Sandy

Nervous wouldn’t come close to describing how I felt. After a long discussion, Smokey decided I should meet Eddie at dinner before he broke the news to her about everything. I couldn’t say that I disagreed with his logic, but my stomach sure seemed to.

My current state of being was emotional. Period. Everything, as far as I was concerned, was a disaster. Hoping that the night unfolded without me bursting into tears for no reason, I pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine.

Their home, a small ranch, was in one of the nicer areas in town. From the outside, it was apparent that Smokey took meticulous care of it. Every tree, plant, and shrub was perfectly groomed, and although most of the homes didn’t have grass lawns, his did, and it was a luscious green color.

I took a deep breath, opened the car door, and stepped into the driveway.

The front door opened.

I met Smokey’s gaze and couldn’t help but smile. He was dressed in jeans, boots, and a stark white tee-shirt, but no kutte.

“I’m coming,” I said.

He stepped onto the porch and grinned. “You look fantastic.”

“Thank you.”

I’d carefully chosen a dress that was conservative, but not too much so. A floral fabric that was form-fitting, it was the best of both worlds.

I stepped onto the porch. “Is this dress okay? Is it too tight?”

He opened his arms and gave me a hug. As he released me, he leaned back and looked me over. “It’s perfect. You look like a model.”

I brushed my hands along my hips. “Thank you.”

He reached for the bag I was carrying. “You brought wine?”

“Sparkling grape juice.”

He grinned. “She’ll like that. C’mon.”

I followed him into the house. A faint hint of garlic filled the air, and alluded to what we’d be eating for dinner. As soon as I entered, I greedily scanned what would soon be my new home.

The open floor plan made the home seem larger than it was, but it wasn’t small by any means. The living room was tastefully decorated, and without an ounce of clutter. A wall separated the kitchen from the living room, but I could see into the kitchen.

Standing in front of the counter, preoccupied with the contents of a large bowl, stood a gorgeous woman who was tall and thin with light brown hair. Dressed in jeans, Chucks, and a tight-fitting tee-shirt, she was breathtaking.

“Is that Eddie?” I whispered.

“The one and only.”

“She’s gorgeous.”

His eyes lit up. “Thank you.”

I instantly filled with excitement about getting to know her better, and befriending her over time. As she carefully placed objects in the bowl, Smokey took me by the hand and led me into the kitchen.

“Eddie,” he said. “This is Sandy.”

As soon as he said Eddie, she turned around. When she noticed me, she smiled, and it was easy for me to see that it was genuine.

I had no idea what to expect from her, and figured it would either go one of two ways. Complete and instantaneous rejection, or excitement.

She would either be pleased that her father had finally found someone worthy of his – and her – attention, or she would feel threatened by his new relationship, and me. Seeing her face led me to believe it was the former.

She wiped her hands on a towel, and then extended her right hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She looked me up and down. “Your dress is uhhm. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said. “Thank you. Can I do anything to help?”

She shook her head. “I’m done. Basically.”

She looked at her dad, smiled, and then held his gaze for a moment. “If you want, you could help me get everything set on the table.”

“Sure.” I looked at Smokey, then turned toward her and smiled. “I’d love to.”

Smokey set my bag on the counter. “I’m going to go wash up.”

Oh God.

Don’t leave us alone.

“He likes everything perfect,” she whispered. “See this salad?”

I peered into the bowl she’d been working on when we walked in. Tomato wedges were perfectly placed on top of the various leaves of lettuce around the circumference of the bowl.

“Uh huh.”

“If that was all mixed up, he’d throw a fit.”

I looked at her in disbelief. I would have never guessed that about him. “Really?”

“True story,” she said. “And see this?” She pointed to two casserole dishes that were filled with stuffed pasta. “One’s Manicotti,” she said. “And the other is cannelloni. According to him, they can’t be in the same dish. He says they’re different pastas, so they can’t touch each other. And, he says they taste different. He likes them both.”

“Oh. Wow.”

She glanced over her shoulder and then looked at me. “He’s a weirdo. I’m sure he didn’t tell you that, though.”

I grinned. “He didn’t, no.”

“So, on the table, he likes the main course in the center, and the salad and bread on the outside.”

“Okay.”

Using oven mitts, she carried one of the casserole dishes to the table and set it on a stone trivet. “Just like that.”

“Hear the music?” she asked.

I hadn’t noticed it until she said something, but after she mentioned it, I noticed the faint sound of music came from the living room. What was playing sounded like an old-school ballad.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“It plays all day. All night. Even when the T.V. is on. That’s another thing.” She smiled. “Like I said. He’s different.”

She placed the other casserole dish on the table, and then looked at me. “I really like that dress. I need to wear them more often. Where’d you get it?”

“The T.J. Maxx, out by Vista.”

She shrugged. “Never been there.”

“I like bargains. I shop there all the time. They’ve got good stuff, and it’s cheap.”

She looked me over again. “It’s really pretty.”

I nodded toward her feet. “I like your shoes, and I’m not just saying that. I really like them. I wear Chucks all the time.”

She nodded toward my 2” heels. “I’d wear ‘em with that dress.”

I glanced toward the living room, and then looked at her. “I should have,” I whispered.

“Want to see something cool?” she asked.

“Sure.”

She pointed toward the table. “Bread and the salad go on the outside, by his chair. I’ll be right back.”

I glanced at the table. All the chairs looked the same. “Which one’s his?”

“The one that points toward the door,” she said over her shoulder. “Be right back.”

