The Coffee Shop

by Lauren Hunter

  “I never meant it that way. You do believe me don’t you?”

  “Well…”

  “Oh, I get it, you’re trying to make me squirm just a little as payback.”

  “Maybe just a little.”

  He went back to cutting the fruit. “No, what I was going to say was it’s because you care. How many people can say that and really mean it? So many have become hardened, or desensitized, by the constant bombardment of the endless violence. And it’s to be expected. It’s become a defense mechanism to maintain our sanity.”

  “Wow. Such deep conversation and we haven’t even had breakfast yet. What could the rest of the day possibly hold?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I got a little carried away there, didn’t I?”

  “No, it’s nice to see that. Someone who still has such passion in today’s world. So many people feel drained and beaten down, there’s no room left for passion anymore.” She paused, looking at him. “It’s nice to see.”

  He couldn’t help but smile to himself, and as he finished cutting up the various fruits, he scraped them into two bowls with the knife.

  “No yogurt or cottage cheese, but I did find this.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Whole wheat bread.” Annie started searching through the cupboards.

  “Looking for this?”

  Derrick was holding out a toaster, and grinning, she took it and plugged it in. “Do you want some?”

  “Sure.” He set the bowls on the kitchen table, and sitting down, he watched Annie as she busied herself getting out the plates and buttering the toast. He could grow used to this, Annie in the kitchen making toast first thing in the morning, eating fruit salad together across from each other as they talked.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  Annie was standing before him with two plates of toast. “Like what?”

  She shook her head and set the plates down on the table. “Never mind.”

  They ate their fruit salad, crunching on their toast. Derrick watching Annie eat as he smiled across at her.

  “You’re doing it again.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Looking at me.”

  “Oh, well then I had better stop that right now.” Bringing his hand up covering his eyes, he tried to find his mouth with his fork. He missed, and a piece of apple fell into his lap.

  “You had better uncover your eyes, or your entire breakfast is going to wind up on the floor.”

  “If you insist.”

  “Actually, it’s your stomach that I think will thank me later.”

  He grinned, keeping his eyes on his bowl.

  “So, what surprises do you have in store for me today?”

  “Well, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” The way she was looking at him over her toast, from across the table, made him grateful there was a table between them just then. He chuckled to himself. “I thought we could do some cross country skiing.”

  “Oh, you did, did you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hmm. Well this is going to be interesting, to say the least.”

  “You’ve never tried it?”

  “You were there when I had the conversation about not liking the cold? Skiing would actually involve you going out and staying in it for long periods of time.”

  She was moving her hand in little circular motions as she spoke, and he found it amusing watching her explain herself in that way.

  “But you will try it, right?”

  She sighed. “I will try it.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it.”

  “That makes one of us,” she muttered.

  Putting their empty plates and bowls in the sink, Derrick rinsed them and stuck them in the dishwasher. Looking up, he saw Annie leaning against the counter watching him. “What’s that look?”

  “Oh, I was just thinking of how well your mom taught you.”

  Standing, he closed the door to dishwasher. “Did you just call me a mama’s boy?”

  Turning around, she leaned her elbows on the counter, resting her head on her hands she looked up at him thoughtfully. “I think it’s sweet.” And then she leaned toward him. “You have no idea the brownie points you earn with women when they see you do stuff like that.”

  “Did you just give away a trade secret?”

  “Well, I figured you’d tell all your male friends and then maybe they’d do it too, so it wouldn’t always be left to us.”

  “Ah ha, a conspiracy in the making.”

  “If you want to call it that. When you think about it, it’s a win-win situation. The women aren’t stuck doing the dishes, and they may just show their appreciation after.”

  “Hmm. I’ll have to remember that.”

  Standing, Annie turned to the living area. “All right, where are these skis?”

  “They’re out in the car.”

  “I’d better bundle up then.” She started for her room, but stopped, looking back. “You know, if you’d thought this out, you should have taken me to some place tropical, and then it’d be so hot I’d be forced to wear nothing but a bikini. This way all you get to see is my eyes, if you’re lucky.” She turned toward the stairs and stopped again, looking back at him. “You’re imagining me in a bikini right now, aren’t you?”

  “What? Me?”

  “Uh-huh. Nice try.”

  She nodded as she turned away and bounded up the stairs.

  After a few moments, he called up to her. “You about ready?”

  “Yep, just putting on another sweater.”

  “Good idea, it is pretty cold out there today.”

  Annie stepped into the doorway, staring down at him in the living area. “Okay, that is not the thing to tell me if you are trying to get me to go out in it.”

  “Just thought I would make it as comfortable as possible for you.”

  “Yes, well, I appreciate that. Just never bring me some place cold in the winter ever again.”

  Again? Derrick smiled and slipped on his coat. “I’ll go get the equipment out of the car.”

  “Okay.”

