Out of The Box Awakening

by Theriot, Jennifer

  “Oh, hi!” she says. “You must be Olivia. I’m Ellen—Ash’s sister. I am here to pick up a punch bowl, in case Ash didn’t tell you.”

  I tell her that I was expecting her, and we head into the kitchen. Reba pours us each a coffee and we sit at the kitchen table to talk.

  “So, Ash tells me that he was in the service with your better half, and that he’s in London on business?”

  “Yep. He came, he went, and here I am.” I tell her that I have been occupying my time volunteering at the Catholic Church resale shop. She tells me that her best friend Chris is in charge of the resale shop.

  “Yes, Chris Walker. She is so nice.”

  “Tell Chris that Ellen says hi!”

  I tell Ellen that I have to get going. She says she would love for me to come to the shower they are hosting for her daughter, Melissa, and her fiancé next weekend. I try to bow out, saying that I don’t think Ash would want me tagging along to family functions, but she counters, saying, “I think Ash would love it if you come. Tell him that I invited you and I expect to see you there. No excuses, Olivia!”

  So now that Alan has abandoned me, Ash’s lovely family takes me in. I ask Ellen how Palm Beach came to be chosen for the wedding. She tells me that after Melissa graduated from Northwestern University, in Evanston, she got a job offer to do marketing for one of the country clubs in the Palm Beach area. She met her fiancé, Trey, there while he was golfing with his dad. He and Melissa immediately hit it off, and after a short romance they got engaged. Trey works with his dad in commercial real estate development. From what Ellen says, the Masterson family does really well financially.

  Melissa fell in love with The Breakers when Trey took her there for a weekend, shortly after they started dating. There were no ifs ands or buts—she was determined that The Breakers would be the site of their wedding.

  “Since Melissa is our only child, David pulled out all the stops and said there would be no limit to what Melissa could have for her wedding.”

  “Wow! That seems like a fairy tale.” I tell her about Lainey and her Prince Charming. Lainey had a fairy tale wedding, too, except it was in Houston. Ellen and I made an immediate connection. I felt like I now had a girlfriend—someone to talk to, someone I actually felt comfortable around.

  “Well, Olivia, I have to get going, but promise you won’t be a stranger. I expect to see you at the shower, okay?”

  “Okay, but you’ll have to convince Ash.”

  “Handled!” she says with a smile.

  That evening, when Ash comes home, I’ve made us a pork loin, balsamic green beans, and a wilted green salad. He is totally impressed with my cooking skills and helps me clean up the kitchen after dinner. What a surprise! There are men who actually help in the kitchen?

  We have an after-dinner brandy and listen to some music upstairs in the den.

  “Ellen called and told me she met you when she came over for the punch bowl. She really likes you and said she invited you to Melissa and Trey’s shower.”

  “Yes, she did invite me, but I told her I didn’t want to intrude on a family affair.”

  “Nonsense. I’d love for you to come with me. Maybe if you’re with me the hags that are Ellen’s friends will stop trying to fix me up with ladies I have no desire to spend any time with.”

  I tell Ash that I would love to be his decoy.

  The next week flies by. Alan calls several times, but I sense that he is calling just out of duty. He doesn’t try to engage me in a real conversation. Maybe he is stressed about his job, but he just isn’t the Alan I know. I am totally at a loss as to what to say or do. I want to be supportive, and I try to sound encouraging, but he is vague and I am backing off more and more. Maybe when he gets home for Thanksgiving, we can talk. I want him to know that I do support him. I know that I am lucky and that we do have a good thing.

  Chapter 9

  The weekend of Melissa’s shower is already here. It is a dressy affair, so I resurrect my little black dress and my very high Stuart Weitzman heels. That’s an outfit that has always done me well. I put in the diamond studs Alan gave me for our twenty-fifth, and a diamond drop necklace he gave me as well. As I come down stairs, I see Ash, dressed in a black suit, looking ever so sexy.

  He looks at me and smiles. “Wow! Olivia, you look A-maz-ing!”

