Over a week passed since Katie saw Mitch. As she sat in the dentist chair Monday morning, listening to the drill grinding deep into her tooth, she thought of what Mitch had said. I’ll see you later. Would it be a social or business call? She liked what she saw, but didn’t want to be a play toy like in her previous marriage. Even though Mitch was a police officer, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t be a user.
Katie was running an hour late to work and the right side of her mouth was numb. She waved at Fred and sat in her cubical.
He took a second look. “Hi, Katie, ho—” His face went white.
“Yes, Fred? You’re saying I’m a ho?” She touched her swollen cheek.
“Your face. What happened?”
Melanie popped her head over the cubicle wall and looked at her friend with concern. “Katie, come to my office, please.”
She rolled her eyes and Fred gave a questioning look. Melanie stood by her door and shut it behind her. She sat in a chair beside Katie.
“What happened? Did you run into Kevin?” She went and grabbed two sodas out of her mini fridge.
“Kevin? What do you mean?” She took the can from Melanie.
“I know your marriage wasn’t up to par after the death of your girl.”
Katie squinted. “I’m lost, Mel. Why did you ask if I saw Kevin? I haven’t seen him since he signed the divorce papers at the lawyer’s office in Montana.” She ran a hand through her hair.
“I’m sorry. One of my friends told me they saw Kevin over in Boise. It’s been years, and don’t they say everyone has a twin in the world?” She touched Katie’s cheek. “It looks like you ran into your ex and he hit you for real.” Melanie’s face turned sad.
“Mel, Mel, Mel, silly you. I had a dentist appointment this morning. Remember I told you yesterday on the phone I’d be late?”
Melanie shrugged.
Katie continued. “He took out the silver filling and put in a new white one. He must have hit a blood vessel with the needle.” She touched her cheek. The lump was bigger. “Last I heard, Kevin left Montana to go to California.”
“Sorry. I didn’t want to bring up any hard, hurtful feelings.” She sat again. “Go home and put an ice pack on your cheek. Paid employee break. Skedaddle.” She pulled Katie up from the chair and pushed her out the office door.
“I can’t. You have claims I can do.”
“Not enough. Now go, and I’ll call you later.”
“You’re the boss, Melanie Armstrong.”
***
Katie drove to her apartment and got bored channel surfing. Nothing good was on. She looked at the unopened boxes that needed to be gone through.
She opened the window in her family room and smelled the fresh air. It called for a walk in the park. Katie swallowed some ibuprofen and headed across the street to the gas station for a diet soda.
After getting her fountain drink, Katie looked at the spinner filled with a selection of books in the back corner. She was into mysteries but didn’t see a great choice so she closed her eyes and grabbed a book at random after the spinning display stopped. It was a collection of poems titled How I Feel. She wanted to change to a better genre but couldn’t go against herself.
The clerk, Sandy, came in the back to straighten the shelves. “You can set your items on the counter if you’re still looking.”
“Small ice packs?”
“On the counter by the register.” She went back, pulled a couple out, and put one inside the other. “Fill it with ice and tie a nice tight knot.”
“Thank you.” Ice pack filled and items paid for, Katie walked to the crossing and waited for the light to turn green.
A white SUV with the passenger window down stopped at the red light. An older guy who looked pretty sad belted out, “Hey there, pretty thing. Want to hop in and do some hanky panky?”
Before Katie could answer, the light turned green and a car honked behind the perverted guy. The car behind pulled up next to Katie and lowered the passenger window. “Did he threaten you?”
“Tried to urge me into his SUV like a horny dog.” She pulled a face.
“Call 9-1-1 and report him. I saw him doing the same thing to a lady the other day and he needs to stop.” The car left.
Katie called the nonemergency number at the police station as she walked to the shaded picnic table on the far corner of the park and sat down. It was reported and the receptionist thanked her.
Maybe this poetry book will clear my mind. Katie sat, opened the book, and placed the ice pack on her cheek.
I never liked poetry,
Never understood the words they used
And what they were trying to say.
It didn’t make any sense.
But here I am now,
Writing my own thoughts down
From my deep inner feelings
Someone else could read mine
And wonder what the hell is she trying to say?
“Ha, this book read my mind.” Katie pulled the ice pack off her face.
“What does your mind say?” Mitch placed his hand on her back.
She yelped as she jerked away from his touch. “Gosh darn you.”
“Aren’t you feisty?”
“Well ya. Wouldn’t you be after being startled?”
