Sailor

 

While driving home from work, my phone rings. I hold it up and take a quick glance at the screen before smiling.

“Hi, Jake.”

“Hi, Teach. How was your day?”

“Good.”

“Did my niece behave?”

“Of course. Well, she called me Sailor once but quickly recovered, giggling with her tiny hand over her mouth afterward. She’s so precious.”

“Someone else’s giggle is pretty damn precious. I hope I get to hear it tonight. Are you going to be around?”

“Umm … will Elliott be there?”

“I’m not sure, but I don’t want you to feel like you can’t come home because of him. Come on. I’ll cook for you if you can wait a couple of hours for me to get there.”

I think about what he said. I shouldn’t cower from Elliott. I deserve better.

“How about I cook for you instead? I promise it’ll include meat.” I giggle.

“There it is. That sound I’m growing to love.”

“I’ll see you later, Mr. Callister. I better pay attention to the traffic if I want to get home to the Village safely.”

 

***

I change into a pair of denim shorts and a black tank top and head down to the kitchen to cook. I’ve not heard a sound in the condo, which makes me happy.

I open the bag of groceries I’d stopped to get and remove the items. To thank Jake for letting me stay here, I bought filets, sweet and russet potatoes and ingredients to make a salad.

I open the fridge, and as I put the food away, I notice items that weren’t there last night. I also pick up on the theme. Strawberry…

Inside are fresh strawberries, strawberry yogurt, strawberry Nesquik syrup for milk, and strawberry jam, too. I open the freezer and discover several small pints of strawberry ice cream.

Surely, Elliott didn’t buy those things for me. Shutting the doors, I lean back against the refrigerator. How could he possibly remember my love for strawberries? This has to be a coincidence.

Trying to ignore my racing heart, I go back to putting the groceries away. After preparing mixed roasted potatoes in herb butter sauce and placing them in the oven to bake, I head to the dining room to set the table.

Against the wall, next to the sliding glass door to the terrace, is a mini bar with a cabinet of alcohol behind it.

There’s a built-in wine rack, and the three top bottles look the same, so I walk over and pull one out. Strawberry…  My heart races again, so I take the wine to the kitchen and pour myself a glass.

I swallow several sips, acknowledging how it’s not like me to drink twice within a few days, but I feel like I need it to relax. I want to numb my pain and anxiety.

 

***

“You’re spoiling me. I usually take women to dinner. They don’t fix it for me.”

“Maybe if you kept one around, she would,” I say before poking Jake’s hip with my toe as he sits on the couch at the end of my feet. I’m sideways with my back against the arm, sipping wine.

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m trying.” He squeezes my foot as I empty my glass, swallowing the last few pink drops. “How much wine have you had?”

“I don’t know.”

“I do. That was the last of the bottle. I thought you seldom drink.”

“Time for change, right? Naked hot tub parties, alcohol, and sexy time with an attractive guy.” I giggle, and he laughs at me.

“Right. Give me your glass. I’m trading it for water. I think you could use some.”

Smiling, I hand over my goblet. I follow Jake to the kitchen and lean against the counter as he gets me a glass of water from the refrigerator door.

As I drink it, he puts leftovers away, and I watch as he surveys the inside of the fridge.

“Strawberries … yogurt … Nesquik. Did you buy all this?”

“Nope.”

“Hmm … maybe it’s Nicole’s shit.”

“Is she Elliott’s girlfriend?”

“No, she’s his lazy fuck.”

“Nicole’s lazy?”

Jake laughs. “No, Elliott hooks up with her when he’s too lazy to look for new pussy.”

He steps in front of me, and squeezing my waist, he gives me a peck on the lips. “Sorry. I guess I should remember a lady’s present. I wonder if Elliott finally made a commitment to Nicole. Maybe seeing that you’re working and living your life was enough for him to believe he deserved the same.

“It’s your turn to move on, chick. Time to heal, and I think some Jake therapy could do the trick. Oh, and some sunshine.” He turns around and leans over. “Hop on. I’m giving you a piggyback ride to the park.”

“You can’t carry me all that way.”

“Are you calling me a weakling?”

“No. I’ve felt and admired your muscles. You’re not a weakling.”

“Then hop on, but don’t tell Maddie; she thinks piggyback rides are reserved only for her.”

“Have I told you today how sweet you are?”

“Yes, between each glass of wine.”

Snickering, I hop on his back. He carries me through the house and out the front door of the condo.

“By the way,” I say, “your foul mouth is hot. Don’t stop cursing.”

“I’m realizing my sweet kindergarten teacher has a dirty side.” The door to the elevator opens, and Elliott and Nicole exit. My instinct is to hop off Jake, but like he knew I would try, he grips my legs to hold me tighter.

“Well, hi,” Nicole says, grinning.

“Hi,” Jake replies. My eyes dart to Elliott, and stone serious, he stares back at me.

“This chick had too much wine with dinner, so I’m carrying her to the park. Can you hold the door open for us?”

Pushing the button, Elliott continues staring at my face, so I break our gaze and smile at his beautiful girlfriend. I can’t believe I thought all the strawberry food was for me.

“Hi, I’m Sailor.”

“I’m Nicole. It’s nice to officially meet you.”

“I cooked dinner. Feel free to eat what’s left.”

“Elliott took me to dinner, but thank you.”

“I swear I didn’t touch your strawberries, but I did drink a bottle of your strawberry wine. I promise I’ll replace it tomorrow.”

“Strawberries?” Nicole asks.

“Let’s go inside,” Elliott says as the elevator door opens.

“It was nice meeting you,” I call out, following it with a giggle before the door shuts. Damn, the alcohol sure made it easier to face Elliott. Seeing his handsome face barely fazed me. Along with Jake, wine might be my new friend.