by Beth Rinyu
“What’s the matter?” she asked, taking a seat across from me.
I shook my head and took a deep breath before spilling my guts about this afternoon’s events in a low whisper so Joey couldn’t hear.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry, but now you know he was nothing but a gonif!”
“A what?” I grabbed a napkin from the table and dabbed my eyes while she shot up to the whistling tea kettle and prepared us each a cup of tea.
“It’s Yiddish. It’s an untrustworthy person,” she replied, placing the steaming tea cup in front of me.
“That he sure is.” I sighed, staring straight ahead. I dipped the tea bag in and out of the hot water, taking a deep breath as the steam helped to clear my nasal passages. “I just feel so stupid for letting my guard down with him and thinking he was actually genuine.”
“Well, dear, sometimes we have to learn things the hard way.”
“And in my bed of all places! Ick, ick, ick! I think I’ll be sleeping in Joey’s bed for the rest of my life.”
“Throw away the sheets and then find someone else to dirty the new ones with,” she replied without even the hint of a smirk before taking a sip of her tea.
I expelled a giggle. It felt good after being in such a funk all afternoon.
“It’s all about getting back in the game. You’re a beautiful, independent woman. You deserve someone on your level. Not some putz who’ll probably be in college for the rest of his life.”
“That putz just happens to be my daughter’s father.”
“And? That doesn’t mean he has to be anything else to you. Look, I know this was a shock for you, but maybe he did you a favor.”
“Yeah, maybe, but I just don’t know how I’m going to explain this to Joey. Just last week we were looking at houses to rent. She was so excited. She was finally gonna have a back yard to play in, and now this had to happen.”
“Why can’t you and Joey still rent the house? I mean, it doesn’t sound like he was going to be much help paying the rent anyway. You have a stable job now, and you should really be going through the court system and getting the child support you’re entitled to from him. Why should you have to struggle?”
At that moment, I was so thankful Sylvia had walked into that sex toy party that night. In the short time I’d known her I respected her and valued her opinion so much. She was so honest and forthcoming and always helped to put everything into perspective, making me feel like I had a sense of empowerment in taking her advice and running with it. She didn’t chastise me for my mistakes. She helped me come up with a solution instead. “You’re right, there’s absolutely no reason why I can’t take the chance and rent that place on my own. Maybe that’s what Joey and I both need…a change.”
“Attagirl!” Sylvia beamed.
I let out a sigh as reality suddenly washed over. Or maybe it was my mother’s voice that always came to mind whenever I wanted to take a risk with something in life. She was always a play it safe type of person. Afraid to take a gamble in life because of the what-ifs?
“What’s wrong?” Sylvia asked.
“Well, I can definitely swing this new rent payment with my salary, but what if all of a sudden I get fired and I’m back to peddling vibrators and cleaning up after old men who have bad aims at toilet bowls.”
“Oh, that’s all men, sweetie. And you will not be getting fired. I can guarantee that!”
“Unfortunately, there isn’t a guarantee with that one, Sylvia. My boss is a perfectionist, and I’ve been told at times he could be a real—excuse my language—dick.”
Her jaw lowered, and I immediately regretted my choice of words. But it wasn’t like Sylvia never used that language before. I’d heard far worse than that come from her mouth. Like the time she called her neighbor across the street a C U Next Tuesday. One of the most vulgar words in the whole slang term vocabulary, in my opinion. A word that would never come from my mouth.
“I’m sure he’s not a dick. From everything you’ve been telling me, he seems like a nice boy.”
“He’s not a boy for one. He’s a man. A very handsome, well-built, well-educated, well-dressed man.” I closed my eyes for a brief moment, envisioning Gabe’s tall stature, broad shoulders, sexy half-smile and beautiful hazel eyes. No, he definitely wasn’t a boy. He was all man. A man who had a way of demanding respect just with his mere presence. A man whom I could see myself dirtying the sheets with if he weren’t my boss, and if we weren’t complete opposites. “All I can do is continue doing my job the best I can and hope my boss remains pleased with my performance.” I finally snapped out of my absurd fantasy.
