It All Started With a Lima Bean

by Kimi Flores

  “I really am happy for you, Abs. Caleb seems like a pretty stand-up guy. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” Peter placed his hand on top of hers looking into her eyes a little too long.

  “Thanks, you too Peter, I’m glad we finally had this conversation but I should really get going now.” She stood and moved her chair back a little before allowing him to hug her one last time.

  Just as she left his arms, the door to the coffeehouse flew open and a disheveled looking Tiffany stood in the doorway staring directly at Abby. “YOU!” The wild woman shouted while pointing directly at Abby. Tiffany came charging through the cafe like a bat out of hell, with all eyes glued in horror on her, including Abby’s. She was an absolute mess. The hair that was not sticking straight up in the air was matted to the side of her face. Make-up ran down her cheeks, her clothes did not match, but she wore chandelier earrings, and a very expensive looking gaudy diamond necklace as though she thought the extravagant jewelry would hide the rest of her crazed appearance. The only thing Abby could compare her appearance to was that of a homeless person. Her shoes were even different from each other.

  Peter bolted the short distance between him and Abby, turning his back to her in a protective stance. “Tiffany. What are you doing?” He demanded.

  “What? Is she your little bitch again? Didn’t you learn your lesson already? She eats everyone alive, and then spits them out when she’s done. She’s already had you, Blaine and Caleb. Even my own damn boyfriend wanted her in high school.” As she swayed, Tiffany slurred each of her words as tears slipped from her half opened eyelids.

  “Peter, what is she talking about?” Abby whispered into his ear. His only response was to hold his hand up as though he needed her not to speak.

  “Did you drive here?” He spoke to her like this was a normal thing. Could this be a regular occurrence in his life? Did their entire family have to deal with her like this often?

  “I need to sit down...” Tiffany dropped her body into the seat Peter had been in and passed out cold with her mouth wide open. The smell of stale alcohol swirled through the air.

  “Is she okay?” Abby’s heart was beating a mile a minute. What the heck just happened?

  Turning to face her, Peter shook his head. “Yes and no.”

  “There’s a silver Mercedes parked in the middle of the street getting towed outside. Does it belong to anyone here?” A man announced while standing in the doorway.

  “I have to get her home. I am so sorry again, Abs.” The look on his face broke her heart.

  “Can I help you at all?”

  “No. Her car can just get towed. She shouldn’t be driving anyway.” He started to bend down to pick his sister up when Abby placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  “Hold on a minute.” Abby squatted down until she was face to face with the sleeping Tiffany. “I know you can’t hear me and you probably don’t care but, I forgive you. I forgive you for every horrible thing you’ve ever done and said to me.” There. I did it. It really didn’t matter if Tiffany knew or not because Abby didn’t do it for the woman who had so many issues of her own.

  Standing up, she found Peter staring at her in awe. “That’s why I’ll always love you, Abs. If you ever get tired of Caleb, please don’t forget about me.” Well that was unexpected. Time to go.

  “Goodbye Peter.” Grabbing her purse from the back of the chair, she strolled out of the coffeehouse with a much lighter step than when she entered it.

  Several weeks had passed since school resumed after the winter break and Abby jumped right into her new role as a fifth grade teacher. The kids turned out to be a lot different than she expected, ridding her of her initial preconceived ideas. Their current project was in full swing and they were getting ready to present what they’d learned. The kids researched and studied about the Catholic missions that had been planted up and down California by Father Junipero Serra at the direction of King Charles III of Spain starting in 1769. They were lucky enough to have one of those magnificently beautiful church buildings established right there in Santa Barbara and the class went on a field trip the previous week. Each student represented the founding missionaries from every single one of the twenty-one missions. This project reminded Abby of when she was in fifth grade learning about this same subject. The difference back then was that the students had to build their own replica of one chosen mission, outside of school. The problem came when the parents got involved and it became a competition between them and who could make the most elaborate masterpiece. Abby’s students were only allowed to work on their projects during school hours, on the premises, so all of the work was guaranteed to be their own.

