I Take This Woman

by Chamein Canton

  “You, too,” they echoed as he walked out of the store.

  “Do you know who that was, Debbie?”

  “He said his name was Sam, but he’s not from around here.”

  “I’d say he isn’t. That was Sam Best. He’s the football player who dumped his fiancée and now she’s suing him.”

  “Oh, my God,” Debbie said with her mouth agape. “So that’s why he looked so familiar. I wonder who he was buying flowers for.”

  “That’s a good question.”

  The two women watched through the window as Sam got into the car with the flowers. Meanwhile, Sam was on his iPhone searching for stores stocking the other things he needed. After locating a wine store, he put the car into gear.

  Chapter 20

  “How about this?” Abby said as she held up a red Oxford shirt. “I think this is a gorgeous color on you and it goes with the Valentine’s theme.”

  “I like it, too, Mom.” Justin sat on his bed in his practice clothes.

  “Are you going to wear a tie? I’m pretty sure I packed the new ties in your bag when you were home for the holidays. Are they in the back of the closet?”

  “I can pick my own tie, Mom.”

  “I know. I’m just trying to help.”

  Justin got up and went over to the closet where Abby was. “And I love you for it, Mom,” he said as he hugged her. “But you’re killing me. I have to shower and get ready.”

  “Oh? Is that a not-so-subtle hint?”

  “It’s just that after three practice games I stink and I want to get out of these clothes.”

  “Okay. Are you sure it’s not because you don’t want me to meet the young lady you’re going with?”

  “I’m not taking anyone to the dance. I’m going stag.”

  “It’s good to keep your options open.” She laughed. “Before I leave I want you to know that you’ll be having dinner with me at the cottage tomorrow evening.”

  “What are we having?”

  “How does seafood bisque, French bread and chocolate chip cookies for dessert sound?”

  “It sounds like what time is dinner.”

  “That’s my boy.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll let you get ready now. Have a good time and take at least one picture for me.”

  “I will and Happy Valentine’s Day, Mom.”

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, Justin. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Five minutes later, Abby was in her car. She reflected on the day she’d spent with Justin. She hadn’t seen any of the overt aggressive behavior Mr. Baines referred to. Never one to be naïve, she knew Justin was on his best behavior with her there. She turned the car’s ignition on and pulled away. She needed to make a stop before she went back to the cottage.

  ***

  Card in hand, Abby walked into the dimly lit cottage.

  “Sam?” She called.

  “I’m in here.” He answered.

  Abby followed the sound of his voice to the living room. There on the floor Sam had laid out a romantic picnic spread of oysters, strawberries, whipped cream and champagne. The roses were placed in the center of the aphrodisiacs along with a few votive candles to complete the atmosphere.

  “I see you kept yourself busy while I was out.”

  “Yes I did. Happy Valentine’s Day.” He smiled and went over to kiss her. “May I take your coat?”

  “Yes.” She said as he helped her slip out of it. “This is wonderful. Are you saying you managed to slip through town unnoticed?”

  “I wore my cap and dark sunglasses so I wouldn’t be recognized.”

  “In that case, Happy Valentine’s Day to you,” she said as she handed him a card. “It’s not two dozen roses or a Cartier pen, but it is from my heart.”

  “What more could I ask for?” He kissed her. “Shall we sit down to our little indoor picnic?”

  “Yes.”

  Sam and Abby sat down.

  “Look at all these goodies.” Abby grinned. “The flowers are gorgeous. How did you manage to get roses on Valentine’s Day?”

  “I had a little help from cupid.” He winked. “Would you like some champagne?”

  “Yes.”

  When Sam pulled the bottle out of the ice bucket, Abby’s eyes widened.

  “You bought a bottle of Cristal?”

  “Actually I bought two bottles. The other one is still in the fridge.” He said as he poured two glasses of champagne. “Here you go.”

  Abby took the glass. “Thanks.”

  “Here’s to the beginning of what I hope will be many more Valentine’s Days together.” He raised his glass.

  “I’ll drink to that.”

  They locked arms and took a few sips.

  “Oh this is heavenly.” Abby closed her eyes.

  Sam put his glass down. “Would you like a strawberry?”

  “Sure.”

  Sam took a strawberry and dipped it in the whipped cream. Just as he put it to her lips the whipped cream dripped near her cleavage. “Oops, let me get that.” Sam leaned in and licked the cream off. “Mmm, I think this is sweeter than the berry.” He continued to lick.

  “I’m pretty sure you should have gotten it all by now.”

  “I’m just being thorough.”

  As Sam continued to kiss her, he unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it off. The picnic forgotten and their clothes quickly thrown aside, Abby and Sam explored the depths of passion once more. Her shyness a distant memory, Abby’s skin tingled as Sam kissed her stomach and every inch of her curves. Her soft, supple skin was as smooth as ice cream, and, though Sam intended to move to the bedroom, he was ready for a double scoop right then and there.

  As the intensity continued to rise, they held on to each other tightly as their bodies rocked to the point of sweet satisfaction.

  ***

  Later on Sam and Abby moved their picnic to the bedroom.

