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John
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"You want a snack, Mor?" I asked as my daughter settled at the kitchen table to do her homework.
We had a strict do your homwork first thing after school policy, so our evenings were with usually the same. Amora would walk the two blocks from her school to mine, we'd ride home togther, and she'd do her homework while I make dinner. After, she usually caught up with one of her friends while I graded papers or worked on lesson plans, and before bed we'd watch a couple episodes of whatever show we were binge-watching.
Currently, we were on 'Heartland' which we both were loving.
"Sure," Amora replied with a half shrug as she started on her math worksheet.
I smiled at the back of her head, thinking how great it was that we were finally in a place where we were both content, and my daughter was happy.
Kayla's abandonment had hit us both hard, and Kayla had taken quite a while to recover. I'd spent many nights holding her while she cried herself to sleep. It was hard for me, a thirty-year-old man, to understand why my wife of nine years had left without looking back. It was impossible for our eight-year-old daughter to comprehend.
She went from having her mom drive her to gymnastics, help her with her homework, and laugh with her over 'Girl Meets World', to listening to her mother tell her she needed a live of her own, then walk out the door.
I swear, if I ever saw Kayla again, I'd ... I don't know what I would do, just for those words alone.
My wife and I had never been over the moon in love with each other, but we'd shared a healthy relationship, love for our daughter and what I'd thought had been a unbreakable support for one another.
Her leaving totally blindsided me.
I was placing a plate of cut-up apples and a spoonful of peanut butter on a plate in front of Amora when my cell phone startged to ring.
When I looked ar the unknown number, my heart clenched like it always did when I wondered if this was the day Kayla was going to reach out.
There's not way she would actually leave her daughter and never look back, right? I mean, me, I could get, but Amora? I'd never understand it.
"Uh, Hello?" I managed, becoming embarrassed at the nerves in my tone. I saw Amora glance up from her sheet, and my heart sank at the look of hope on her face.
"Hello, is this John?" a light, sweet voice asked and I let out a sigh of relief.
It was Renee', from the catering place.
"It is," I replied, unable to keep the smile off of my face.
"Hey, this is Renee' from Three Sisters Catering."
"It's great to hear from you, Renee'," I replied and dammit, it really was. I hadn't been this excited to talk on the phone to a girl since high school.
I could tell she didn't know how to respond, because I heard a nervous laugh, then she said, "I'm calling to let you know that we're all set for Saturday. I'll plan to arrive at 2 o'clock to set up and be ready to serve from 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock. Are there any allergies or dislikes I need to know about?"
"Um, no, I don't think so," I replied, then added, "Thank you so much. I know it was lasst minute, and not something you would normally even do. You're really saving me here. I can't thank you enough."
"It's no problem," Renee' replied, before pausing and saying, "I'll contact you if I hae any questions, but I think you covered it all on the sheet. I'll see you Saturday."
"I can't wait," I said, truthfully.
"Bye, John."
"Bye and thanks again."
I pressed the end button, still smilling and glanced up to see Amora watching me with an odd expression.
"Who was that?" she asked, her tone surprisingly surly.
"That was you good news," I replied, ignoring her tone and crossing to lean over the table, stopping when my face was inches from hers. "You're not going to believe it."
"What?" Amora asked, her tone still wary, but her face starting to react to my excitement.
"That was the catering company that's going to be here to put on the best tea party ever, for my favorite daughter's birthday."
"Really?!?" she squealed, all surliness gone.
"Really, really."
Amora jumped up and rounded the table to jump into my waiting arms. "Thanks, Daddy," she murmered and my heart filled with joy.
"Anything for my baby girl," I replied, bending slightly to droping a kiss on the top of head.
Amora pulled back and grinned up at me. "I can't wait to tell everyone. A sleepover and a tea party? This is going to be the best birthday ever!"
I chuckled as she practically danced back to her seat.
"Can I call them?" she asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.
I just smiled and gave my head a small shake
"After homework"
"Boo," Amora repliedd, but she was still beaming.
I went back to my dinner prep, my heart as I watched my daughter fo back to her homework with a smile on her face and I sent a silent thanks to Renee' the sweet and sexy chef who's unwittingly saved the day.