She sprinted out of the kitchen. Nervously, I placed the salad and the basket of bread on the table, situating them an even distance from one another. Before I made myself comfortable with their placement, she came rushing to my side.

She handed me a small printed photo. “Look at that.”

I looked at the picture. A brick-red Volkswagen sitting beside a Harley-Davidson in someone’s driveway was all there was to see.

I had no idea if I was supposed to be looking at the Harley or the car. “Oh wow,” I said.

“It’s mine.”

I still had no idea. I knew it was her birthday a few days prior, but hadn’t heard what she’d received. I didn’t suspect Smokey would buy her a Harley, so I rolled the dice and guessed the car was hers.

“That car?” I asked excitedly. “It’s yours?”

“P-Nut gave it to me.” She nodded eagerly. “Have you met him yet?”

“I haven’t.”

“He’s really sweet.”

“I like it. A lot. Guess what?”

She reached for the photo. “What?”

I walked to the sink and lifted the blinds. “Look in the driveway.”

My Volkswagen, although newer that hers, was a Beetle as well. It wasn’t much, but it might be enough that we could somehow develop a bond over our cars, if nothing else.

She peered over my shoulder. “Is that yours?”

“Yep.”

“I like it. Yellow’s a cool color.”

“It’s got a little flower vase on the dash, and I keep real flowers in it,” I said. “Well, most of the time. Sometimes they’re pretty wilted.”

She smiled. “That’s awesome.”

“Happy late birthday, by the way.”

“Thank you.”

I turned around, reached for my bag, and pulled out a small wrapped box. “I got this for you. Sorry it’s late.”

“You didn’t have to--”

“I know.” I shrugged one shoulder dismissively. “It’s just something small.”

She unwrapped it, opened the box and smiled. “Oh my God. I love it.”

“Some of the proceeds went to the Let Girls Learn fund, and the bracelet is called Girl Power, so I thought it was fitting.”

The bracelet, an Alex and Ani gold bangle bracelet, had a daisy charm, a because I’m a girl charm, a heart, and a Peace Corps charm.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“About what?”

“It’s called girl power?”

I nodded. “That’s what it’s called.”

She raised her hand high in the air. “Girl Power.”

I slapped my hand against hers.

“Girl power is my mantra,” she said. “This is awesome.”

She slipped it over her wrist, and I noticed she already wore a similar bracelet. I grinned at the thought of her actually liking what I had given her.

After she got it situated, she opened her arms. “Thank you.”

As she hugged me I decided she was an awesome person, and that although we weren’t too far apart in age, she’d be an equally awesome step-daughter if the day ever came that Smokey and I were officially together.

As we finished setting the table, I realized that she’d also be a big sister to the life that was slowly growing inside of me.

I took a quick look at her. She was absolutely adorable, and reminded me more of a mother or a wife than a daughter who was still in high school. The thought of her being a sister to our baby made me happy.

Really happy.

“Smells good,” Smokey said.

The sound of his voice caused me to turn around. When I saw him, I sucked in an unexpected breath.

He was dressed in a plaid long-sleeved pearl snap shirt like the surfers often wore. Neatly pressed, and untucked, it was in complete contrast to what he normally wore.

Seeing him wearing it caused me to smile.

I looked him up and down. His jeans were new, too. “You look nice,” I said.

His blue eyes glistened. “Thanks.”

“Did you wash your hands?” Eddie asked.

He held them up. “Yep.”

“I need to wash mine,” I said.

“Bathroom’s that way.” Eddie pointed toward the living room. “We’ll eat when you get back.”

I turned toward the doorway that led to the living room. Smokey stood in the threshold of the door. When I attempted to walk past him, he stopped me. Then, something unexpected happened.

Very unexpected.

With his index finger, he lifted my chin ever so slightly, gazing down at me as he did so. Our eyes locked, and he leaned toward me.

My heart skipped a beat.

I thought for an instant that he was going to kiss me, but he paused. With his lips only an inch from mine, he hovered over me and gazed into my eyes. At that instant, after being duped into thinking a kiss was imminent, I forgot how to breathe. My heart pounded into my ribs, reassuring me with each beat how much I wanted him to do so.

I sucked in a quick breath and stood on quivering legs, wishing he would have.

And then, he did.

Our mouths met and melted into one another. My eyes fell closed.

The kiss was soft, and subtle, but far more powerful than any kiss I’d ever experienced.

Our lips parted, and I opened my eyes.

He released my chin and grinned. “First door on the right.”

While I washed my hands, I realized it was the first time we’d kissed. I remembered what Craig had told me about Smokey taking possession of me, and decided that the kiss was the first step. Feeling giddy, I returned to the kitchen and sat in front of the only available place setting.

Smokey looked at Eddie. “You or me?”

“My turn.” She bowed her head.

Smokey looked at me, clasped his hands together, and then lowered his head.

I did the same.

“Heavenly Father. We thank you for our health, for this food we are so fortunate to have before us, and for the addition of Dad’s friend, Sandy to our table. I ask that you look over P-Nut, and take a special look at Ramone Sanchez, as he wrecked his bicycle yesterday, and broke his leg. Please bless this food, Lord, so it may make us stronger, and with that strength, make us more able to serve you. As always, in your name, Amen.”

Smokey lifted his head and looked at Eddie. “Pass me the cannelloni, please.”

She picked up the dish and shot him a glare. “Guests first.”

That evening at dinner, I realized that falling in love with Smokey wasn’t going to be difficult at all.

Because it was already happening.