Hurricane Season

by BJ Phillips

  “As I said, I like her. We’d been running into each other in the afternoons after she gets off work. I was usually finishing a run about the time she started riding her bike. I noticed her, of course…who wouldn’t.”

  “I definitely would’ve,” Kelly said, grinning.

  “Then we started talking a little bit in passing. I guess we really got to know each other better after I hired the company she works for to do my addition. The other night when we saw you was our first actual date.”

  “Aww…and I butted in. She wasn’t swept away from you by my charms, was she?” Kelly grinned wider.

  “Oh, I don’t know, now. She did ask about you after we left.”

  “She did? What did she say?”

  “I think maybe she was trying to figure out what my friends are like before she went out with me again. I’m pretty sure she already likes you, so that’s good.”

  “Yeah? Well, let me know if it doesn’t work out with you two and maybe I’ll ask her out.”

  “Does that mean you aren’t seeing anyone right now?”

  “Yes, that’s what it means. At least no one serious, just hanging out with friends. Let’s see, I think I was with Sarah when we stopped talking. That was a long time ago. Sarah and I weren’t that serious, though. We’re still friends, but she’s living with someone. Do you remember Andi Granger? That’s who she’s with. I’m happy for her. Anyway, there hasn’t been anyone steady for any length of time since then. I’m just biding my time. The right woman is out there for me. I just know it.”

  Shawn reached into the cooler for another beer and handed one to Kelly. They both leaned their chairs back and propped their bare feet up on the porch rail. Shawn took a sip and gazed out at the front yard. “All right, how ‘bout we talk about just that? How will you know when the right woman comes along?”

  “I have a feeling I’ll just know.” Kelly stared at the top of her bottle.

  “But how will you know? Do you have a list in your head of the perfect woman’s attributes? I mean, knowing you and how much you like to eat, she’d have to be a good cook, for instance.” Shawn chuckled.

  “Very funny. I don’t need a cook. I know my way around a kitchen, as you very well know,” Kelly said. “Actually, I don’t have a picture in my head. I just know I’ll feel it in my heart. Yeah, I know I sound like someone who lives in one of those fairy tales you write, but seriously, I’ll definitely know. What about you? Since we’re now both convinced that Jen was not the woman for you, do you think you’ll know when the right one does come along?”

  “I guess so, but since I’ve already been burned, it’ll be harder. I really like Carrie, but I’m nervous about getting too involved with her.”

  “Why?”

  “She lives just down the street. What if it doesn’t work out? Then we’d still probably see each other fairly often. It could be very uncomfortable.”

  “Well, I can imagine that would be. On the other hand, what if it does work out? What if she’s the one? What then? You can’t let what-if’s ruin something before it even gets started.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m not sure I’m ready to start something serious again right now. Carrie isn’t someone you have a meaningless fling with. She’s looking for her own knight in shining armor to love her forever. She wants to live out the romance novels she reads.”

  Kelly kicked Shawn’s foot. “And look who writes those romance things.”

  “Okay, you’re right. That’s partly my fault because she loves my books and she wants to be romanced like that. She wants her ‘happy ever after’ like in one of my stories. I’m not sure I can deliver it in person. That’s a lot of pressure.”

  “Hey, do you just think that stuff comes out of thin air into your brain? Well you my friend are the biggest romantic I’ve ever known. Don’t you remember being so smitten with Tammy Brand in high school you wrote her poetry anonymously and put it through the louvers in her locker? Then there was Sheila Craft. You put a single rose on her front porch every Saturday night for a month until you realized her boyfriend was picking them up, tossing out the poems attached to them and giving them to her himself.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Well, that was then. Jen didn’t care for love poems or single roses left with notes. I don’t know what in the world I ever saw in her.”

  “I do,” Kelly said. “She was gorgeous. She flattered you. She fed your ego for a while. You liked having her on your arm when you went out. As you know, that, my friend, doesn’t last. There has to be more as you finally learned.”

