by Aj Harmon
Shelby had arrived in the ER of the Portland hospital Katy had worked in four years before. She’d been raped and beaten, almost to death, by her mother’s boyfriend. He was serving a life sentence in prison and Shelby was off to Boston to live the life of a college freshman. How time had changed things for her. And how Katy was glad she’d become a part of this amazing girls’ life.
Mark, Katy’s husband, had offered to pay for Shelby’s college. Shelby lived with her grandmother on a small farm and while her needs were met, there would never be enough money for a good education. Shelby had become a part of their family and paying for her college was of little consequence to his bank balance.
She’d squealed with delight and thrown her arms around his neck last summer when she’d visited them for a few weeks during her school break as Katy and Mark had offered her the chance at college. She told them she wouldn’t let them down and then had cringed when she realized she needed more than four years to become a psychiatrist. Mark had told her he didn’t care how many years it took. They would pay for her schooling and she should stop worrying about it. Mark told her that is was a noble choice to want to help others as someone had helped her.
So here Katy was, a year later, spending a couple of weeks with Shelby, making sure she was settled and had everything she needed. Katy was secretly thrilled that Shelby had picked a university so close to Manhattan. She could visit on weekends and spring break. Sitting in her hotel room after a long day of shopping for the dorm room, Katy sat in her robe, her hair in a towel and called her husband.
“I miss you,” he whined into the phone.
Katy chuckled. “I miss you too. I’ll be back in a few days.”
“I know, but I’m lonely.”
“You’re horny!” she laughed.
“Well that too,” he admitted. “I miss your face being the first thing I see in the morning.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” he smiled.
“You should spend some time with your brothers.”
“Matt and Janie left for the Bahamas this morning,” Mark sighed.
“You have five more, you know,” Katy laughed.
“Yeah, I know.”
So that afternoon, before he left the office, he called David to see if he wanted to stop and get a drink.
“Love to,” David replied.
“Great! The Emerald at six?”
“See you then.”
*****
Lindsey worked six days a week. On her day off, she cleaned her apartment and spent time with Trudy. She fixed the glitch in her food costs at Aaron’s after hours and hours of tedious searching and created a few new signature dishes to add to the menu. She competed on a Food Network show and won ten thousand dollars that she donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and when Aaron told her he was purchasing some space from the Lathem’s to open a new restaurant, she offered her help in any capacity he needed. Professionally, she was on fire. Privately, she was a mess.
She’d told herself a million times that she was too old to be heartbroken from an unrequited love. She hadn’t been in middle school for a very long time, after all. The less time she gave her mind to wander the better off she was. But every so often she found herself sitting on the bed staring at her sketch of a homeless man huddled in a doorway.
There wouldn’t be another David Lathem. Not for her anyway.
*****
David met Mark at The Emerald and they sat at the bar and ordered a drink. Mark told him all about Katy’s trip to Boston. David had met Shelby several times over the past few years. She’d come to visit many times and had been at several family events.
“I bet Katy is in her element,” David chuckled.
“Yep!” Mark grinned. “Shelby will have the most decked out dorm room on campus.”
They talked about the real estate world and what building Mark was trying to buy next.
“Well, with Matt and Janie’s house in the Bahamas, I told him we should be buying property there so that all the trips could be tax deductible,” Mark chuckled. “But I’m scoping out a couple of apartment buildings in Singapore. Katy and I will be heading down there next month to check them out in person.”
“Nice!”
“How ‘bout you? Work going well?”
David told him all about Lou and Mark could sense the pride.
“You could have an amazing career selling your work,” Mark told him.
“I don’t need the attention, the scrutiny, or the money. But I’ll be happy to draw you anything you want,” David offered.
Mark slapped him on the back. “Thanks. I may take you up on that.”
“My pleasure. Anytime.”
The bartender appeared in front of them. “Can I get you another?” she asked smiling at the brothers.
“Nothing for me, thanks,” Mark replied.
“And for you, cutie?” she asked David.
“Nah, I’m good,” he shook his head.
“Then how about I give you my number?” she winked.
David looked up, eyes wide, and shook his head. “Thanks, but no.” He pulled out a twenty dollar bill and left it on the bar.
“Ready?” he asked Mark.
As they walked to the door Mark was astounded. “She’s damn hot! Are you blind?”
David shrugged. “Not interested.”
“You’re insane,” Mark muttered.
“When does Katy get back?” David changed the subject.
“Not for a few more days.”
“Wanna get dinner tomorrow night?”
“Sure. Aaron’s?”
“Great! See you then.”
They parted ways and Mark hailed a cab. He was going to go back to the office for a bit and get ahead of some work. When Katy got home, he wanted a few days to let her know how much he missed her, and that would mean not leaving their apartment.
It was a beautiful summer evening so David decided to walk. The streets were alive and he enjoyed the smells wafting from each restaurant he passed. By the time he got near his apartment, his stomach was rumbling with hunger.
