.
“Tell me about your cat Nancy,” he asked.
So I did.
***
“You did not! Tell me you didn’t!” I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt.
With an expression that could only be described as prideful, Braydon answered, “Oh, yeah. I did.”
“How did you get the python out of the zoo? It must have weighed a ton! Did you think about your scholarship at all?” I was dying to know how he pulled it off.
“Jain!” I heard someone call my name. Startled, my head shot up in time to see Colin approaching our table.
“I’ve been trying to call you.” His hair was a mess, and his clothes were askew.
I reached into my purse and removed my cell phone. Sure enough, it was dead.
“Dead phone. Why? What’s the matter? Did something happen?”
Colin hardly ever got anxious, and he always dressed to perfection. Panic built as my imagination went off the tracks.
“No. Don’t worry about it. I reset the alarm in the lab. I’m not sure what set it off, but it’s all good now.” He smiled in an effort to calm me down.
“You seemed concerned when you came in. Did something else happen?”
He sat down on the extra chair at our table. He breathed in while he ran his fingers through his hair. “I was concerned about you. I’m sorry. I went home, and you weren’t there.” He sat straighter as he tried to pull himself together.
“I’m sorry I worried you, Colin. I don’t know where the time went. We started talking…” I stopped to see if Braydon wanted to add anything. He was looking at me with a strange expression. Now he seemed closed off with both his legs and arms crossed. He was acting like a different person. A few minutes ago, he was open and talkative; now he appeared to be in shutdown mode.
“It’s time for me to go anyway. Did you want to fit in some shopping on our way home?” I hoped this would make Colin feel better. I felt bad about making him worry.
“You two live together?” Braydon’s face was impassive, but his teeth were clenched, and there was a slight tic in his jaw.
Colin finally relaxed and put his arm around my shoulder. “No, just neighbors. If I weren’t gay, I’d be all over it though.” A huge grin and wink followed.
“Ha ha. It’s time to go.” I stood up and adjusted my purse. “We can head over to Nordstrom’s if you’d like.” A quick exit was in order. I didn’t want him to get any more ideas about matchmaking.
I turned to Braydon, “Thanks so much for the fun afternoon. I was great getting to know you.” I paused, reached out my hand, and said, “Friends?”
FIFTEEN
Braydon
Did I just get friend-zoned? I stood up, reached out, and took her hand for the “friend” handshake. I didn’t let go for a moment. I kept searching her eyes to see if I could see any glimmer of attraction. Why was that important?
My entire adult life had been filled with easy conquests. Why should just one rejection bother me so much? I tightened my grip, and that’s when I heard it. It was so quiet, if I hadn’t been listening for it, I would have missed Jain’s tiny intake of breath. She tried to remove her hand, but I wasn’t ready to let go.
I’d been sitting across from her all day, fantasizing about her lips. We were in the middle of a busy coffee shop, and all I wanted to do was put my arms around her and kiss her until she forgot her name.
I felt so exposed, so raw at that moment. I needed to get away. I released my grip and said, “Yeah. Friends.” I gave a quick wave and headed toward the door.
***
“You? You were rejected?” Todd’s face was comical. Eyebrows raised, mouth open, eyes bulging.
“Yes, if you call being friend-zoned rejection.”
“Well, I’ll be a son of a gun!” Dad chimed in. He appeared every bit as surprised as Todd.
The three of us would often meet for brunch on Thursday mornings. Today, we met at Beth’s Café, located in the Phinney Ridge area in Seattle. The café was famous for their delicious and huge omelets, but I found myself not very hungry. I was halfway through when I shoved it away.
I rubbed my stomach and let my eyes wander around. I loved it here. It wasn’t fancy, but it held an appeal for me. The air was thick with grease, and the vinyl booths had seen better days. Yet, I felt at home.
“Did you bring me here when I was young?” I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought to ask Dad this question before today.
“Your mom and I would bring you every Sunday after church.” Dad gazed out the window, lost in thought. That’s why I had such a good feeling about this place. I didn’t think my memories reached that far back.
He seemed to shake off whatever he was remembering. “So, tell me about this young woman. Is she blind?”
Todd choked out a laugh. “You might say that.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Her glasses? Not only are they two sizes too big, the lenses are so thick you can barely see her eyes. I’m pretty sure her vision is severely impaired.”
“That’s strange though. She had to take them off to read the menu yesterday.” I tried to remember what it was called. “She must be nearsighted.”
“Anyway,” Todd continued to my dad, “she’s a scientist, so she’s too smart for Braydon.”
I shoved his arm. “Very funny.”
