“I love that dress. Where’d you get it?” Sandy asked.
“There is this little boutique over in Little Five Points that I love. I got Mom one as well as you, so don’t worry because I know how you both are about the things I wear.” Amie chuckled and handed her a bag.
“I swear, you spoil me, woman, and I love every minute of it too.” Sandy laughed. They both sat down for ice tea, sandwiches, and salad.
Sandy said, “You know Roy is back home to stay?”
“Yeah, I saw him at the feed store today.”
“You did, what happened?”
Amie laughed at her friend’s excitement. “Nothing much really, gave him a hug, we talked for a minute about the restaurant then Dad came and we had to leave. We said our goodbyes and that was that. Your husband bumped into me, knocking me to the floor and I hurt my ass.”
“I’ll make sure he pays for knocking you down like that.”
“Don’t make him suffer, it wasn’t his fault. But I do have to admit it was nice seeing Roy again.” Taking a sip of her tea, she noticed a smirk on Sandy’s face. “What’s that look for?”
“Oh come on, you would have jumped his bones if no one else was around.”
Amie nearly spit out her tea. “You need to get your mind out of the gutter, girlfriend. You know that’s my job to have the sick and twisted mind of a freak.”
A cloud of seriousness crossed Amie’s face.
“Are we in deep thoughts over there?” Sandy asked, biting into a sandwich.
“Yeah, just thinking about stuff is all.”
“About Roy, perhaps? Maybe it’s Roy you’re thinking about and have been forever and ever?”
“I wish you would stop joking like that, you nut.”
“That, of course, is Mrs. Nut to you. Just make sure you remember that. You might as well just come clean, you are still in love with Roy Fulton despite the fact that you’ve put up the biggest front there is by trying to block him out of your life. That man is as much of a part of your life now as he ever was. Now is the time to try to make up for lost time. Go for the gold, girlfriend. I can tell you this, he just moved into his place. Steven told me he’s going to be at his place all alone for the rest of the night. If I was you, I’d put on the slinkiest outfit you have, bring him a welcome home dinner he won’t forget and serve yourself up for dessert,” Sandy said with a wink.
Amie almost died from laughter. “I swear, you are insane woman. You have really thought this shit out, haven’t ya?”
“Of course I have, I want you to be happy, Amie, that’s what I’ve always wanted for you since we were kids. I know that deep down you haven’t been happy for the longest time. Roy is your soul mate. I know that for a fact. Do you know while you were away in college he would get all excited about getting letters from you smelling like your perfume? He would tell me what an idiot he was for fucking up a chance to be with you. I agreed with him completely, he was an idiot.”
“Now you know just as well as I do that we could never be together because of what everybody around here would have been saying. Our parents would have been laughed out of town, especially Mom and Dad, no one would have wanted to come to his feed store if they knew that the half Jap, half nigger would have been dating one of their good old boys,” Amie said, trying not to lose control of her emotions.
“No one thought of you like that, Amie, and you know it.”
“Come on, Sandy, you know when I was in school that I was often beat up by some of the girls. The boys would throw things in my hair calling it Brillo. Even some of the adults in school or around town wanted nothing to do with me. I know you didn’t see it all, but that’s what I had to deal with on a daily basis. The only joy I had was being around you, my parents, Steven, and Roy. You guys treated me like I belonged, like I wasn’t black or Japanese. I could be myself with you all, and Roy never judged me for being who I was. It was just that society, along with everybody in this God forsaken town was scared of what would happen that caused us to be apart.” Amie took a sip of her tea, remembering those moments that would have been easier for an average person to forget. For her, forgetting the past was a battle in itself.
“I’ve changed so much, Sandy. I’ve seen and done so many things that I don’t think I can go back to the way I was. I like how I am now. It’s made me much stronger and completely in control of my life.” Amie grabbed a napkin and dabbed her eyes.
“I can’t imagine how rough it was for you, especially in a white community,” said Sandy, reaching over grabbing her friend’s hand. Sandy squeezed it tight as Amie continued to sob.
Mandy ran over and wrapped her arms around Amie’s neck without asking why. She held her auntie as tightly as she could until Amie caved in to the sobbing.
Mona asked her mother, “Mom, why is Auntie crying?”
“Oh baby, your auntie and I were reminiscing about when we were kids.” Sandy stroked her daughter’s red curly hair. Mandy let go of Amie and got a napkin to wipe her tears. “These girls have a sixth sense about things, I’m telling you. It’s like whenever they know someone is sad. They always come around to make things better.”
Amie laughed, kissing Mandy’s forehead. “I could sure use you back home when I am down.”
“No more tears, Auntie?”
“No more tears, darling, I promise no more tears while I’m here.”
“Now that we got all the tears out, I have one question for you, girlfriend.” Sandy stated.
“And what is that, pray tell?”
“What are you going to cook him for dinner tonight?”
Amie looked at the smirk on her friend’s face, took another bite out of her sandwich, and laughed. “Okay, girls, how would you like to help Auntie cook your uncle dinner?”
Chapter Four
Roy went to check on the horses later that afternoon; horses had been a solace to him over the years. The glorious freedom of flying through the open land on the back of a horse made him feel one with the magnificent creature. There was nothing he like better. It was his stress reliever.