  This makes me feel good. I am proud to be going with him.

  “You’re going to make all those other ladies so envious,” he continues. “I hope you know that...Damn!”

  I tell him that he is being silly, and ask if this is one of his ‘de-funking’ tactics.

  “De-funking you is something I could do every day, Liv!”

  “And I could be de-funked by you every day as well, handsome!”

  The shower is at the home of Ellen’s best friend Jocelyn. She has a beautiful home and everything is done to the max. The house is a sprawling two-story on a lake lot. Jocelyn is a beautiful lady with huge brown eyes, a short, angled, blunt-cut black bob, and an ever-so trim and tanned body. She is also wearing her own little black dress, which hugs every toned curve. Ash tells me that Jocelyn is divorced and that Ellen has tried for years, unsuccessfully, to set her up with him.

  “She isn’t my type, and Ellen just doesn’t see it.”

  I can honestly say, though, that they would make a stunning couple. I don’t see why Ash doesn’t just scoop her up, but what do I know? Alan puts his hand in the small of my back, the way he did when I first met him at the airport, and the touch of his hand sends shock waves to every nerve in my body. Who would have thought someone’s touch could do that to you? He is in total control, and he treats me with the utmost respect.

  He introduces me to everyone, saying, “This is my friend, Olivia. She’s from Houston.” No mention of Alan, no mention that I am staying at his house. I wonder why, but I play along.

  Ellen finds us and rushes over. “Ash! Hey there, you handsome thing of a big brother. And Olivia, I am so glad Ash brought you. Let’s find Melissa and Trey.”

  We head out on the lawn where I see a beautiful petite blonde in a clingy, emerald green dress with a drop-dead gorgeous, tanned blond man who must be Trey.

  “Melissa,” Ellen says, “Uncle Ash is here. Come say hi. And this is Olivia, his friend from Houston.”

  “Uncle Ash! How are you? Where are the boys?” Ash explains that Tommy had a gig with his band and that Wesley and Hayden were working on a big case. Then Melissa turns to me, smiling her welcome.

  “Olivia, so glad to meet you. Thank you for coming! I am glad Uncle Ash has a date—it’s about time!” Before I can open my mouth to explain, someone has come up to Melissa and she turns away from us to talk to someone else. “We’ll catch up later guys!” she calls back, as she is pulled away. She gives Ash a big hug and I can tell that she is glad he came.

  “Ash, I think these folks think we are a couple,” I murmur, worried we’re giving people the wrong impression.

  “Let them. I don’t mind. Do you? Let’s just go with the flow. This is fun! Let me go get us a drink. Then we can start mingling. Damn, you look good, Liv—have I told you that tonight?”

  “Um, yes, you have. About three times.”

  “Well, I may tell you a few more times, because you are driving me crazy…sorry but you just are. By the way, your legs are amazing!”

  Ellen, who tells us that we need to come to dinner, interrupts us from our flirty-flirting. There are beautiful tables set up on the lawn, and Jocelyn has a full staff scurrying around catering to everyone.

  Ash and I are seated with Ellen, David, and four other couples. One woman, Hope, is seated with her heavyset husband, Henry. I quickly realize that she has married for money. Henry is very attentive to her every need.

  “Olivia, Ellen tells me you are from Houston. How in the world did you come to live in Highland Park? Do tell! And what do you do?”

  Ash takes control of the conversation and explains to her that I have recently moved here. He offers
no explanation why, and she doesn’t ask.

  “Olivia is in interior design and I am taking her to see Sarah next week to see about working for her,” he says, as though it’s a settled deal.

  Oh, really? When was he going to tell me that? And who is Sarah? I kick him under the table.

  He takes my hand under the table and gently strokes it. “Excuse us for a moment, would you?” he says to the other guests at the table. We head toward the main house. “Sorry about that,” he mutters. “Those ladies can be brutal.”

  “What is this about Sarah? Who is she?”