  Tomorrow was presentation day but tonight was date night. Abby rushed home after school to get ready for her double date with Caleb, Leah and some guy that had been pestering Leah to go out with him. Caleb insisted on a double date when Leah brought it up in front of them. Abby loved how protective he was over her and her best friend.

  She only had a few moments to throw herself together before Caleb knocked. Abby made her way to the front door while smoothing down her long sleeved, off-the-shoulder blouse and her heeled boots clicking on the wooden floor. The anticipation of what she would find on the other side was overwhelming. Slowly, she opened it and peeked out with a sinister smile. As expected, he was a sight for sore eyes. No man should ever look that good wearing jeans and a sweater. His freshly showered scent hit her nose as she took him in. Entering the living room, Caleb closed the door behind him. “You look beautiful.” Playing along with her smile, he wrapped his arms around Abby’s waist, inviting her body to align with his. “I could just eat you up.”

  Flashing him a look he loved so much, bedroom eyes included, she teased. “That could be arranged.”

  “Don’t tempt me like that.” Trailing small bites on her neck and shoulders, he took his time until she shamelessly made sounds she never realized she had in her. Damn he was good.

  “Hey guys, lock the door if you are going to do that.” Leah’s voice broadcasted from behind Caleb, triggering him to chuckle while his mouth was still on Abby’s sensitive skin. Giving her a peck on the lips before turning to greet Leah, Caleb explained. “Sorry, our girl here is just too irresistible, and I can’t keep my hands off of her.” Abby’s skin now scorched, first at having this man nibble on her then at her friend walking in on them.

  “Or your mouth apparently.” Leah snorted. She knew how to add that one missing element to a conversation to make it go from awkward to AWKWARD. “Are you guys ready to go, or do you need a little more time to devour my friend here?” Leah giggled as she started to head out of the door.

  Caleb didn’t know what to expect this evening; he’d never gone on a double date before. All he knew was that when Leah started talking about a guy that has worn her down asking her out, Caleb had to meet him. Although he didn’t have siblings, he felt that older brother protective side of him come out as it did when Bri talked about guys she was dating. Not only had he fallen in love with Abby, Caleb found himself wanting to protect her best friend as well.

  The three of them walked into the seaside fish house when a guy approached with his eyes glued on Leah. Brownish hair lightened by the sun, brown squinty eyes, decent build. Surfer maybe? Yeah, Caleb checked him out. The way guys do.

  “Hey Leah, glad you made it.” Squinty-eyed guy reached over and kissed Leah’s cheek.

  “Did you expect me to stand you up?” Leah did not reciprocate his affection.

  Caleb watched him closely waiting for his answer. “I hoped not, it took me long enough to get you to say yes. Our table is ready when you guys are.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Devon. These are my friends, Abby and Caleb.” Leah introduced everyone.

  “Nice to meet you.” Devon shook Caleb’s hand and waved to Abby with a half-smile exposing perfect teeth. Must have worn braces growing up. Caleb couldn’t help but scrutinize everything about this guy.

  “Right thi
s way.” The hostess led them through the dimly lit restaurant. A white leatherette covered booth ran across one wall just under the large windows facing the ocean. The tables were covered with black linen table clothes, then glass, and finally topped with candles. Caleb pulled Abby’s chair out for her while Leah and Devon scooted into the booth across from them. Perfect timing. The sun was slowly disappearing in the horizon. This was one of Caleb’s favorite restaurants, but he hadn’t brought Abby here, afraid the fishy smell might bother her. For this particular date, she’d asked if they could come here because they offered her favorite poblano pepper and Portobello mushroom tacos.