As a young boy, he would spend hours in his parents’ barn brushing and tending to the horses. Sometimes he would end up falling asleep outside a stall—especially if he was upset over something.
Now he was a grown man, making something new in his life. And Amie, too, was finally back home—even if only temporarily. He only hoped that maybe, just maybe, something could be rekindled between them.
As Roy made his way out of the barn, a car flew up the road. At first he thought it was his mom bringing him something to eat, but when he heard the loud music blaring, he knew it wasn’t Mom.
The black corvette pulled up and an unsettling pit in his stomach started to form when the door opened. A shiny red high heel came out of the driver’s side door. It was followed by a slim milky white leg then another red high heel. Susan stood there wearing a tight white shirt and a denim mini skirt. Her hair was still the same long dark brown color with curls at the end. “Roy, oh my God, Roy!” she exclaimed with a giggle in her voice. She ran over to him throwing her arms around his neck.
“Susan, what the hell! What are you doing here?” Roy said in a mixed state of shock and annoyance as she kissed his cheek. He immediately pushed her off, smelling the liquor on her breath.
“I heard you were back in town now for good. I was going to come by yesterday, but I thought it wouldn’t be a good time to come over with family and all.”
She was right about that, he thought. None of his family cared for her since the incident at Amie’s going away party. It was a week after the incident when they broke up and Susan had been trying to get back together ever since, right up until he left for Chicago. In weak moments he would go back to her for a night, always cursing himself in the morning.
“So why are you here now, Susan?”
“Well, it’s been two long years without you. I thought you would need some company since you are here all alone and who better than me to provide it? D
idn’t you miss me?”
Roy rolled his eyes. “I am alone and that’s how I want it for tonight. I plan on having a nice quiet evening alone, getting a good night’s rest. I suggest you get back into your corvette and head back to wherever you came from, Susan.”
She was about to speak, but suddenly change her mind. He was hoping his stern look was the reason. Looking defeated, she got back into her car as quickly as she came, leaving a billow of dust and dirt in her wake.
Shaking his head, he walked inside so he could take a shower. Going straight into the back bathroom, he turned on the water and tested the water temperature. Taking off his clothes, he jumped in, feeling the water pelt his tired skin. Damn, it felt good to be able to shower. Roy didn’t want to get out. He was so relaxed as he scrubbed himself clean. He decided to stay longer as the steam seemed to ease his tension.
When Roy got out and started drying himself off, he heard a car coming from up the road. Lord knows, he was not in the mood to deal with Susan’s crazy ass again. If she came to the door, he would tell her to go away and that’s that. Quickly pulling on pajama pants, he opened the door ready for battle. Instead, he was completely taken aback. It wasn’t her Corvette coming down the drive, but a truck.
* * * *
Amie had to remember the correct turn off from Sandy’s instructions on how to get to Roy’s house. Lord, she must be a fool going to see him like this, having made him a full meal―even dessert! Sandy did her best to convince Amie to wear a curve hugging black dress, but Amie decided to just wear something comfortable and chose a pair of Capri jeans and a red flowing top. Sandy insisted she let her shoulders show. She felt silly doing all of this just because she wanted this man to love her like always dreamed. This would just be something of a welcome home dinner—nothing more.
“Yeah, you just keep that in mind, sister. Don’t let your emotions get in the way,” she told herself coming to the dirt road leading to Roy’s.
Amie immediately loved the quaint house―a beautiful brick ranch style home with a porch the length of the house. Roy was standing in the doorway. She could see he must have just gotten out of the shower as his hair was very wet. His chest, muscular and bare, glistened with droplets of water. God, she thought as she stopped the truck, why the hell did he come out like that? When she got out she said with a small smile, “Hey there, Roy.”
“Amie,” he said rubbing the towel along his wet chest. “What are you doing here?”
“I decided to bring you dinner and dessert. Sandy said you were going to be home, so I thought maybe you could use a home cooked meal,” Amie said bringing out a basket full of food.
Roy smiled at her offering. “Come on in, I was just getting out of the shower. Do you need some help?”
“No, I got it. I wouldn’t want you to get your feet dirty.”
As she walked up the front steps, he grabbed the large wicker basket she was carrying. He led her into the kitchen where he placed the basket on the large oak table.
“Let me get a shirt on,” he said walking into the back.
She started taking various items out of the basket. Finding the oven free of stored pots and pans, she turned it on 350 and went into the cabinets looking for plates.
“You look like you belong in the kitchen.”
Amie turned around. Roy was wearing a nightshirt that matched his pajama pants. She went into one drawer then another looking for utensils. Taking out some forks, knives, and spoons, Amie handed him everything. “Do you mind setting the table while I get the rest of the stuff out?”
Nodding he started setting the table for two. She took out several containers and a loaf of bread. He watched her serve him salad and sliced bread. Roy smiled as she continued heating up the casserole dish. He was enjoying this moment. He had only dreamed of being in a domestic setting with her, now his fantasy was becoming a reality.
“Do you know where the cups are?”