“Oh, I’m sure he will.”
“So far so good, but I’ve heard I’m quite the oddity around there.”
“What do you mean?” She tilted her head in interest.
“According to my co-workers, Mr. Samuels doesn’t have a good track record with keeping his assistants. He likes things done his way. I can see where that would scare some people away, but I really like him. He’s got a business to run and he wants it run his way. That’s totally understandable.”
“It sounds as if you two are the perfect match.”
“In work. Yeah, I guess we are,” I replied, taking a sip of tea.
“But, does he make you call him Mr. Samuels?” Sylvia asked with an eyebrow raised.
I shook my head and giggled. “No, he’s totally okay with me calling him by his first name, Gabe…or Mr. Gabe as Joey calls him.”
“Oh!” Her voice rose with interest. “Joey’s met Gabriel?”
My eyes narrowed. Gabriel?
“Oh, it’s a bad habit. I know someone named Gabriel and everyone calls him Gabe. I just think Gabriel sounds so much nicer, don’t you?” She looked down at the table and folded the napkin in front of her until it was almost nonexistent.
I shrugged my shoulders, never really giving it much thought.
“So, when did Joey meet your boss?” she pressed on.
“Well, besides the embarrassing night at the food store, he had stopped into the pizza place where we were having dinner one night, and Joey invited him to eat with us.”
“Gabriel doesn’t eat pizza!” She chuckled.
My eyes narrowed once again.
“Oh, forgive me, there I go again associating a name with a person.” She laughed it off. “The Gabriel I know is a healthy food junkie.”
I noticed a nervous edge to her that I had never seen before and part of me wondered about the Gabriel she was referring to, who seemed to have her so flustered.
“Yeah, it’s funny you say that because my Gabe is into watching what he eats as well. I know he hits the gym quite often.” My Gabe? Did I really just call him my Gabe? “I mean, my boss, Gabe,” I recovered, but Sylvia didn’t seem to be buying it. “He and Joey hit it off quite well. I think he’s pretty cool. He just needs to loosen up a bit and live a little instead of burying himself in his work. But that’s not my place. Our relationship is strictly professional and what he chooses to do with his personal life is his business.”
She studied me keenly as if she were waiting for me to elaborate some more.
“So are you ready for your trip?” I switched topics, knowing Sylvia was headed to Florida for a few days to spend Thanksgiving with her sister.
“I am, but I’m not too thrilled about flying.”
“Ah, it’s a two-hour flight. It will be over in no time. Just have a glass of wine before you board.”
“Oh, honey, I have something better than a glass of wine. Which reminds me...excuse me one moment.” She got up and exited the kitchen just as Joey walked in.
“Hello there, missy, are you ready to go home and have some dinner?”
She nodded.
“How was school today?”
“Fine,” she whispered, so unlike her usual jovial self. Paranoia set in and I wondered if she sensed what was going on with her father. “Why do you look sad?” she asked as she placed her hands on my cheeks and pressed he
r forehead into mine.
“It’s just been a long day. So how about if we go home, get in our jammies, eat dinner, and then finish up the ice cream in the freezer?”
“Yes, that sounds fun! We can share some ice cream with Daddy too!”
Kicked in the stomach. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t break her heart. Not now. Not yet.
“Okay, Joey, here’s some macaroons for you to take home with you, and here’s something for you, Mom.” Sylvia walked back into the kitchen, saving me from the inevitable. “Open this up when you’re alone,” she whispered, placing an envelope in my hand. My curiosity piqued, wondering what was inside.
We said our goodbyes to Sylvia, wished her a happy Thanksgiving, and were on our way home. I heated up leftovers for dinner, then Joey and I polished off the rest of the ice cream while watching Disney movies, and I carried her off to bed when she fell asleep. She didn’t bring up Cole all night, and I was thankful. I knew I’d have to tell her soon, but I wasn’t prepared to do it tonight. I would deal with that tomorrow.
