ChristopherWhen I returned to the kitchen, Leila was out on the patio, cupping both hands around the cup. I smiled at the scene. I imagined I looked the exact same way every morning. The warmth of the cup went a long way to warding off the chill of the morning. I opened the door and joined her inhaling the fresh air.“It is so nice out here,” she said with a reverent tone. “I love this view.”I nodded. “I agree. I love it out here in the morning. I usually get up early just so I can be out here and watch the sunrise. I could never do this in Minnesota.”She laughed. “I imagine you would freeze within minutes.”“Seconds,” I quipped. “Hell, the coffee would freeze before I could get it down.”She looked me up and down. “You got dressed fast. I’m ready when you are,” she said.I opened the door and gestured for her to go in first. We left our cups on the counter and headed out the door to my truck.“I think I should tell you a little more about me,” I started after we got in the truck a
LeilaI took the towel off of my head and used it to wipe the mirror as I stared at my reflection. I took in the green eyes, blonde hair, and the thick shoulders. I didn’t have one of those slender necks with the pronounced collar bones. I stared at myself, wondering what it was that Christopher saw. He had called me beautiful. Several times.He made me feel beautiful. I changed into a pair of jeans and a clean sweater. I was brushing out my damp hair when I heard a car door. I walked out of the bathroom, checked out the window, and saw Kami standing there wearing the same clothes she had on the night before.I pulled open the door and put a hand on my hip. “Dirty, dirty, dirty girl. And I’m mad at you.”“Look who’s dirty,” she said walking in.“I just got out of the shower.”“Because you just got home.”I scowled. “How do you know that?”Her eyes widened. “Oh my god! I was only guessing! I knew it!”“You didn’t know anything.”She flopped onto my couch. “How was it?”“No, I’m mad at
Leila“You’re way into him. I didn’t think you would ever find a man that gave you that glow, but you have. Leila, you have to see this is too good to walk away from. He’s made you smile. You’re glowing. You’re into him. Don’t deny yourself the luxury of falling in love and being loved in return,” Kami said.I sighed, wanting to buy into the idea but it was scary to think of loving another person. I didn’t want to be abandoned—again. I wasn’t necessarily jaded, but I was guarded. “I don’t know if he could love me. After seeing his house and learning he is a widower, I think we’re from two very different worlds.”She shrugged a shoulder. “So? Opposites attract. Hell, if he is well-off and you do lose your job because you hooked up with him, he can take care of you.”“No. Absolutely not. No one is taking care of me but me.”“I want you to forget all those preconceptions you have. I want you to pretend you were born yesterday and you came from a perfect family with all the love and suppo
ChristopherAs I pulled off the road onto my long driveway, I saw an unfamiliar car. At first, cold, icy fear rested in my gut. A strange car was never a good thing. When I saw Olin get out of the car and wave, I was immediately flooded with relief. Olin was home. He was in one piece. I hadn’t realized just how nervous I had been until I saw him walking into the house.I parked inside the garage and caught a glimpse of Olin’s ride driving away. I watched through the small windows in the garage door, appreciating that the driver was traveling slowly. That made me feel better about Olin riding with the kid. I went inside, anxious to see how his night had gone and to make sure he was in good health. I was trying to be the cool dad, but I had been worried about him. If he was hungover, I was going to be pissed. I’d try to keep it cool, but I didn’t need the kid partying like he was a frat boy.“Olin!” I called out as I walked in from the garage.“In here,” he answered.I headed for the ki
Christopher“I know you. I know you’re trying to figure out what comes next. I told you before, it’s time to move on.”“And you’re sure you’re okay with that?”He shrugged. “I am. I don’t want to know details and I’m not going to call anyone Mom and I don’t want some chic coming in here thinking she’s going to be bossing me around, but I’m cool if you spend time with a lady.”I chuckled. “God forbid anyone tries to boss you around.”“You know what I mean.”I nodded with understanding. “I do. I’ll make sure any woman that comes home with me knows she is not to boss you around—within reason.”He made a growling sound. “Dad—”“I get it, I do, but as long as you are respectful of anyone that comes through that door, I will be okay with it.”“Fine,” he answered.I handed him the buttered waffles and the container of syrup. “Anything else you want to talk about?”He smirked. “Yes, how about that car?”“I’m still thinking about it, but know this, I won’t be buying you a fifty-thousand-dollar
LeilaI put on my painting clothes and gathered my supplies. My hair was pulled up in a wild ponytail that kept it off my neck. I had dunked the tips of my hair in paint too many times. I didn’t want to be trying to pick it out again.Today was the day. I was going to tackle the door once and for all. I hoped the paint was still good. It had been sitting in my shed for a year. I hated that I was such a procrastinator. I told myself it was because I was too busy. I was, but not that busy. I was going to kind of miss having the damn thing hanging over my head all the time.No, I wasn’t.I wanted it done so I could put the next task in that top spot of the task I procrastinated against. I wanted a new tile backsplash in my kitchen. That was going to be something that sat in that top spot for a good long while, I predicted.For now, it was the door. One mountain at a time. I carefully poured paint into the pan and dipped my roller in it. I had spent at least an hour taping around the door
Leila“What does that mean?”“It means, I’ve wanted to check this place out because I think this is where they filmed the moon landing.”I shook my head. “What?”“You don’t actually believe Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, do you?” he asked incredulously.I burst into laughter. “Yes, I do. Why wouldn’t you believe that?”He scowled. “I think it was a hoax.”“Oh no,” I groaned. “You’re one of them.”“Them?”“The conspiracy theorists that are convinced it was a big hoax by the government?”He smiled and nodded. “I suppose I am. I’d like to see some concrete proof.”“There is video. It was recorded live.”He scoffed. “Have you seen the quality of TV from that age? Then all of a sudden, astronauts wearing giant, cumbersome suits are taking these killer pictures on the moon. The pictures are crystal-clear and quite frankly, staged.”I couldn’t help but laugh. He seemed like such a rational man. “You surprise me.”“How so?”I shrugged. “Because you seem so normal.”“I am normal.”“I’m que
ChristopherWe made our way around the center and the many interactive exhibits. I was impressed. It was well worth a visit, even if I didn’t believe half the stuff they boasted about the moon landing. It was interesting, and my lovely tour guide seemed to know a lot about all of it. It was our first real outing together.I occasionally took her hand in mine or placed my hand on the small of her back as we squeezed in front of an exhibit. It was very casual and easy, and very relaxing. It was better than any romantic dinner. I liked spending time with her and picking her brain. She was very smart. She could talk about almost anything and have value to add to the conversation.She made her way towards an area that seemed to be off the main route. There were only a handful of people standing together. It was essentially the timeout area for the tired adults who needed a minute to think without being buzzed by an excited kid.“Do you notice anything about this place?” she asked in a whis