  After ordering their drinks, they picked up the menus. That’s when Caleb spotted the jackass planting his now bugged out eyes directly at Abby’s chest. WTH? First rule in the dude code, you do not look at another man’s woman, especially when said man is sitting right there. STRIKE ONE. To be fair, Caleb had not introduced himself as Abby’s boyfriend. He would have to rectify that now. Making sure Devon was watching, Caleb leaned over to Abby and planted a kiss on her lips, then sat back looking the guy square in the eyes with his arm draped over the back of Abby’s chair. Got it buddy? There was an acknowledgment in his eyes. Good.

  Abby curved toward him, rubbing her shoulder on his chest and whispered, “Guy thing?” With his eyes on the menu, he couldn’t help but chuckle and smirk while nodding up and down. Busted.

  Once he knew what he wanted to order, Caleb opened the conversation while everyone else looked over the menu. “So Devon, what do you do?”

  “When I’m not surfing, I work with the same kids Leah does.” Caleb wondered if he’d seen this guy out on the water before when Abby spoke up.

  “Caleb surfs too.” Although he wished she hadn’t done that because he was still feeling this guy out, he did enjoy the pride she had on her face when she said it.

  “Oh yeah, where do you surf?” Devon asked, almost as a challenge to see if he really did surf.

  “Hammond’s.” Caleb mentioned his favorite spot just down from the Four Seasons. He’d discovered this area the last time his parents came to visit and stayed at that hotel.

  “Yeah those waves are pretty decent. I like to surf at Haskell’s Beach.” Caleb had a feeling Devon would mention this area that was pretty much a locals only spot by Escalona Spa and Resort.

  Just as the waitress came to take their order, a cell rang. Devon grabbed his phone, looked at the caller I.D. and answered. “Hey dude. Where ya been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Nah, nothing. Wait hold on.” He looked at the waitress, “Can I get the Shrimp Scampi?” Then addressed the table, “Excuse me; I have to take this call. I’ll be right back.” He got up and left the table while speaking loudly into the mouthpiece. Seriously? Did this guy just answer his phone at the table, order before the ladies, then leave? STRIKES TWO, THREE, AND FOUR.

  Caleb’s eyes were drawn to Leah’s aggravated appearance. She noticed and tried to change her expression. Too late, honey. I already saw. “You okay?” He asked.

  “Yeah fine, let’s just get through dinner. There will be no second date though.”

  She picked up her napkin from the table and tossed it into her lap before Abby placed her hand on Leah’s. “Sorry Sweetie.” Leah rolled her eyes and exhaled but didn’t say anything further.

  The dipshit finally made it back to the table once the food arrived; ate with his hands like a freaking animal making slurping noises, then let out a small burp while pounding his chest with his fist. The ladies excused themselves to go to the bathroom when the check arrived.

  “Why do girls always leave when the check comes? I’m going to pay but I hate when it’s assumed.” That’s it. This guy had to go.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it.” Caleb snatched the check from Devon as he was adding up who ordered what. Placing his black American Express card in the leather folded bill holder, Caleb handed it to the waitress as she passed by. He didn’t normally like to show off his wealth but that felt pretty damn good.

  “I don’t know what kind of women you are used to taking out but Leah is extraordinary. You cannot treat her the way you have this evening. I don’t expect to ever hear that she is going out with you again so don’t even bother asking.” He was so over this guy and wanted him to leave before the girls came back.

  “Whoa, where the hell did that come from?” Devon had the nerve to act as if he was shocked at what Caleb said.

  “After watching the way you’ve checked out other women, including mine the last hour, take phone calls in the middle of your date and freaking burp at the table, I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. If that is how you are on a first date, I can only imagine the way you behave when you really get comfortable. Just leave Leah alone.” Caleb sat up straighter in his chair waiting for the confrontation to come.

  “Dude, if I want to ask her out again, I will. I’m not sure who you think you are to say she can’t go out with me.” Devon sat back with his arms crossed on his chest.

  “I’m certain she will not and if I hear you are harassing her when she tells you no, then I will be further involved. You can go now; I’ll tell her you had a call you had to take.” Caleb stood up and stepped aside, making sure he knew this was not a joke.