When I walked into my bedroom, I looked around, noticing Cole had cleared out most of his items. A knot formed in my stomach when I was brought back to standing in this same spot just hours ago staring down at him and that ho-bag in my bed. It was a long day and all I wanted to do was go to sleep. After putting fresh linens on the mattress, I crawled into bed, suddenly remembering the envelope from Sylvia. I grabbed my purse from the nightstand and pulled out the envelope, covering my mouth and stifling my laughter when I tore it open and a joint fell on my bed. She was too much! I unfolded the enclosed note and read it over.
Enjoy this when Joey is not around and maybe you can share it with whomever you plan on dirtying the sheets with. If you’ve never had sex when you’re high, you don’t know what you’re missing!
You’re most welcome,
Sylvia xo
Chapter 16
Faith
I awoke to three Can we talk/I’m sorry/I love you/It was the biggest mistake of my life texts from Cole. I silenced my ringer once I got to work and after his third attempt to call.
Thankfully the morning flew by with plenty of POs to be inputted, filing to be done, and databases to be updated. By the time lunch rolled around, I wasn’t feeling very hungry and just decided to hit the ladies’ room to freshen up my hair and makeup a bit. As I made my exit, I wasn’t paying any attention and face planted into Gabe’s rock hard chest.
He braced my shoulder as I looked up at him in embarrassment. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I totally wasn’t looking.”
“Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes meeting mine.
“Yeah, I was just daydreaming.” The familiar tumbling effect took over my stomach, something I found was happening quite often when he was near. It was something I tried to brush off as nothing more than the fact that he happened to be extremely good-looking. But sometimes, actually a lot more than I cared to admit, I would find myself imagining exactly what his bare chest and arms looked like under those perfectly pressed shirts he would wear each day, and if the cologne he wore tasted as good as it smelled. It was wrong. I knew it. And if I still went to confession, this would definitely fall under having impure thoughts. Another flip took over my stomach when I looked down to find his hand still on my shoulder. He must have realized it at the same exact time, hastily pulling it away. “I really need to pay better attention.” I shook my head, trying to snap out of it.
“I thought you just left for lunch,” he said, squinting his hypnotic hazel eyes.
“Oh, I was going to, but I wanted to get caught up with everything before Thanksgiving break.”
“Faith, really, go to—”
I put my hand up to stop him. “It’s okay. I’m really not hungry, and I have a power bar in my desk if I do get hungry later on.”
I was hoping he didn’t realize I was ogling him over. But he looked so damn handsome today. Not that he didn’t look handsome every day, but today he was even more delicious than usual, dressed a little more casual in just a polo instead of his usual shirt and tie. The uncharacteristic unshaven look he was sporting had me imagining myself smoking that joint and dirtying the sheets with him. “Are you headed to lunch?” I cleared my throat, trying to snap out of it.
“Uh, yeah…I’m just running out for a few.”
“Take your time. I’ll get started on setting up your calendar invites for next month.”
“Thanks,” he whispered with a strong gaze still set upon me.
“Have a nice lunch,” I stammered over my words as I took a few steps back, unable to take my eyes from him.
“Whoa, whoa, watch your step.” Chad’s voice finally broke me from the daze I was in when I backed right into him.
“Oh…sorry.” I laughed nervously.
Chad eyed both Gabe and me up, seeming a little confused as to what was going on.
“Faith, you’re coming out tonight for a drink. No excuses this time. Do what you gotta do. Get a babysitter. Tell your boyfriend—”
“I don’t have a boyfriend anymore,” I blurted out, wishing I hadn’t as soon as the words escaped my lips.
They both stared at me for a moment, making me feel even more awkward.
“Umm...I’ll be back in a few, Faith,” Gabe said, breaking up the awkwardness.