My dad responded, “Braydon is the perfect catch. Look at him! He’s handsome and smart. What girl in her right mind wouldn’t want him?”
“Come on, Dad, I’m anything but perfect.” I didn’t want to burst his bubble, but he shouldn’t be thinking I was someone I wasn’t.
“Braydon, I know you have a history with women. I’m not sure why you haven’t found one you could settle down with. It might be as simple as the right one hasn’t come along yet. Regardless, you’re doing great things for the world. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“Dad, it’s just a job.”
“Okay, answer this question. If you hadn’t helped those companies, would their employees still have jobs?”
He waited for my response. In theory, most of them wouldn’t be able to continue due to lack of funds,
but I’m sure someone else would have stepped up.
“I’m sure they would’ve eventually found other avenues.” I loved that he was proud, but I also didn’t want to take credit where it wasn’t due.
“No, you’re the best venture capitalist and fundraiser anywhere in the world, especially for medical research. No one comes close. I know your mom would be so proud.”
His eyes filled with unshed tears. He always got emotional whenever we talked about mom, which, unfortunately, was rare. She was killed by a drunk driver on her way home from the grocery store. It was a horrible shock for dad. He loved her so completely, so deeply, he wouldn’t, or maybe couldn’t, date anyone else. I’d bet he was lonely, although he put on a pretty good front. Sometimes, I wished he was more like me, unable to feel anything most of the time.
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate you saying that about Mom.” I felt a stab of guilt. She wouldn’t like the way you treat women. Where in the world did that thought come from? Those women didn’t care. The crying and tantrums were all an act. They thought they could manipulate me.
“She’s not like the other women Braydon usually…um…who he usually dates.” Quick save from Todd.
I raised an eyebrow.
“How is she different?” my dad asked Todd. Apparently, he didn’t want my answer.
“She’s a little…reserved?” He waited for confirmation.
“Can we change the subject?” This was getting uncomfortable.
“I want to hear about this girl who’s rejecting you. Does she think she’s too good for you?”
She is too good for me.
“Just because she’s a scientist doesn’t mean she should look down her nose at you.”
“She’s actually quite nice, Dad.” No, that wasn’t it. It was because she wasn’t like other women; she was real. Todd, mid-sip from his orange juice, started choking.
My dad got up from his seat and slapped him on his back.
“Are you okay? Did that go down the wrong way? I hate when that happens.”
I didn’t think Todd could hear him through his loud coughing.
After Todd regained his composure, he turned around and mouthed to me so my dad couldn’t see or hear him. “What the hell?”
“What?” I mouthed back.
“If this girl is so nice, why doesn’t she like you?” Dad wouldn’t let this go.
“Dad, I’ve told you before, I don’t need or want a girlfriend right now. I’m busy with my work, so I don’t have time. She feels the same, so we decided to be friends. End of story. Can we let this drop?”
His face fell. “You work too hard. I worry about you sometimes.”
Todd laughed. “Believe me, he takes time to play.”
I shot Todd a glare, hoping to shut him up.
It was time to turn this conversation around. “How about you, Dad? Have you met anyone interesting?”
Dad stared at his napkin, folding it over and over. “You know I haven’t, Braydon. I won’t.” I’d asked him the question to shift away from my lack of a relationship, but I didn’t want him to feel bad.
“I guess we’re similar in that way.” I smiled.
His face paled. “You mean you don’t date because of my example?”
“No, Dad! That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying I won’t waste my time until I meet the right person.”
“I think I need to interject here,” Todd interrupted. “Both of you need to give dating a try. How about both of you agree to go out on a date. A real date, with a real woman.” He rubbed his hands together. “Mr. Decker, why don’t you go first? You can lead by example.”
That Todd was a sneaky one, but I loved his idea. Even if he was manipulating my dad by guilt. I knew dad wanted me to find “that special someone” he always talked about.
I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Dad. I think I need an example.”
“If I go out on a date, you’ll try, too, for real?” Hope flared in his eyes, which made me feel bad. I would keep my end of the bargain, but I would never get entangled in a relationship. I’d go on an actual date, but I wouldn’t let it go past a few hours.
Maybe to fulfill my obligation, I could take Jain out for coffee again. Although, it wouldn’t be a chore. The afternoon we spent together was the best day I’d had in, well, I couldn’t remember a better day. The conversation was effortless; it flowed between us like we’d known each other for years. We talked about the things that were important to us and were able to laugh about all of our stupid mistakes. We also shared the sadness that came with losing a parent at a young age. I’d never had a day quite like it. I wanted a repeat, which scared the hell out of me. It also gave me a feeling of warmth and excitement just thinking about spending more time with her. It felt like I was headed toward a sheared-edged cliff, slowly, inch by inch, unable to prevent the plummet.