  Annie was in the process of wrapping her head like a mummy, leaving, as she said, only her eyes exposed to the elements. He closed the door behind him, walking to the car. Unlocking it, he pulled out everything they would need and brought it up into the house, setting the boots on the floor he leaned the skis and poles against the wall.

  Annie stood staring at the skis and poles. “Is that all of it?”

  “Were you expecting more?”

  “No, just wondering.”

  “Here are the boots. You can get those on. Oh, and not to worry, I chose everything to be compatible with both in and out of track touring.”

  “I’m sorry, in and out of what?”

  Derrick grinned. “These can be used on either terrain. Either groomed tracks or the deeper snow of the back country.”

  “Deep snow of the back country? Why do I not like the sound of that?”

  “I won’t be taking you into the backwoods, if that’s what you’re worried about. We’ll just take it easy and ski along the trails by the lake. How does that sound?”

  “Uh, okay.”

  “Don’t look so worried. It’s not hard, you just need to get into a rhythm and you’ll acquire a natural feel for it.”

  “Says the athletic man to the girl with two left feet.”

  “It’s not that hard, really it’s not.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Is that anything like, I’ll believe it when I see it?”

  “Hey, I’m going by a lifetime of experience here. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Well, I’ll make sure we take it nice and slow. How does that sound?”

  “Okay, but when we show up at the emergency room and you have a ski pole jutting out of some body part, I’ll let you do the explaining.”

  “Fair enough.” She slipped on the boots, and taking up her skis and poles, she followed him outside and down the steps to the
lakeside.

  “This should be good.” He showed her how to put the boots into the binding and handed her the poles. “Now this isn’t as hard as some people make it, if you allow yourself to glide, then it’s a lot easier. I’ll show you. Try and find your balance on the skis, go with the movement of them. What you should do is lean forward, throw your arms out in front of you, and let that carry you forward. And then pause briefly between each stride, and you will glide.”

  “Oh, is that all.”

  “It’s not hard. Here, I’ll show you, like this.”

  Derrick tried to make it look easy.

  “Of course, you’re experienced, so for you it would be easy.” She took a deep breath. “This is going to be embarrassing,” she said.

  “Don’t assume that. You don’t know.”

  “Did I mention a lifetime of experience as an uncoordinated klutz, by any chance?”

  “Just try it.”

  “All right. But you are not allowed to laugh.”

  “I wouldn’t.”

  She did as he said, leaned forward, threw her arms out, paused briefly, and stayed on her feet.

  “See, you’re a natural.” He was pleased that she picked it up so quickly.

  “If you say so.”

  “Well, I’m the expert, and I say so.”

  They skied for a time, and as they came to a tiny bridge arching up over something beneath, she hesitated.

  “Just go with the skis, Annie,” he advised

  Pushing off with her poles Annie felt the skis go out from under her, and falling backward, she felt her ankles pull back as she came down on the back of the skis. Her ankles hurt but she didn’t want to let Derrick know how much. “I’ll just take off the skis and walk back.” She pushed the button to release the boots, the way Derrick had shown her.

  “Annie, wait.”

  But she had already stepped off of the ski, her foot sinking into the snow up to her hip.

  “I was going to tell you the snow is deep here.”

  “Hmm, yes, I can see that.” Struggling to get back up on to the skis, she stood, using her poles to balance her, and then slipped her boots back into the bindings. “I think I’ll head back now, if you don’t mind.”

  “Sure, okay.”

  She didn’t say anything as she didn’t want him to see how much discomfort she was in. She moved slowly, and he followed along behind. They got to the house, and she turned to Derrick.

  “I’m just going to go soak in a nice hot bath for a while to warm up, if that’s okay?”

  “Sure, take as long as you need. Relax, take it easy. That’s what this whole trip is supposed to be all about. I’ll take care of the equipment. You don’t worry about a thing.”

  “Thanks, Derrick, I appreciate it.” Climbing the stairs was harder than she expected. Slipping into the tub, she leaned back closing her eyes against the world. Derrick had been attentive and patient, unlike other men that had tried to show her how to do things. They always gave up on her in frustration, leaving her to feel useless and hopeless, abandoning her in the end. Letting herself drift, she relaxed into the comforting warmth of the water.

  “Annie? You all right?”

  “What?” She sat forward in the water. She had fallen asleep, and looking around for a clock, she didn’t see one. “Yeah, I’m fine. I must have dozed off.”

  “Okay. I can make us some lunch, if you like. How about a hot cocoa to start?”

  “That sounds wonderful. Yes, I’d love that, thank you.”

  “All right then. I’ll see you in a bit?”

  “Okay.” For some reason, just the idea of him making her hot cocoa made her feel like crying. The simple act of him doing something so thoughtful and sweet just reached into her heart and gripped it full force. Wow, you really do need to get out more. She laughed at herself, not wanting to think about it, and yet not being able to think of anything else. Pulling the plug from the tub, she leaned forward and stood. “Ah!” Her ankles were hurting her so much she was having a hard time standing.

