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Renee'
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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
Catering with Love Renee'
I was watching by the window, without trying to look like I was. I didn't wan't want to appear too eager, or like I was waiting for John with my nose pressed against the glass of our storefront. So, instead, I was half hiding behind the door to the back, watching like a creepy stalker. I saw him pull up, park, and hop out of his truck. As he rounded the front, he wiped his palms against the side of his slacks, then pushed his glasses up his nose. He's nervous. I took a deep breath, a small smile playing on my lips, calm now that I knew he was feeling exactly the same way I was, and walked fully out into the storefront and to the door. John's head came up as he caught my movement and he broke into a happy grin. He opened the door as I approached and held it so I could walk out past him. My arm brushed his hand as I passed and I felt a tingle of anticipation run through me. "Hi," I said softly, a little shyly. "Hi," he replied, his
Catering with Love John
I don't know why Tanner's demeanor changed when he realized who Renee' was, but I didn't like it one bit. "Hey, brother, I'm not sure what just happened, but your tone and your face, are kinda pissing me off," I warned, low enough so his employees and Renee' couldn't hear me, but so that he definitely could. Tanner's eyes shot to mine and he grimaced, then said sheepishly, "Sorry, man." Then, he turned his attention to Renee' and took her hand back in his. " I apologize, Renee', it's very nice to meet you. John is one of my great friends and I trust his judgement. I'm sorry for being rude." Renee' looked at him uncertainly, then asked softly, "You don't even know me, so why ...?" Jericho looked over our heads, toward 'Three Sisters Catering'. "I know your sister, and let's just say, when things ended, they didn't end well. But, that had nothig to do with you, and I'm sorry for acting like an ass all this time. I'm happy to have you and John an
Catering with Love Renee'
"Does it feel like you never get a break, working and living in the same building?" John asked as we walked across the street. Dinner had been perfect. Delicious food, easy coversation, and no more weird run-ins with Tanner. Now, we were on our way to my place for dessert and all of my earlier bravado had left me. I thought it was terribly sweet that John was nervous about being alone in my apartment and waht my expectations may be, and at first, I'd assured him easily that there was nothing to be nervous about. Then, over the course of dinner, my mind kept circling back to our conversation, and my nerves had grown. It wasn't that I was worried that he was anticipating a certain ending. I knew he wasn't, but my fear had grown from something else...Him. I liked him so much, and everything about him, about us, seemed to fit so perfectly, what if I somehow ruined it? Maybe I should cut the night off now, before I have the chance to screw things up. End on a happ
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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.'
