Chapter two
I wasn’t sure what I was going to bring with me. I decided at the last moment that one suitcase would suffice for what I would require. I drove up to his estate surrounded by a black iron gate. There was no guard stationed, but there was a call box to announce my arrival. I was going to press the button, but the gate suddenly swung open like it had sensed I was there.
I didn’t bother to change and was wearing my intellectual superiority over others like a badge of honor. I was a study of human nature. Watching them in their natural environment was fascinating.
It was most likely the reason why I was never invited back when somebody was having a party. I was very cynical and found fault with just about anybody. It was easy to pick at the scab when I had the tools of a surgeon to dig into their minds.
I drove my sedate black town car up the winding driveway covered with a thin layer of holiday snow. I knew he was loaded, but to see it up close and personal was a revelation of Biblical proportions. The place was enormous and had the look of a southern plantation. I parked and got out with my heart in my mouth. I felt like I was disturbing the natural order of things.
I took a deep breath and steadied my nerves. My white blouse was sticking to my flesh. It was warm, but I was feeling like his hands were on me.
I used the old fashioned knocker in the shape of a lion’s head. The sound echoed and was followed by footsteps and the man himself wearing his sophistication with a cardigan sweater draped over his magnificent body.
“I do like punctuality and you are 10-minutes early. Daniel is upstairs playing video games on the big screen television he has in his bedroom. I didn’t grow up with much and I have made up for it by surrounding myself with every convenience.” The white marble floor was pristine, but there was no sign of any staff to look after the place.
The decorations were perfect. Lights glittered from the tree in the living room. The blinking different colors put me in the holiday mood.
“I don’t take you for the type of guy to do windows or wash the kitchen floor on your hands and knees. I would pay to see that.” I was making mention of how quiet it was.
“The staff is only around during the day. I pride myself on being able to take care of myself and I want the same thing for my son. It might not be practical, but it’s necessary to stay in touch with my roots. Your room is the first one down the hall on the left. It took me a moment to figure out what were the best accommodations for you. Get settled in and join me in the kitchen at your earliest convenience.” The winding staircase had ornate carvings in the banister. The place was not cookie cutter by any means.
“I feel like I’m underdressed. Give me a few moments to get into something a little more comfortable.” I didn’t mean to make it sound sexual, but my tone was laced with seduction.
“I’m sure anything you wear will be fine. You could wear a garbage bag and still look sexy.” The words coming out of his mouth made me feel like I was trapped. This was the first time he had ever said anything remotely inappropriate.
“We can discuss the ground rules after dinner. I don’t mind rolling up my sleeves and doing dishes. Growing up, I learned to be responsible for myself. My parents were always in and out of my life never quite able to stand still in one place for too long.” In retrospect, I noticed they didn’t sleep in the same room when they were underneath the same roof.
“I have some ideas how to make this work in a more efficient way. I hope you will excuse me and I don’t want anything to burn.” The only thing that was burning was my fever to have him on top of me in a way that would bring about a squeal of delight from my lips.
With his hands in his pocket, he strolled down the hall to the kitchen where a medley of different spices assaulted my olfactory senses. He really did have a gift and one that I was going to enjoy tasting on my palate.
My love life was dismal and potential suitors didn’t stick around long enough to get to know me. I was closed off emotionally and physically. It sometimes felt like I was wearing a chastity belt from back in the day. A man would have to be extremely patient and willing to wait to get beyond the restrictions leading to the heaven between my legs.
I carried my luggage upstairs and went into the room assigned to me. The huge window brought in natural light from the backyard. There was a multitude of wildflowers growing in the garden below the window sill. The smell brought me back to my childhood when I was using my own green thumb to make something beautiful with my own hands.
The huge king size bed hovered off the floor a few feet with a huge mattress that felt like a pillow of clouds when I lay down on top of it. I looked at the ceiling and at the fan sitting idle above me. The room was spacious and there was something of a feminine touch in some of the finishing touches.
There was no way that I was going to live out of a suitcase. It was impersonal and made me feel like I was one step closer to going out the door. I wanted Daniel to realize I was a permanent fixture for as long as he needed me to be there. There was no point in ambushing him and I was going to give him the time to come to me on his own terms.
It took about 10-minutes to put everything away and to pick out a dress for dinner. It was a little black number with straps over the shoulders crossing over my bareback. It was a departure from my regular attire. The hint of the swell of my breasts every time I took a breath was a little risqué.