He turned into the doorway of his favorite Indian restaurant. Mrs. Punjari welcomed him with a big smile.
“Mr. Lathem! It has been a long time. Welcome!”
“I’ve been learning to cook for myself,” he beamed, obvious pride in his voice.
“Good for you. But you were our best customer,” she teased.
“Well, I don’t know how to cook anything like what you guys make, so you’ll still be seeing me,” he smiled.
He placed his order and pulled his credit card from his wallet.
“Where is the nice lady you brought with you last time?”
“Umm, Lindsey? I don’t know where she is. I guess at work.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Punjari frowned. “I thought that you two…well…it looked that you were…never mind.” She turned and walked the piece of paper she’d written his order on into the kitchen.
David wandered to the window and sat on the stool. That was a good day. He remembered Lindsey showing him how to make the pavlovas for Sunday dinner. They’d talked about everything; from favorite movies to Lindsey’s father going to prison before she was born. She’d never met the man. They’d talked about religion and politics and global warming and its’ effect on farming.
He remembered the way she always pushed her hair behind her right ear. The left side she let hang. He thought about her eyes. They were hazel and bewitching. He’d caught himself staring into them on many an occasion. As he sat waiting for his food, he thought about how much he missed his cooking lessons. But it wasn’t the cooking he missed…it was Lindsey.
Mrs. Punjari was yelling at him. “Mr. Lathem? Are you okay?”
“Ah, fine,” he muttered as he stood and walked to the counter. She handed over the sack of food and David smiled and headed home to eat.
*****
“I think the lines of our professional and personal relationship are a bi
t blurred here,” David said as he looked up at Audrey standing in front of his desk, her hands on her hips.
“Don’t change the subject,” Audrey snapped.
“I’m not!” David stood and stretched. “I am not in any relationship with Lou except professional. And I occasionally help out her dad when he needs something. Fine! We’re friends, but that’s all. I don’t know why you think there’s anything more.”
“Because Lindsey was telling me that Lou had shown up at your apartment a couple of times during your cooking lessons and had called several times on your cell phone.”
“She lives a couple of blocks away, that’s all. Why are you talking to Lindsey?”
“We’ve become friends,” Audrey shrugged.
“So why are the two of you talking about me? And Lou?”
“You really are clueless, David,” Audrey sighed.
*****
Mark was already at Aaron’s when David walked in. He made his way through the maze of tables and slunk into a chair opposite his brother.
“What’s up with you?” Mark asked. “You look like you’ve had a shitty day.”
“Audrey!” David shook his head and frowned. “The woman’s on crack or something.”
“Why?” Mark was curious.
“She keeps asking me about my relationship with Lou. I keep telling her there isn’t one, but she doesn’t believe me. And today she’s telling me how she and Lindsey have been talking and Lindsey’s telling her that Lou showed up at my apartment and Audrey’s all in my face about it.”
“You and Audrey had a thing in college right?”
“Yeah, but it was quick and doomed from the start.”
“Well, is she not over it?”
David looked confused. “Huh?”
“Does Audrey still have a thing for you?” Mark questioned.
“Hell no,” David exclaimed. “No.”
Mark shrugged. “Well, I don’t claim to understand women.”
“Me either,” David agreed.
The waitress arrived and placed a glass of ice water in front of David. Mark already had one.
“Can I get you something from the bar?” she smiled, as she handed them each a menu.
They each ordered a beer and scanned through the menu. The waitress returned with their drinks and took their orders. As David was handing her back the menu, a movement to his left caught his eye. He slowly turned to see Lindsey leaning on the back of a chair, chatting with some diners a few tables over.
*****
Since there was nothing better to do on a Friday night, Lindsey stayed at work. She’d spent the whole day at The Bourbon, so at five o’clock she changed out of her dirty apron and jeans and into something a little nicer and headed over to Aaron’s. She’d spend the evening in the dining room observing service and chatting with the loyal customers.
There were thousands of restaurants in New York City and so Lindsey considered it a great compliment when customers chose hers for a meal. She had trained her staff to consider each guest as if they were the only ones there; that they should feel as though their experience was more important to the staff than any of the other customers. And it had paid off. Over the years they had developed a loyal group of regulars, who in rain, shine, snow, or hurricane, would show up a few times a month. The hostess was a keeper. She knew all the regulars by name and made sure to let Lindsey know who was where so she could stop and say hello. It was a treat to have the Executive Chef come and welcome you.
That’s what she was doing now. Libby, the hostess, was discreetly pointing out the regulars and writing their names on paper so Lindsey could treat them like royalty. The orders were always bigger and the tips always higher. The staff actually enjoyed having her there.
She was talking to the Norman family. They were real estate brokers and were bringing their two adult daughters into the family business now that they had both finished college. The oldest daughter was also engaged to one of their top agents, Mr. Norman was telling her. She tried to concentrate but the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Trying to make her escape, she offered a complimentary bottle of champagne for the family to celebrate the engagement. Lindsey called over their waiter and had him deal with the champagne so she could go splash some water on her face. She was flushed and not sure why.