Roy didn’t hear what she had said. He was too busy staring at her beautiful face, watching those beautiful almond shaped brown eyes staring down at him. God, he thought, how cute she was when she crinkles her little nose.
“Roy, where are the glasses?”
“Oh sorry, I don’t know probably in the cabinet somewhere.” She turned in search of glasses. Watching her, the only thing Roy could think about was how hot she looked walking away. Her hips swayed in her jeans that hugged them just right.
She returned with a pair of wine glasses and pulled a bottle of wine from the basket.
“Do you mind opening it up while I check on the Alfredo?” she asked. With the pop of the cork, he poured the wine as she place a casserole dish that smelled like heaven in the center of the table.
“Damn, that smells good. What is it? Alfredo Fettuccini?” Roy asked handing her his plate.
“Chicken Alfredo with broccoli. I thought I’d make something fairly simple instead of something extravagant like I normally do.”
After serving the two dishes, he watched curiously as she reached into the basket and pulled out a block of cheese and an instrument from the basket. When she came back to the table, she asked, “Do you want some grated Parmesan?”
“Yes, please.”
Slowly, she grated the cheese over the noodles. God, she was beautiful he kept thinking to himself. He could slowly feel himself starting to swell. She bent over him, and he got a glimpse of her luscious breasts.
“I think that’s enough,” Roy said. She sat down and grated cheese on her own plate.
He swirled his fork into the noodles, speared a piece of the chicken and broccoli, then took a bite. His eyes closed as he relished the taste. It had been a long time since he had a home cooked meal and this was even better than Mom’s.
“I see you like it, huh?”
He kept shaking his head back and forth as he took another bite of this amazing dinner. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Do you mind coming over here bringing me dinner like this while you’re here?”
“You really want to have dinner with me for the rest of the week?”
“Why not? Plus it will give us the chance to sit and talk since it’s been a very long time since we’ve been together like this.”
“Actually this is the first time we’ve ever been like this…well this and at the airport.”
“Well at least we can make up for lost time, darling,” Roy said taking another bite.
Darling. She had never heard him call her that before. The way he said it sent shivers all over her body. She just hoped he didn’t realize what he was doing to her. “You know, I’d like that. I’ll spend the days with my family and Sandy and the girls, then we can have dinner together. I’ll go into town and get the ingredients needed to fix us something delectable each night.”
“Great, I can’t wait.” Roy smiled picking up his glass. “A toast to a lovely week of dinners with a lovely lady.”
Once he had his fill, he helped Amie with washing the dishes. “Want to see what my barn looks like?” he asked her.
“Sure, that sounds good.” He put on sneakers he had by the door. She walked out onto the porch stretching. She got dizzy in the process of stretching and started to fall back. Luckily, Roy walked out the door just in time to steady her.
“Dang, woman, that must have been a good stretch.” He chuckled. She regained her balance and laughed.
“It sure was a good one. I haven’t stretched that good in a long time.”
They both walked off the porch to the barn. The horses were neighing as if they knew someone was coming to visit. When he opened the barn door, Amie saw the horses in their stalls immediately eyeing one that looked so familiar it made her smile.
“Is that a boy or girl?” she asked going up to the chestnut horse with a white spot on its forehead.
“I think it’s a girl.”
She touched the mare’s nose softly talking to her. “My you’re a pretty girl, a very pretty girl. She
reminds me of Betsy, you remember Betsy don’t you?”
“Yeah, I remember you would do barrel runs with her, damn you were great.” Roy smiled watching the horse nudge up under her chin. She opened up the stall and walked inside with her, still stroking along her back.
“She’s gorgeous, Roy, absolutely gorgeous. Whoever you got her from must have had a good stock because she’s really beautiful. Have you named her yet?”
Shaking his head no he told her, “You can name her.”
Surprised, Amie said, “Really? You’d let me name her?”
“Of course you can, I’d be honored if you did.”
After a moment she asked, “Do you know what season she was born in?”
Roy rubbed his head for a moment thinking. “I think she was born in the spring.”
“Well since you were born in the spring, I shall name you Haruko.”
“Haruko, what does that mean?”
“It means spring child.”
“I didn’t know you knew Japanese so well, I mean, I know you are part Japanese and all but―”
“That’s right. You didn’t know, did you? Well, we better go back inside for dessert. It’s your favorite.”
They walked to the house and sat on the porch swing. “Why don’t we just sit and talk for a while. I’m still digesting dinner here. Tell me, how’d you learned Japanese so well?”
“While I was in school, I asked my parents about my birth parents. I didn’t think they would help me out, but they were happy to do so.” Amie continued with the story of how she found her parents. “My dad didn’t have any living relatives that I could find, but through my mother I am happy to say I have two half-brothers and one sister.” Amie smiled.
“That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you. Did you get to meet her?”
“Actually, when I got the info, I waited a couple of days before I started looking for her. I was so nervous. I didn’t know whether or not she would want to see or talk with me plus the fact she was Japanese and I didn’t know if she even spoke English. I called her number, asked for her, and she spoke perfect English. I was so relieved. When I started telling her who I was, she started crying.” Tears started to form in her eyes.
Constant Surprises (Wrong Numbers Series) Page 5