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Catering with Love Renee'
I may have gone a little overboard, but once I'd started thinking about different tea party ideas, I couldn't help but want to make it a birthday this little girl would never forget. I'd chosen a delicate tea set with pretty pink rosebuds, lots of pretty pastel decorations and flowers. Tons of flowers. Colorful macaroons, sweet little sandwiches, tiers of cupcakes coupled with strawberry punch, lots of ffun candies and cut outs for the photo booth, all teamed together to make a nine-year-old's birthday dream come true. My sisters and I had loved playing dress up as girls and being in the kitcchen had always been my passion, so it hadn't been hard to tap into my inner child when deciding what to do for Amora. I just hope she likes it. I was getting out of my 4Runner and heading to open the back when the front door opened and John came out of the house and jogged toward me. I don't know why, but I found him jogging towrd my in loose fit jeans and bare feet strangely sexy. "Hey, h
Catering with Love John
The next couple hours were a whirlwind of giggles, tiny sandwiches and enough sugar to ensure that I was in for a long night. Renee' was amazing. Not only were her decorations on point, and her food was delicious, she'd kept the girls entertained and had successfully given my little girl the party of her dreams. I hadn't seen Amora smile this much since her mother left, and I was eternally grateful to Renee' for that. If I hadn't already planned on asking Renee' out, and I guess I sort of had, even though we'd been interrupted, I defintely would have wanted to take her out after seeing interact with my daughter and her five boisterous friends. Now the tea party was over and the girls had all escaped to the backyard to jump on the trampoline while Renee' and I cleaned up. She was currently boxing up the props she'd used for the tea party photo booth, while I was slyly popping leftover macaroons in my mouth. "I saw that," Renee' said with a chuckle. I turned, mout full and a sheepis
Catering with Love Renee'
"So, how did it go with Mr. Adorable Dimples?" Jennifer asked as we stretched out. We were off Mondays and that's when we got together with our adult recreation soccer league. The three of us had been playing soccer since we could walk and enjoyed getting out and playing whenever we could. Which wasn't as much as we'd like, now that business was booming. "I already told Suzanne the whole story last night ... It was good," I said vaguely, hiding my smirk when Jen started to pout. "Well, I was working last night so I missed the girl talk. You can't hold that against me, Nea, I was bringing home the bacon," Jennifer complained as she crouched down. "Fine," I said with mock experation, "I'll give you the cliff notes." Jen kept her eyes on me as she waited expectantly. She had recently cut off her long black hair that matched mine and Suzanne's in length into a cute bob, and dyed it a bright red. It totally suited her. "The party was great, fantastic even. I had a blast decorating an
Catering with Love John
I was finishing up my lesson plans for when we moved on to 'Pride and Prejudice' next week, but my eyes kept drifting up to the clock. Much like my students, I couldn't wait for the bell to ring, signaling the end of the school day. Normally, I stick around after school, grade some papers, straighten my room and prepare for the next day, but today all I could think about was picking up Renee' at three thirty. I couldn't remember the last time I was this excited about anything. Sure, it was only coffee, but it didn't matter what we were doing, I couldn't wait to see her again. The bell rang and I jumped from my chair, pushing through my students as I tried to beat them out the door. "Where is the fire, Mr. B?" "Sorry ... Sorry," I muttered as I reached the hallway, then started speed walking toward the exit closest to the teacher's parking lot. "John." I bit off the curse before it passed my lips, then turned to see who was currently stalling my swift exit. "OH, hey, Rebecca. Wh
Catering with Love Renee'
I was overcome by nerves. All morning I couldn't stop fretting over this coffee date with John. I mean, what did I really know about the guy. Sure, I knew he was a good dad, his house was nice, and something about those glasses he wore made my body pulse, but I didn't really know him. Shoot, I hadn't even known he was a teacher until he had mentioned it in that text. Although, out of all the professions out there, high school Engligh teacher was better than assassin, or jewelry thief. But, when I stepped out into the storefront and saw him standing there, not even trying to hide his pleasure at seeing me, I shoved my doubts to the side and decided to dive in. It was just coffee, after all, it wasn't as if I was his new mail-order bride. There was no commitment being made. "Thank you," I replied, when his compliment penetrated my thoughts. I'dd probably tried on twenty different outfits before finally deciding on the blue dress. It was conservative, yet flirty. At least that is wh
Catering with Love John