As Lindsey navigated her way around some of the departing guests, she stopped mid-step and looked into David’s dark eyes. He smiled. Her heart stopped momentarily and she had to grab the back of a nearby chair to steady herself. He caught her completely off guard.
14.
“Hi,” he smiled as he stood. Mark stood up beside him.
“Hello,” Lindsey nodded. “Thank you for choosing Aaron’s tonight.”
“I’m not allowed to go anywhere else,” Mark chuckled.
“I’m sorry?” Lindsey looked confused.
“Lindsey, this is my brother Mark. Mark, Lindsey.”
They shook hands and said hello.
“Mark and Aaron have been friends since high school,” David explained.
“Oh, right. I think I’ve heard Aaron say that.”
“I love this place anyway. Friends or not,” Mark smiled.
“Thank you for the flowers. You didn’t have to do that,” Lindsey told David.
“I know. I wanted to. I wanted to do something to say thank you.”
Lindsey attempted a smile. “Well, enjoy your dinner. David.” And she hurried back toward the kitchen doors.
“What’s the deal with you two?” Mark said as he returned to his chair.
“Deal? No deal.”
“Bullshit!” Mark scoffed.
“There was so much electricity in the air I’m surprised this place didn’t burst into flames.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you sleep with her?”
“NO!”
Mark looked at his brother. “You’ve got to be shitting me?”
“What? I seriously have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You. Are. A. Moron.”
“You know I can go to work and be abused. I don’t have to sit here and take it from you,” David whined.
“David. There’s totally a thing between you. Are you blind?”
“You think?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Really?”
“Really. She’s into you.”
“Huh.”
*****
Lindsey hid in the back of the house for the rest of the night. She hoped they’d just eat quickly and leave. Every now and then, she’d slide up to the window in the door and see if they were still there.
Finally, she saw Mark stand and walk towards the front of the restaurant. Lindsey breathed a sigh of relief and after a couple of minutes headed back out into the dining room to schmooze with the late diners.
As she weaved her way through the tables, the hair on the back of her neck once again stood at attention and Lindsey swung her head to see David leaning back in his chair, his eyes following her. He lazily smiled as their eyes locked.
Lindsey continued to the front of the dining room and briefly spoke to Libby who shook her head. The regulars had all left. So she turned and headed back to David. She couldn’t be obviously rude after all.
“I thought you’d left?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I was waiting for you?”
“Me?” she croaked.
“I’d like to take you to dinner tomorrow night.”
“You would?” she smiled.
“I would.”
“What about Lou?” A slight wrinkle appeared across her forehead.
He frowned. “She’s in Los Angeles.”
“Oh.”
“Well?”
“I guess dinner would be fine.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Seven,” she repeated.
David stood and closed the gap between them. “Seven,” he said and kissed her on the cheek. And then he
walked between the guests to the front door and was gone.
*****
The charcoal in his hand seemed to move without any effort on his part. The lines and shadows just appeared on the paper as David sat in his studio. Her face when she’d said those two words, You would?, had captured him completely. “I’m an idiot,” he muttered to himself as his hand continued at lightning speed, creating the image in front of him. “But no longer.”
In no time at all he dropped the charcoal and wiped his hands on the towel hanging on the side of his desk. She was on the paper; those hazel eyes that haunted his dreams; the long hair that he longed to reach out and touch; lips that he realized he wanted, no, needed to taste.
Over the past few years he’d cut himself off from women so well that when the perfect woman for him stood right in front of him, he didn’t see it. He’d been falling for her slowly over the past few months and it had taken Mark’s keen eye to wake him up to his own feelings.
“Yeah, I’m an idiot.”
David stood and critiqued his work. He’d captured her perfectly on paper. Now he had to capture the rest of her.
*****
Lindsey had had the same argument with herself most of the day. ‘What about Lou?’ ‘Is this a good idea?’ ‘Should I call and cancel?’
But at five o’clock, after spending several hours at the restaurants, she was home and showering – the lingering question of shaving her legs filled her mind.
After blow drying her hair and tweezing her eyebrows, she sat on the edge of her bed and lathered herself in lotion. How long has it been? she asked herself. How long since I was asked to dinner? She tried to remember back. It had been a long time.
“It’s not really a date though is it?” she muttered to herself. “I mean, he has a girlfriend!”
The thought smothered her in a dark cloud, making it hard to get excited about going out, even though it was with David.
“I’ll go and have a nice dinner and some good conversation,” she told herself. “It’ll be fun. Yes. It’ll be fun. He’s a good friend.”
She put on a matching bra and panty set. Not because she expected anyone but her to be seeing them, but because sometimes it was fun to have an excuse to get dressed up. And if she felt confident underneath her clothes, maybe that confidence would seep out to the rest of her.