  Oh great. Nice going, Annie. You really do know how to ruin a perfectly wonderful weekend…Okay, just take this slow and easy, use the tub and your arms for support, and you should be fine.

  Slowly leaning forward she shifted her weight onto her feet. “See, that’s not so bad.” Using her arms she pushed herself up, and gripping the edges of the tub, she lifted first one and then the other leg out onto the bathmat next to the tub. Grabbing a towel from the rack, she laid it across the chair just there and sat on it. Reaching for another towel, she drew its plush softness up to her face, holding it there as she breathed slowly in and drew it down her body, patting herself dry. She didn’t want to move, and she took her time, picking up her body lotion, she massaged it all over. “Well, you’ve delayed this long enough.” Slipping her feet slowly into her slippers, she held the arms of the chair as she pushed herself up into a standing position. “There, I knew you could do it.” Grabbing the bathrobe off the back of the door, she slipped it on one arm and then the other, tying it around her waist.

  “Okay, now, clothes.” She opened the door, and walking slowly across the floor to the bed she sat on its edge. Looking at the clothes she had cast off earlier, she reached for them.

  There was a rap at the door. “Your hot cocoa is ready.”

  “Thanks, I’ll be right down.”

  There was a pause. “You sure you’re all right?”

  “Why do you keep asking me that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I can hear something in your voice.”

  “In my voice? What are you, part dog or something?”

  Derrick chuckled. “There might be a girl from college that may just agree with you on that.” Again there was a pause. “May I come in?”

  “Actually, I was about to get dressed.”

  “So, you’re saying you’re not decent?”

  “No, I’m wearing a bathrobe.”

  “Well good, because I’m coming in.”

  “No, Derrick…” But he had already opened the door, and setting her cup aside, he came over and stood before her as she sat on the bed.

  “Okay, now I know something’s wrong. Annie, why didn’t you tell me how bad you hurt yourself?”

  “It’s not that bad. I’m not about to make a big deal out of nothing.”

  “You don’t need to be brave for me. If anything it’s really important that you be as honest as you can, with both yourself and me about this. I don’t want you doing any more damage because you are trying to force yourself to do something you shouldn’t be.”

  “All right, I’ll admit, my ankles are a little sore. I must have stretched the muscles or something.”

  “It looks like they are a lot more than a little sore.”

  “Well you know what they say. A sprain is a lot more painful than a break. Although that would obviously depend on the break. But I’ve sprained something, and I’ve broken something, and I’d have to agree with that assessment, the sprain was much more painful. But as far as that goes this isn’t even that bad.”

  “Pain is our body’s way of telling us we are hurt.” Derrick looked concerned.

  “You do realize you sound like Mr. Rogers?”

  “Those people that feel you have to be in pain to accomplish something…” He shook his head.

  “Well, I’ll agree with you on that score.”

  “If they hurt, you need to stay off them. You don’t want to make it worse.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Well, look at it this way, by using them while they’re sore, you will probably lengthen the time it takes for them to heal.”

  The idea of experiencing what she was now, for any longer than she absolutely had to, was not an appealing concept, to say the least. “I’ll try to take it as easy as I can.”

  “Try?”

  “Well I am not going to spend the remainder of the weekend in this bed.”

  “No need.”

  “What are
you saying?”

  Before she had a chance to reply, Derrick had slipped one arm beneath her knees, the other around her back and under her arms.

  “Whoa! What are you doing?”

  “Well, I would have thought that was obvious.”

  “Oh, you have to be kidding me.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “You are not serious.”

  “Completely.”

  “What? So, you’re going to carry me everywhere?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Oh now that’s just too much!”

  He was already lifting her into his arms as though she was nothing, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her out the door and onto the balcony. He was wearing a sweater, but she could still feel his taut and rippling muscles beneath it. The muscles in his arms flexed against her as he carried her carefully down the stairs. The heat from his body reached through her bathrobe as she held her face close to his, the scent of soap and aftershave wafting up around her as he grasped her tightly to him. Setting her on the sofa next to the fire, he turned his face to hers. For a moment they just stayed like that, holding each other, their lips close as his eyes moved down her face to her mouth.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Uh-hmm.”

  He made sure her feet were elevated out before her upon the sofa cushions, and disappearing briefly, he returned with a down comforter that he pulled up across her legs.

  “You don’t need to go to all this trouble on my account.”

  “I was the one that pushed you to go skiing, so I can be the one to take care of you when you are hurt as a result of it. It is no trouble whatsoever. If I can manage to singlehandedly navigate one of the biggest mergers in corporate history, I think I can manage this.”

  “You did what?”

  “Oh, I’m going to have to ask you not to repeat that to anyone. No one is supposed to know that. It was part of the agreement.”

  “Why?”

  “Well that’s just it. I can’t say. I’ve already said too much.”

  “Hmm…corporate merger…looking after a human being…yeah that’s the same thing.”