I was almost done with my coffee, and things had been going great, when Renee' reached over and ran her finger over where my wedding ring used to be. "I, ah, noticed that you took it off," she began, and I knew there was a question in there. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying the light caress of her finger on mine, then opened them and gave her a weary smile. "I'd known Kayla all my life, our parents were friends, and we went to the same school together," I said, turning my hand under hers and holding it in place. "We started dating in high school, which made our families happy and we just sort of settled into things from there. It was never love at first sight, or a match made of passion." I paused, realizing my inner literature nerd was coming out, then I chuckled and continued, "Sure, we had the sweaty palms and stolen kisses of any teenaged relationship, but soon we just fell into an easy relationship. We went to college together, then Kayla got pregnant and we moved back
Catering with Love Renee'
I floated through the storefront, across the kitchen, and into the office in the back I shared with my sisters. It was a good-size room. Big enough that you could fit three desks, some bookshelves and couple chairs. My desk was the smallest, since most of my work was done in the kitchen, with Jennifer and Suzanne having full-size desks, which were always put to use. While Suzanne's was completely covered and cluttered at all times, Jennifer's was organized and always clean. Suzanne had an old oak desk with decorating magazines, a large organizer and swatches all over it, while Jennifer's had a modern feel with crome finish and smooth lines. My desk was shoved up against the corner with a small purple chair tucked under it. It was white and feminine and held only my recipe cards, cookbooks and notes full of ideas. Jennifer and Suzanne had been talking about the wedding reception we had this upcoming Saturday, but when I walked in their heads turned to me and the
Catering with Love John
"Why do I have to go to Grandma's tonight? I want to stay home and play with Jess. I'll see hem on Sunday." Amora had been complaining since we got home from school, which had made trying to get her packer up, and myself ready for my date extremely difficult. I looked at my daughter, hoping was I was aout to say next was the right thing. We didn't keep secrets from each other, unless it was something I thought that she was too young to know, so I took in her scowling face and made a decision. "Dad's got a date tonight, so Mama and Papa said they'd watch you. THey said something about popcorn and movie night; I know you'll love that," I said, watching her closely as I spoke. Because she had my undivided attention, I saw her scowl deepen and eyes narrow. "A date?" she bit out, sounding more like Kayla than ever. "Yes, sweetheart, a date. I'm taking Renee' out for dinner at 'Prime Rib'." "Renee', from my birthday party?" Amora asked, her
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Catering with Love Epilogue - Renee
It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.Stone with dark stuttrs, white pillars, bright-green trees and lush, red bushes. Graceland Mansion was eerything I'd imagined, and more. And that wa just the outside.It had taken us longer to get here than we'd initially thought. Trying to plan around John's school schedule, and dealing with the rapid growth of Three Sister's Catering when we added elegant children's parties and landed one of our biggest clients to date, had made it difficult.But now, six months later, we were finally in Memphis, and I wa currently trying to teach Amora about the wonder that is Elvis."He's the King of Rock 'n' Roll for a reason," I was explaining as we walked to the Meditation Garden. "He still holds the record for the most Top 40 hits, he was in 31 movies, made over 150 albums and singles, and has been inducted into 5 halls of fame.""You should totally work here," Amora said in between licks of her hand-dipped ice
Catering with Love John
Another Monday, another workday, another day where I was just passing through life. Not really living it, instead floating from minute to minute, waiting for the day to end.I'd been in such a funk that I was starting to get on my own nerves, and as I walked through my classroom, making sure my students were focused on their own quizzes and not peeking at anyone else's, I vowed to sort my shit out that evening.Maybe I'll ask the guys to go out for a drink.As if I'd conjured him, I saw Wy's face pop up in my window to my door. I held up a finger to indicate I couldn't talk not, but would get back to him later. Raqther than nod in response as usual, he got this big goofy grin, gave me two thumbs up, and pushed my door open.What the ...?I stopped in the middle of my room when Renee' stepped through the door he's just opened, a piece of loose-leaf paper clutched in her hands.I drank in the sight of her and like a man drowning. THe soft bill
Catering with Love Renee’
I was going through the motions.I’ve been working on auto pilot since John walked out of my apartment. Waking up, shower, shuffle downstairs, cook, bake, clean, sleep, repeat. Luckily, we were full staffed and Claire has become my right hand, so we hadn't missed any deadlines, and when I made chicken and dumplings instead of chicken pot pie, Claire had fixed things in time for the event.Susanne had come to me only second after John left, saying her twin vibes had been tingling and she’s known that I needed her. Soon after, Jennifer had shown up, and the two of them have been my shadows ever since. Even going so far as to sleep in my apartment each night.I felt heartbreak when my dad left, but nothing like what I feeling with the absence of John in my life. Never pain so acute. And the worse part was that I knew I'd caused John the same amount of pain. Even if I felt like I was doing it for the right reasons, I still hated the thought of him hurtin
Catering with Love John