He smiled and sat. “I was on patrol when I got a call about a beautiful dame in distress.”
“Do I look like I’m in distress?
“What happened to your face?” He had concern in his eyes.
“Oh. The dentist hit a blood vessel while numbing my cheek. Pretty bad.”
“It looks like a strong hit. You sure you’re fine?”
“Yes, Sergeant Blake, I’m fine.”
“So, tell me about this white SUV flirting with you.”
“You going to tell me he’s another person who goes around causing trouble like Conner and Matt?”
“No, this guy’s a pervert and we’ll put a stop to it.”
“Finally, something will get taken care of.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I’ve heard is Conner and Matt are wild dogs and get away with everything.”
“There’s a story.”
“And?”
Mitch pulled out his cell. His conversation was short before he turned back to Katie. “Back to your last comment.” He placed his hands on her face and gave her a quick kiss. “Will that assure you that I care?” Katie widened her eyes as he released her. “Well?”
“Y-yes, it does.” Her face looked puzzled.
“Good. I’ll stop by when I’m off work. See you later.” He left.
Hand on mouth, Katie watched Mitch drive away. Wow. It wasn’t expected, but it was good. Maybe another poem will take my mind off Mitch and his kiss.
I thirst for your lips.
I hunger for your touch.
I melt for your body.
Touch me, hold me, and caress me.
Let my mind get carried away.
I feel dizzy.
I feel light.
I feel excited.
I feel delight.
I feel moldable.
I feel at ease.
That one didn’t help.
***
Night swept in and Katie looked at her bare cupboards. The only items available were dry noodles and packages of flavoring. Katie was tired of the flavors. Melanie called to check up on Katie’s cheek and see if her mouth still hurt. Katie reassured her all was fine.
After a couple minutes of jibber jabber, the call ended and Katie took some pain medicine. A knock on her door and Mitch’s voice scared her. “Kate, open the door, please, my hands are full.”
“You have a thing for freaking me out,” she said as she opened the door, smiling.
“Move over so I won’t drop the bags.” She did as ordered and Mitch placed the groceries on the counter.
“What’s this? You brought me food a couple weeks ago and you’re doing it again?” She snooped through the bags.
“Lots of food for a swollen cheek, plus some Chinese for dinner tonight. It sounded good and I didn’t want to eat it by myself.” He placed his hands on her forearms. “How’s the cheek? Still sore?”
“A little to the touch. My mouth is no longer numb but a canker sore is forming where I bit my cheek countless times.” She first glanced at his hands and next his face. Mitch grinned.
“Here, this should help it get better.” He kissed her bruise. “Or maybe this would help.” His tongue touched her lips. Katie opened her mouth and gave it a gentle bite.
He pulled back.
She bit her lower lip. “Sorry. I’m spontaneous and do things at the spur of the moment. It gets me in trouble.”
“So you’re saying you’ll cure it after dinner, or will I have to keep my guard up?”
“Not sure yet.” Katie smiled.
“Okay, I’m starving so let’s eat before the food gets cold.” Mitch found the plates and glasses while Katie got the forks.
Small talk filled in the time and Katie told Mitch about her parents who lived outside of town, and her brother who has a shop west of town. Mitch talked about his temporary living arrangements at his parents’ house along with his sister. Instead of hiring an on-call nurse, he and Wendy took care of their mom’s medical needs and helped their dad. His parents were on a waiting list for housing in a care center.
Katie noticed Mitch seemed a little embarrassed to say he was living at home with his parents, but she could tell he loved his family and helped all he could.
There was one piece of spicy chicken left. Katie looked at Mitch and slowly moved her fork to it. He looked back, as if clueless, and beat her to it with his fork. She gave him a pout, but instead of him eating it, he positioned his fork in front of her mouth. She bit off a piece and guided the rest back to Mitch.
His cell phone rang and he dropped the fork before answering the call. “Mitch here.” He looked at Katie with disappointment in his eyes. “Okay, I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone and said, “Sorry, hon, emergency call. Got to cruise.” He jumped up, gave her a peck on the forehead, and headed toward the door.
“Bye, and thanks again for the dinner and…” What was tonight going to turn into? She watched as he went out the door into the night. Interruptions keep getting in our way. Is there an us? And do I want an us? Am I ready?
Katie cleared the table, loaded the dishwasher, and was sitting on the couch when her phone rang. “Hello.” No reply. “Hello. I’m getting tired of you calling.”
There was faint, heavy breathing before the other person hung up.