  Abby watched as Sam slurped down an oyster. “The oysters are good, aren’t they?”

  “Yes. I didn’t know you could get good seafood in a supermarket. I learned something new today.”

  “You’re never too old.” She smiled.

  “Speaking of learning, how was your appointment?”

  “Overall I’d say it was pretty good.”

  “I hear a ‘but’ coming,” Sam leaned back.

  “I don’t want to talk about it. We’re having a lovely evening and I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “We’ll have many more lovely evening. Go ahead and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Abby put her champagne glass down. “The headmaster told me that Justin has been a little more aggressive during P.E. and lacrosse practice.”

  “How aggressive?”

  “He left a few marks on a fellow student during intramural wrestling.”

  “Oh, boy,” he sighed. “You think this has something to do with his father, don’t you?”

  “Yes. This incident happened about the same time J.J. and Beebe’s divorce took a very acrimonious and public turn, but J.J. won’t accept that he played a part in this.”

  “You called J.J.?”

  “Yes. I dialed him the minute I left the headmaster’s office. I told him that he needed to have a father son talk with Justin. The problem is when it comes to communicating with Justin he’d rather buy him something instead. To him that solves everything.”

  Sam was troubled by the look of worry on Abby’s face. “I don’t know if you think it would help, but I could talk to him. I’m not his father, but maybe he’ll open up to another guy.”

  “You would do that?”

  “Sure.”

  “He’s coming here tomorrow for dinner.” She paused. “We’d have to hide your stuff so he won’t see it.”

  “I can throw my bag under the bed.”

  “Listen to me, if I’m not the pot calling the kettle black. I chastised J.J. for not talking to Justin and I’m just as bad.”

  “I don’t have any objection to you telling your son about
us.”

  “There really is an ‘us’? This isn’t just a fluke? A lost weekend?”

  “This isn’t a fluke. There is an ‘us.’ I’ll shout it from the top of the Empire State Building. I’ll even call a press conference and announce it to the world. It doesn’t matter to me who knows.”

  “I love the sentiment, but you can’t do that.”

  “Why? I wasn’t married to Maria. I’m free to move on to another relationship.”

  “That might be true, but she is suing you over a broken engagement. If you announce that you’ve moved on with me you will be playing right into her and her lawyer’s hands. You have to time this carefully.”

  “The fact is she’s going to be upset whether I wait three weeks or three months. So why not do it?”

  “You don’t want to detonate your life. And then there’s the fact that it would kill Reggie. She paused when a thought hit her. “That reminds me, did you call him?”

  “Yes I did.” He took another sip from his glass.

  “What did he say?”

  “The gist of it was that he’s waiting for me to come back on Sunday to work on a plan to handle everything that’s exploded in the last week.”

  “Oh boy,” she sighed. “Reggie’s another person I have to talk to.”

  “Why?”

  “We’ve been friends for thirty-five years. I think I owe it to him to tell him the truth just like Justin.”

  “We can tell Reggie together.”

  “Okay.” She still looked worried.

  “Now that’s enough of that. This is supposed to be a romantic night.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Good, so you’ll bring Justin here for dinner. I will meet him and you can decide if you want to tell him or not. Either way I’ll have someone to toss a ball around with for a little while.”

  Abby laughed.

  He reached over and dipped a strawberry in whipped cream. “Now open wide.”

  “Are you sure you’re going to get in it my mouth this time?”

  “Of course.” He smiled.

  Abby opened her mouth and as soon as the berry entered her mouth she felt a dollop of whipped cream land on her breast, again.

  Sam smiled. “Looks like I’ve got a clean up on aisle B.”

  “That’s aisle triple D to you.” Abby laughed.

  “Lucky me,” Sam said as he leaned in for the clean up.

  Chapter 21

  Abby smiled as she watched Justin load the groceries into the car. Her day had begun early and was filled with classroom tours, parents’ meetings and even more campus tours, so she was grateful that she didn’t have to lug bags around.

  “That’s the last of it.” Justin said as he closed the car door.

  “Great.” Abby said as she climbed into the driver’s seat.

  Justin climbed in and closed his door. “Can I drive? I have my permit.”

  “Maybe next time,” Abby turned the ignition and pulled out of the space.

  Justin stared at Abby while she drove.

  “What? Do I have something on my face?” She asked as she blindly wiped the corners of her mouth. “I know I tried those turnovers in the store. Are there crumbs on my face?”

  “No. You’re fine.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “You’re wearing your hair down and you’ve got jeans and boots on.”

  “The theme for today was casual and comfortable. There was no way I was going to put on a pair of Jimmy Choos to walk around campus. My feet and my back would revolt. You don’t like it?”

  “Actually I think it’s great.”

  “Good,” she smiled wide.

  “So what’s this surprise you have for me?”

  “Patience never was your strong point. We’ll be at the cottage in just a few minutes.”

  “Mom…”

  “You’ll live,” she quipped.

  A few minutes later, Abby turned into the driveway for the cottage. Sam stood in the driveway.

  “There’s your surprise,” Abby said and pointed.

  “Who’s that?”

  As the car got closer, Justin’s mouth dropped. “Mom, is that Sam Best?”