  “Sarah is a friend who has a trendy shop downtown called Sarah-n-Dipity. I was going to tell you about her. I think it would be good for you to get a job doing something besides volunteer work—something that would be fulfilling to you. With Alan gone, I think you need to do something that will make you happy…something you enjoy doing.”

  “Were you going to tell me or what?” I ask.

  “Well, I was going to tell you, yes of course. What do you think? Am I out of line? If so, please say so. I just think that you need to be happy and do something that makes you feel complete. I overheard you talking to your daughter about wanting to maybe go back to school or work in a design studio so why not do something that lets you use your talents to bring joy to others?”

  What an amazing man. The connection between us is beyond anything I could have imagined. But I am married, and my husband will be coming home soon. I can’t let myself do this!

  “Dinner is served,” David says over a microphone. “Let’s eat, drink, and celebrate the upcoming marriage of Melissa and Trey.”

  Ash and I head back to the table. Somehow we make our way through dinner. Afterward, the band starts to play. Ash takes my hand and guides me to the dance floor.

  “Dance with me,” he asks.

  “Of course!”

  We dance continuously to this beautiful music. I can’t remember when I have danced with a man so in control, or with such a good dancer. I love every minute of it and feel like Cinderella. But when midnight comes, what will happen?

  He holds me tight and secure and doesn’t miss a step. I am wrapped in his arms and feel so safe and complete.

  At midnight, Ash asks if I am ready to leave. Reluctantly, I tell him that I am tired, and we wait for the valet to bring the car. We say our goodbyes to everyone, and Ellen comes out to give me a big hug.

  “Olivia, I haven’t seen my brother this happy in a long time. Thank you for being you and for making him happy. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again real soon, maybe after the holidays. David and I are going to Palm Beach for Thanksgiving, but let’s do lunch soon after.”

  I honestly don’t know how to respond to that. I am, after all, married, and I am just his ‘date’ for a special purpose. Not for the real thing, but because I didn’t have anything else to do tonight, and Ash needed some arm candy to placate his family.

  We head back to the house. Ash tells me again, “Olivia, you look so beautiful. I am so glad you decided to come with me. I had such a good time tonight, and I hope you did as well. De-funking is becoming more and more fun. I hope you’re feeling better about your move. “

  “Ash, you are the perfect gentleman. I had a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing me. I would probably have just sat around the house tonight miserable and feeling sorry for myself, so you did good!”

  We head up to our respective rooms. I cannot sleep, thinking about the evening and how Ash is the perfect gentleman. He makes me feel like a cherished woman. I check my phone and am not surprised to find I have no missed calls from Alan. I wonder what he is doing and why he feels he doesn’t need to check in. I do have a text from Lainey, asking what’s up. I decide I’ll call her in the morning. I put on my nightgown and slip into bed. I’m so relaxed I immediately fall sound asleep.

  Monday morning, Ash tells me that he is free from work and has planned a day for us in town. He’s arranged for me to meet Sarah at her shop.

  “Don’t be nervous. She will love you. I think you’ll be able to help her out a lot in her shop. She has lots of clients who need design work, so you’ll be the perfect fit.”

  “But I don’t have a degree…all of my experience is from the school of hard knocks.”

  “Not to worry. You will do great, I just know it!”

  We meet Sarah at her shop. It is a darling, eclectic store. Lainey would be in heaven here. Sarah is a pretty redhead—a tad heavyset, but very attractive, and a trendy dresser. She has beautiful eyes and naturally curly, shoulder-length hair that is half pulled up in a knot.

  Sarah said she is overwhelmed and needs someone to come in and take control. We immediately hit it off. Sarah says I can start at my own pace and work as much or as little as I want. This seems perfect. I am thrilled

  “See, I told you this would be something you would love, Liv!” he says as we head back to the car.

  “Thank you so much Ash, how can I repay you?”

  ’Well, I’ll just have to think on that and get back to you!” He winks that damn sexy wink at me again.

  I start work the following Monday, and I immediately feel right at home. Sarah has every faith in me, and I soon dig in and find my way around nicely. The shop is the talk of the town. It’s busy from the time Sarah opens, until closing.