  “Yeah, I know. I just don’t feel like getting kicked in the teeth again. I want to be careful this time. I just…well, I guess I just want to be sure.” Shawn took a deep breath and sighed. “Maybe I want to know for absolutely sure it’s the real thing.”

  “Well, Carrie sure seems nice. She’s very pretty. Even I can tell there’s some intelligence behind those gorgeous eyes. Does she make you laugh?”

  “Seems like we’re always laughing about something.”

  “To me, laughing together is just about the most important thing. Not to get too nosey here, but how far has it gone with her?” Kelly asked quietly.

  “Kisses. That’s all. Wow, she’s one great kisser! The first time I kissed her I wanted to keep on kissing her, but we stopped. The night of our first date, when we got back, I meant to just give her a little goodnight kiss, then it turned into more than that and I got scared and ran.”

  “Good grief. Did she act like she wanted you to stay?”

  Shawn nodded.

  “Then why did you run?”

  “I don’t know. I just suddenly felt out of control. I didn’t want to do something we might not be ready for yet. She seemed disappointed when I backed away, but she was nice about it.”

  “Sounds to me like you’re the only one not ready for something more.” Kelly paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. “And she knows who you are now.”

  “Yes, she does. She didn’t when we first got to know each other, though. She finally asked me the other night straight out. She saw that picture on the back of the one book I let them put my picture on and realized it looked a lot like me.”

  “Okay, then, at least you got to know her before she found out. She wasn’t friends with you because you’re some famous author. As you said, she liked you before she found out.”

  “Yes…she did.”

  “Well, that’s something. You know this didn’t get started like it did with Jen. Not the same thing at all. Even though I understand, you need to remember it’s been a year. She’s a very different woman, and this is an entirely different situation. You need to think of this as a new beginning.”

  “You definitely have a point. Or two, even. And I do appreciate the advice. I really do like her. Heck, she even wants to double date with you and your ‘whoever.’ What do you think? Do you have someone you can ask out? This might work better for me right now if we keep it on a lighter note with a foursome for dinner or something.”

  “Look, I’ve no problem with being your wingman on this. But you need to come to terms with how you feel about her.”

  “I know I do,” Shawn looked down at the Corona in her hand. “We can’t go on much longer like this.”

  “And she might not be patient forever. No one is that patient.” Kelly stabbed her finger in the air toward Shawn as she spoke. “You could be relegated to friend status and never find out if she really is ‘the one.’”

  “I know that, too.” Shawn let out a long sigh.

  Kelly leaned back in her chair. “Well, if I were you, I’d ask her out again. Soon.”

  Shawn rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. I will.”

  “When?” Kelly pressed her.

  Shawn looked over at her friend and smiled. “Tomorrow. I’ll ask her out tomorrow for next Saturday night. How ‘bout you, are you free?”

  Kelly grinned. “Free-er than you are, buddy. I think you’re smitten and don’t even know it yet.”

  C
hapter Fifteen

  SHAWN WATCHED FOR CARRIE’S car to go by as she went home. She got out her bike, rode down the street past Carrie’s house to be sure her car was there, and kept going. She’d planned to ride for a bit, before heading back about the time she thought Carrie might be starting out. By the time she rode down the street and around a couple of blocks and back, there was Carrie coming her way.

  Shawn raised one hand in the nonchalant wave she had practiced, trying to look like she did this all the time and stopped by the side of the road waiting for Carrie to catch up.

  “Well, look at you! Is that a new bicycle?” Carrie asked, grinning at her.

  “Yep, it sure is. You inspired me to try riding as well as running. I’m still working on my skills and not quite up to a long ride yet. I’m getting there, though. Right now, just a few blocks at a time is all I’m doing, but it’d be fun to take a longer ride one of these days… maybe together?”