  “Whatever. She’s not even worth the hassle.” Throwing his napkin on the table, Devon gave Caleb a dirty look as he got up and left the restaurant.

  Once the girls came back to the table, relief was evident on Leah’s face at Devon’s absence.

  “He had to leave.” That was the only explanation Caleb offered.

  “Good. What a Pendejo.” Not familiar with that word, Caleb had to ask.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Dumbass.”

  “Ah, yes he was a Pen-day-ho.” Knowing he didn’t pronounce it correctly didn’t stop him from saying it. The waitress gave him the receipt, he added his signature, and then handed it back.

  They left the restaurant and headed back to Abby’s. Once there, Caleb and Abby walked Leah to her van. Something in her expression pulled on Caleb’s heart.

  She looked really down. “Hey, don’t worry about it Leah. There are plenty of guys out there that would love to have a woman as amazing as you. Your guy will find you.” Caleb wished to God that he knew someone that he could set her up with. It’s not often that a woman like Leah came along.

  “Yeah well I think he is taking a few detours before finding me. That’s okay though, at least Devon will stop bugging me.”

  “If he doesn’t, please tell me.” That jackass had better leave her alone now.

  “Is she going be alright?” Caleb grabbed onto Abby’s hand and asked as Leah drove off.

  “Yeah, she just doesn’t have very good luck with guys. They all turn out to be jerks in one way or another. I think it’s probably harder for her now that I have you because she sees how happy I am.” They walked toward the front door when she turned to face him. “She calls you Prince Charming.”

  At that, he had to laugh. “Prince Charming, huh? That’s a pretty hefty reputation to live up to.”

  Changing subjects, Abby said. “Please promise me that you’ll stay at a hotel tomorrow night. I don’t want you driving all the way home after the game.” There was a meeting with the studio executives and his manager, Chris in L.A. the next day to sign all of the final contracts. He and Chris were then going to the hockey game Abby had gotten him tickets for as his Christmas gift.

  “I still wish you were going with me.” It wasn’t manly, but he put on his own pouty face when he stepped closer, placing his arms around her.

  “I know but tomorrow is our class presentation and I can’t miss it. You get to have some guy time.” She knew he didn’t care about guy time. Abby was just trying to make him feel better.

  “I know. Are you sure you don’t mind keeping Madison?”

  “Of course not, we will have some bonding time. Leah wants to come over too. We will have a girl’s night, painted toes,
and all.” Scrunching her nose with a smirk, she leaned up to peck his lips.

  Drawing her closer to his chest, Caleb confirmed. “Madison is going to love that. I’ll leave her booster seat and bag at drop off tomorrow on my way out. I better go grab her so she can get a full night’s rest.”

  He started to go in for his goodnight kiss when Abby questioned, “Wait, how did you get rid of Devon after all?”

  “I told him he didn’t deserve Leah and he could leave.” There was no need to cover up the truth.

  “Guy thing?” She knew him so well by now.

  The presentation of the kid’s mission projects was going strong when Leah walked into the classroom and pointed out, “This looks like some kind of cult.” After scanning the area, Abby went into hysterics. It did look like some kind of crazed religious group took over the room. All of the kids wore monk outfits, so there was a sea of brown hooded robes in the classroom. Once she was able to calm herself down, Abby focused on the fact that she was really proud of the hard work each child put into the assignment. Models of the missions scattered the room, as well as wooden planting squares that held crops representing the agricultural part, and stuffed animals in a makeshift corral representing the livestock. Parents, students from other classes and additional teachers made their way through the room asking her students different questions about what they learned through their experiences.

  As much as she’d enjoyed the day’s activities, Abby couldn’t wait to get home and start her girls’ night. Leah and she planned to pamper Madison with an at home manicure/pedicure, lots of yummy goodies and a couple of princess movies. It was Friday night and they were planning on celebrating. Admittedly, she also looked forward to the call that would come from Caleb before he went to sleep.