I suddenly felt like there was a cold chill running down my spine. I turned and half expected Evan to be standing in the doorway watching me with a critical eye. Instead, Daniel was glaring at me with his arms crossed defiantly. I was about to say something, but he turned and walked down the hallway swiftly and out of sight.
It was obvious he was under the impression I was there to replace his mother. I was going to have to set him straight at dinner before things could escalate. I didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings.
The clock on the black wood nightstand was flashing the neon red sign of 6:00 PM. I took off my glasses and replaced them with the contacts. It was clinically entertaining to see the transformation appear in front of my eyes. I no longer looked studious. This was the kind of woman who would have gone to a frat party without thinking twice about it.
I casually made my way downstairs and stopped to look at the photographs of the happy family. If Evan had his way he would have made each one disappear. He was keeping them up to remind Daniel of the mother he had lost. I would have done the same thing had I been in his shoes. It was a good way to keep her memory alive.
I followed the aroma like the pied piper playing the flute to rid the town of unwanted pests. Something really did smell delicious and I was looking forward to sinking my teeth into whatever concoction he had made.
The kitchen was immaculate and somehow he had managed not to make a mess. Everything was where it was supposed to be. The table was set for an intimate dinner with three in attendance. The China was quite spectacular with a flower design most likely something his wife had picked out on the spur of the moment.
“I hope you like Beef Wellington. This is my unique take on it. It has been marinated with red wine, wild mushrooms, onions, and a mixture of different spices to whet your appetite. I also have some baby carrots sautéed in butter with garlic mashed potatoes and this decadent gravy.” He was making my mouth water with anticipation.
“Daniel, my name is Denise Sand. I want to be upfront and honest for the reason for my visit. I’m here for you and not your father. There is nothing between us except for a deep respect for each other. I don’t want you to misconstrue what is going on here.” He softened a little, but he was understandably suspect of my motives.
“I don’t understand.” I was going to have to be a little more forward with my approach.
“Your father is concerned about these nightmares you are having. I am here to give you an outlet to talk openly about your feelings. You can say anything you want to me without your father being involved. I would suggest there should be an open dialogue between the three of us.” His arms went slack and he relaxed enough to know there was nothing going on between me and his father.
Evan waited patiently for the conversation to end before serving dinner. The steam rising from my plate was an intoxicating scent. This was worthy of high praise from any expensive restaurant in the area. I couldn’t see any critic finding fault in what was a masterpiece on a plate.
“Denise will be staying with us for the foreseeable future. I don’t need to know what the two of you talk about. Feel free to say what is ever on your mind. I hope we can reach a consensus on how to proceed.” The only sound during dinner was an appreciative tone coming from my mouth after each sampling of what was served.
“I have to give my compliments to the chef.” I was so far from my home and yet I felt perfectly comfortable surrounded by this dysfunctional family.
“My life is hectic and this is my way to find time to enjoy the simpler things in life. I have my wife to thank for opening my eyes to the little things. She made me smell the roses and to look at the world through fresh eyes. She told me I had to get in touch with my inner child.” The beef was so tender it broke away on my fork and melted in my mouth.
The complement of garlic mashed potatoes and baby carrots sautéed in butter was an explosion of flavors. The mushrooms were my favorite.
“She sounds like a wise woman and you were lucky to have her in your life. I would like the both of you to rekindle a memory of her in your own words. Write down your thoughts on paper and take the time to live the memory. Don’t run away from those things that made you a family.” This was my form of therapy to get them to recognize she would always be in their heart.
“I don’t want to remember her. It’s too painful and you can’t make me.” He dropped his fork and left the table without asking to be excused.
“You must forgive his lack of manners. He’s only doing this to get underneath your skin. His nightmares will slowly subside, but I don’t think he wants them to. It’s the last connection he has to his mother and he’s going to hold onto it for dear life.” I finished every single morsel on my plate and was tempted to lick the plate clean afterward.
“I appreciate your insight and I probably would have shown my anger by screaming. With you as a buffer, I can listen and act accordingly. I couldn’t tempt you with a decadent delight. I don’t want to pat myself on the back, but this is one of my finest creations.” The buildup was to have me drooling at the prospect of consuming such a delicious finish to the meal.
“How could I possibly refuse when you make it almost irresistible?”
The chocolate soufflé was light as a feather.
He was waiting for a reaction and it was almost better than sex. I didn’t have any reference, but this was what I dreamed it would be like.
“I do believe you said something about doing the dishes. I’m going to take you up on that offer. I have some phone calls to make in my office. I promise to make breakfast the meal you will want to start your day with.” He left me to clean up and I watched him walk away with a catch in my throat.