  “Sure, whenever you think you’re ready. I’ll ride with you any time you like even on a shorter ride,” Carrie said. “I enjoy going by myself, but it’d be great to have someone else along sometimes. By the way, I had fun the other night.”

  “So did I. In fact, I was thinking maybe we could go out again soon. I saw Kelly last night and I told her your idea about a double date. She said she liked that idea and left it up to us to decide when and where.”

  “I’d love to. When would you like to go? Friday or Saturday nights seem to work best for me. Either night this week is good.”

  “Great…how about Saturday night then? Are you up for maybe dinner out and then something else? I don’t know what yet, we can work that out. Kelly might have some ideas, too, or if you do, just say so. Or maybe you like surprises?”

  “I love most surprises. Well, not finding a snake in the house, but I’d imagine you wouldn’t think that would be fun. So I’ll leave that to you and Kelly. I’ll wait to hear from you so I’ll know what to wear that evening. How’s that?”

  “Sounds good.” Shawn looked away then back at Carrie. “Listen, about the other night…I, um…I’m sorry I ran out like that.”

  “Not a total disaster. Really. Don’t worry about it. We can talk about it sometime soon…maybe over a nice margarita on the front porch?”

  “I would like that. Maybe tomorrow evening after dinner? Call me and I’ll get it all set up if you’re available.”

  “Will do. Well, I’d better get moving here. I’ve got a few miles to go this evening to work off a staff potluck luncheon. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Carrie pushed off on her bike and headed down the street, waving once before she turned the corner and out of sight.

  Shawn stood and watched her go. Then got back on her bike and headed down the road toward her house. Well, that wasn’t too hard. A second date and this time it’ll be a little less “date-ish” with another couple. She turned into her driveway and pulled up in front of her house. Another couple. I’m referring to us as a couple already. Don’t panic Shawn, you’ll survive. It’s just a date. A going out and having fun kind of date. You’ll be just fine.

  ***

  “So you asked her out already? Good job!” Kelly said when Shawn called her.

  “Why does this feel so junior high school-ish? That’s how I feel right now, like I’m back in junior high school asking a girl out. Good grief, we’re nearly forty. At least this time I know the girl I’m asking out won’t slap me. I guess that’s something.”

  “True. Still, you were slapped by some of the prettiest girls in school. That’s for sure.”

  “It would’ve been nicer if one of them had said yes, though. I didn’t have any kind of idea that every girl in school wouldn’t want to go out with me. I guess I had quite an inflated ego. Well, there were some lesbians in our school besides you and me, but they all seemed to be the wrong kind. I mean, nothing against us, but I don’t want to date another you or another me.”

  “Yeah, me neither,” Kelly agreed. “You know I’m not really that heavy into that butch/femme thing. On the other hand, I know what I like. And I like girls. Women, I mean. Ladies. Females who like being females. Not necessarily the dress wearing type, just the girly lingerie type under whatever they’re wearing.” She laughed. “Of course, you don’t really know that until you get to know them better.”

  “Right you are. I’m guessing Carrie is the lingerie type, but I could be wrong. At this point, it’s not something I really care about. She’s a nice person and I enjoy her company.”

  “And kissing her. You like kissing her.”

  “And kissing her, true.” Shawn sighed. “Okay, you go round up a date, and we need to figure out where to go. I told her we would come up with a surprise activity after supper.”

  “We’ll work on it. Meantime, relax, will you? Take a deep breath, for crying out loud.”

  Shawn took an exaggerated deep breath so Kelly could hear her, and then laughed. “There, how’s that?”

  “Much better. Now, what’s the next move?”

  “I invited her over for margaritas tomorrow night. She likes my margaritas. We can just sit on the porch, sip a drink, and talk.”

  “Or not.” Kelly obviously couldn’t help laughing.

  “No ‘or not’ tomorrow. Just a nice quiet evening sitting on the porch like neighbors, imbibing alcoholic drinks, and talking. That’s it.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  SHAWN WAS BUSY MIXING up a batch of margaritas when Carrie appeared at the front door. She looked up just in time to hear her holler.