ZombieThat was my new persona...a dead man walking.I have never, not when I was a teenager, not when my wife said that she was leaving, felt the way that I did when Renee' said my love wasn’t enough.Suddenly the literatureI taught, the poems I'd read, the songs I heard on the radio, all took all new meanings. Hurtful, heartbreaking, painful meaning.I’m not sure how I drove home, made it through the night and the rest of the week. I know I'd gone to work, because I had papers to grade, and I knew I'd taken care of Amora. Helped her with her homework, made her meals...although I couldn’t eat. I didn’t have the appetite for it. And I knew I hadn’t slept.No, I'd spent the last four nights, staring at the ceiling, fighting the urge to call her and beg her to change her mind, my time with Renee' playing on a loop like some awful romantic comedy.The first time I saw her walk out of the kitchen, the day I
Catering with Love Renee’
"What do you mean?" John asked, his face conveying his confusion.I looked pointedly from him and Amora and whispered, "Now is not the time..."John looked down and his daughter, who was watching me with a shocked expression and then brought his gaze back to mine and stated "I’ll be back."I watch numbly as he grasped Amora, and started walking her way from my door and down the hall. I noticed Amora still watching me as I quietly shut the door, crossed to my chaise, and resumed the position I have been in.FetalSobs irrupt again, as decades-old sorrow filled me, compounded by the fresh pain I was feeling now.It felt like only moments before rapid knocking sounds sounded at the door, like gunfire at to my heart, and I rose, my stomach sinking at the thought of what I was about to do.What I had to do...I open the door without looking without waiting to acknowledge who was there and spent on my he
Catering with Love John
There was a war of emotions happening within me. A fight between annoyance and relief.It was annoying that Kayla had re-entered my life only to gather her things, but a total relief that she wasn't contesting the divorce and it was still going through on schedule. I needed that part of my life to be in the past, needed to move forward, needed to be able to focus on the fall with Renee'.So. I was cruising down Main Street, feeling pretty good, even if I did have another meeting with Kayla looming.I pulled up to the curb in front of Three Sisters and was hopping out of the truck, eager to get back inside and see my girls, when Renee' came rushing around from the back of the building, crying and visibly shaking as she called out for Amora.My heart leapt out of my chest as fear coursed through me."Renee'!" I shouted, jogging over to her on the sidewalk.Her head was turning quickly from side to side as she searched the street, and she
Catering with Love Renee'
We'd finished eating in silence after John left, my Beef and Broccoli tasteless, so I barely ate at all.After we cleaned up, I took Amora into the back. I gave her a brief tour, making sure she knew where the bathroom was, showing her our office, the kitchen, and the different walk-ins. I thought breifly about taking her up into my apartment, so she could hang out and watch TV or something, then figured it was too far and maybe for my first time watching her, I should keep her close.So, we were in the kitchen and I was explaining the flowers I was making, the type of cake it would go on, and telling Amora about the party the next day. If thre was ever a person who looked or acted more bored, I'd never met them. Still, I kept trying."You can make flowers with frosting, fondant, gum paste...""He's never going to fall in love with you, or marry you, you know," Amora broke in, her tone full of anger.I looked uo from what I was doing, put my tools
Catering with Love John
I parked outside the lawyer's office and walked slowly in, giving myself time to try and calm down. To breathe.Mr. Hurlyey had said it wasn't bad, but the worry that had formed on my drive over was that Kayla was going after Amora. I remembered that she'd said just a few days ago, and I knew my lawyer would categorize such a thing in the bad category, but still, that's where my mind had wandered and stayed for the duration of my trip.No way am I letting that happen, I promised myself as I opened the door and went into th waiting room. I turned my phone to silent, then crossed to the receptionist to let her know who I was and why I was there, then went to sit down. Before my butt could hit the chair though, my lawyer stepped out, and I knew he must have been waiting for me."John," he called, giving me a welcoming smile, which eased my worry a tiny bit.He wouldn't be smiling if my world was about to fall down around me, right?W
Catering with Love Renee'
He said we'll be there soon, and I doubted he meant Tyson or Wyatt, or even Tanner, although I would have been less nervous with any of them...yes, even Tanner...than I was about his 9 year old daughter that obviously hated me."It'll be fine, Renee'," I assured myself out loud as I worked on the flowers for the various cakes that would be served at the anniversary party. Not 50 of them, thank goodness, although that would be cool, but each table would have their own cake centerpiece that would be a miniature version of the actual anniversary cake.that meant I had a lot of flowers to make. Calla Lilies, which were the flowers she'd had in her wedding bouquet.Still, when John had offered to bring food, I'd jumped at the chance to see him."Talking to yourself again?" Suzanne asked as she walked in, her trustyclipboard in hand."Of course," I replied with a smile, then gave my sister a once over and whistled. "Wow, you look great.'