SIXTEEN
Jain
“Just kill me now.” I couldn’t try on another dress. I just couldn’t.
Colin’s face fell. He was holding three more “beauties” as he called them. I called them prostitute attire. They were supposed to be dresses, but they looked more like shirts to me.
“No! You could at least try them on. Come on, get into the spirit of things.” He was persistent; I’d give him that.
We were in the Special Occasion section of Nordstrom’s. But I didn’t want to look like I was dressing up for a special occasion. I wanted to go unnoticed, like I always had. These dresses were too form-fitting and flashy.
“You can’t wear your lab coat to this event,” he scolded.
“I know that, but I need to find a dress doesn’t scream ‘Hoochie Mama’!” I was exasperated.
Colin’s face was blank until my words sunk in. “Did you really just say Hoochie Mama?” He bent over and roared with laughter.
This day was going downhill fast. Now, everyone in the department was staring at us.
“Shhh. Colin you’re making a scene. Quit laughing!” I took the dresses out of his arms and set them on the nearest countertop. “I’m doing this on my own. No more help from you.” I led him out of the store while he laughed himself to tears.
Once we hit the main area of the mall, he seemed to gain his composure. Thank goodness.
“Okay. That didn’t work. How about we go to Macy’s?” He glanced over to the entrance about fifty yards away.
Oh, hell no. “You know, Colin, I think I’m going to come back tomorrow.” I was pretty sure I was lying, but I continued. “When I’m more open and in the mood. Right now, every dress looks the same. I need a fresh perspective.” I hoped he bought my excuse.
He tilted his head back and sighed deeply. “Oh, no you don’t!”
That was the best he could do?
“Colin. I’m hungry, tired, and done with this shopping fiasco. I’ve tried on twenty dresses. Dresses you’ve chosen for me. Not one has been close to anything I’d ever wear. It’s time for me to branch out on my own. Don’t worry. I’ll pick out something suitable. I won’t embarrass you.”
He stopped in his tracks. “You don’t think I’m helping you with your dress selection because I’m concerned about myself, do you?” His brow creased.
“Oh, no. Sorry, Colin. That’s not what I meant.” What did I mean? I knew it was important for us to dress like all the fashionable people who would be attending the party, but at what cost? I didn’t want to be a plastic imitation of a woman who wore flashy clothes to attract a man or keep one. Why would I ever want to do that? I felt my focus start to waver again. I’d been so disciplined since college, what was my problem? Fascinating silver eyes. I wanted him. No! My stomach plummeted. Again.
“What did you mean?” Colin questioned.
“I’ll admit, Colin, I did think you were helping me in part because I don’t have any sense of style. It’s all right, I understand. I know this party is important, but I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not, even for one night.”
He grabbed one of my hands and sque
ezed. “I’m so sorry. You’re right. I’ve been
wrapped up in all the fine details of our presentation. I’ve put too much emphasis on how we’ll appear to the rich and famous. From now on, my focus will be to secure funding and move on with our lives.” He paused for a moment. “But, you know what? I think this has been good for us. You and I need a social life.”
I started to interrupt.
“Wait! I don’t mean with the high and mighty crowd. But we do need to start branching out socially. We’ll be thirty before we know it.” Good grief, he was pulling the thirty card.
“Speak for yourself. I still have four years to go. Maybe you can go first. I’ll observe like the good scientist I am, and we’ll see how it turns out.”
“Okay.”
“What?” He’d caved already?
“I’ll do it. I’m going to start dating.” He straightened and swept his eyes around the mall.
“Here? Now? Wait, um, let’s back up a little. You can’t just go up to a stranger and ask him out. That’s not safe!” What could he be thinking?
“No, I’m not going to do that. But I am going to start observing potential dates. Here’s the problem with us; we don’t even look. We’ve been so wrapped up in work, in our routine, that if someone came along, we’d never notice him. So, I’m starting today.” And sure enough, he began his search.
We sat ourselves down onto comfy chairs next to the elevator to begin our observations. At first, I wasn’t on board with the idea, but it soon turned into an entertaining afternoon.
Colin nodded toward one passerby. “He lives with his mother and plays Monopoly every Thursday with her knitting group,” he remarked.
Wow. He was spot on with that one.
“He won Most Popular and Most Handsome. Good God, he is gorgeous!” Colin observed as an extraordinary man walked by wearing a pair of form-fitting jeans and a snug t-shirt.
“Maybe we should present ourselves to him and ask him to choose.” I giggled.