“Okay.” I nodded, watching him walk away.
“Everything okay?” Chad asked. “Just last week you were telling me the two of you were spending the weekend looking at places to move.”
Oddly enough, Chad had become my confidant at work. He bitched about his fiancée to me, and I confided in him about my disaster in the making with Cole.
“Yeah, we did, and yesterday I found him in my bed with some little slut.”
“Ah, man. Faith, I’m so sorry.” He took my hand in support.
“I’ll be okay. It’s my daughter I’m worried about.”
“Yeah, that sucks. What an asshole! So, now more than ever you need a night out. Promise you’ll come out tonight. Jane’s gonna be there, and I’d really like for you to meet her.”
“Sure. Since I feel like I know her already, I’d love to meet her in person.”
“Cool! I’m headed out to a meeting for the rest of the afternoon, but hang in there. Better things are headed your way.”
I smiled and nodded. Was it strange that I was finding it easier to talk to my male co-worker and a senior citizen than my best friend and family about my problems?
Kicked in the stomach was exactly how I was feeling when I went back to my office and pulled out my phone to find a text from the owner of one of the places we had looked at over the weekend.
The place is yours in the beginning of the New Year if you’re still interested.
The anger I’d been trying to suppress began to morph once again as I began to type out my reply.
It will just be my daughter and me because the deadbeat I was going to move in with cheated on me!
I skimmed my finger over the send button, but instead, I took the high road and deleted it. Joey and I were going to be just fine without him. In fact, we were going to be better than fine. Expelling an exasperated breath, I went right to work, organizing Gabe’s calendar for the next month and beyond. I was so into dates, times, conference calls, and webinars that I didn’t even hear Gabe come back into the office.
“Oh my God, you scared me!” I held my hand over my heart.
“Sorry.” He grinned. “I figured you might be hungry since you didn’t eat lunch.” He placed a container in front of me.
“What’s this?”
“Soup. It’s from the Jewish deli. It’s not as good as my grandmother’s, but it’s decent.”
“Matzo ball soup!” I exclaimed as I removed the lid. “I’ve never had your grandmother’s, but I’m pretty sure my friend Sylvia would give her some pretty stiff competition.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked down at the floor, letting out a slight chuckle, looking absolutely adorable in
the process.
“Are you Jewish?” I asked, hoping I didn’t come off as too prying.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Well, Joey would really love you then!”
“How come?”
“Because now she wants to be Jewish.”
He shook his head, exposing those killer dimples. “Why’s that?”
“Because Joey adores my Jewish friend, who is also her babysitter. My daughter goes through phases. When she’s around my parents for a long period of time, she starts complaining about arthritis and bursitis and every other ache and pain my mother gripes about. When she’s with the nuns at school she wants to be a nun as you’ve witnessed first-hand. Now that she’s around Sylvia...she wants to be Jewish.”
“Hey, at least she keeps her options open.” He chuckled. “So, is it as good as your friend’s?” he asked with a smirk as I took a spoonful of soup.
“Hmm...it’s good, but not as good as Sylvia’s. Sorry.”
He held up his hand. “No need to apologize.”
“Thanks so much for thinking of me.”
“Well, my motive was a little selfish. I really need to go over some things on this calendar before you put it together. So, I figured we could have a working lunch.”
“Works for me.” I smiled, taking my soup and following him into his office.
***
“So, it only took us two hours to get your next two months in order. How on earth do you manage to have a life outside of this place?” I asked, looking at the jam-packed calendar on the computer monitor.
“I don’t.”
“Well, that sucks.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “You get used to it. I made a commitment to make my business a success, and forgoing a social life is one of the things I need to sacrifice.”
I bit my bottom lip, deep in thought. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“What’s that?”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty.”
“Hmm….”
“What?”
“It may be none of my business, but you’re awfully young to be in a lifelong commitment to your job.”