  Chapter 10

  Days turn into weeks. Alan’s phone calls to me are few and far between. Ash, though working in the city, does come home often to stay and spend time with me. I work five days a week, now, and love every minute. I miss Alan, but find I now have something to occupy my time and satisfy my needs. I finally feel like I have found “me.”

  Halloween is in a few days, and I am looking forward to it. I ask Reba if any kids trick-or-treat in the neighborhood.

  “Mr. Harper isn’t usually here for Halloween, so we haven’t done trick-or-treat here in a very long time. If you want to give out candy, just turn on the porch lights and they will come. If you want candy, just let me know and I will be happy to get some. It will be fun for you.”

  With Ash in the city, I’ve been keeping busy with my work. After a long day at the store, I stop on my way home and stock up on Halloween candy. Just as I come in, the house phone rings, and I answer it.

  “Oh, hey, Olivia! How’s it going?” It’s Tommy. I am so glad to hear from him.

  “Hi, Tommy! How are you? Look, your dad is in the city tonight. You may want to call him there.”

  “I was just checking in to see what the holiday plans are. Dad said your family would be in for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think that’s awesome. We haven’t had a real family holiday season in forever. After mom passed, Dad usually just took us to the Country Club for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s not what you’d call a real family environment.”

  I tell Tommy that I’m planning a real family holiday for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He sounds excited and tells me that he’ll definitely be there. He thinks Hayden and Wesley will probably come as well, but isn’t sure, since their line of work may require holiday hours.

  “Listen Tommy,” I say, “I don’t know what your band members do for the holidays, but I’m sure your dad wouldn’t mind if you wanted to invite them too…even Todd. Sorry, but I just can’t call him Bert…it really creeps me out. But, anyway, Todd is welcome, too!”

  “You’re too funny, Olivia. Okay, I’ll tell him. I’m sure he will be down. Thanks so much for taking charge of the holidays. We haven’t had this in so long. I can’t wait to get home.”

  After I get off the phone with Tommy, I call Lainey, Bradley and Dalton. I tell them that I have made reservations at a hotel in town for them. They are all excited and can’t wait to come. They will all be coming for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am elated and can’t wait. They ask about Alan and when he will be home. I tell them that I don’t know exactly when, but he promised he would be home for the holidays.

  Lainey is so glad that I’ve found work with Sarah. “Mom, I can�
��t believe you are actually working and doing something you love. It’s about time! What prompted that?” When I tell her that Ash was the driving force, she is so happy for me.

  Halloween night is here and I am ready for the trick-or-treaters. I’ve gotten candy, turned on the lights and put pumpkins out on the front porch. I have decorated the house for fall and feel totally at home here. Ash calls and says that he wishes he could be here, but is on a case. He asks if I have talked to Alan; I tell him that Alan called me two days ago.

  “Two days? What is going on, Liv?”

  “I wish I knew. Lately, he just seems so vague.”

  I ask him if he knows something I don’t. He swears he knows nothing. I tell him that I’ve had several calls to my cell phone from a number I don’t recognize. They don’t leave a message, but keep calling and hanging up once I say hello. He tells me he can check out the number if I want him to, but I refuse.

  “It’s probably just random calls. No need to worry.”

  “Well, if the calls continue, text me the number and I’ll be on it.”

  “Thanks, Ash, I know you have my back.”

  We have lots of little trick-or-treaters and I remember when my own kids were little. Halloween was one of my favorite nights. The kids had so much fun getting candy and dressing up. I miss those days so much. Transforming the boys into ninjas and Lainey into a princess was so much fun! Since I don’t sew, I had to get creative with a glue gun, but we always had so much fun creating the perfect costumes.

  Halloween in our neighborhood was the best. The moms put the little ones in wagons and we all walked around the neighborhood with our solo cups full of wine. The dads didn’t trick-or-treat back in those days—they stayed back to hand out candy. Times have sure changed. I see moms and dads out trick-or-treating with the little ones. Tonight, the little ones are so cute. I am so happy that I turned on the lights and participated.