  “Hey Shawn! You back there?”

  “Be right there. Take a seat out on the porch and I’ll bring us some of this concoction.”

  “Bring the pitcher,” Carrie called back.

  Shawn brought out two margarita glasses along with a good-sized pitcher of strawberry margaritas.

  “I hope you don’t mind. I put strawberries in them for something different.” She set the glasses down and began to pour the frozen pink confection into them.

  “Mind? No, not at all. I love strawberries.” Carrie lifted her glass. “So what shall we toast tonight? It seems a shame not to toast something with these great drinks in front of us.”

  “Well, let’s see. We could toast today being Wednesday. We could toast it not raining. We could toast surviving our first date and still being friends.”

  “Let’s do that. We went on our first date and we’re still friends. I like it. Here’s to first dates,” she said. She took a sip. “I like this! And here’s to the next date. ”

  “Agreed,” Shawn said, sipping her drink. “I’m glad you like these. I like to try different things, and strawberries were easy. In a bar I went to once in San Francisco, there was a whole menu of different flavors of margaritas. Their specialties were flavors like watermelon, peach, strawberry, mango, and the like. There was some exotic stuff, too, but all I can remember now were cucumber and wasabi flavors. Most of them sounded kind of gross, but some of my friends thought they were great.”

  “You know, I think I would like California,” Carrie said, gazing out into the yard. “I’ve never been there, but you always hear things about how it is.

  “California isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It really isn’t.” She shook her head slowly.

  “What do you mean? Didn’t you like it?”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty nice. In some places there are a lot more people who live their lives and don’t worry about what other people think. It’s almost like there are two different states within one. Or maybe even three.”

  “Want to explain?”

  “Well, there’s the whole LA thing. It’s basically a desert with water piped in. You know, palm trees, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, the whole movie star thing, and of course Disneyland.”

  “That’s what I always think of when I think of California. Well, except for Disneyland. We have Disney World here, so…”

  “I guess that’s probably true of most people, because of all the movies and
TV shows. I think that’s what I had in mind when I went there the first time. But then there’s the Bay Area, including San Francisco and the area around it. Totally different kind of place. Cool, foggy, and hilly. They don’t usually need an air conditioner there. Not at all like LA, where they run their air conditioning most of the year. Then there’s most of the rest of the state north of LA, which is mostly agricultural. You know, county fairs, acres of crops, and cows and all that. Of course, there are also the mountains, where the skiing is outstanding unless there’s a drought. I guess that makes four places, but it’s a lot of different places in one state, that’s for sure.”

  “But you don’t live there anymore. Besides the fact that you had a nasty breakup, you still moved away from the whole state. Why?”

  “California isn’t Florida. I think I always knew it wasn’t really home. Want to hear something funny? If you tell a Californian you’re moving to Florida, they ask if you aren’t worried about hurricanes, especially if you’re moving out here anywhere near hurricane season. If you tell a Floridian that you’re moving to California, they ask if you aren’t worried about earthquakes. You haven’t asked me about the earthquakes.”

  “Well, I think everyone has heard about earthquakes in San Francisco, especially that one during the World Series. Isn’t San Francisco supposed to fall off California and into the Pacific someday?” Carrie laughed. “Just kidding. But seriously, wouldn’t you rather take your chances with a hurricane than an earthquake?”

  “I would. At least you know a hurricane is coming and can do something about it…like either get supplies together and ride it out or get out of the way if you can’t. Earthquakes…well you never know they’re coming and they just happen. There’s no radar for them. I prefer dealing with hurricanes for sure.”

  “Me, too.” Carrie looked serious. “I have a hurricane kit at my house, including a generator. All the generator needs is gas, which I get if I see something even remotely heading this way. The last time it happened, I ended up not having to buy gas for my car for a month when one storm veered away. Better that, though, than being in long lines at the last minute.”