  “Surprise,” she grinned as she parked next to Sam’s Mercedes and turned the car off.

  Suddenly Justin kissed her on the cheek and burst out of the car.

  Wow he’s a strapping young man and he has the same warm grin as his mom. Sam thought as he walked over with his hand extended. “Hello, Justin. I’m Sam. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You’re Sam Best.” Justin fawned.

  “Yes I am. At least I was the last time I checked.” He smiled.

  “This is so cool, Mom.”

  “I know. Sam is joining us for dinner. So if you’d be kind enough to bring the groceries in the kitchen for me I’ll get dinner started and the two of you can hang out.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.” Justin turned and opened the back door to unload.

  “I’ll give you a hand.” Sam added.

  Sam and Justin unloaded and unpacked the groceries while Abby changed clothes and put her hair up in a loose bun.

  “Wow that was fast.” She said as she entered the room.

  “We aim to please.” Sam gave her a sly wink. “Do you want to head out now?”

  “Sure.” Justin said enthusiastically.

  “Have fun.” Abby said then watched as they left the kitchen. He looks happy. Maybe he’ll open up to Sam. She put her apron on.

  Once they were outside, Sam went to his car. “I think I have a ball in here.” He rummaged around his trunk. “Here we go.” He tossed the ball to Justin.

  “Cool.”

  Sam closed the trunk and Justin tossed the ball back to him.

  “Okay. Go long.” Sam assumed the passing stance he was known for and threw the ball.

  Justin ran and made the catch. “Got it!”

  “Touchdown!” He yelled.

  Sam and Justin continued to play catch and talk for a while before Sam stopped.

  “Time,” he called. “How about we take a walk?”

  “Sure.”

  They started down the path to the pond.

  “You’ve got a pretty good arm.”

  “Thanks.” Justin smiled.

  “You really have a nice spin on the ball. Who taught you to throw? I know your mom is a smart woman and can probably do anything, but somehow I don’t see her with a football in her hands.”

  “You’ve got that right.” Justin laughed. “As kids my uncles used to play every weekend, so they taught me the finer points of football.”

  “They did a good job.”

  “I think so, too.” Justin was quiet for a moment. “Who taught you to throw?”

  “My dad taught me. I think I must have been about four years old when he first put a football in my hands.”

  “Are you going to write about that in your book?”

  “Yes. In fact it was your mom who helped me see that my football story really began long before I ever stepped onto a field. It’s started with a boy and his dad.”

  “That’s great that you have a lot of good memories with your dad.”

  “I think so, too, and I know there are more good ones to come.” He paused. “What about you and your dad?”

  “My father wasn’t into tossing a ball around.”

  “He’d take you to play hoops instead.”

  “He took me a few times that I can remember.” He looked down at his feet. “But I’m not really into basketball.”

  “Your mom says you play lacrosse and baseball. What positions do you play, respectively?”

  “I’m a defenseman for lacrosse and I’m the left fielder for the baseball team.”

  “Nice. You’re mom says you’re pretty good at both.”

  “Of course she’d say that, she’s my mother. There’s some kind of unwritten law about that in the mom code.”

  Sam laughed. “But you do enjoy it, don’t you?”r />
  “Yeah I like it a lot. All the practice can get to be a pain, but it’s fun.”

  “My father always said if you play for fun every game is a win, even if you didn’t win.”

  Justin nodded.

  “But winning is awful nice though.” Sam’s said in a Texas drawl.

  “I hear that,” Justin laughed. “So you and your dad are close?”

  “Yes. He has a good relationship with my brothers and me. What about you and your dad? Are you close?”

  “I love my dad and I know he loves me, but I can’t say that we’re close.”

  They stopped in front of the pond.

  “Does that bother you?”

  “No.”

  Sam looked at him.

  “Okay. It bothers me, but not as much as it used to.” He exhaled. “It seems like he’s more interested in everything else but me.”

  “I’m sure he’s very interested in you. Maybe he doesn’t know how to show you.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” he picked up a twig.

  “I don’t have any children, but I know that being a parent is a hard job and there’s no manual or game plan. Every parent has to figure it out.”

  “I know that my dad is a great guy. He raises money for sick kids and donates money to build playgrounds and after-school programs for low-income neighborhoods. Then he goes and cheats on my mother with Beebe, and then he marries her and cheats on her with another woman. I mean it’s crazy. He’s his own news cycle.”

  “He’s flawed, like all of us. Except his flaws make for good copy,” Sam shook his head. “Take it from me, I know.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I totally forgot.”

  “Don’t worry about it. In fact I wish more people would forget. This way I could just get on with my life. I’m sure your dad feels that way, too.”

  “Maybe,” he shrugged.

  “Have you tried talking to him man to man? You are old enough to do that.”

  “My dad would rather buy me crap than talk.”

  “Then tell him that you want the most priceless gift he can give, his time.”

  “You have a point. Maybe he’d stop treating me like a little kid who can be silenced with a trip to the ice cream shop. Or better yet, he’d stop making my mom be the bearer of all news.”

  “I bet that’s frustrating.”